Distinguished Professor of Soil Science and Director of the Center for Carbon Management and Sequestration (CFAES) at Ohio State University (OSU).His work focuses on soil carbon sequestration and regenerative agriculture through which soil can help resolve global issues such as climate change, food security and water quality .
Dr. Lal recognized that agricultural ideas inherited from the “Green Revolution,” which emphasized farm mechanization, and relied heavily on high fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide inputs, were too expensive, and thus out of reach, for most of the world’s subsistence farmers. He demonstrated that a combination of no-till methods and diverse cropping systems could achieve sustainable yields while reducing the damaging effects of soil erosion. Nurturing the soil through reduced tillage and crop rotations, and consistently covering soil with cover crops or mulch, it is possible to farm sustainably and reduce many of the negative impacts of intensive agriculture
In 2019, Dr. Lal was awarded the Japan’s Prize for the sustainable soil management for global food security and mitigation of climate change. In 2020, Professor Lal was awarded the prestigious World Food Prize-2020.
Dr. Pulleman is a Soil Scientist, member of the Soil Biology Group, at Wageningen University.She is also part of the Agroecosystems and Sustainable Landscapes Research Area at International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), based in Colombia. Dr. Pulleman is an expert in Soil biochemistry, soil ecology, soil management and sustainable agroecosystems. Her work focuses on (i) understanding soil health in relation to agroecosystem management; (ii) indicators of soil health and ecosystem services at field, farm and landscape scales; (iii) the relationships between soil health and food safety. She is particularly interested in working at the interface of science and application to enhance sustainability and inclusiveness of agricultural production, with a focus on agroforestry systems. Dr. Pulleman has worked in Europe, Africa and especially across Latin America.
Agricultural Sciences and Bioengineering with a focus on innovation in crop nutrition. Senior scientist, professor of Plant Biology at Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Belgium since 1996, of which he was Dean of the faculty in the period 2007-2009. He is expert in plant physiology and nutrition and his current research is focused on the action of microbial and non-microbial biostimulants on crop plants. He has a long-standing expertise in the risk assessment of agricultural technologies and was vice-chair of the EFSA GMO panel between 2012 and 2015. He has been member of the ethics committee of the French Institutes INRA and CIRAD. Dr. du Jardin dedicates his professional life to the production, use and sharing of knowledge and expertise on plant biology and biotechnology through scientific publications, teaching, international cooperation and conferences.
Soil Fertility and Chemistry Scientist. Strong research professional with a PhD focused on Soil Fertility and Chemistry from Montana State University-Bozeman and eight years as tenured faculty at University California Davis. Experienced Affiliate Professor with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Extension Soil Specialist in Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management, and Director of Analytical Laboratory at UC Davis.
Skilled in Soil Chemical Analysis, Water Quality, Natural Resources, Compost, and laboratory Proficiency Testing. Technical Director at Agricultural Laboratory Proficiency Program -ALP Program- USA
In 2019 received Rufus Chaney Award United States Compost Council, for Excellence in Compost Research and Outstanding Contribution to Furthering the Science of Composting. Dr. Miller has administered the Compost Proficiency Testing Program since 2010 and provided technical instruction, method development and oversight on method performance.
After 11 years at CSIRO, Prof. Viscarra Rossel moved to Curtin in 2019 to create the Soil and Landscape Research group. He was a Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO Land and Water in Canberra.
Prof. Viscarra Rossel was an active member of the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy technical working group on soil organic carbon measurement and contributed to the development of the Emission Reduction Fund methodologies for soil organic carbon monitoring.
Roger was born in New Zealand and attended Auckland University between 1969 -1976, graduating with a PhD in Chemistry. His first and only employment involved setting up and then managing a small privately owned soil testing laboratory. After eight years, he left to start Hill Laboratories in partnership with his wife, Anne. The new laboratory was very successful, and currently employs over 450 people, with six branches throughout New Zealand.
Roger has been an active member of the Australasian Soil and Plant Analysis Council, being the New Zealand representative on the Executive from 1997 to 2014, and the chairman for 2002-2003. He is currently the Convenor of their Laboratory Proficiency Committee.
