In Memoriam - Prof. dr. Božidar Krajnčič (1935-2018)
Božidar Krajnčič se je rodil 20. januarja 1935 v Mariboru kot najmlajši izmed šestih otrok. Po končani osnovni šoli je nadaljeval šolanje na nižji gimnaziji in nato na višji II. gimnaziji, kjer je leta 1954 maturiral. Istega leta se je vpisal na Prirodoslovno matematično fakulteto v Ljubljani in leta 1959 diplomiral iz biologije.
Sprva se je zaposlil na Ekonomski srednji šoli v Mariboru, v jeseni 1961 pa je sprejel mesto učitelja na I. gimnaziji v Mariboru, kjer je do leta 1978 poučeval biologijo in kemijo. V želji, da bi nudil svojim dijakom čim več, zlasti na področju raziskovalnega dela, se je vpisal na podiplomski študij biologije na Prirodoslovno-matematični fakulteti Vseučilišča v Zagrebu. V magistrski nalogi se je poglobil v fotoperiodizem pri vodolečevkah in v maju 1972 postal magister bioloških znanosti. Na isti fakulteti je nadaljeval z doktorskim študijem in raziskovalnim delom na področju fiziologije cvetenja vodolečevk. Pod mentorstvom akademika prof. dr. Zvonimira Devide je bil leta 1976 promoviran v doktorja bioloških znanosti.
Od leta 1970 je predaval biologijo in rastlinsko fiziologijo na takratni Pedagoški akademiji, sedanji Fakulteti za naravoslovje in matematiko. Leta 1978 je nastopil službo na Višji agronomski šoli v Mariboru kot profesor biologije in
rastlinske fiziologije in bil leta 1983 izvoljen v naziv rednega univerzitetnega profesorja.
V letih 1983-1985 je opravljal funkcijo prorektorja za raziskovalno dejavnost Univerze v Mariboru in bil aktiven član Sveta za znanost Republike Slovenije. V letih 1985-1989 je postal dekan Višje agronomske šole in v tej funkciji svoje delo usmerjal predvsem v kadrovsko krepitev, posodobitev šole in opremljanje laboratorijev. Leta 1991 je bil izvoljen za prorektorja za izobraževalno dejavnost Univerze v Mariboru. Po smrti dekana mag. Milana Erjavca v letu 1992 je ponovno prevzel funkcijo dekana. Pod njegovim vodenjem in z izjemnim osebnim prizadevanjem je omogočil, da je leta 1995 Višja agronomska šola napredovala v Fakulteto za kmetijstvo, današnjo Fakulteto za kmetijstvo in biosistemske vede, ki jo je prof. dr. Božidar Krajnčič vodil do leta 2003. Fakulteta je v tem času na prvotni lokaciji pod Kalvarijo opremila laboratorije za fiziologijo, agrokemijo, mikrobiologijo in vinarstvo, delno pa tudi za genetiko in tkivne kulture. Predvsem je potrebno izpostaviti njegova prizadevanja za pridobitev kmetijskega posestva v letu 1994 in ustanovitev Univerzitetnega kmetijskega centra, ki obsega 155 ha obdelovalnih površin in 240 ha gozdov.
Od samega začetka njegove raziskovalne poti se je
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prof. dr. Božidar Krajnčič posvetil vodolečevkam. Na področju SV Slovenije in Istre je opisal več kot sto rastišč. Prvi je v Istri odkril rastišče navadne vodne lečice (Wolffia arrhiza (L.) Horkel ex Wimm.). Z rezultati raziskav je skupaj s prof. dr. Devidejem veliko prispeval k opredelitvi filogenetskega položaja navadne žabje leče (Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid.). Uspel je tudi bistveno izpopolniti metode gojenja vo-dolečevk z namenom biološkega testiranja kakovosti voda. Njegovo raziskovanje je privedlo do nekaterih temeljnih dognanj o fotoperiodizmu teh rastlin. Proučeval je vpliv esencialnih aminokislin, kelatirajočih spojin in rastlinskih rastnih regulatorjev na rast, razvoj in indukcijo cvetenja vo-dolečevk.
Raziskovalno se je tudi ukvarjal s fiziologijo gozdnega drevja v povezavi z odpornostjo na bolezni in škodljivce, in pri tem znotraj Univerzitetnega kmetijskega centra pomembno vzpodbujal gozdarstvo. Pomembno je prispeval tudi k aplikativnim raziskavam v kmetijstvu in pri tem sodeloval s številnimi kmetijskimi podjetji.
Njegov bogat bibliografski opus obsega 25 izvirnih znanstvenih člankov, dve znanstveni in štiri strokovne monografije, 4 znanstvene priročnike, univerzitetne učbenike in gradiva ter številne druge znanstvene in strokovne prispevke.
