FABI News
22 Apr 2025
FABIans enjoy an Easter Tea
FABIans took some time off to enjoy the traditional annual Easter Tea on the morning of 16 April.
18 Apr 2025
Congratulations to Tanay Bose on receiving his Y1 NRF rating
Congratulations to Dr Tanay Bose on receiving his Y1 rating from the NRF.
17 Apr 2025
FABI's Prof. Irene Barnes presents her inaugural address
Professor Irene Barnes presented her inaugural address in the University of Pretoria’s Senate Chamber on 9 April, marking the inauguration of her acceptance as a full Professor.
16 Apr 2025
FABI participates in the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute's Spring Symposium
Prof. Cobus Visagie represented FABI at the recent Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute's Spring Symposium.
16 Apr 2025
Congratulations to Chris Weldon on being promoted to a full Professor!
Congratulations to Prof. Chris Weldon on presented his inaugural lecture as full Professor.
FABI in a nutshell
Research Features
Review emphasizes the importance of understanding the genetics of sex determination for effective genetic pest management in insects.
Eleven new Penicillium and Talaromyces species discovered in South African culture collections.
A new study reveals the presence of Mycotoxins in Eastern Cape maize in South Africa.
Eurotiales update: FABIans Prof. Cobus Visagie and Dr Neriman Yilmaz and their collaborators have published a review of recently described Eurotiales species, including the economically important Aspergillus, Penicillium, Paecilomyces and Talaromyces.
Da Vinci's Yeast: FABIans Prof. Cobus Visagie, Dr Neriman Yilmaz, and their collaborators have recently described and named a newly discovered yeast species of the famous Italian painter, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor, and architect Leonardo da Vinci.
The potential economic impact of the PSHB invasion in South Africa has been calculated to be a massive R275 billion over the next ten years, if nothing is done to stop the spread of this invasive beetle. Researchers from FABI collaborated with Stellenbosch University ecologists and economists to model the unmitigated economic impact of this invasion.
A recently published paper in the journal Current Forestry Reports documents a collaboration between an international team of forest pathologists and invasion scientists. Led by Dr Trudy Paap, the authors present a framework for conceptualizing and managing invasive forest pathogens.
A recently published review article by Dr Andi Wilson in a special issue of the journal 'Microbiology & Molecular Biology Reviews' provides details of the genes that are essential to the sexual cycle in filamentous Ascomycete fungi and further describes their functions in a variety of model and non-model species.
Penicillium section Canescentia re-evaluated and five new species described from the fynbos biome in South Africa.
In November 2019, the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology hosted a workshop on ‘Frameworks used in Invasion Science’. The workshop led to a NeoBiota special issue on this theme, and includes a review by FABI researchers and international colleagues, exploring frameworks in the context of forest pathology.
A doctoral study in FABI confirms for the first time the presence of Xylosandrus crassiusculus, a polyphagous ambrosia beetle and its fungal symbiont, Ambroseilla roeperi, in three provinces in South Africa. The authors warn that this beetle species could be a threat to native and plantation trees.
A review on invasive gall-forming wasps that threaten non-native Eucalyptus plantations by researchers in the TPCP appears in Agricultural and Forest Entomology. They profile several species of likely Australian origin that have established on non-native Eucalyptus plantations globally and discuss various challenges to their management.
A study in the TPCP confirms the identity of seven novel fungal species associated with Dendroctonus valens, the red turpentine beetle. The study follows on surveys on the fungal associates of the beetle in China and North America. Results from this work appear in Persoonia.
A postdoctoral study in the TPCP describes two novel Huntiella species in the African clade, bringing the number of known species in the genus to 31. Though closely related, the two species display different mating systems. Outcomes from this study appear in the journal MycoKeys.
A review of the invasion history and global management strategies of Eucalyptus snout beetles in the Gonipterus scutellatus species complex by researchers in the TPCP appears in the Journal of Pest Science.