In 2012, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Waikato, and in 2019, was the recipient of the Soil and Plant Analysis Council’s J Benton Jones Award.
Roger and Anne have two sons and five grandchildren, and their elder son, Jonno, is now running the family business.
Fernando García, PhD
Dr. Fernando O. García is Free Professor of Soil Fertility and Crop Nutrition at the College of Agricultural Sciences of the National University of Mar del Plata (Argentina), and international consultant for farmer´s organization and agricultural industry.
His main research and extension interests are the efficient and effective use of nutrients and other resources in ecologically intensified cropping systems.
He was Regional Director of the International Institute of Plant Nutrition (IPNI), Southern Cone Latin America Program, where he developed research and education programs on soil fertility, use and management of fertilizers and crop production in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Currently, he is President of Commission 3.3 Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition of the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS).
María Mercedes Martínez
Microbiologist from Universidad de Los Andes-Colombia, with a PhD in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Bonn, Germany, and a MS in Soil Microbiology from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia.
Researcher at the Tropical Crops Research Group, TROPEN, at University of Bonn, and a member of the Soil, Plant and Water research group (GISPA) at Universidad Federico Santa María-Chile.
Senior researcher in Colciencias, Colombia, Conicyt-Chile, and Conacyt-Peru, and member of the Global Soil Expert Group of FAO.
International consultant on soil quality, use of residues, organic matter, and bioproducts of microbial origin in extensive and horticultural crops in several Latin American countries.
Advisor to the national regulatory committee for bioproducts and organic fertilizers of Colombia (ICONTEC) and member of the group of experts in enzymatic methodologies for Glosolan-FAO.
Author and co-author of numerous books, chapters, scientific and extension publications.
Rao S Mylavarapu, Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Soil Science, Clemson University, S.C., USA
Professor, Sustainable Nutrient Systems, Soil & Water Sciences, FAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Professional Experience
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- 1998-present: Assistant/Associate/Full Professor, Sustainable Nutrient Systems
- 1996–1998: Soils Specialist, Soils & Land Resources, Clemson Univ., SC, USA
- 1995-1996: Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS, Environmental Chemistry Lab, Beltsville, MD
- 1985-1989: Asst. Professor, Soil Physics & Grapes Research, A. P.A.U., India
- 2009-present: Professor-Affiliate, School of Natural Resources, Univ. of Florida
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Professional Leadership
- Chair, International Governing Council, International Soil & Plant Analysis Council, 2019-2022
- Chair, Nutrient Management and Soil & Plant Analysis Division, SSSA, 2016-2017
- President, Soil & Plant Analysis Council, North America, SSSA, 2012-2014
- Member, Scientific and Technical Committee, 15th International Symposium, ISSPA, with Australian Soil & Plant Analysis Council, Nanjing, China, 2017
- Associate Editor, Nutrient Management and Soil & Plant Analysis and Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Divisions, Soil Science Society of America Journal, 2014-2018
- Member, UF/IFAS Plant Nutrient Oversight Committee, 1998-present
- Member, State-wide Committee on 4Rs Certification program, 2018-present
- Member, UF/IFAS Task Force on Urban Fertilizer Ordinances, 2018-present
- Member, UF/IFAS Task Force on Standardized Fertilization Recommendations for Agronomic Crops, 2007-present
- Co-Chair, Florida P-Index Committee, 2006-present
- Chair, UF/IFAS International Programs Advisory Committee, 2018-2019
- Chair/Vice-Chair/Secretary/Member, USDA-SERA-IEG-6 on soil testing, 1996-present
Honors and Awards:
- Term Professor Award, UF, for professional excellence, 2018-2021
- Faculty Fellowship Award, for collaborative research in Israel -2018-2019
- Faculty Enhancement Opportunity Award, UF, research at CSIRO, Australia, 2013-14
- Faculty Enhancement Opportunity Award, UF, South Korea, 2014
- IFAS LEAD Award, University of Florida, for administrative leadership
- Hornsby Professorial Award, IFAS, University of Florida, 2006-2007
- Image Gold Award, So. Region Water Quality for the Best Regional Newsletter, 2007
- Best Team Display Award, Region Water, CSREES, Washington, DC. 2008
- Jim App Outstanding Team Award, IFAS, for Best Team on Vegetables, 2002
- State Extension Coordinator, Soil & Water Sciences, 2014-present
- Board Member, Florida Certified Crop Advisers, 2007-present
- Associate Editor, Soil Science Society of America Journal, 2016-2018
- Editorial Board Member, in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 2006-present
- Editorial Board, AP Agricultural University Research Journal (India), 2010-2014
Relevant Publications
Book Chapters
- Mylavarapu, R., C.C. Mitchell, and H.J. Savoy. 2014. Soils of the Southeastern US. In Soil Test Methods from the Southeastern United States. Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin No. 419. USDA- SERA-IEG-6. ISBN 1-58161-419-5.
