Janet Sprent

Janet Sprent (born August 28, 1934) is an Australian botanist and soil scientist specializing in the study of nitrogen fixation in legumes and other plants. Her research has significantly contributed to the understanding of symbiotic relationships between plants and bacteria, particularly rhizobia, and their impact on soil fertility and plant productivity.

Sprent received her BSc and PhD from the University of Glasgow. She held research positions in the United Kingdom before moving to Scotland and then Australia, becoming a leading figure in the field of legume biology. Her work has focused on the physiology, biochemistry, and ecology of nitrogen fixation in a variety of legume species, as well as the mechanisms of nodule development and function. She has also investigated the effects of environmental factors, such as salinity and drought, on nitrogen fixation.

Sprent is the author of numerous research articles and several influential books, including "The Ecology of the Nitrogen Cycle" and "Legume Nodulation: A Global Perspective." She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Australian Academy of Science, and has received numerous awards for her contributions to science, including the Peter Goldacre Medal. Her research has had significant implications for sustainable agriculture and the development of nitrogen-fixing technologies. She held positions at the University of Dundee, and later at the University of Tasmania.