On 10 July 1999, in his 66th year, Dr István Túri, the best-known master and teacher of vegetable forcing horticulture, passed away.
He was born on 7 December 1933 in Cegléd. He completed both his primary and secondary schooling in Cegléd, and took his school-leaving examination at the Kossuth Lajos Grammar School in 1952. He graduated from the College of Horticulture and Viticulture in 1957, and from 1958 at the College of Horticulture and Viticulture, then at the University of Horticulture, he climbed the obligatory academic ladder from research trainee to senior lecturer. Of his own accord, he requested retirement at the age of 60, in 1993.
From its foundation in 1990 he was research director of PRODUKT Kutató, Fejlesztő, Termelő Kft., and until his death he was the intellectual leader of the breeding of pepper varieties and the seed production of the bred hybrids.
He began his scientific work under the guidance of Professor András Somos. On the basis of his dissertation written in 1962 on the survey and analysis of the vegetable‑growing area of Nagykőrös, he was awarded the title of university doctor.
His first research task was to investigate the possibilities of growing vegetables on poor sandy soils without farmyard manure. Among the technical issues, his name is linked with the horticultural use of plastics, the development of frame structures for different facilities, the elaboration of heating systems, the creation of different types of ventilation and irrigation methods, the development of several versions of double covering, the design of heated and unheated unit types and, not least, the curtain‑of‑water method.
Together with his colleagues, he developed both mobile and fixed use of unheated facilities, and single‑ and two‑phase use of heated facilities, and they researched the possibilities of autumn and winter forcing. By introducing new varieties and variety types into cultivation and by implementing new cultivation techniques, he also created something enduring.
If the financial resources available are also taken into account, he was certainly the most successful Hungarian pepper breeder up to the present day. Beyond the number (21) of his registered and filed varieties and hybrids, their practical value is proof of this. The still most popular forced white pepper in Hungary (HRF F1) also confirms his extraordinary intuition in designing individual crosses and selecting parent lines. In addition, among other things, it was under his leadership that the varieties Hó F1, Pritavit F1, Kaméleon F1, Velence F1, Titán F1 were bred, as well as the candidate varieties Bajnok F1 and Kápia F1. The breeding material collected together with his colleagues is also significant and may be the guarantee for the continuation of his life’s work. Under his direction they developed a special method of hybrid seed production, which has also received patent protection and has become the basis of the operation of the hybrid seed‑producing sector.
Dr István Túri’s versatility was most clearly highlighted by his research on growth habit biology. He introduced the concepts of slow, medium and fast growth types, defined the conditions for their development and the possibilities of their modification. He recognised changes occurring in plant development at a very early stage. The technological adjustments he proposed in such cases were proven right in the vast majority of instances. Mr Túri as a teacher lectured to university students and practising gardeners alike; his lectures were most often highly illustrative, laced with humour and truly impressive.
The organisation of simultaneous advisory services is also linked to his name; as early as the late 1960s and early 1970s he was already holding courses in Soroksár. He organised several exhibitions at the University of Horticulture. The best‑known were those combined with conferences on pepper, melon and cucumber production. Since 1981, the seed exchange he conceived has been organised every year to the full satisfaction of vegetable growers and seed‑trading companies.
His professional writing was characterised by a striving for clarity, the description and teaching of practical techniques. He published more than a hundred popular articles, mostly in the pages of Kertészet és Szőlészet. His books dealing with foil‑covered production are also popular. “Kertészet fólia alatt” (co‑author: Béla Fodor) was the first agricultural textbook of which more than one hundred thousand copies were sold. He was awarded a quality prize for it. He was always proud of this and of the Labour Medal he received for his life’s work.
In the last 10–15 years, his writings were also characterised by a philosophical tone. This is exemplified by his books “Növényalkat” (Potential and limitation for increasing yield) and “Az élet korlátai” (which summarises the human aspects of growth‑habit biology). He also began work on a book venturing into the world of spirits and gods. He spoke about it a great deal, and very much wanted to finish it, but he was no longer able to. When asked about his scientific work and publications, he most often replied: “I do not underestimate the number of books, new varieties, patents, decorations and academic degrees, but I do not consider these the most important, so I do not concern myself with figures. In our profession, from among those mentioned and beyond, I regard as important only the activities that advance the cause of horticulture.”
In his organisational work he needed perseverance, sometimes stubborn obstinacy; otherwise he would not have been able to create the experimental area of the Department of Vegetable Production. Even today, in the Soroksár Experimental Farm many buildings, structures and film‑covered facilities attest to his tireless organisational work, his search for innovation and his wealth of ideas.
He devoted a great deal of attention to his once numerous staff. For quality work he considered several requirements essential: to explain, to have it written down, to ask back, to carry it out, to check it. He did not like negligence, indifference or laziness; he appreciated the ability to struggle, and purposeful, value‑creating work. He also respected and esteemed those colleagues who recognised something new and supported it even when they were not the first to notice it.
He often said that if he came into possession of an all‑powerful magic wand, he would do at least three things: he would abolish for a week all plastic‑covered growing facilities, thereby demonstrating their important role in everyday vegetable and fruit salads and the use of ornamental plants; he would show the possibilities in connection with enclosed spaces that we have not yet exploited; and “I would not suspend it for a week, but abolish for ever the disease of saying nothing – skilfully formulated from meaningful words and sentences,” he said.
Like everyone, he, too, had his faults and errors. At such times he would say: “None of us is an angel.” He also forgave these minor and major slips and mistakes in his colleagues, provided he did not detect malice or deliberateness behind them.
On his retirement he did not hold banquets or celebrations; with a few words he took his leave, and perhaps his last sentence was: “I would like to serve the cause of horticulture for a long time to come!”
Sadly, this wish could not be fully fulfilled. He now lives on only in his varieties, his writings and his spirit.
János Gyúrós