Kui Liu

Ph.D Candidate
Email:K2liu@nsac.ca

After receiving my bachelor and master degree in plant science from Henan Agricultural University, China, I worked as an agricultural specialist in Technology Extension Centre for Cash Crops of Henan Province for one year. It was Sept. 2002 that I got back to school here with a Ph. D program with title of Effects of crop rotations and soil amendment strategies on soil fertility during the transition from conventional to organic agriculture, under Dr. Ralph Martin's supervision. In this challengeable trial, emphases have been putting on the effects of treatment combinations on soil chemical and biological properties during the transition period, considering the response of plant species. The expectation will be the solution to build up soil fertility in organic context in a short term, and seek stable food production systems in a long run.

In my Master's program, my work was associated with corn high-yield production, and was focused on the photosynthetic efficiency as affected by different ratios of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium through chemical fertilizer application, and the primary effects of different ratios of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium on corn yield and nutrient uptake.

My enthusiasm about agriculture was stemmed from my farmer family background as well as interest developed in my previous study and work on agriculture. Born in a farmer family, I am exposed to the general farm and crop managements. On my father's tiny farm do I get to know that how to live with the nature and enjoy my life, gradually loving the agriculture. 7 years' studies of agriculture make me much stronger and urge me to think about the problems encountered by farmers.

Education received here does improve myself in the field of agriculture, especially in organic agriculture, and also provides the necessary platform to be a competent and competitive agricultural worker.