First announcement

What’s it about

This is the main, annual BSPP meeting, led by Professor David B Collinge, the current president. This year’s theme is the plant microbiome and endophytes. The conference also offers wider opportunities to keep track of what’s going on in plant pathology, share practical tips through newly introduced masterclasses, and socialise with colleagues from the UK and abroad in a vibrant northern city.

Venue and dates

All lectures and associated events will take place in the Herschel Building, part of the main campus of the University of Newcastle. The venue is in the heart of the city and has good transport links and amenities within a short radius. Please note that parking places near to the venue are limited and must be paid for.

Accommodation

There are a limited number of residential packages (ca. 35); availability will be shown on the website at time of booking. A wide range of reasonably-priced hotels is available within easy reach of the conference venue.

Fees

Residential packages include three nights bed and breakfast. All registrations include snacks, lunches, conference dinner (on Monday) and a reception held during the poster session on Tuesday.

Early bird rates apply until the 15 July. Rates will then increase, as shown in brackets. You can join the society at any time before the conference to take advantage of member rates.

Registration closes on the 5 August.

Residential: Member £400 (£470) | Non-member £480 (£550)

Non-Residential: Member £200 (£240) | Non-member £280 (£320)

Online: £40 | Users will be able to view talks  shortly after they have taken place.

Scroll down to order tickets and book your place.

Programme

The conference will start at 09:00 on the Monday morning and finish by noon on the Wednesday. There are eight sessions. See below for availability for offered contributions.

S1: Fungal Endophytes

Invited speakers
Alga Zuccaro (Germany) Serendipita indica –endophyte or weak pathogen that induces resistance?; Katarzyna Hrynkiewicz (Italy) Fungal endophytes of Salicornia europaea;

S2: Coat Changers

Invited speakers
Daohong Jiang (PRC) | SsHADV-1 converts Sclerotinia to an BCA; Martijn Rep  (Netherlands) | Fusarium oxysporum: endophyte or pathogen?

S3: PH Gregory Competition

First time presenters at a BSPP conference. See here for more details.

S4: What are Latent Pathogens

Invited speakers
Peter Solomon (Australia) | Parastagonospora nodorum and its use effectors; Dave Berger (South Africa) Cercospora zeina on maize

S5: Open session

Offered contributions on any aspect of plant pathology and plant health.

S6: Masterclasses: Tools and Techniques

Short, small group discussions providing the opportunity to discuss and share personal experiences and insights on practical aspects of plant pathology. Potential topics include: modelling, bio-infomatics, sequencing, providing advisory services, working with endophytes. Group leaders and topics to be confirmed.

S7: Looking to the future, learning from the past

Leading scientists will give an overview of trends in plant pathology, including research directions, training, publishing and beyond. Talks by invitation.

S8: Communities and their Exploitation

Invited speaker
Iñigo Zabalgogeazcoa (Spain)| Structure and functions of the fungal microbiome from a maritime plant

Events

• PH Gregory award for first presentation at a BSPP annual conference
• J Colhoun award for best student poster .
• Career Chats: learn how established and up-and-coming scientists have got to where they are, with tips and suggestions on how to forge your own career.
• RKS Wood award: this year’s winner will discuss their research and major findings

Offered contributions (form here)

Offered presentations and posters are welcomed. There are 11 available slots for offered talks on the conference theme, and 4 slots for the open session. Please indicate if you are willing to lead a Masterclass and the chosen topic. Registration fees (non-residential) will be waved for those accepted.

Abstracts should be no more than 300 words, with a maximum of one reference. Please indicate if you are willing to submit a poster if your oral presentation is not accepted. Talks are 20 minutes long, including post-talk discussion.

Accepted contributions will be allocated to a relevant session.

Closing date for submissions: 22 July 2022.

Click here for the abstract submission form….