Prof. dr. Krajnčič je mestu Maribor predvsem znan kot pobudnik izgradnje ter strokovni vodja Botaničnega vrta Univerze v Mariboru. Le-ta je od leta 1999 vključen v združenje "Botanic Garden Conservation International", za javnost pa je odprt od maja 2002. Z vso vnemo in predanostjo se je posvečal zasaditvi posameznih sklopov botaničnega vrta. Posebej je bil ponosen na pinetum, ki predstavlja bogato zbirko golosemenk, predvsem borov, smrek in jelk iz Evrazije in Amerike. Z izgradnjo botaničnega vrta in sistematičnim poučevanjem je pomembno sooblikoval svoje sodelavce in vrtnarski naraščaj. Botaničnemu vrtu je ostal zvest in predan tudi po svoji upokojitvi.
Prof. dr. Božidar Krajnčič je bil vsestransko strokovno aktiven kot član Zveze evropskih društev rastlinske fiziologije (Federation of European Societies of Plant Physiology) in član mednarodne ekspertne skupine za raziskave cvetenja (International Working Group on Flowering). Leta 2002 je Društvo za rastlinsko fiziologijo Slovenije (sedanje Slovensko društvo za biologijo rastlin) ob 20-letnici delovanja prof. dr. Božidarju Krajnčiču podelilo naziv častni član društva.
Potrebno je izpostaviti tudi izjemne zasluge na področju razvoja visokega šolstva in znanosti v Sloveniji. Bil je član Sveta za visoko šolstvo Republike Slovenije in ekspertne skupine Sveta za znanost in tehnologijo RS za področje biotehniških ved. Sodeloval je v komisiji za habilitacije Univerze v Mariboru in v komisijah Sveta za visoko šolstvo in Ministrstva za znanost.
Za svoje delo je prejel številna priznanja in nagrade, med katerimi velja izpostaviti: Red dela s srebrnim vencem (1978), Zlati znak biologije ob 60. letnici biologije na Univerzi v Ljubljani (1979), Republiško priznanje Zveze organizacij za tehniško kulturo Slovenije, dve Zlati plaketi Uni-
verze v Mariboru, Mestni pečat Maribora (1997), Nagrado Republike Slovenije na področju visokega šolstva (1999), Zoisovo priznanje Republike Slovenije (1999), Častni znak svobode Republike Slovenije (2000), priznanje Kmetijsko gozdarske zbornice Slovenije (2004) in mnoga druga priznanja. Leta 2009 je prof. dr. B. Krajnčič postal zaslužni profesor Univerze v Mariboru ter leta 2016 častni občan Mestne občine Maribor.
Prof. Dr. Božidar Krajnčič je s svojo odločnostjo, vztrajnostjo in jasnimi vizijami začrtal prelomne mejnike Fakultete za kmetijstvo in biosistemske vede. Z vso vnemo se je posvetil izgradnji Botaničnega vrta Univerze v Mariboru. Svoje bogato botanično znanje in izkušnje je delil z mnogimi generacijami študentov in drugih, še posebej mladih. Njegovi kolegi in sodelavci na Fakulteti za kmetijstvo in biosistemske vede si bomo prof. dr. Božidarja Krajnčiča zapomnili kot poštenega, natančnega, delavnega in izredno sposobnega človeka. Hvaležno se zahvaljujemo za neizmerne prispevke k razvoju Univerze v Mariboru, Fakultete za kmetijstvo in biosistemske vede, Univerzitetnega kmetijskega centra in še posebej, Botaničnega vrta.
In memoriam Prof. Dr. Božidar Krajnčič
(1935-2018)
Božidar Krajnčič was born in Maribor on 20thJanu-ary1935 as the youngest of six children. After completing the elementary school, he continued his education in the secondary school and at II. Gymnasium, where he graduated in 1954. In the same year, he enrolled into the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics University of Ljubljana, where he graduated in biology in 1959.
He began to work as a teacher at the High School for Economics in Maribor and later, in 1961, he pursued his career at the I. Gymnasium in Maribor, where he taught biology and chemistry until 1978. In his desire to offer his students as much as possible, especially in the field of research, he enrolled into postgraduate studies in biology at the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb. In his master's thesis, he analysed photoperiodism of some species belonging to the duckweed family (Lemnaceae) and, in May 1972, became a Master of biological sciences. At the same faculty, he continued his doctoral studies under the supervision of prof. dr. Zvonimir Devide and, in 1976, he was promoted to the doctor of biological sciences.
