Biodiversity can benefit society, say IPSAM hosts

Ireland can harness its rich biodiversity to support a better society, economy, and environment, say the hosts of the Irish Plant Scientists’ Association meeting, in IT Carlow from June 25 to 27.

IPSAM 2019 is organised by enviroCORE at IT Carlow and the Teagasc Crop Science Department in Oak Park. Keynote speakers include: Dr Úna FitzPatrick, National Biodiversity Data Centre, Ireland; David Walsh-Kemmis, Ballykilcavan Brewing Company; Dr Bill Thomas, James Hutton Institute, Scotland; and Prof Fiona Doohan, UCD.

Dr Susanne Barth, Teagasc and IPSAM co-chair, said:

“Ireland has a vibrant and wide-ranging community of researchers in the plant sciences including crop science, phytopathology, plant genetics and genomics, developmental biology, ecology, horticulture, forestry and soil science, ranging from fundamental through to applied research.”

Among the topics to be discussed by attending plant scientists are; biodiversity and invasive species; climate change and abiotic stress; plants for human health; plant growth and development; crop improvement and agronomy.

IPSAM 2019 coincides with the biennial Teagasc Crops Open Day in Oak Park on June 26. Participants will spend the afternoon reviewing research at Oak Park.