Welcome to the International Conference on Silicon in Agriculture

Dear Guests, Colleagues and Friends:

We are delighted to welcome you to the 9th International Conference on Silicon in Agriculture (ICSA 2025), taking place from September 15–19, 2025 in Belgrade.

This triennial conference, postponed once due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has a rich tradition of being hosted in: Florida, USA (1999); Tsuruoka, Japan (2002); Uberlândia, Brazil (2005); Durban, South Africa (2008); Beijing, China (2011); Stockholm, Sweden (2014); Bangalore, India (2017); and New Orleans, USA (2022). After a decade, ICSA returns to Europe, and it is our great pleasure to welcome you to Belgrade – the vibrant capital of Serbia. This ICSA is organized by the University of Belgrade – Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, and the International Society of Silicon in Agriculture (ISSAG), with the support of the Serbian Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovations.

The central theme of ICSA 2025, Silicon for Sustainable Agriculture and Resilient Ecosystems, highlights recent advances in silicon-related research across agriculture, plant biology, and ecology. Over three days of scientific sessions, topics we will explore the availability and dynamics of silicon in soils; mechanisms of silicon uptake and transport in plants; role of silicon in stress tolerance; broader impacts of silicon on plant growth, crop productivity and nutritional quality; relevance of silicon cycling and its implications on ecosystem resilience, and climate change mitigation; and innovations in silicon-based fertilizers and sustainable management practices. A new initiative is the Epstein Memorial Session, honoring the late Professor Emanuel Epstein. As part of this tribute, the Emanuel Epstein Award will be presented to three outstanding PhD students and early-career researchers in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the field. Beyond the scientific program, we are pleased to offer a rich social activity, including a full-day post-conference excursion that combines both historical and professional experiences.

The ICSA 2025 has brought together more than 100 participants from over 20 countries across all continents. In today’s world of challenges, scientific conferences, much like the Olympic Games of the ancient world, foster friendship, understanding, and tolerance.

We hope that this conference will provide valuable insights into complex silicon interactions within the plant–microorganism–soil system, enabling both scientists and industry professionals to exchange ideas, establish new research collaborations, and build friendships.

Last but not least, we would like to thank our sponsors for their generous financial support. Without it, the 9th International Conference on Silicon in Agriculture would not have been possible.

On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee, we wish you a productive, interesting, and enjoyable week in Belgrade.

Sincerely,

Miroslav Nikolić

Chairman of ICSA 2025
President of ISSAG