“Principles of Plant-Microbe Interactions”
Emeritus Professor Ben Lugtenberg edited a book on “Principles of Plant-Microbe Interactions” together with Paul Hooykaas, Eddy van der Meijden and Jos Raaijmakers, all from the IBL.
“Principles of Plant-Microbe Interactions” is a book that covers the basics of interactions between plants and small organisms, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, nematodes and insects. It describes both the mechanisms of the interactions as well as applied aspects in relation to sustainable agriculture and horticulture. The book addresses a timely topic. As the world population continues to grow, the amount of food needed by 2050 will be double of what is produced now. Furthermore, as the area in use for agriculture is decreasing at the same time, we must increase crop yield in a sustainable way. The use of microbial plant protection products is therefore of growing importance. Scientists from the Netherlands have contributed significantly to this field as is reflected by contribution to the book from the IBL, but also from the Radboud University Nijmegen, Utrecht University, Wageningen University, the Netherlands Institute of Ecology and the Dutch company: Koppert Biological Systems.
About Ben Lugtenberg
Ben Lugtenberg did his MSc in 1965 in Chemistry at Utrecht University. He conducted pioneering work on peptidoglycan biosynthesis in Escherichia coli during his PhD, which he obtained in 1971. Later he became project leader of the membrane structure and biogenesis group, where he focused on the architecture of the outer membrane of E. coli. This work yielded critical insights for antibiotic sensitivity and vaccination. After a long period in Utrecht, Ben Lugtenberg moved to Leiden University to become professor in Microbiology. Here, his group has been extraordinary productive and the work resulted in major breakthroughs on plant growth promotion and biocontrol of plant diseases.
Links
- Springer: Principles of Plant-Microbe Interactions
- About Jos Raaijmakers
- About Paul Hooykaas
- About Eddy van de Meijden