In a collaborative venture with Dr Jos Houbraken (Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, the Netherlands), Prof. Cobus M Visagie, Dr Neriman Yilmaz (both from FABI) and others have recently completed and published a major study updating the taxonomy of the Eurotiales.
A study in the Forest Molecular Genetics (FMG) Programme at FABI interrogates the benefits of implementing genomic selection for growth and wood quality traits in an established Eucalyptus grandis breeding programme in South Africa. Outcomes from this study appear in an article.
The first study on alternative weed and cultivated hosts of Spongospora subterraneaf. sp. subterranea (Sss), in southern Africa identifies two species as ideal trap crops for rotation with potatoes. The study also introduces three new families to the known hosts of Sss in the region.
A consortium of microbiologists from around the globe, FABI included, is pushing for an overhaul in how scientific names are assigned to uncultivated bacteria and archaea. Despite their ecological, agricultural and medical importance, these organisms traditionally have not been recognized by the international body governing the nomenclature of prokaryotes.
Professor Cobus Visagie is a researcher in the Applied Mycology group at FABI. One of the group’s research goals is to discover fungal diversity in South Africa, and Cobus’ research is strongly focussed on the economically important genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Talaromyces.
Postdoctoral research by Dr Norman Muzhinji in the Potato Pathology Programme at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) sheds light on the genetic structure and diversity of Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea in four potato-growing regions in South Africa, providing valuable insights on its management.
An MSc study by Kira Lynn in the RGE-FABI Tree Health Programme at the University of Pretoria has described a new Fusarium species, Fusarium rekanum sp. nov., associated with Euwallacea perbrevis, an ambrosia beetle species infesting Acacia crassicarpa plantations in Riau, Indonesia.
FABI postdoctoral Fellow Dr Andi Wilson has established a CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing protocol for use in Huntiella omanensis, a tree-inhabiting fungus belonging to the Ceratocystidaceae family.
Research undertaken as part of a PhD study by Molly Malefo at the University of Pretoria’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute sheds more light on the role of protease inhibitors in plants under drought stress.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) has funded a postdoctoral research project dedicated to monitoring plant health in botanical gardens and arboreta across South Africa. Two postdoctoral Fellows at the University of Pretoria’s Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute have held these fellowships.
The first comprehensive study mapping the distribution and genetic diversity of invasive Eucalyptus insect pests in sub-Saharan Africa confirms the presence of five major foliage-feeding species in 14 countries. The results of this study have implications on the quarantine, future research and management of these pests on the continent and beyond.
Dr Joey Hulbert broke new ground when he became the first candidate at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute to complete a PhD study incorporating citizen science. Citizen science is an approach that involves members of the public as active participants in scientific research.
FABI technology unravels the genetics behind fungal genome evolution The RIPper is a bioinformatics tool for the for quantifying genome-wide RIP mutations in fungal genomes. The strength of this software lies in the automation of laborious techniques to study the mutation process called Repeat-Induced Point mutations (RIP). The RIPper applies these technique
With the increased availability in genome data, inferences regarding evolutionary relationships among taxa can now be performed on a genome-wide scale. But it is widely accepted that not all parts of such massive datasets support the same evolutionary hypothesis. Because of this, a group of researchers at FABI recently investigated the effect of this.
The use of genome data to characterize species and elucidate relationships, particularly between problematic taxa, has become routine practice in bacteria. Recently, researchers from FABI joined in an international effort to describe two novel genera and characterize these within the larger context of the important bacterial group Burkholderia.
A PhD student in FABI, Runlei Chang, has discovered and described 19 new fungal species from China as part of the research for his thesis. These fungi are all associated with conifer-infesting bark beetles and their mites and belong to well-known genera such as Ophiostoma and Leptographium.
Two research papers from FABI were selected as cover stories in two consecutive issues of the international journal, Plant Pathology. The journal is published by Wiley for the British Society of Plant Pathology.
Plastids play an integral role in wood formation, and yet they are routinely ignored in the study of xylogenesis in forest trees. Desre Pinard and Dr Eshchar Mizrachi have published a review highlighting the unique biology of plastids in wood, suggesting that a new type of plastid, the xylopast, exists.
