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ICL established a Center for Fertilization and Plant Nutrition (CFPN). The CFPN is a global center for research and knowledge in the field of fertilizers and plant nutrition in conjunction with Israel’s Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) – Volcani Center, part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Israel. The Bnei Shimon Regional Council are also members of the CFPN, representing numerous farming communities in this part of the country.
CFPN, which represents a unique Israeli-based partnership between the public and private sector, fosters increased knowhow that is required now more than ever. Despite the critical importance of fertilization and increased global awareness of the need to increase food production and nutritional value, the number of researchers in this area is diminishing. The CFPN was established to counter this challenge.
Research is conducted by ARO scientists in partnership with colleagues from other research institutions. CFPN offers scholarships and research grants to graduate and Ph.D. students in Israel and from abroad. The center has already trained and worked with foreign students from Asia and East Africa. There are multiple research projects currently in progress in the CFPN. In 2020, there were a total of 41 projects, 14 ongoing research projects. During 2020, six field tests had been carried out. In addition, three courses were conducted on Fertilization and Plant Nutrition, one growers seminar and a live seminar for ICL teams.
ICL and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel (HUJI) are collaborating on a project to conduct high-level agricultural tests using the Plantarray system from PlantDiTech, an Israeli company, which provides agro-researchers with a high-throughput physiological phenotyping screening and diagnostic platform, as well as conclusive analytical software, to achieve deep insights into plant-environment interactions. The system helps efficiently select the best plants and conditions that will contribute to better yields and stress response.
The 3-year collaboration will be carried out at HUJI’s Faculty of Agriculture in Rehovot campus, under the supervision of Prof. Menachem Moshelion and Prof. Rony Wallach who developed the Plantarray system and have operated it for years.
The fully automated Plantarray system provides real-time analysis of the physiological status of plants, including biomass gain, water use efficiency and root activity.
The Plantarray system is fully automated and provides a real-time analysis of the physiological status of plants, including plant biomass gain, transpiration, water use efficiency, stomatal conductance, roots activity and more. This precise system is applicable for analyzing abiotic stress, developing new fertilizers and bio-stimulants, studying roots and soils, etc.
The direct measurement of plant water balance and biomass gain that is determined for the root and shoot enables the calculation of the plant’s physiological profile and its response to a dynamic environment. The system provides a quantitative comparison of the plant’s response to different treatments and the precise prediction of plant growth and productivity in an efficient, easy-to-use, non-invasive manner.
Grow more with less - optimize irrigation, nutrients, and bio-stimulants levels
For this collaboration, ICL Agronomy has purchased Plantarray units which are being deployed at HUJI’s iCore greenhouse to enable accurate operation and precise gathering of data. ICL Agronomy will use this system for Level 1 tests, R&D activities, ICL-IN projects, OH, and other needs.
