International Phytobiomes Conference 2026: A closer look at the program
The International Phytobiomes Conference 2026 “Cultivating Phytobiomes: From Systems Science to Agricultural Innovation” is less than four months away!
Here is a closer look at what’s in store, from confirmed plenary and invited speakers to two panel discussions that span the full agricultural value chain.
Most of the scientific program is still to come as it will be built from your submitted abstracts.
→ Submit your abstract by 28 Aug to get the opportunity to be included in the final program
A Snapshot of the Program
The three-day agenda is designed to showcase innovative research and generate discussion while breaking down disciplinary boundaries. Each day builds on the last. Across all three days, additional talks and poster flash talks drawn from submitted abstracts – plus dedicated poster sessions – will round out the program.
Day 1 – Tuesday 3 November: Unlocking the Complexity of Phytobiomes will open with the Kickoff Plenary from Trevor Charles (University of Waterloo) “From Field to Greenhouse to Barn: Exploring the Phytobiome Potential Across Ontario’s Diverse Agricultural Systems.” It will be followed by the Ground Truths Panel Discussion “What Production Agriculture Needs from Phytobiomes Science,” where agricultural producers and industry voices will share what works in their operations, their challenges, and what they need from the research community – a grounding conversation that will shape the three days that follow.
The day will close with the Welcome Reception, held right at the conference venue and hotel, the Queen’s Landing Hotel.
Day 2 – Wednesday 4 November: Exploring Connectivity within Phytobiomes Systems will move into a full day of presentations exploring the science of connections: within plants, between organisms, across environments, and how a systems-level approach reveals interactions that studying individual components cannot.
The day will close with the Gala Dinner at The Hare Wine Co., set among the vineyards of Niagara wine country – the perfect setting to continue the day’s conversations in a more relaxed atmosphere. Transportation provided, all included in the registration.
Day 3 – Thursday 5 November: Translating Phytobiomes Science from Lab to Field will close the loop on translating systems-based science into field-ready solutions, with the Industry Roundtable Discussion, featuring Natalie Breakfield (NewLeaf Symbiotics) and Vera Bonardi (Corteva Agriscience), and Kelly Smith (Sable Fermentation) discussing what it takes to scale microbial technologies from discovery to commercial product. The top posters of the conference, voted on by fellow attendees, will also be recognized on this last day.
→ Draft Program: https://phytobiomesconference.org/program/
Confirmed Speakers
Joining Trevor Charles on the plenary and invited lineup:
Kwang-Hyung Kim – Seoul National University, KR – Machine Learning Meets the Field
Danica Lombardozzi – Colorado State University & NCAR, US – Terrestrial Ecosystem Responses and Feedbacks to Changing Climate
Bridget Emmett – UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, UK – Soil Health, Agri-environment Schemes and Policy
Shengjing Shi – Bioeconomy Science Institute, NZ – A Roadmap for Plant-Microbiome Breeding
And more to be announced soon.
→ Speaker Bios: https://phytobiomesconference.org/program/speakers/
The Final Program Will be Shaped by YOUR Research
Most of the talks on the program will come from submitted abstracts for oral presentations and poster flash talks. This is your opportunity to share the stage with leading phytobiomes scientists. If you want your work to be included in the program, submit your abstract for review by 28 August.
All abstracts will be reviewed by the Conference Organizing Committee.
→ Abstract submission: https://phytobiomesconference.org/abstracts/
Key Deadlines:
- 28 August – Abstracts for oral presentations, poster flash talks, and Early Career Awards
- 4 September – Early Bird registration
- 16 October – Abstracts for posters
→ Register: https://phytobiomesconference.org/registration/
The International Phytobiomes Conference 2026 is organized by the International Alliance for Phytobiomes Research and co-organized by the University of Guelph and the University of Waterloo.