Approaches for characterizing metabolic potential from genomic sequences have previously been predicted to be useful in the description of bacterial taxa. Dr Marike Palmer, has recently employed these approaches for identifying biological processes contributing to the divergence of bacteria with a variety of lifestyles.
Comparative genomics is shaping our notion of what fungal species are. Based on current data, these unique evolutionary units are separated from one another by boundaries that are porous under certain conditions. This affects our expectations regarding their population biology and evolution, and our strategies for recognizing and controlling them.
The Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer is an ambrosia beetle native to Southeast Asia. In 2017 this pest was detected in South Africa. Its presence has since been confirmed in all provinces except Limpopo. The beetle has a symbiotic relationship with the fungus Fusarium euwallaceae, which causes branch die-back and death of susceptible trees.
1. Acceptance of our Terms
By visiting the website THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI), viewing, accessing or otherwise using any of the services or information created, collected, compiled or submitted to THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI), you agree to be bound by the following Terms and Conditions of Service. If you do not want to be bound by our Terms your only option is not to visit, view or otherwise use the services of THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI). You understand, agree and acknowledge that these Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) and that your use of THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) shall indicate your conclusive acceptance of this agreement.
2. Provision of Services
You agree and acknowledge that THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) is entitled to modify, improve or discontinue any of its services at its sole discretion and without notice to you even if it may result in you being prevented from accessing any information contained in it. Furthermore, you agree and acknowledge that THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) is entitled to provide services to you through subsidiaries or affiliated entities.
3. Proprietary Rights
You acknowledge and agree that THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) may contain proprietary and confidential information including trademarks, service marks and patents protected by intellectual property laws and international intellectual property treaties. THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) authorizes you to view and make a single copy of portions of its content for offline, personal, non-commercial use. Our content may not be sold, reproduced, or distributed without our written permission. Any third-party trademarks, service marks and logos are the property of their respective owners. Any further rights not specifically granted herein are reserved.
4. Submitted Content
When you submit content to THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) you simultaneously grant THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) an irrevocable, worldwide, royalty free license to publish, display, modify, distribute and syndicate your content worldwide. You confirm and warrant that you have the required authority to grant the above license to THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI).
5. Termination of Agreement
The Terms of this agreement will continue to apply in perpetuity until terminated by either party without notice at any time for any reason. Terms that are to continue in perpetuity shall be unaffected by the termination of this agreement.
6. Disclaimer of Warranties
You understand and agree that your use of THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) is entirely at your own risk and that our services are provided "As Is" and "As Available". THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) does not make any express or implied warranties, endorsements or representations whatsoever as to the operation of the THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) website, information, content, materials, or products. This shall include, but not be limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement, and warranties that access to or use of the service will be uninterrupted or error-free or that defects in the service will be corrected.
7. Limitation of Liability
You understand and agree that THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) and any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall in no event be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or exemplary damages. This shall include, but not be limited to damages for loss of profits, business interruption, business reputation or goodwill, loss of programs or information or other intangible loss arising out of the use of or the inability to use the service, or information, or any permanent or temporary cessation of such service or access to information, or the deletion or corruption of any content or information, or the failure to store any content or information. The above limitation shall apply whether or not THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) has been advised of or should have been aware of the possibility of such damages. In jurisdictions where the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages is not allowed the liability of THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) is limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.
8. External Content
THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) may include hyperlinks to third-party content, advertising or websites. You acknowledge and agree that THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) is not responsible for and does not endorse any advertising, products or resource available from such resources or websites.
9. Jurisdiction
You expressly understand and agree to submit to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the country, state, province or territory determined solely by THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) to resolve any legal matter arising from this agreement or related to your use of THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI). If the court of law having jurisdiction, rules that any provision of the agreement is invalid, then that provision will be removed from the Terms and the remaining Terms will continue to be valid.
