2024
Annual Irish Plant Science Association Meeting 2024
The conference featured a range of topics, from optimising seed banking to mitigating plant diseases in cereal grains, highlighting the importance of plants in tackling environmental issues. One researcher presented an exciting solution to the growing issue of water quality in Ireland - the use of a particular oat species (Azola) plant for cleaning wastewater, potentially improving water quality and ensuring a healthier environment.
I recently had the pleasure of attending the Irish Plant Science Association Meeting (IPSAM) at the University College Cork on June 17th and 18th, 2024. This dynamic conference was a true celebration of plant science excellence, bringing together the scientists in the field to share their research and innovative ideas. The conference was organised by the Irish Plant Science Association Meeting Committee comprising Professor Astrid Wingler,Dr Rossana Henriques,Dr Deirde Hennessy, Dr Eoin Lettice, Dr James Richardson, Dr Israel Iloyi, Mr Callum Myers, Mr Joe Croke and chaired by Dr. Barbara Doyle Prestwich. Both Dr Eoin Lettice and Dr Barbra Doyle and, are the Primary Investigator and co-Primary Investigator of the 'Irish Tree Explorer Network' project.IPSAM's goal is to unite plant scientists in the field, sparking a lively exchange of ideas and discoveries that can shape the future of plant science. The energy and enthusiasm at the conference were palpable as scientists from across Ireland and beyond shared their work, tackling industry-specific challenges and exploring innovative solutions.
The conference featured a range of topics, from optimising seed banking to mitigating plant diseases in cereal grains, highlighting the importance of plants in tackling environmental issues. One researcher presented an exciting solution to the growing issue of water quality in Ireland - the use of a particular oat species (Azola) plant for cleaning wastewater, potentially improving water quality and ensuring a healthier environment.
The conference also emphasised the need to move away from unsustainable pesticide-based plant disease treatments, instead focusing on the use of natural solutions such as seaweed extracts to improve plant health. Notably, the significance of establishing a national seed bank in Ireland was underscored, as it is crucial for preserving the country's biodiversity and ensuring the long-term sustainability of its food systems.
The conference featured a paper by Dr Eoin Lettice, which delved into the relationship between badgers and elder plants. The study revealed that badgers do affect the distribution of Elders (which serve as a key indicator of their setts ((burrows)), although not with extreme precision. This research has important ecological implications, as it helps identify badger habitats and the growing research evidence that demonstrates that badgers can transfer the diseases tuberculosis to humans.
Dr Lettice also discussed the Irish Tree Explorer Network, exploring the multifaceted world of tree collections and their pivotal role in combating plant blindness. He emphasised the importance of engaging the public in tree collections, involving them in decision-making processes like voting on favourite forests. He also highlighted the power of storytelling, using cultural and historical connections to create compelling narratives around trees that can resonate with all. Formally Eoin also discussed his involvement with the South Parish Tree Audit, highlighting the collaborative effort between South Parish and Cork City Council to map tree species in Cork city. The project aimed to identify the knowledge gap of what trees are in Cork city and provide informed decisions about the future of trees in the city.
Dr Barbra Doyle of UCC (IPSAM Chair) discussed the latest advancements in genomic techniques in plant science, exploring CRISPR-Cas genome editing and climate-resilient crops. She highlighted the growing research in this area, which has the potential to revolutionise crop improvement and enable farmers to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. The presentation involved audience participation where attendees were asked to share their opinions on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). These attendee opinions were then compared to the feedback received from farmers on the same questions. Dr. Doyle highlighted that an abundant number of countries have already begun using GMOs, but Ireland has not yet adopted the use of GMOs. She noted that even if Ireland does not produce GMOs domestically, it is likely that Ireland will import these products from other countries in the future.
Overall, the conference was an exceptional experience, offering valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the importance of plant science in tackling environmental issues. I highly recommend attending next year's IPSAM conference which will be taking place in the National University of Galway (NUIG), which is a must-attend event for plant enthusiasts, researchers, and industry professionals.
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The ITEN team
Based at UCC, the team includes Dr Eoin Lettice, Dr Barbara Doyle Prestwich, Emma Hutchinson and Gabriella Chisholm from the School of BEES and Prof. Claire Connolly and Dr. Claire Nolan from the School of English and Digital Humanities.
To keep up with project news and updates, follow iten_ucc on Twitter and Instagram and the Irish Tree Explorers Network on Facebook.