Educator, Researcher, Student of Nature
In the difficult post-war years, when Ukraine was rising from the ruins, a scientist from the village of Zadubrivtsi devoted himself to unraveling the mysteries of fertility to feed the reviving country.
Kuzma Mykolaiovych Vekirchyk — a name that has forever entered the history of Ukrainian science and education. This outstanding microbiologist and plant physiologist went from being a peasant boy from Ivano-Frankivsk region to a professor, author of more than 360 scientific works, whose research significantly advanced the understanding of plant-microelement interactions. His life is a story of devotion to science and tireless work for the sake of future generations.
Kuzma Vekirchyk was born September 15, 1929 in the village of Zadubrivtsi in the Sniatyn region. His path to science was typical for gifted children of that time, but no less impressive. After graduating from the Zadubrivtsi seven-year school with a certificate of merit in 1947, in the difficult post-war years he was engaged in teaching literacy to his fellow villagers — already then showing pedagogical abilities1 .
His educational path continued at the Sniatyn Agricultural College, which he graduated with honors in 1952, and then at the Faculty of Biology of Chernivtsi University, where he also studied excellently and received a degree in plant physiology in 19571 .
Graduated from Zadubrivtsi seven-year school with certificate of merit
Graduated with honors from Sniatyn Agricultural College
Graduated from Chernivtsi University with degree in plant physiology
The most important research, the results of which formed the basis of Vekirchyk's candidate dissertation, was the work "The effect of foliar feeding with microelements on physiological-biochemical processes, growth, development and yield of cabbage". This scientific work was completed in 1965 and earned him the scientific degree of Candidate of Biological Sciences1 .
The research methodology involved careful selection of experimental plant groups, development of special microelement solutions and their spraying on the leaf surface of cabbage at different growth phases. The scientist carefully controlled the concentrations of each element and studied their effect on various biochemical processes in plants.
For research in the field of plant physiology and microbiology, Vekirchyk and his colleagues used a whole complex of special reagents and equipment.
| Name of Tool/Reagent | Main Function in Research |
|---|---|
| Microelement solutions (boron, copper, zinc, manganese) | Foliar feeding of plants to stimulate growth and development |
| Biologically active substances | Improving symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes |
| Spectrophotometers | Analysis of biochemical composition of plant tissues |
| High magnification microscopes | Study of microstructures of plants and microorganisms |
| Laboratory glassware | Culturing and conducting experiments in controlled conditions |
The results and analysis showed that foliar feeding significantly increases the efficiency of microelement absorption compared to the traditional root method. This opened up new possibilities for increasing crop yields and improving their quality.
The professional path of Kuzma Vekirchyk passed through the most important pedagogical institutions of Western Ukraine. After defending his dissertation in 1965, he worked1 :
| Year | Title | Type | Main Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Microbiology | Textbook | Fundamentals of microbiology for students |
| 1976 | Microbiology: Laboratory Works | Study Guide | Practical classes in microbiology |
| 1984 | Plant Physiology: Practical | Study Guide | Practical aspects of plant physiology |
| 1987 | Microbiology with Basics of Virology | Textbook | Microbiology and virology |
| 1999 | Poisonous Medicinal Plants | Reference Guide | Properties of poisonous medicinal plants |
| 2001 | Microbiology with Basics of Virology | Textbook | Updated textbook edition |
| 2001 | Practical Microbiology | Study Guide | Practical classes in microbiology |
| Period | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1929 | Born in Zadubrivtsi village | Beginning of life journey |
| 1947 | Graduated Zadubrivtsi school | First academic successes |
| 1952 | Graduated Sniatyn College | Excellent completion of secondary specialized education |
| 1957 | Graduated Chernivtsi University | Foundation of higher education |
| 1965 | Defended candidate dissertation | Scientific recognition |
| 1991 | Received professor title | Peak of academic career |
| 2009 | Died in Ternopil | End of life journey |
Kuzma Mykolaiovych Vekirchyk died November 3, 2009 in Ternopil, where he lived for the last decades1 . But his legacy continues to live in numerous students, textbooks and scientific research based on his works.
His life is a vivid example of how devotion to science, unwavering diligence and love for the native land can bear fruit beneficial not only to contemporaries but also to future generations.
Vekirchyk's research in the field of foliar plant nutrition remains relevant today, especially in the context of developing environmentally friendly agriculture and optimizing the use of mineral fertilizers.
The contribution of Kuzma Vekirchyk to Ukrainian science and education is difficult to overestimate. He was one of those scientists whose works constitute the foundation of modern biological education in Ukraine and contribute to the development of domestic agricultural science.