10. Entire Agreement
You understand and agree that the above Terms constitute the entire general agreement between you and THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI). You may be subject to additional Terms and conditions when you use, purchase or access other services, affiliate services or third-party content or material.
11. Changes to the Terms
THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) reserves the right to modify these Terms from time to time at our sole discretion and without any notice. Changes to our Terms become effective on the date they are posted and your continued use of THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) after any changes to Terms will signify your agreement to be bound by them.
12. Website Information
This website is the property of the http://www.fabinet.up.ac.za/Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute at the University of Pretoria. All content presented here is the property of the respective page owners, indicated on each page.
13. Site Administrators
The following people are Site Administrators and can be contacted if a problem with the website arises:
14. Copyright Notice
Unless otherwise expressly stated in the material or information which accompanies the material, the following statements apply to all information and material made accessible via the FABI website at the University of Pretoria.
In these statements the terms material and information shall include, but not be limited to, sources, intermediate and executable code, disclosures of process, apparatus or product, images, audio and audio-visual productions, as well as text and formatted text.
15. Copyright
Copyright Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria - All rights reserved.
16. Disclaimer of Liability for Information on the FABI website
All efforts have been made by FABI to ensure that material accessible via its website is accurate and up to date. However, FABI makes no warranty, or guarantee, or promise express or implied, that the material made accessible via its website is either accurate, complete, up to date, or fit for any use whatsoever, nor does FABI represent or imply that its use will not infringe privately held rights.
Information provided about Programmes of Study and Units of study constitutes an expression of intent and is not to be taken as a firm offer or undertaking.
FABI accepts no liability or responsibility for any loss or damage suffered as a result of direct or indirect use or application of any material or information made accessible via its website.
The views and opinions of the many authors expressed in the material do not necessarily represent those of the University of Pretoria, neither FABI.
17. Reserved Rights
FABI reserves the right to alter or remove any material or information from its website and other networked information servers without notice.
18. Disclaimer of Other Sites
Material accessible via FABI's website may contain hypertext links to material held on networked information servers beyond the University of Pretoria's campuses.
FABI and the University of Pretoria is not responsible for the contents of any off-site material referenced from hypertext documents accessible via FABI's website
The Tree Protection Co-operative Programme symposium 2020
FameLab Speed Talks
Field Trips
SPOOF Productions
2021-2023
Dr Felipe Balocchi
Dr Chrizelle Beukes
Dr Jane Chepsergon
Dr Katrin Fitza
Dr Tanweer Goolam Mahomed
Dr Mesfin Gossa
Dr Quentin Guignard
Dr Michal Gwizdala
Dr Agil Katumanyane
