For the second time, the Institute of Applied Plant Nutrition – IAPN hosted a discussion afternoon, joining students, scientists and guests from a variety of economic and research sectors. Participants discussed the relevance of Micronutrients in crop production and human health in developing countries.
IAPN press release of 20 May 2014
Prof. Dr. Ismail Cakmak is giving a speach on possibilities to overcome zink-deficiency in food by fertilization (Photo: IAPN)
The focus of attention was the dialogue with Prof. Dr. Ismail Cakmak from Sabanci University in Istanbul. The discussion highlighted the influence of zinc deficiency on crop cultivation and on human nutrition, particularly in developing and threshold countries. “Zinc deficiency due to malnutrition causes significant health problems, especially in children,” says Prof. Cakmak. “Nearly 50% of the global cereal crops are affected by zinc deficiency. This reduces yields and decreases the zinc content of grains, thereby also shrinking the zinc content of cereal-based foods. Prof. Cakmak introduced agricultural solutions for alleviating zinc deficiency in crops.
Prof. Dr. Ismail Cakmak answeres questions from participants of the event »IAPN in dialogue« (Photo: IAPN)
The agricultural scientist from Turkey is recognized as an expert in the field of plant nutrition and plant physiology, in which he connects basic research with practical application. Among other projects, he has also been involved in the highly recognized international `Harvest Plus Program´ which seeks to reduce hidden hunger and to provide micronutrients and trace elements to millions of people Prof. Cakmak is responsible for a considerable share of the progress made in increasing grain zinc density, thereby contributing substantially to alleviating zinc deficiency.
Prof. Dr. Ismail Cakmak has been awarded this year's Georg Forster Research Award of the Alexander-von-Humboldt-Foundation. Since the beginning of this year, the award-winning scientist has been conducting his research at the Institute of Applied Plant Nutrition (IAPN) as well as at the Department of Crop Sciences, Section of Plant Nutrition and Crop Physiology at the University of Göttingen. The international exchange with visiting scientists plays an important role at the IAPN. “Many of the scientists from abroad, who have spent time here as visiting researchers, will continue their work back home, and will stay in touch with the IAPN,” says Prof. Dr. Klaus Dittert. “This will help to establish a well-functioning international network of applied plant physiology science.”
This was the second time scientists, students and guests had accepted the invitation by `IAPN in Dialogue´. The series of lectures picks up on internationally relevant issues from the field of agriculture. It offers an opportunity to understand the various challenges faced by agriculture, by providing `first-hand´ information presented by the IAPN's visiting scientists.
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