Soil Microbiology: Applications and Analyses of Mycorrhizal Associations

Soil and Water Science Department

      July 13-15, 2009


   McCarty Hall B; Room 3096
   University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

      SITE INDEX
l Course Overview l Course Instructors l Parking Instructions
l Who Should Attend? l Registration Information l Area Information
l 15 Ways to Benefit l Training Site

l Further Information

l Daily Agenda l Hotel Accommodations

Introduction

This training course is designed for scientists, organic farmers, and others interested in the practical and theoretical aspects of using mycorrhizal fungi to enhance plant growth and nutrient cycling.

Typical fields of interest include studies in plant biology and ecology, soil and plant interactions in agriculture and horticulture, ecosystem carbon flux, and symbiosis research.

Practical laboratory sessions will be supported by lectures and discussions. Technical manuals containing all experimental protocols will be provided to participants.

The course provides 36 hours of training and instruction, and a Certificate of Completion will be provided upon conclusion. Enrollment is limited, so register early to secure a seat in the course.

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Who Should Attend?
  • Biologists

  • Microbiologists

  • Ecologists

  • Agricultural Scientists

  • Agricultural engineers

  • Farmers

  • Organic Farmers

  • Foresters

  • Plant Scientists

  • Soil Scientists

  • Horticulturists

  • Landscapers

  • Land Use Planners

  • Environmental Scientists

  • Consultants

  • Environmental Consultants

  • Environmental Engineers

  • Water Scientists

  • Others Seeking Rigorous Training
    in mycorrhizal association

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15 Ways to Benefit

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Examine the mycorrhizal status of plants.

  2. Evaluate the mycorrhizal status of soils

  3. Estimate root length percent colonization

  4. Estimate the mycorrhizal inoculum potential of plant

  5. Estimate the mycorrhizal inoculum potential of soils

  6. Certify the quality and quantity of mycorrhizal inoculum

  7. Isolate mycorrhizal fungi DNA

  8. Use electrophoresis and PCR protocols

  9. Use computer program for phylogenetic placement of DNA sequences

  10. Create and interpret mycorrhizal fungi phylogeny

  11. Identify and describe mycorrhizal fungi

  12. Culture and multiply mycorrhizal inoculum

  13. Mass production of mycorrhizal inoculum

  14. Use mycorrhizal fungi as biofertilizers

  15. Use mycorrhizal inoculum to improve plant growth and development

  16. Use mycorrhizal association to improve soil quality

  17. Use mycorrhizal fungi in cleaning contaminated soils

  18. Advance your overall training and expertise to be environmental consulter, soil microbiology tester, mycorrhizal estimator, or mycorrhizal inoculum supplier

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Daily Agenda

Monday, July 13, 2008
09:00-10:00 Welcome and Course Overview
10:00-12:00

Laboratory : Overview
  1. Sampling Techniques
  2. Collect Field Samples

12:00-13:00 Lunch on own
13:00-17:00 Lecture - Importance of mycorrhizal fungi to agronomy and forestry:
  1. General examples from each system
  2. General overview of why they are beneficial
       
Ø Northern vs Temperate vs Tropical Latitudes
       
Ø When are they NOT beneficial
       
Ø When are they used

 Tuesday, July 14, 2008

09:00-12:00

Lecture - Physiology and Ecology of Mycorrhizal Fungi
  1. Overview Physiology of AM fungi
  2. Specificity (and lack thereof) in mycorrhizal relations
  3. The colonization process
  4. Extracellular enzymes and the release of nutrients
  5. The roles of helper bacteria and the mycorrhizosphere

12:00-13:00 Lunch on own
13:00-17:00

Laboratory – Practical Applications:
  1.
Development of inocula
        Ø Production
       
Ø
Variety of carrier materials
  2. Industry standards for inocula
  3. Characterization and evaluation of inocula

       
Ø
Spore Estimation
       
Ø
Estimate Root Colonization
       
Ø
Mycorrhizal Inoculum Potential (MIP) Test

 Wednesday, July 15, 2008

09:00-12:00

Lecture - Diversity of fungi
  1. Why should we care about the diversity
  2. Taxonomic and Physiological relationships

12:00-13:00 Lunch on own
13:00-16:00

Laboratory – Practical Techniques:
  1. Microscope Observation
  2. Morphological Identification
  3. Pot Culture Initiation

16:00-17:00 Discussion and Questions

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Course Instructors

Andy Ogram, PhD. microbiologist and microbial ecologist with an interest in biogeochemical cycling.
molecol.ifas.ufl.edu

Abid Al Agely, PhD. mycologist and microbial ecologist with special interest in phytoremediation.
mycorrhizae.ifas.ufl.edu/

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Registration Information

Enrollment in this course is limited to the first 20 participants, and registrations
will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

All figures are presented in US dollars ($).
Early Reduced Registration (on or before May 13, 2009) $500
Regular Registration (after May 13, 2009) $600

What Does the Fee Include?  The registration fee includes one copy of the course manual and daily refreshments. Participants are on their own for all meals.
 

Refund Policy: Requests for registration refunds will be honored if written notification of cancellation is received by the Office of Conferences on or before June 14, 2009. A $100.00 processing fee will be deducted from all refunds. Sorry, no refunds will be honored for cancellations after June 14, 2009.

Special Needs: Participants with special needs can be reasonably accommodated by contacting Abid Al Agely in the Soil and Water Science Department at least 10 working days prior to the conference. He can be reached by phone at 1-352-392-1951 (ext. 220), by fax at 1-352-392-3902, or by calling 1-800-955-8771 (TDD), within the state of Florida.

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Training Site

This course will be held at the University of Florida’s Campus, McCarty Hall B, Room 3096. A Field trip will be conducted to collect samples for the training course from the Gainesville area. Water and refreshments will be provided.

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Hotel Accommodations

Several hotel and motel establishments are available in the Gainesville area to provide guest room accommodations throughout the course. Participants are responsible for making their own hotel guest room reservations, and a list of properties and applicable guest room rates will be sent to you upon request.
 

Gainesville Area
Lodging Options
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Area Information
 

Parking & Directions

 

We recommend parking in the new Visitor Welcome Center and Bookstore parking garage located on Museum Road. There is a daily fee of $5.00 to park in this garage. Park first and then follow payment instructions posted on signs at each space. These signs direct customers to one of four pay stations where electronic space meters accept payment in bills, coins or Visa and MasterCard. An attendant will be available to answer questions or assist you at the pay stations. If you are staying at the Reitz Union Hotel, you will receive parking privileges in the garage for one vehicle per room.

 

Map to Welcome Center & Bookstore Parking Garage

 

Driving Directions to Welcome Center & Bookstore Parking Garage

 

Map from Parking Garage to McCarty Hall

Visit Gainesville

Jacksonville Airport Authority


Tampa International
Airport

 Runways logo.  Click to return to home page.
Shuttle Transportation
to/from Jacksonville and
Orlando Airports

Click for Gainesville, Florida Forecast

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For Further Information  
Training Information:
Dr. Abid Al Agely - Organizer
University of Florida/IFAS
Soil and Water Science Department
PO Box 110290
Gainesville, FL 32611-0290
PHONE: (352) 392-1951
FAX: (352) 392-3092
EMAIL: aaag@ufl.edu
Registration Information:
Sharon Borneman – Coordinator
University of Florida/IFAS
Office of Conferences & Institutes (OCI)
Building 639 Mowry Road
PO Box 110750
Gainesville, FL 32611-0750
PHONE: (352) 392-5930
FAX: (352) 392-9734
EMAIL: spb@ufl.edu

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