Peking University, Nov. 4, 2011: On the evening of October 27, Xu Zhihong, member of Chinese Academy of Sciences, professor in the School of Life Sciences, and former president of Peking University (PKU), delivered the 25th Caizhai Lecture “Plants and Human Beings: The Present and Future of Botany”. Executive Deputy Dean of PKU Graduate School, Wang Yanglin, hosted the lecture.

The students were fascinated by a series of fresh pictures of various plants, such as the bulging stem of a jatropha podagrica, a nepenthes feeding on insects and the stamens and pistils of cucumber flowers. Yet this was merely an overture. Academician Xu Zhihong then lectured on the features of diverse plants, the relationship between plants and humans and that between plants and the environment, presenting to the students the wonderful kingdom of plants.

At the start, the screen displayed a series of pictures of plants, some of which were taken by Xu himself during field studies as well as in his daily life. “Botany is interesting, but it is also a serious science. Today I hope to share my opinions on the serious problems it concerns in a relaxed manner.” With this intention, when the newly born aerial roots of Cissus sicyoides were shown, Xu joked, “Many plants have characteristic roots. These aerial roots remind you of ‘Dreams Link’, don’t they?” causing much laughter amongst the students.

As producers, plants are the main source of food and energy for human beings and are important for the regenerating resources. The diversity of plants constitutes an essential part in biodiversity. “However, plants can also do harms to human beings, such as poppies, water hyacinth and blue green algae.” After the picture display, Xu began to introduce the close tie between plants and human life. “Some of the problems are caused by human misuse; some are brought about by environmental pollution.” How to control man’s influence on the environment and the plants’ existence has become a global challenge.

In recent years, the microcosmic exploration of plants has made many well-noted achievements. By a thorough observation of the basic features, the adaptations and the biological phenomena of plants, biologists have managed to establish a plant gene bank. This has huge significance for the reform and regeneration of plant varieties. “It’s like widening the road, which lays the groundwork for the study of new varieties of plants,” Xu explained vividly.

PKU itself can be viewed as a mini botanical garden. “Each student at PKU is a small dandelion. They have chosen Yanyuan to settle down and here they sprout and grow.” Concluded Xu with a quotation from Professor Xie Mian’s Forever Campus, “I hope you can all enjoy the study and life in Yanyuan.”

Written by: Yan Binghan
Edited by: Arthars
Source: PKU News (Chinese)