IN INOCULANTS Nodulaid - 17th International Nitrogen Fixation ...

Welcome
on behalf of the regional organising committee, i have great pleasure in welcoming you to the 17th
international congress on nitrogen Fixation in Fremantle, Western australia. This congress, the first of
which was held in 1974, provides the scientific community with the opportunity for a vital exchange of
ideas on nitrogen fixation. let’s not forget that nitrogen fixation is as vital to our survival on the planet
as photosynthesis!
As always, the congress will feature
high quality research across numerous
disciplines and identify the emerging
areas in the field. The strength of the
international nitrogen fixation community
lies in its people – our colleagues range
from students and up-and-coming postdocs
to the many experts in their field. If
this is your first time attending this congress can I encourage you to
take the opportunity to engage with as many colleagues as you can.
Establishing research collaborations is what the meeting is all about.
The 17th International Congress on Nitrogen Fixation also provides us
with an opportunity to consider the questions– where are we now with
nitrogen fixation and where are we going? On one hand we have the
very exciting opportunities being provided by molecular technologies,
with advances in these areas coming at an ever-increasing rate.
On the other hand, many of the challenges confronting successful
application of nitrogen fixation technology in agriculture remain
the same e.g. developing new legumes and rhizobia for agriculture;
achieving successful inoculation through improved technologies; and
understanding the conundrums surrounding the life of rhizobia in soil
and rhizosphere such as ineffective populations and competition.
2
Fremantle is the major port city of Western Australia, a state that
is known for its magnificent coastline, incredible landscapes and
unique wildlife. From tropical mangroves in the far north to the
limestone cliffs pounded by the southern ocean, Western Australia
offers a myriad of opportunities for travelers. Fremantle has been
the gateway to Western Australia for well over 150 years and its
multicultural history is reflected in its many cafes, restaurants,
museums and other cultural sites. What better than a chance to browse
the markets, or relax after the science in the cafes and restaurants?
I sincerely hope that this will be a productive and memorable
congress for all participants.
associate Professor Graham o’Hara
Director, Centre for Rhizobium Studies
Murdoch University, Western Australia
Congress Secretariat
EEcW Pty ltd
47 Hampden Road, Nedlands
Phone: 08 9389 1488
Fax: 08 9389 1499
Emal: info@eecw.com.au