- Mylavarapu, R. 2014. Walkley-Black Method. In Soil Test Methods from the Southeastern United Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin No. 419. USDA-SERA-IEG-6. ISBN 1-58161-419-5.
- Mitchell, C.C. and Mylavarapu, R. 2014. Soil Test Correlation and Calibration for Recommendations. In Soil Test Methods from the Southeastern United States. Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin No. USDA-SERA-IEG-6. ISBN 1-58161-419-5.
- Hanlon, E.A., K. Morgan, T.A. Obreza and R.S. Mylavarapu. Leaf Analysis in Citrus. Developments in Analytical Techniques. Advances in Citrus Nutrition. Springer-Verlag, The Netherlands.
Selected Refereed Publications
- Marupaka, V., S. Mylavarapu, et al. 2022. Comparing boron soil testing methods for coastal plain sandy soils. Comm. Soil Sci and Plant Anal. 53(12):1456-1472
- Herrera, D*., S. Mylavarapu, W. Harris and J. Colee. 2022. Influence of Source on Relations Between Water-Soluble and other Forms of Extractable Phosphorus. Comm. Soil Sci. and Plant Anal. 53(12)1445 1455 https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2022.2046040
- Jalpa, L* and Mylavarapu. 2021. Nitrogen Management and Recovery Efficiency and Response to Nitrogen Sources in Drip-irrigated Tomato. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 134:99–102.
- Nan Xu*, … R.S. Mylavarapu. Crop Nutrition and Yield Response of Bagasse Application on Sugarcane Grown on a Mineral Soil. Agronomy. 11:1526. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11081526
- Nan Xu*, … R.S. Mylavarapu. Sugarcane bagasse amendments mitigate nutrient leaching from mineral soils under tropical humid conditions. Pedosphere (in print)
- Zhang, H. …… Mylavarapu, R.S…. Wang, J. J. (2021). Soil-Test-Based Phosphorus and Potassium Rate Recommendations across the Southeastern USA, SSSAJ S-2020-12-0379-SSI.
- Jalpa, L*, R. S. Mylavarapu, et. al. 2020. Apparent Recovery and Efficiency of N Fertilization in Tomato Grown on Sandy Soils. HortTech. dorg/10.21273/HORTTECH04480-19
- Celestin, F*., R.S. Mylavarapu, et. al. 2020. Response of Black Bean to Potassium Fertilization in Acidic and Alkaline Soils in Haiti. J. Plant doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2020.1783309
- Xie, Y. B*…, R.S. Mylavarapu, et. al. 2020. P uptake and growth of wild-type barley and its root-hairless mutant cultured in buffered- and non-buffered-P solutions. Agronomy, 10:1556
- Celestin*, F., R.S. Mylavarapu, G. Hochmuth, Y.C. Li, and v.S. Edzard. 2019. Response of Black Bean to P Fertilization in Acidic and Alkaline Soils in Haiti. Pl. Nutrition.
- Zhu, Q., M. Ozores-Hampton, Y. Li, K. Morgan, G. Liu and R.S. Mylavarapu. 2019. Comparison of Extractants for Calibrating P Appln Rates in calcareous Hort.Science. 54:1391-1396.
- Bortolozo, F. R. and R. Mylavarapu. 2019. P Requirement for Irrigated Bush Beans Production on Coastal Plain J. Plant Nutrition.
