Fertilizer management in salt-affected environments

Experts, researchers, policymakers and practitioners from around the world will gather in Dakar, Senegal, for the fifth meeting of the International Network of Salt-Affected Soils (INSAS) of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP). The event, entitled “Fertilizer Management in Salt-Affected Environments: Advancing Soil and Water Management for Resilient Agroecosystems”, will bring together the global salt-affected soils community to exchange knowledge, showcase innovations and strengthen collaboration on sustainable soil and water management.

Hosted by the Institute of Environmental Sciences of Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD), and organized with the support of the Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research (ISRA), the National Institute of Pedology (NPI) and the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), the meeting will be held in a hybrid format, enabling participation both in person and online.

The three-day programme will include a thematic workshop on fertilizer management in salt-affected environments, technical sessions dedicated to the activities and priorities of INSAS, and a hands-on laboratory training jointly organized with the International Network on Soil Fertility and Fertilizers (INSOILFER). The training will focus on the sustainable use of fertilizers under saline conditions and standard operating procedures for fertilizer analysis. Participants will also have the opportunity to take part in a field visit to the Sine-Saloum Delta, a region significantly affected by soil salinity.

As part of the meeting, the Scientific Committee invites researchers, experts and practitioners to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations during the event.

Submissions should address one of the following themes:

• Fertilizer management in salt-affected environments;
• Mapping, assessment and monitoring of salt-affected soils;
• Sustainable management of salt-affected soils: practices and policy;
• Halophytes, saline agriculture and their effects on soil health; and
• Integrated soil and water management under saline and sodic conditions.

Abstracts must be submitted in English and should not exceed 3 000 characters, excluding spaces. The deadline for submissions is 15 November 2026.

Participation in the meeting is free of charge. However, participants attending in person are responsible for covering their own travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Through this event, INSAS and its partners aim to strengthen international collaboration and accelerate the adoption of science-based solutions that support the sustainable management of salt-affected soils and contribute to more resilient agrifood systems.