The Faculty of Biotechnology and the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) promoted the seminar «Challenges in the Management and Sustainable Recovery of Soil Health» within the framework of World Soil Day, celebrated annually on December 5th.

«The main objective was to focus on the importance of healthy soil and how its recovery can be promoted through sustainable biological processes», summarizes Sofia Pereira, researcher at CBQF and one of the organizers of the event. «It was an enriching morning and a great sharing of knowledge on this subject», adds the expert.

This seminar had the participation of six invited external specialists – Ángeles Prieto-Fernandéz, Diego Arán, Paula Alvarenga, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Celeste Jorge and Regina Vilão, who work in the field of soil and who explained the role of phytotechnologies, inoculums microbial agents, correctives and technosols in the recovery of contaminated, burned and/or degraded soils in general. Minimizing public health risks related to soil quality in agricultural production and national and community developments on contamination prevention and soil remediation were also addressed.

Helena Moreira, also a researcher at CBQF and co-organiser of the event, points out: «The celebration of this day is crucial to make people aware that this resource, in addition to being the basis for the production of around 95% of our food, provides services of ecosystems central to life on Earth». The researcher also highlights: «The fact that this day has been neglected by a large part of the media is a symptom of a transversal lack of knowledge about the real value of the soil that needs to be fought».

This event was also registered on the FAO website, thus joining others that took place around the world.