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12 Jun 2008
Unit:
Wageningen University
Number:
P039
Inaugural address of Prof. Harro Bouwmeester
African agriculture is afflicted with a stubborn parasitic plant, known as Striga, which greatly reduces the yields of maize, millet and sorghum. A combination of fundamental and applied research into the parasite has created the basis for a strategic approach to this problem. However, for this type of technological project, more financing must become available. This was the theme of the inaugural address given by Prof. dr. ir. Harro Bouwmeester upon accepting the position of Professor of Plant Physiology on 12 June at Wageningen University. Prof. Bouwmeester is the successor to Prof. Linus van der Plas.
In his inaugural address 'The essence of plants', Prof. Bouwmeester focused on the Striga problem in Africa. Striga is a genus of parasitic plants that feed on maize and sorghum. African farmers understand that Striga parasites are more difficult to eradicate on poor soils than on fertilised soils that contain sufficient amounts of phosphate and nitrogen. Research conducted by Prof. Bouwmeester has shown that crops such as maize secrete specific substances from their roots, known as strigolactones, if they are deficient in nutrients such as phosphate. The strigolactones function as signal compounds for soil fungi, which enter into a symbiotic relationship with the plant. These fungi have an excellent ability to extract phosphate from the soil and in this way to provide the crop with sufficient nutrients. However, strigolactone secretion from the plants has a serious side effect. The strigolactones enable the seeds of the parasitic plant Striga to germinate and parasitize the crop, which is then seriously affected. In Africa Striga is a major problem, especially for poor farmers who cannot afford to buy artificial fertiliser.
Consequently, Prof. Bouwmeester called for a strategic approach to the problem by acquiring more fundamental knowledge about the parasite-plant-fungi interaction, combined with projects involving applied technology. He considers this to be an essential step, in addition to social research projects that would make it possible to introduce the expertise and technology. "However, at the present time there are virtually no possibilities for financing such technology projects", stated the Wageningen professor, "even though these projects are absolutely essential for Africa in order to meet the rising demand for food."
Prof. Harro Bouwmeester was previously professor by special appointment and was named Professor of Plant Physiology on 1 June. He succeeds Professor Linus van der Plas, who will retire at the end of 2008
In 1985, Harro Bouwmeester (Zeist, 1960) graduated cum laude in Plant Physiology. In September 1990 he earned his doctorate at Wageningen University for his thesis on the effect of environmental conditions on the 'hibernation' and germination of seeds. He then held two postdoctoral positions at Wageningen research institutes. Following a six-month postdoctoral assignment at Washington State University, he became a researcher at Plant Research International (PRI) of Wageningen UR, where he received the prestigious Vici grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research in 2005. In 2006 he was appointed Associate Professor at the Laboratory of Plant Physiology, and one year later he was appointed Professor (endowed chair) in the Physiology of Plant Communication. Harro Bouwmeester has published many articles in international journals such as Science, Trends in Plant Science and Nature Biotechnology.
Note to the editor
Prof. Harro Bouwmeester will hold his inaugural address 'The essence of plants' on 12 June at 16;00 powers in the main auditorium of Wageningen University, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen. He can be contacted through Jac Niessen, science information officer of Wageningen UR, tel: 0317 485003, e-mail: jac.niessen@wur.nl
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