- Collins, R.J., R.S. Mylavarapu, M.W. Clark, and T.Z. Osborne. 2019. Soil Column Simulation of Natural Nutrient Flux after Short Term Inundation. Agricultural and Environmental Letters. doi: 2134/ael2019.01.0001.
- Bortolozo, F. R. and R. Mylavarapu. 2019. Phosphorus Requirement for Irrigated Bush Beans Production on Coastal Plain J. Plant Nutrition. doi:10.1080/01904167.2018.1549679
- Chavez, E, Z. He, P. Stoffella, R.S. Mylavarapu, Y.C. Li, and V. Baligar. 2016. Chemical Speciation of Cd: An Approach to Evaluate Plant-Available Cd in Ecuadorian Soils under Cacao Production. 150:57-62
Relevant Extension Publications
- Mylavarapu, R.S., D. Wright, G. Kidder. 2022. UF/IFAS Standardized Fertilization Recommendations for Agronomic SL129, Soil & Water Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS. pp8.
- Mylavarapu, R.S., et. al. 2020. Hemp Fertilization: Current Knowledge, Gaps and Efforts in Florida. SL 476, Soil & Water Sciences, IFAS Coop Extension, Univ of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611. pp5.
- Mylavarapu, R.S., W. Harris and G. Hochmuth. 2019. Agricultural Soils of Florida. SL44, Soil & Water Sciences, IFAS Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611. pp9.
- Mylavarapu, G. Hochmuth, and G. Liu. 2017. UF/IFAS Standardized Nutrient Recommendations for Vegetable Crop Production in Florida. CIR1152. Soil & Water Sciences, IFAS Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611. pp9.
- Mylavarapu, R., T.A. Obreza, K. Morgan, G. Hochmuth, V. Nair and A. Wright. 2020. Extraction of Soil Nutrients Using Mehlich-3 Reagent for Acid-Mineral Soils of Florida. SL407, Soil & Water Science, IFAS Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611. pp7.
- Mylavarapu, R.S., G. Hochmuth, C. Mackowiak, A. Wright, M. Silevira. 2019. Lowering Soil pH to Optimize Nutrient Management and Crop Production -SL-437, Soil & Water Sciences, IFAS Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL pp4.
Dr. Mauricio Molina Roco
Filippo Benedetti, MS
Dr. Ortega is a Professor at Technical University Federico Santa Maria (UTFSM), in Chile. He is the Director of the Research Group on Soil, Plant, Water and Environment (GISPA)In 2018, co-founded the Latin American Association on Precision Agriculture (ALAP) and appointed as its first president. In 2008 was part of the group of founders of the International Society of Precision Agriculture (ISPA). He has served as Vice-president of the Latin American community and country representative at ISPA.
He has pursued several entrepreneurships at the academic and private levels, including research centers, graduate programs, and companies in the areas of Precision Agriculture Soil Microbiology, Soil biochemistry, Soil chemistry, and data science.
His areas of research are: Integrated Nutrition Management, Precision Agriculture, Modeling in Agriculture, and Agricultural Sustainability
Dr Ortega, has worked as private national and international consultant in Precision Agriculture, soil fertility and plant nutrition, agricultural market, and fertilizer product development, etc.
Arjan Reijneveld, PhD
Kristin Hicks, PhD
Kristin Hicks resides in North Carolina, USA. She obtained an M.S. in Soil Science from North Carolina State University in 2002 and a PhD in Soils and Biogeochemistry from the University of California at Davis in 2007. Dr. Hicks also held a post-doctoral position at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at North Carolina State University until 2009.
Dr. Hicks has been Section Chief of the Plant/ Waste/ Solutions/ Media lab in the Agronomic Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture since 2015. Her primary job responsibilities are to evaluate plant tissue sufficiency ranges for accuracy and to determine and make fertility recommendations to North Carolina growers for all commercial crops produced in the state. In 2021, Dr. Hicks established nutrient reference ranges for plant tissue analysis in Cannabis sativa at the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. Her current research objective is to develop a new meta-approach to establishing plant tissue reference ranges using Cannabis sativa as a model crop.