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The history of Plant Physiology Department
Plant physiology classes have been conducted at our school for the first time within the courses at the Agricultural Faculty of the Society of Scholar Courses (TKN) in Warsaw (Dr Gabriela Balicka 1906-1911), Industrial and Agricultural Courses (Professor Piotr Wiśniewski 1913) and in the Polish Royal Main School of Agriculture (SGGW) (Professor P. Wiśniewski 1918, Dr Wacław Moycho 1919). The first Institute of Plant Physiology, under the management of Professor Kazimierz Bassalik, was established in march 1921, within the newly formed Horticulture Faculty. The faculty was the first Polish agricultural school to have established at the beginning of 1922, a single-institute Plant Physiology Department, and this was held by Professor Michał Korczewski. Since 1951 the Plant Physiology Department at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS) - SGGW has been for most part of time within the Agricultural Faculty.
The first seat was based originally in Miodowa Street, the second, since 1929, in Rakowiecka Street, while the present location, since 2003, at the SGGW Campus in Ursynów.
We can distinguish three periods related to the history of the Plant Physiology Department until the end of the 20th century in terms of those who held it.
Period from the establishment of the Plant Physiology Department to the death of Professsor Korczewski (1922-1954)
In the pre-war period the mineral nutrition of plants was studied: the mechanism of ion absorption, functions of P, K and Ca, plant reactions to various forms of nitrogen (NH4 + and NO3 - ) and the role of ethylene in regulating physiological processes.
During the occupation Professor Korczewski (who was Pro-Rector SGGW at the time) and the employees of the Department risked their lives by taking part in secret education and trying to save the equipment and property of SGGW.
After the war Professor Korczewski undertook to develop mathematical models of plant growth. The employees of the Department studied the respiration and metabolism of tobacco leaves, plant water management, the metabolism of saccharides, transport of assimilates and, to a smaller extent, mineral nutrition.
Within 32 years period more than 50 scientific papers had been published (mainly of Professor Korczewski), a similar number of lectures being given on various courses, 1 Professor, 2 Doctors and 47 diplomas had been promoted.
Period of dynamic development of Plant Physiology Department, lead by Professor Helena Birecka (1954-1968)
Apart from the continuation of earlier scientific subject areas (e.g. within mineral nutrition), a broad programme of studies was conducted with regard to: the function and location of lupine alkaloids biosynthesis, photosynthesis and distribution of photoassimilates, mainly in cereal plants. Specialist isotopic (1958) and radiobiological (1963) laboratories were established. During 1957-1966 years studies into woody plant physiology were also conducted.
Within 14 years period about 100 scientific papers had been published, 2 Professors, 17 Doctors and 8 Masters of Science had been promoted.
Period 1969-1999, since 1970 under the management of Professor Emil Nalborczyk
The administrator of Plant Physiology Department in 1969 was Professor Witold Brzeski. and during this period the Department underwent numerous organisational changes. Study teams worked on agricultural, horticultural and forest plants.
Studies by Professor Nalborczyk and his team included the photosynthetic productivity of plants (genotypic diversification of "photosynthesis models" of crops, describing the dynamics of various assimilative organs in the photosynthetic activity of plants and collecting coccidia yields), and mathematical modelling of plant growth. Professor Bronisław Gej and others conducted studies on photosynthesis and the growth of lolium multiflorum biomass in conditions of diversified fertilization with nitrogen, and changes in the process of photosynthesis in plants subjected to harmful conditions of anthropopression. Professor Zofia Starck and her team concentrated on studying the processes of photosynthesis, transport and distribution of photoassimilates in plants accumulating nutritive substances in vegetative organs (radish) or fruit (tomato). The processes were analysed in changeable, including unfavourable, environmental conditions, considering the role of phytohormones and some macro elements in the mechanisms of stress-resistance. Professor Włodzimierz Żelawski and his team undertook studies on the functions of live wood elements, their traumatic reactions, photosynthetic productivity and mathematical modelling of the growth process. After his death (1986) the team was led for some time by Doctor Wojciech Galiński until the studies were discontinued.
A phytotron laboratory (1981-1983), a field laboratory for the gas exchange and energy balance of plants in a field (1989-1999), an immune-chemical laboratory (1990) to determine phytohormones and a cultivation of an energy plant Miscanthus gigantheus were organised. Editorial offices for two scientific magazines were created: Acta Physiologiae Plantarum (1979) and Annales of Warsaw Agricultural University, serie Agriculture (1984). The Department of Plant Physiology organised many international and domestic scientific conferences, participated in foreign and domestic research programmes and hosted many remarkable plant physiologists.
Within 30 years period more than 500 scientific papers had been published, 3 Professors, more than 25 Doctors (including 6 foreigners) and 160 Masters of Science, had been promoted.
The history of Plant Breeding and Seed Science Department
The Plant Breeding and Seed Science Department, now a part of the Plant Physiology Department, has its roots in the Department of Genetic of Horticulture Faculty and, later, in Plant Breeding and Seed Science Department of Agricultural Faculty. An institute was established in Skierniewice (1919), later transformed into department, which also served the Agricultural Faculty. The head of the department was Professor Edmund Malinowski, the father of Polish genetics.
In 1949 the Dean of the Agricultural Faculty, Professor Stanisław Turczynowicz, applied to the Ministry of Education to establish Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Science at Agricultural Faculty SGGW. It was organised and held by Professor Jadwiga Lekczyńska (1950-1970), who at that time was also the director of Institut of Plant Breeding and Acclimatisation in Radzików. Since 1970 Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Science, similarly to the Faculty and University, underwent numerous reorganisations and was merged with the Plant Physiology Department.
The Department of Plant Physiology in XXI century
Period 2000 - 2011
At the end of the 20th century, due to formal reasons, the Department of Plant Physiology was merged with the Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Science. The re-organised Department included two teams: the Team of Plant Breeding and Seed Science and Team of Plant Physiology and Productivity.
During the period 2000-2002 the Department was held by Professor Stefan Pietkiewicz. This was a period of integration for the re-organised department, a gradual reduction of personnel and preparation for moving to a new location in Ursynów.
In years 2003-2005 Department was held by Professor Renata Bogatek-Leszczyńska. At this time the move to the new location in Ursynów took place. Laboratory rooms, fitotron, greenhouse, vegetation hall and experimental field in Skierniewice were put into operation.
Previously established studies (including the influence of unfavourable environmental conditions) were continued and developed, and new works were started with regard to physiology and biochemistry of seed dormancy and germination, especially the role of cyanogenic compounds and reactive forms of oxygen in these phenomena. Joint studies conducted by both teams of the re-organised department were also initiated.
Since 2005 the Plant Physiology Department has been held by Professor Sławomir Podlaski. Total integration of the both connected Departments was achieved. The Plant Physiology Department received 9 grants from Ministry of Science and Higher Education. In 2006 plantation of 7 species (since 2009 there are 2 species more) of energetic plants and laboratory room for the processing of biomass were found in the Experimental Station SGGW in Skierniewice and Żelazna near Skierniewice.
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