From August 3rd to 4th, Dr. Andrew L. Neal from Rothamsted Research, UK, visited Shangqiu Station for a visit.
The staff of Shangqiu Station led Dr. Andrew L. Neal to visit the basic research facilities and observation sites such as the experimental sample plots of the Lizhuang base, large mobile rainproof shed, moisture leaching pound, drainage experiment field, comprehensive weather observation field, solar greenhouses, sample storage rooms and weighing lysimeter, and briefly introduced the methods and measures adopted in current management, as well as the development direction and goals in the next few years. During the visit, Dr. Andrew L. Neal showed the great interest in research contents the Lizhuang base is doing, including corn water and nitrogen integration experiment, long-term positioning experiment of different farming methods, response test of rice root system to water, temperature and fertilizer elements, and recovery of summer maize after waterlogging. Dr. Andrew L. Neal asked the researchers in detail about the purpose of various researches, the phased progress achieved and the results obtained.
Then, Dr. Andrew L. Neal had an academic exchange with the researchers and trainees at Shangqiu Station. Andrew L. Neal introduced the development history of the Rothamsted Research with focuses on several classic experiments that have influenced the research direction of farmland ecosystems in various countries around the world, as well as the current experimental research progress that he has participated in. Finally, Andrew L. Neal suggested that Shangqiu needs to pay attention to the display, promotion and transformation of phased results while conducting in-depth related research. The staff of Shangqiu Station expressed gratitude to Dr. Andrew L. Neal for his suggestions and hoped to have closer discussions, exchanges and cooperation in future work.
Dr. Andrew L. Neal is an internationally renowned expert in metagenome and metatranscriptome analysis of the structure and function of soil microbial communities. He has unique insights into the changes and influencing factors of soil physical and chemical properties in farmland ecosystems.
