Ishiwata Kunitaro
Forgotten Japanese microbiologist who pioneered biological pest control
Decades before Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, Ishiwata Kunitaro (1868-1941) developed the world's first bio-pesticide while researching silkworm diseases in 1897. His discovery of Bacillus sotto (now Bacillus thuringiensis) created:
- Chemical-free agriculture alternatives
- Foundations for modern integrated pest management
- Global organic farming movements
Despite Nobel Prize-worthy achievements, Ishiwata's work was erased from Western science history until 1972. His 1901 paper 『蚕ノ疫病ニ関スル研究』 (Research on Silkworm Epidemics) outlined microbial ecology principles now crucial for combating:
| Application | Modern Usage |
|---|---|
| Mosquito control | Fighting malaria |
| GMO crops | Bt corn & cotton |
Today, $6 billion bio-pesticide industry traces back to Ishiwata's Kyoto laboratory. Kyoto University's Microbial Research Center preserves his original microscope and specimens.
Literary Appearances
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Cinematic Appearances
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