The Second International Conference on Duckweed Research and Applications August 21 – 24, 2013 School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA Program & Abstracts The Second International Conference on Duckweed Research and Applications In Dedication to Elias Landolt (1926 – 2013) Dr. Elias Landolt started collecting duckweed in the early 1950s as a young researcher. He likely did not foresee how important this seemingly unimpressive endeavor would turn out to be in the future. Elias not only collected these tiny plants but also systematically classified them, which gave his ever growing collection the rank it still holds today: the gold standard for duckweed research. He made significant contributions to the description of duckweed morphology, geobotany and even physiology. His monographs on duckweed systematics, physiology and biochemistry are considered bibles in the field to this day. In addition to establishing the largest collection of duckweed in the world over the last half century, Elias was well appreciated by his colleagues for his generous sharing of strains as well as providing sage advice upon request. Even in his final days when he was battling serious illness, he continued to assist and train researchers. We fondly remember our visit with Elias during Autumn 2011 when we collected duckweed strains together in Zurich. His enthusiasm for science was infectious and his knowledge about duckweed was truly inspirational. Considering the rising importance of duckweed at this time when sustainable production of biomass for fuel and feed are urgent problems facing humanity, the resources that were established by Elias are more important than ever. The soon-to-be completed genome sequencing of multiple Spirodela strains from the Landolt collection is a good example of the benefits that the scientific community is now beginning to reap from Elias' work. In the coming years, we expect to see an exponential rise in the growth of duckweed research and applications that will leverage the resources enabled by Elias' efforts. We therefore dedicate this meeting to acknowledge the contributions of his life-long passion for duckweed. We hope Elias' inspirational vision and steadfast dedication to the pursuit and sharing of knowledge will serve as a role model for us all in this turbulent time when fundamental changes in the way we manage our planet's resources will determine the sustainability of our world. A figure from The family of Lemnaceae – a monographic study (1986) by Elias Landolt – Eric Lam and Klaus Appenroth i The Second International Conference on Duckweed Research and Applications Organizing Committee Eric Lam Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Jay J. Cheng North Carolina State University Robert Martienssen Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Todd Michael IBIS Biosciences Tamra Fakhoorian International Lemna Association Ryan Integlia em[POWER] Energy Group Host School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA Sponsors Administrative Support Ryan Gutierrez, Philomena Chu, Feronda Long & Linda Anthony .............................................. Logistics Dalynn Knigge & Bianca Scardina ................................................................................... Online Registration Phil Wisneski ..................................................................................................................................... Web Design Barbara Fitzgerald .................................................................................................................. Business Manager ii The Second International Conference on Duckweed Research and Applications Introduction The quest for sustainable production of biomass and renewable fuels with low carbon footprints has become a global priority. They are needed to produce food and nutrition for an estimated 9 billion people on this planet by 2050. Also, the expected decline in fossil fuel production and the need to curb climate change are urgent issues facing humanity in this decade. Creating and adopting new biomass and fuel production platforms that are environmentally and economically sustainable will be essential, but pose a formidable challenge to scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs. In our consideration of alternative sources of renewable biomass that can be "domesticated" for energy production as well as other products, we believe the Lemnaceae family of aquatic plants, commonly called duckweed, holds great potential as a commercially viable feedstock for fuel and feed production driven by sunlight. The chief characteristics that make duckweed ideal for waste-to- energy conversion are their rapid growth rate (up to 120 ton dry mass/hectare/yr) and their ability to grow directly on existing wastewater sites. Importantly, their natural growth characteristics also provide simple harvest strategies. Together with low lignin content and a large surface area to body mass ratio, duckweed provides a promising platform for sustainable biomass production coupled to reclamation of wastewater from different sources. To accelerate development of new businesses and products that are based on these aquatic plants as a novel micro-crop, we are organizing an international workshop with the aim to bring researchers and entrepreneurs together for sharing of information and networking for project development. These efforts will leverage and extend the traditional use of duckweed for plant systematics and biomonitoring of environmental contaminants. Several recent advances in this field should make this conference extremely timely: (1) Quantification of the potential of duckweed for bioethanol and biomass production in pilot scale studies, (2) Completion of the first reference genome of the Greater Duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza, (3) Formation of the International Lemna Association as a nascent grassroots effort to promote the advancements of duckweed- related applications and public awareness, and (4) Recent recognition of duckweed as an additional "feedstock" crop in a proposed tax relief bill by the U.S. government, which signals the emerging acceptance and promotion of the duckweed industry. The International Conference on Duckweed Research and Applications will focus on facilitating close interactions and coordination between duckweed researchers and application specialists from emerging industries. This workshop will be pivotal for charting a new course of development for this novel micro-crop system through creating a new sense of teamwork and focus in the duckweed community. Working together, we can then realize the great promise of these remarkable plants to alleviate urgent problems of water conservation and biomass production facing our planet. Eric Lam Conference Chair iii The Second International Conference on Duckweed Research and Applications Important Contact Information Eric Lam Conference Chair Mobile: (XXX) XXX-XXXX Email: [email protected] Ryan Gutierrez Conference Coordinator Mobile: (XXX) XXX-XXXX Email: [email protected] Rutgers University Inn and Conference Center Phone: (732) 932-9144 Email: [email protected] Wireless Internet Access Network: RUWireless Username: duckweed2013 Password: duckweed iv The Second International Conference on Duckweed Research and Applications Table of Contents Conference Venues .............................................................................................................................................. 1 Daily Schedule ...................................................................................................................................................... 2 Abstracts for Lectures ......................................................................................................................................... 6 Abstracts for Posters ......................................................................................................................................... 19 List of Participants ............................................................................................................................................. 24 v The Second International Conference on Duckweed Research and Applications Conference Venues Registration ..................................................... Foran Hall Lobby Lectures ........................................................... Foran Hall, Room 138A Poster Sessions ............................................... Foran Hall Lobby Breakfast, Lunch & Coffee/Snacks ............ Foran Hall, Room 138B Dinner ............................................................. University Inn & Conference Center Conference Venues 1 The Second International Conference on Duckweed Research and Applications Daily Schedule Wednesday, August 21 2:00 – 7:00 PM Registration of Attendees (Foran Lobby) 2:00 – 4:30 PM Reception with Snacks and Refreshments in Foran 138B 4:30 – 6:10 PM SESSION 1: CONFERENCE OPENING 4:30 PM Welcoming Address by Bradley Hillman, Senior Associate Director, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers University 4:45 PM Opening Address by Conference Chair: Eric Lam, Rutgers University 5:00 PM Plenary Lecture: “Introduction to thermochemical technologies for production of fuels and biobased products” (L1) Mark Wright, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA 6:00 PM Welcoming Remarks by Robert Goodman, Executive Dean, School of Environmental and Biological