Since 1970, he lectured biology and plant physiology at the Pedagogical Academy Maribor, which later became Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. In 1978, he became professor of biology and plant physiology at the Higher Agricultural School in Maribor, and in 1983 he was awarded a title of an associate professor. In the years 1983 - 1985, he served as the Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Maribor. In 1985, he was elected Dean of the Higher Agricultural School, and in this function he directed
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work primarily on human resources strengthening and modernization. In 1991, he was appointed as Vice-Rector for the educational activities of the University of Maribor. After the death of dean mag. Milan Erjavec in 1992, he re-assumed the dean's role. Under his leadership and strategic direction, and with exceptional personal efforts, he made it possible that the Higher Agronomy School progressed to the Faculty of Agriculture, now Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Prof. Dr. Božidar Krajnčič led the faculty until 2003. He helped to establish new laboratories for physiology, agrochemistry, microbiology, enology, genetics and tissue culture, and the University Agricultural Centre in 1994, which covers 155 ha of cultivated land and 240 ha of forests.
From the very beginning of his research path, Prof. Dr. Božidar Krajnčič was dedicated to the studies of species belonging to the Lemnaceae family (e.g., Lemna minor L., Wolffia arrhiza (L.) Horkel ex Wimm.) and Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid.). In SE Slovenian region and in Istria, he described more than hundred locations and contributed significantly to the knowledge of those species. He first described the location of an spotless water meal (Wolffia arrhiza) in Istria. Together with Prof. Dr. Devidé he defined the phylogenetic position of Spirodela polyrhiza. He also improved the methods of their cultivation, in order to use them in biological testing of water quality. With his research he contributed to the fundamental knowledge of photope-riodic responses of species within the Lemnaceae family. He studied the influence of essential amino acids, chelating compounds and plant growth regulators on the growth, development and flower induction of duckweeds.
Within the activities of the University Agricultural Centre he conducted agricultural based research by encouraging forestry and tree physiology. He investigated the resistance of different trees to pests and diseases. With the monitoring of bark beetles and by using biotic approaches of forest protection, he was able to reduce the damage caused by bark beetles in the forests of Pohorje. He also made an important contribution to applied research in agriculture and cooperated with many agricultural companies.
His rich bibliography comprises 25 original scientific articles, two scientific and four professional monographs, 4 scientific manuals, several university textbooks and numerous other publications.
Prof. Dr. Božidar Krajnčič is especially known as the initiator and the professional manager of the Botanical Garden of the University of Maribor. Since 1999, the garden has been included in the association "Botanic Garden Conservation International". It was officially opened to the public in May 2002. He established all crucial sectors of the garden and was especially proud of the pinetum, which represents a rich collection of gymnosperms, mainly pines, spruce and fir trees from Eurasia and America. During the establishment of the botanical garden and his teaching, he delivered his rich botanical knowledge and gardening practises to colleagues and gardeners. He remained faithful and committed to the botanical garden even after his retirement.
Prof. Dr. Božidar Krajnčič was an active member of the Federation of European Societies of Plant Biology and a member of the International Working Group of Physiology of Flowering. In 2002, The Slovenian Plant Physiology Society (currently the Slovenian Society of Plant Biology), celebrating the 20th anniversary, promoted him to the Honorary Member of the Society.
He was a member of several important government and university councils and expert groups, such as Council for Higher Education of the Republic of Slovenia and the expert group of the Council for Science and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia for the field of biotechnical sciences. For his work, he received numerous awards and prizes from the Slovenian government, various ministries, universities and public organizations:
Order of Work with Silver Wreath (1978), Golden Sign of Biology at the 60th anniversary of Biology at the University of Ljubljana (1979), Republic recognition of the Association of Technological Culture Organizations of Slovenia, two Golden Plaques of the University of Maribor (1997), City Seal of Maribor (1997), Award of the Republic of Slovenia in the field of higher education (1999), Zois Certificate of Recognition of the Republic of Slovenia (1999), The Honorary Sign of The Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia (2000), Acknowledgment of the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia (2004) and many other recognitions. In 2009, Prof. Dr. Božidar Krajnčič became Professor Emeritus of the University of Maribor and, in 2016, the honorary citizen of the Municipality of Maribor.
Prof. Dr. Božidar Krajnčič, through his determination, perseverance, and clear visions, outlined the milestones of the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences. With all his enthusiasm, he dedicated himself to the establishment of the Botanical Garden of the University of Maribor. He shared his rich botanical knowledge and experience with many generations of students and others, especially young people. The colleagues of the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences will always remember and gratefully acknowledge his honest character, creativity, hard work and unmeasurable contributions to the development of the University of Maribor, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University Agricultural Centre and, especially, the University Botanical Garden.
dr. Andreja Urbanek Krajnc
Katedra za botaniko in fiziologijo rastlin / Botany
and plant physiology unit
Univerza v Mariboru / University of Maribor
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