Ludhiana
The 30th National level, three weeks training course on “Soil, Air and Water Pollution and Mitigation Strategies” organized by Centre of Advanced Faculty training (CAFT), Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and sponsored by ICAR concluded on 22nd November, 2016.

Dr O.P. Choudhary, Chief-coordinator, CAFT said that 25 participants representing 11 states from different ICAR institutes and State Agricultural Universities of the country attended the course, that included lectures/interactions by eminent scientists on topics like environmental issues associated with intensive agriculture, effect of mass scale residue burning on air pollution and climate influence of industrial effluents and city waste waters on heavy metal pollution and crop nutrition, ameliorative techniques for mitigating heavy metal toxicity, influence of nutrient management and changing climate on carbon sequestration, salinity pollution, nitrate pollution due to fertilizers, pesticides loading in soil and water, emission and mitigation of greenhouse gases from soils, fly ash disposal and its environmental implications, fluorine, nitrate and nitrite toxicity in dairy animals, appraisal of ground water quality, efficient use of waters and nutrients through micro-irrigation and fertigation and role of nano-technology in reducing soil and water pollution.

Hands on training was given to the participants on advanced equipments such as ICAP-AES, ICAP-MS, Gas Chromatograph, AAS, CHNS analyzer, SPAD meter and Green Seeker. Practical sessions were also conducted on determination of BOD, COD, physical properties, and also hands on training on crop modelling.

During the training course, the participating scientists were taken to Sewage treatment Plant, Bhattian, BISA Farm, Ladhowal and PFDC Farm. Dr. Choudhary further informed that five distinguished resource persons were invited to deliver lectures related to various aspects of pollution and their ameliorative measures. ICAR nominated Dr P R Prasad; Associate Director of Research at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur, AP, evaluated the conduct and arrangement of the training and interacted with the participants.

The Chief Guest, Dr (Mrs) Neelam Grewal, Dean Post Graduate Studies, PAU, applauded the research accomplishments of the department from time to time and highlighted the issue of pollution and its impact on agricultural productivity. Dr Grewal later distributed certificates to the participating scientists.

Earlier while welcoming the Chief Guest, Dr. B.S. Brar, Head of the Department of Soil Science and Director, CAFT shared that on the basis of achievements and distinguished faculty, Department of Soil Science was awarded ICAR sponsored CAS in 1994. Since 1995, the department has organized 29 CAS /CAFT trainings and trained more than 500 scientists so far.