Skip to main content
Log in

A tribute to Hugo P. Kortschak: The man, the scientist and the discoverer of C4 photosynthesis

  • Historical Corner
  • Published:
Photosynthesis Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Hugo P. Kortschak, a shy, quiet Quaker with unbelievable generosity toward mankind; an accomplished musician; and a dedicated, tenacious, and brilliant scientist, who spent his entire professional career working for a single employer in a commercially-oriented research organization, made one of the outstanding contributions to biological science of the past century. With his colleagues in the Hawaiian sugar industry, he discovered the C4 pathway of photosynthesis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Burr GO, Hartt CE, Brodie HW, Tanimoto T, Kortschak HP, Takahashi D, Ashton FM and Coleman RE (1957) The sugarcane plant. Ann Rev Plant Physiol 8: 275–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Bylinsky G (1975) A new scientific effort to boost food output. Fortune (June issue): 99–105, 172–173

  • Glasziou KT (1960) Accumulation and transformation of sugars in sugar cane. Plant Physiol 35: 895–901

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartt CE, Kortschak HP and Burr GO (1954) Photosynthesis by sugar cane fed radioactive carbon dioxide. Proc Haw Acad Sci 1953–1954: 13–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatch MD (1992) I can't believe my luck. Photosynth Res 33: 1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Kortschak HP (1968) Photosynthesis in sugar cane and related species. In: Photosynthesis in Sugar Cane, pp 18–29. Proc Internatl Symp sponsored by Tate & Lyle, Ltd. London

  • Kortschak HP and Nickell LG (1970) Calvin-type carbon dioxide fixation in sugarcane stalk parenchyma tissue. Plant Physiol 45: 515–516

    Google Scholar 

  • Kortschak HP and Nickell LG (1973) Photosynthetic carbon monoxide metabolism by sugarcane leaves. Plant Sci Ltrs 1: 213–216

    Google Scholar 

  • Kortschak HP, Hartt CE and Burr GO (1965) Carbon dioxide fixation in sugarcane leaves. Plant Physiol 40: 209–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Nickell LG and Kortschak HP (1964) Arginine: Its role in sugarcane growth. Haw Planters' Rec 57: 230–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Zelitch I (1979) Photosynthesis and plant productivity. Chem & Eng News 57 (Feb 5): 22–48

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nickell, L.G. A tribute to Hugo P. Kortschak: The man, the scientist and the discoverer of C4 photosynthesis. Photosynth Res 35, 201–204 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00014751

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00014751

Key words

Navigation