July 6-8, 2020
Conducted via Zoom
Site Index
- Who Should Attend?
- 14 ways to Benefit
- Daily Agenda
- Course Instructors
- Registration Information
- For Further Information
Announcements
- Registration Coming Soon!
(Registration extended to June 29) - In the News!
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Photo Galleries
- 2019 Photo Gallery
- 2018 Photo Gallery
- 2017 Photo Gallery
- 2016 Photo Gallery
- 2015 Photo Gallery
- Training Course Over the Years
Important Notice
Due to COVID-19, the Applied Soil Microbiology Training Course will be conducted remotely using the virtual meeting application Zoom. Registrants will recieve an access link via email.
To Participate by Zoom, you will need:
- to download Zoom 5.0 and make sure you can use it.
- a stable internet connection (wired or wireless)
- speakers and a microphone
- a web cam (Though you may join with audio access only, having a web cam adds significant interactive benefits.)
Introduction
Entering its 15th year, the UF/IFAS Mycorrhizae training course is popular among organic farmers, scientist, and those in the soil amendment industry. It is designed for individuals 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 soil and plant interactions in agriculture and horticulture, plant biology and ecology, ecosystem carbon flux, and symbiosis research.
During the three day course, participants receive a blend of practical laboratory sessions supported by lectures and discussions. By the end of the course, participants are able to isolate the fungi spores and use them as bio-fertilizer. In addition, participants are able to determine the efficiency at which the spores make associations and if they are working. Participants also receive technical manuals containing all experimental protocols.
The course provides up-to-date training and instruction and completing the course gives attendees both knowledge and credibility. Upon conclusion, each participant receives a Certificate of Completion. Class size is limited and early registration is advisable.
2019 Soil Microbiology Class
Who Should Attend?
- Farmers
- Organic Farmers
- Biologists
- Microbiologists
- Ecologists
- Agricultural Scientists
- Agricultural engineers
- Foresters
- Plant Scientists
- Soil Scientists
- Extension Agents
- Horticulturists
- Landscapers
- Land Use Planners
- Environmental Scientists
- Consultants
- Environmental Consultants
- Environmental Engineers
- Water Scientists
- Others Seeking Rigorous Training in mycorrhizal association
14 Ways to Benefit
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Examine the mycorrhizal status of plants.
- Evaluate the mycorrhizal status of soils
- Estimate root length percent colonization
- Estimate the mycorrhizal inoculum potential of plant
- Estimate the mycorrhizal inoculum potential of soils
- Certify the quality and quantity of mycorrhizal inoculum
- Identify and describe mycorrhizal fungi
- Culture and multiply mycorrhizal inoculum
- Mass production of mycorrhizal inoculum
- Use mycorrhizal fungi as biofertilizers
- Use mycorrhizal inoculum to improve plant growth and development
- Use mycorrhizal association to improve soil quality
- Use mycorrhizal fungi in cleaning contaminated soils
- Advance your overall training and expertise to be environmental consulter, soil microbiology tester, mycorrhizal estimator, or mycorrhizal inoculum supplier
Meeting Schedule
| Day 1 - Monday | |
| 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 - Northern vs Temperate vs Tropical Latitudes - When are they NOT beneficial - When are they used |
| Day 2 - Tuesday | |
| 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 - Production - Variety of carrier materials 2. Industry standards for inocula 3. Characterization and evaluation of inocula - Spore Estimation - Estimate Root Colonization - Mycorrhizal Inoculum Potential (MIP) Test |
| Day 3 - Wednesday | |
| 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 |
Course Instructors
Abid Al Agely
Abid is a mycologist and microbial ecologist with special interest in phytoremediation.
Phone: 352-294-3144
Email: aaag@ufl.edu
Andy Ogram
Andy is a microbiologist and microbial ecologist with an interest in biogeochemical cycling.
Phone: 352-294-3138
Email: aogram@ufl.edu
Soil & Water Sciences Website: soils.ifas.ufl.edu
Registration Information
Important Notice
Due to COVID-19, the Applied Soil Microbiology Training Course will be conducted remotely using the virtual meeting application Zoom. Registrants will recieve an access link via email.
To Participate by Zoom, you will need:
- to download Zoom 5.0 and make sure you can use it.
- a stable internet connection (wired or wireless)
- speakers and a microphone
- a web cam (Though you may join with audio access only, having a web cam adds significant interactive benefits.)
- Enrollment is limited and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Registration payment must be received to secure a space.
- Payment must be received by the applicable deadline to qualify for the early fee.
What Does the Fee Include? The registration fee includes the educational program via Zoom and one copy of the course manual.
All figures are presented in U.S. dollars ($).
July 6-8, 2020
| Registration Fee (on or before June 29, 2020. No registrations will be accepted after June 29.) | $500 |
*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 8, 2020. A $100.00 processing fee will be deducted from all refunds. Sorry, no refunds will be honored for cancellations after this date.
Special Needs: Participants with special needs can be reasonably accommodated by contacting Ms. Kimberly Brand, Registrar at the Office of Conferences & Institutes, at least 30 days prior to the conference. She can be reached by email at kimmer72@ufl.edu, by phone at 1-352-392-5930, by FAX at 1-352-392-4044, or by calling 711 TTY/TDD.
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) 294-3144
FAX: (352) 392-3399
EMAIL: aaag@ufl.edu
Registration Information
Kim Brand – Registrar
University of Florida/IFAS
Office of Conferences & Institutes (OCI)
2311 Mowry Road, Bldg. 78
PO Box 110750
Gainesville, FL 32611-0750
Phone: (352) 392-5930
Email: kimmer72@ufl.edu
