Overview

In memory of Dr. Holger Hindorf

We mourn the loss of Dr. Holger Hindorf, who passed away on November 17, 2025, after a long illness. He began his phytopathological work with a dissertation (on coffee berry disease) in the early 1970s under Prof. Kranz at the University of Giessen, which included extensive field studies in Kenya. In 1973, he moved to the Institute for Plant Diseases at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, where he worked until his retirement in February 2007, initially as curator and, from 2002, as academic advisor. He was also responsible for training agricultural technical assistants for many years.

Dr. Hindorf was a phytomedical scientist through and through, whose passion for plant diseases and their significance for agriculture was evident in every conversation. In addition to diseases and pests of the coffee plant, his main scientific interests included climate-related predictions of the occurrence and development of pathogens, their control with natural substances, and the problem of mycotoxins in crops in tropical and temperate climates. His research was often conducted in international collaborations, particularly in Ethiopia, Kenya, and the Middle East.

Holger Hindorf was also involved in university self-administration and was a long-standing member of the Senate of the University of Bonn. His extensive expertise and enthusiasm for phytomedicine made him a valued contact for colleagues and students alike.

He supported international students in particular with great warmth and patience. His commitment made it easier for many of them to start their studies and research, including in the ARTS program at the Faculty of Agriculture, and he accompanied them at crucial moments.

Dr. Hindorf worked for many years in organizations promoting knowledge exchange and cooperation with countries in Africa and the Middle East, and he also promoted this approach at the university. This included organizing doctoral student excursions to Israel, Turkey, Egypt, and East Africa, as well as his involvement in the German Phytomedical Society, where he was the North Rhine-Westphalia regional spokesperson and chairman of the working group “Plant Protection in the Tropics and Subtropics” for many years.

His commitment to the education of young people was also recognized beyond the institute. ATSAF e. V. honored his long-standing contribution to development-oriented agricultural research with an honorary award, in particular his outstanding commitment to promoting and inspiring young scientists.

With Dr. Hindorf's passing, we have lost a dedicated scientist and highly esteemed colleague who leaves a void with his humanity and unique personality. His connection to the institute and his tireless commitment to students and the promotion of young talent will be remembered with gratitude. Our sympathy goes out to his family and all those who were close to him.

Our working group focuses on the cell biological, genetic, and molecular investigation of biogenic factors causing plant diseases.

We aim to develop strategies to protect crops by understanding these disease mechanisms. Our primary research centers on phytopathogenic fungi , particularly their interactions with host plants and their microbiome. We utilize model organisms like Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana to enhance our understanding of the plant immune system. Our major focus had been so far the biotrophic interaction between the maize pathogen Ustilago maydis and maize, focusing on secreted effector proteins that suppress host immunity and manipulate metabolism. Our research also employs imaging techniques such as thermography, chlorophyll fluorescence, and hyperspectral analysis to monitor host-pathogen interactions across various scales, aiming to develop innovative
disease prevention and control strategies.