Obituary of Dr. Ricardo J. Melgar
Prepared by Dr. Martín Torres Duggan (translated)

I deeply regret to inform you of the death of Ing. Agr. Ricardo Melgar occurred on February 3, 2019 who was struggling with a severe illness. I had the opportunity to work with Ricardo during my first years as an agronomist, and without a doubt, he was the person who helped me the most in difficult times for the recent graduates and gave me a very interesting and modern look on the world of fertilizers. it helped considerably not only in those times, but it also shaped my early education and vocation for the subject of soil fertility and crop fertilization. Over time, our professional bond continued in different projects, and became an active friendship that lasted until his last days.

As for Ricardo’s professional background, it is not an easy task to summarize it, nor is it intended to do so in this obituary. A brief review: he graduated as an Agricultural Engineer from the Universidad Nacional del Nordeste in 1978. He subsequently obtained a Ph.D. in Soil Sciences from the University of North Carolina in 1989, being one of the few agronomists at that time Doctorate level in Argentina. More recently, during 2001-2003 he studied at the Master in Agribusiness of the Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Buenos Aires. At the time of his death Ricardo had been working for 34 years at INTA, his last position was as Principal Investigator.

From my point of view, one of the main contributions of Ricardo took place during his work as Coordinator of the Fertilization Project (based in INTA Pergamino), which lasted approximately from 1997 to 2005. This agreement between INTA and the main companies of fertilizers represented a successful example of public-private interaction that can be considered foundational for the early development of the industry and the fertilizer market in Argentina. Within the framework of this project, and in its research module, the first networks of fertilization experiments were established in grain crops, as well as diverse and intense extension activities that were essential to promote the sustainable use of nutrients. in extensive crops as intensive. Subsequently Ricardo’s work continued as a fundamental adviser to Fertilize Civil Association, contributing all his experience, especially in terms of the international positioning of the organization, as well as being responsible for the contents of Fertilizar Magazine and advisor to various local and international companies. fertilizers

Beyond his position at INTA, Ricardo was considered the main reference in the Argentine fertilizer industry and market by organizations such as IFA, IPI, Fluid Fertilizer Foundation, among others. For several of these organizations he developed consulting and advisory tasks. Ricardo was also a great maker of technical publications related to fertilizers, especially books, for which he maintained a permanent enthusiasm until his last days, enthusiasm that I ended up adopting.

I will deeply miss Ricardo and take advantage of these brief and incomplete lines about his professional biography to thank him deeply for all the times he helped me professionally and also to accompany his wife Mercedes and their children in this painful moment. I am with you for what you need.

Ing. Agr. Dr. Martín Torres Duggan