Earlier this year, Professor Odd Arne Rognli became president of EPSO, the European Plant Science Organization.
EPSO’s mission is to improve the impact and visibility of plant science in Europe. Learn more about EPSO and why plants matter.
EPSO is an independent academic organisation that represents more than 200 research institutes, departments and universities from 31 countries in Europe and beyond.
"I strongly believe that plant science will play a major role in solving the grand challenges defined by the UNs Sustainable Development Goals. We need to develop more sustainable food and feed systems", says Rognli in his presentation on the EPSO website.
Furthermore, he says:
I am very much concerned with understanding genetic diversity and the use of genomics, phenomics and biotechnology to utilize this diversity for breeding resilient, climate adapted and resource efficient cultivars
Translation of knowledge from model species to crop plants, implementation of new breeding technologies and international collaboration are essential elements for innovations in the plant sector.
I have a keen interest in feed crops and sustainable grassland systems, and a better integration between livestock and crop production is needed to improve overall agricultural sustainability in Europe.
Finally, I think EPSO needs to focus on the students. Plant science study programmes also need to integrate technology and data science to attract the best students.