Professor Dr. Bijay SINGH (National Professor at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India) would like to serve IUSS as Vice-Chair, Division 3 - Soil Use and Management, Commission 3.3 - Soil fertility and plant nutrition. He has worked for the cause of soil fertility and plant nutrition in different capacities at Punjab Agricultural University, University of Reading (visiting scientist), and International Rice Research Institute (consultant and collaborator). He is a fellow of Indian National Science Academy, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Indian Society of Soil Science. He has been working on nitrogen balance in soil-plant systems leading to better understanding for (i) enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in rice-wheat cropping system (ii) fertilizer nitrogen related environmental pollution, and (iii) integrated nutrient management. His research on basic and applied aspects of integrated management of fertilizers, animal manures, green manures and crop residues have provided scientifically sound directions for achieving sustainable high yields in rice-wheat system and for maintaining soil fertility for the future generations.
As Vice Chairman of Commission 3.3, he has plans encourage young researchers, teachers and extension workers to meet the big challenge ahead of producing enough food for the burgeoning world population through maintenance of soil fertility and efficient management of plant nutrients so as to ensure minimal degradation of the environment. Besides, he would make all efforts to create awareness among planners and policy makers regarding nutrient mining from soils and distribution of nutrients to maintain minimum soil fertility levels for ensuring sustainable and high food production levels all over the globe.