Main Articles Listing: Plants, and Plant Sciences 14. In Memoriam: John S. Niederhauser John S. Niederhauser, internationally renowned scientist and University of Arizona adjunct professor of plant pathology since 1985, died August 12 at age 88. He was a pioneer in international cooperation for the improvement of agricultural productivity worldwide. Known throughout the world as “Mr. Potato” for developing potato varieties resistant to late blight disease, his work has impacted agricultural production in more than 60 countries. “In 1990, in recognition of his significant contributions to improving the world food supply and alleviating hunger and malnutrition, John was awarded the prestigious World Food Prize, the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in agriculture,” said Eugene Sander, vice provost and dean of The University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The UA was a major sponsor of Niederhauser’s nomination for this honor. In 1946, Niederhauser joined the newly formed Rockefeller Foundation Mexican Agricultural Program. He spent 15 years working in Mexico on corn, wheat and bean production. During this time, he began to study potato production in Mexico. His work over the next several decades focused on the improvement of potato production in many developing countries. Due to the success of this work, the International Potato Center, now supported by CGIAR, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, was established in Lima, Peru in 1971. In 1978, John established the Regional Cooperative Potato Program (PRECODEPA) in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. This cooperative program has grown to include 12 countries. Similar programs have been established throughout the world. One of Niederhauser’s most important scientific contributions was the development of potato varieties with resistance to late blight disease, caused by the fungal pathogen Phytopthora infestans. This pathogen was responsible for many potato disease outbreaks around the world, including the Irish potato famine during the 1840s. During his research, Niederhauser discovered that the source of the pathogen responsible for the Irish potato famine came from Mexico. More importantly, he discovered many wild inedible potato species in Mexico that possessed a durable field resistance to the late blight fungus. He began breeding work using these resistant lines which resulted in a collection of commercially useful resistant potato varieties. These new varieties allowed subsistence farmers around the world to be able to grow potatoes for the first time with few or no chemical fungicide applications. Niederhauser’s work resulted in the establishment of the potato as the fourth major food crop worldwide. As a result of this work, potato production in Mexico increased from 134,000 metric tons in 1948 to greater than 1 million metric tons by 1982. In addition to his efforts with potato late blight, one of Niederhauser’s greatest contributions was also the large number of scientists and leaders he trained during his career. More than 180 international scientists came and worked with him in his Mexican field plots. He spent considerable time with students as well. “Over the past 10 years John always gave the annual capstone lecture for graduate students in the fall introductory plant pathology course here in Tucson,” said Hans Vanetten, professor in the Division of Plant Pathology. “It was a chance for these students in agricultural science to interact with someone who had really made a difference in agriculture in the world.” Niederhauser’s last lecture at the UA was in 2004. “I will always be grateful for having Dr. John Niederhauser as an advisor in my studies at the University of Arizona, “ said Ramon Jaime-García, who was the last UA graduate student Niederhauser advised as an adjunct professor. “This was a great opportunity to meet and interact with one of the world’s greatest plant pathologists. John will be remembered not only for his groundbreaking scientific contributions, but also for his concern for and actions on behalf of people. No matter what happened, he always looked happy and enjoyed meeting with people. With his departure from this world, we not only lose a great scientist, but also a friend who cared for and advocated younger generations.” “John was always a pleasure to interact with. His sense of humor, storytelling and compassion about science--and more importantly about all people--made him an irreplaceable treasure,” said Leland Pierson, chair of the Division of Plant Pathology. Niederhauser won numerous awards throughout his career. More recent recognition includes the 1991 American Institute of Biological Sciences Distinguished Scientist Award; the 1996 Medal of Merit by the Ministry of Agricultural Development, Panama; 2001 Honorary Doctor’s Degree by the National Agricultural University, Mexico; 2002 Honorary Diploma by the Department of Agriculture, State Government of Mexico; 2002 Honorary Recognition of Outstanding Contribution by the Global Initiative on Late Blight (GILB); 2002 Honorary Doctorate by Oregon State University; and Honoree in 2003 at the 50th Anniversary Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, Costa Rica. Niederhauser’s strong commitment to international cooperation and education led to the establishment a number of endowments, including the John and Ann Niederhauser Endowment (JANE), the American Phytopathological Society (APS) International Service Award, and the John S. Niederhauser APS student travel fund to support student travel to the APS annual meetings. Recently, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at The University of Arizona established the John S. Niederhauser Endowed Chair in Plant Pathology to honor his many contributions to international agriculture. The honorary chair of the endowment committee is Norman E. Borlaug, the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner credited with starting the Green Revolution in the 1960s, and founder of the World Food Prize. The endowed chair will emphasize teaching, research and extension activities designed to foster increased international cooperation in agricultural projects in plant science and plant pathology. “With John's passing, international agriculture has lost a giant,” said Merle H. Jensen, retired associate director of the CALS agricultural experiment station and active chair of the endowment committee. “He was passionate in his concern for students and their ability to further their professional development. His care and concern for Mexico and her people was tireless and his impact will out live all of us.” ### Contact: Leland Pierson (520) 621-9419, lsp@email.arizona.edu For information on the John S. Niederhauser Endowed Chair in Plant Pathology contact Merle Jensen at (520) 621-5242, mjensen@ag.arizona.edu - Updated: August 19, 2005 [e-Mail me the articles]    -     [Search our articles]    -     [contact us ]     return to media home