13th AABNF Congress, December 15th-18th 2008 Hammamet, Tunisia

AABNF (African Association for Biological Nitrogen Fixation) is a non-governmental multidisciplinary group founded since 1982, including specialists in soil science, nutrition, agronomy, microbiology, politicians and other interested in the promotion of research, teaching and utilization of the biological nitrogen fixation systems to increase food production and decrease malnutrition in Africa. Regular congresses are organized to share experience and information, to evaluate the accomplished progress and to plan for an efficient exploitation of the biological nitrogen fixation systems in Africa. However, despite the expected benefit from BNF, practical applications are still needed in most parts in Africa.

Minutes of AABNF2008

The 13th congress of the African Association for Biological Nitrogen Fixation (AABNF2008), held in Hammamet-Tunisia, December 15^th-18^th 2008, was organized by the Centre of Biotechnology of Borj-Cédria (http://www.cbbc.rnrt.tn/) and the Tunisian Association for Biotechnology (http://www.atbiotech.rnrt.tn/).

This congress was organized under the topic: Biological Nitrogen Fixation and agricultural development in Africa, a great importance was given to field applications. More than 140 participants from 29 countries (Tunisia : 30%, Africa : 45%, Europe, Asia and America : 25%) attended this meeting. 16 conferences, 48 communications and 70 posters were presented. The meeting was organized in different sessions: Diversity and evolution; Plant bacteria interactions; Abiotic stress; Biotic stress and biocontrol; BNF status and applications; Actinorhizal symbioses. AABNF2008 hosted also a satellite workshop on Mycorrhiza which was a good opportunity for scientists from both fields to exchange ideas and experience especially on field applications.

For a PDF copy of the book of abstracts please contact Pr. Ridha Mhamdi ridha.mhamdi@cbbc.rnrt.tn

The registration fees of 50 participants, including students, senior scientists and invited speakers were taken in charge by the organizing committee. The main sponsors were The Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technology and the UNESCO. Five poster awards and two oral-communication awards were given to selected presentations.

An interesting and promising event in this meeting was the organization of a round table on BNF and priorities for research in Africa that was animated by Pr Ken Giller (Plant Production Systems, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, The Netherlands). Pr Ken Giller attended this event with other delegates as advisors for the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. The aim of this round table was to discuss the possibility of a substantial investment on biological Nitrogen fixation research in Africa by the BMG foundation. A draft concept note was developed. The discussions will be continued later in Kumasi, Ghana, from 2-5 February 2009 to write the full proposal and to designate priorities for future research on nitrogen fixation in Africa. Many African Scientists will be invited. For more informations please contact Pr. Ken Giller ken.giller@gmail.com

During AABNF2008, Mali was designated to host the next AABNF meeting (14^th congress) in 2010. Dr Inamoud Ibny Yattara (University of Bamako, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Laboratory of Soil Microbiology) will coordinate this meeting. The new designated president of the African Association for Biological Nitrogen Fixation, Dr. Ridha Mhamdi (Centre of Biotechnology of Borj-Cédria) will give him all needed help and advice. For more informations, please contact Dr. Inamoud Ibny Yattara: iiyattara@yahoo.fr

Minutes of the satellite workshop on Mycorrhiza

The schedule for the Satellite Workshop was as follows: a session on arbuscular mycorrhiza, a session on ectomycorrhiza, a round table on a truffles and a poster session. Fifteen oral presentations and eight posters were presented. Mr. Roland Yemadje has got the price for the best poster on mycorrhiza.

At the end of the Satellite Workshop, a meeting was organized to exchange ideas on creating an African network on mycorrhiza. The following researchers participated : Prof. Beddiar Arifa (Algeria), Prof. Adjoud-Sadadou Djoula (Algeria), Dr. Daniel Mousain (France), Prof. Damase Khasa (Canada), Dr. Hafedh Nasr (Tunisia), Dr. Chekireb Djamel (Algeria), Dr. Sbissi Imed (Tunisia), Mr. Roland Yemadje (Benin), Dr. Slama Awatef (Tunisia), Ms. Fatou Ndoye (Senegal), Dr. Hanen Najjaâ (Tunisia), Mr. Aliou Faye (Senegal), Dr. Medraddhouane El Mekne (Tunisia), Dr. Samir Ben Romdhane (Tunisia), Dr. Robin Duponnois (Senegal), Prof. André Fortin (Canada), Prof. Ibrahima Ndoye (Senegal) and Prof. Amadou Bâ (France).

Motions were made by participants to organize a workshop to put in concrete form the idea on creating an African network on mycorrhiza, and to ask Amadou Bâ to make some proposals for scientific program, organizing country, referees, steering committee and financial supports. This workshop will be supported by the IMS (International Mycorrhiza Society). For more informations, please contact Amadou Bâ Amadou.Ba@univ-ag.fr