Neal L. First

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1996/7

The Prize Committee for Agriculture has unanimously decided that the Prize for 1996/7 be awarded to:

 

Neal L. First
University of Wisconsin
Meat and Animal Science Department
Madison, Wisconsin, USA

 

“for his pioneering research in the reproductive biology of livestock.”

 

Professor Neal L. First has made pioneering contributions to animal genetics by the development of systems of bovine embryo cloning, gene transfer, and in-vitro production of livestock embryos. His research has resulted in major advances in the application of biotechnology to reproduction in farm animals, eliminating the need for brood cows in beef cattle breeding.

 

Nuclear transfer of genetic material is being developed to clone farm animal embryos. His ground-breaking research in this field has led to significant discoveries in reproductive biology. Prof. First’s laboratory pioneered the application of this technique to the genetic selection of livestock. He and his colleagues defined the conditions leading to optimal in-vitro fertilization and high frequency embryo development. They developed the defined growth media that are widely used to culture bovine embryos. The procedures developed in Prof. First’s laboratory have led to major discoveries throughout the world concerning embryo development in domestic animals.

 

The new knowledge provided by Prof. First’s research is having a major impact on the production of genetically advanced strains of livestock throughout the world. Advances include improved reproduction, growth, lactation, and disease resistance.

Agriculture

// order posts by year $posts_by_year;

Dame Caroline Dean

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2020

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

David Zilberman

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2019

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Gene Robinson

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2018

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Trudy Mackay

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2016

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Linda J. Saif

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2015

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Leif Andersson

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2014

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Jorge Dubcovsky

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2014

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Joachim Messing

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2013

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Jared M. Diamond

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2013

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

James R. Cook

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2011

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Harris A. Lewin

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2011

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Sir David Baulcombe

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2010

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

W. Joe Lewis

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2008

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

John A. Pickett

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2008

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

James H. Tumlinson

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2008

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Ronald L. Phillips

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2006/7

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Michel A. J. Georges

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2006/7

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Steven D. Tanksley

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2004

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Yuan Longping

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2004

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Fuller W. Bazer

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2002/3

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

R. Michael Roberts

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2002/3

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Roger N. Beachy

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2001

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

James E. Womack

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2001

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Gurdev S. Khush

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 2000

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Ilan Chet

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1998

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Baldur R. Stefansson

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1998

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Neal L. First

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1996/7

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Morris Schnitzer

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1995/6

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Frank J. Stevenson

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1995/6

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Perry L. Adkisson

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1994/5

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Carl B. Huffaker

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1994/5

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

John E. Casida

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1993

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Shang-Fa Yang

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1991

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Jozef S. Schell

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1990

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Peter M. Biggs

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1989

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Michael Elliott

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1989

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Ernest John Christopher

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1988

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Charles Thibault

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1988

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Theodor O. Diener

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1987

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Sir Ralph Riley

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1986

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Ernest R. Sears

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1986

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Robert H. Burris

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1984/5

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Don Kirkham

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1983/4

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Cornelis T. De Wit

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1983/4

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Wendell L. Roelofs

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1982

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

John O.Almquist

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1981

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Henry A. Lardy

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1981

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Glen W. Salisbury

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1981

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Karl Maramorosch

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1980

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Sir Kenneth Blaxter

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1979

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

Jay L. Lush

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1979

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

John C.Walker

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1978

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.

George F.Sprague

Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture 1978

 

The Prize Committee for Agriculture of the Wolf Foundation has unanimously chosen two scientists to share equally the Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

 

George F. Sprague
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, USA

 

for his outstanding research on the genetic amelioration of maize for human welfare.

 

Professor Sprague (a geneticist – plant breeder) and Professor Walker (a plant pathologist -plant breeder) have achieved world eminence in the development of improved crop plants to the extent of greatly stabilizing the culture, increasing yields, and improving the quality of a number of major vegetable crops, and of maize – one of the world´s dominant grain crops. Each has developed novel and efficient methodology of breeding techniques and procedures. Both have been towering figures in contributing to both applied and basic research. Both have most enviable records of having trained scientific manpower for agriculture´s needs. Students of each are to be found throughout the world, many of them having established themselves as distinguished researchers, educators and/or administrators. Each awardee has served well the organizations of his respective science and agricultural industry, as well as the governments of the world.

In the annals of world agriculture, hybrid maize is the most spectacular example of the exploitation of a genetic phenomenon heterosis for increasing food production. Unquestionably Professor Sprague´s name ranks foremost in the 40-year-long history of this great achievement of agricultural science. Moreover, many of the concepts, much of the theory and, any of the breeding models, which he developed for maize, have influenced the improvement of other crop plants.

Throughout his long and distinguished scientific career, Professor Sprague has worked untiringly to link theoretical quantitative genetic theory to practical plant breeding. Among his most fruitful basic studies was the development of a mathematical genetic model for selection that led to the development of an improved gene pool of maize germ plasm. Professor Sprague´s genetic research laid the ground work, for improvement in nutritional quality in maize. A fact, which holds great promise to maize-eating nations. He conducted investigations, which demonstrated that protein quality of maize was genetically modifiable.
In summary, few people in the history of agriculture have had such a profound impact on the improvement of a major crop as has Professor Sprague.

Professor Emeritus Walker´s eminence as a plant pathologist would lead many to judge him to be among history´s 3 or 4 greatest plant pathologists. Central to his career have been his contributions to the control of plant diseases by the development of resistant varieties of crop plants, the development of novel and effective breeding methodology, the demonstration of the role of environmental factors, particularly host nutrition and soil temperature, in the epidemiology of plant diseases, the physiological nature of diseases, and the chemical basis of disease resistance in plants.
He is, perhaps, the World´s best example of a scientist combining applied research oriented to food production and fundamental research directed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, integrated and organized around specific problems of agriculture. Similarly, other disease control studies led to the discovery of much fundamental information regarding the role of aerial and soil environal factors in the incidence and severity of disease.
As an educator, he is without peer in the training of scientists in the profession of plant pathology. His classic text book: ‘Plant Pathology’, which has been translated into several languages, has been the standard treatise on the subject. It is today the most widely used classroom text in university schools of agriculture everywhere.