Dr Godfrey Kgatle
Dr DAwit Kindanemariam
Dr Privilege Makunde
Dr Molly Malefo
Dr Rosali Moffat
Dr Nthabiseng Mokoena
Dr Jan Nagel
Dr Sylvans Ochola
Dr Olabimpe Orubbuloye
Dr Raphael Ployet
Dr Ashok Prabu
Dr Josephine Queffelec
Dr Hiroyuki Suzuki
Dr Ariska van der Nest
Dr Erik Visser
Dr Andi Wilson
2019-2021
Dr Sreedhara Ashok Prabhu
Dr Janneke Aylward
Dr Robert Backer
Dr Chrizelle Beukes
Dr Khumbuzile Bophela
Dr Tanay Bose
Dr Gabrielle Carstensen
Dr Nanette Christie
Dr Katrin Fitza
Dr Felix Fru
Dr Mesfin Gossa
Dr Michal Gwizdala
Dr Aquillah Kanzi
Dr Mahlane Godfrey Kgatle
Dr Victoria Maloney
Dr Robert Mangani
Dr Jan Nagel
Dr Marjo O'Neill
Dr Caryn Oates
Dr Olabimpe Yewande Orubuloye
Dr Letrisha Padayachee
Dr Desré Pinard
Dr Raphael PLoyet
Dr David Read
Dr Danielle Roodt
Dr Michelle Schröder
Dr Gi Yoon Shin
Dr Melissa Simpson
Dr Hiroyuki Suzuki
Dr Stephanie van Wyk
Dr Erik Visser
Dr Andi Wilson
2017-2019
Dr Janneke Aylward
Dr Daniel Bellieny-Rabelo
Dr Tanay Bose
Dr Marc Bouwer
Dr Vuyiswa Bushula-Njah
Dr Gabrielle Carstensen
Dr Runlei Chang
Dr Nanette Christie
Dr Lieschen de Vos
Dr Gudrun Dittrich-Schröder
Dr Stuart Fraser
Dr Felix Fru
Dr Mesfin Gossa
Dr Fahimeh Jami
Dr Aquillah Kanzi
Dr Mahlane Godfrey Kgatle
Dr Riikka Linnakoski
Dr FeiFei Liu
Dr Mark Maistry
Dr Vicki MAloney
Dr Alistair McTaggart
Dr Osmond Mlonyeni
Dr Esther Muema
Dr Awelani Mutshembele
Dr Sarah Mwangi
Dr Caryn Oates
Dr Letrisha Padayachee
Dr Trudy Paap
DR Marike Palmer
Dr Raphael Ployet
Dr Laure-Anne Poissonnier
Dr Sreedhara Ashok Prabhu
Dr Danielle Roodt
Dr Quentin Santana
Dr Michelle Schröder
Dr Louise Shuey
Dr Divine Shyntum
Dr Siphathele Sibanda
Dr Melissa Simpson
Dr Hiroyuki Suzuki
Dr Velushka Swart
Dr Magriet van der Nest
Dr Erik Visser
Dr Maria Vivas
Dr Markus Wilken
Dr Neriman Yilmaz
2015-2017
Dr Ramesh Aadi Moolam
Dr Marc Bouwer
Dr Martie CArstens
Dr Nanette Christie
Dr Elsie Druywagen
Dr Lieschen de Vos
Dr Gudrun Dittrich-Schröder
Dr Stuart Fraser
Dr Gerda Fourie
Dr Mesfin Gossa
Dr DongHyeon Lee
Dr Mark Maistry
Dr Victoria Maloney
Dr Gaby Nkouaya Mbanjo
Dr Alistair McTaggart
Dr Duccio Migliorini
Dr Bilal Mir
Dr Awelani Mutshembele
Dr Trudy Paap
Dr Sonia Phillips
Dr Sreedhara Ashok Prabhu
Dr Sonali Ranade
Dr Bianca Reeksting
Dr Michelle Schröder
Dr Louise Shuey
Dr Divine Shyntum
Dr Stephen Taerum
Dr Libert Brice Tonfack
Dr Maria Vivas
Dr Lydia Wahba
Dr TAnia Weller-Stuart
Dr Markus Wilken
2014/15/16/17/18
Dr Maria Vivas
Environmental maternal effects on the resistance of Eucalyptus grandis to pathogens and the structuring of fungal endophytic communities.
Dr Duccio Migliorini
Taxonomical description and ecological assessment of the plant pathogens Phytophthora and Botryosphaeriaceae of cultivated and natural Proteaceae in South Africa, Western Australia and Europe.
2011/12/13
Dr. Wubetu Bihon
Population studies in Diplodia pinea
Dr. Maryke Carstens
Genomics of quantitative disease resistance in African maize varieties
Dr. Shuaifei Chen
Cryphonectriaceae associated with native trees in the Western Cape province
Dr. Pieter de Maayer
Comparative and functional genomics of Pantoea spp.
Dr. Lieschen de Vos
Characterization of the Fusarium circinatum genome
Dr. Raj Deepika Kaul
Development and optimization of an in vitro regeneration and genetic transformation protocol for genetic modification of cellulose biosynthesis in Eucalyptus clones grown in South Africa
Dr. Gilbert Kamgan Nkuekam
Cryphonectriaceae in Myrtales in Hawaii
Dr. Martin Kemler
Molecular ecology and evolution of Botryosphaerieaceae
Dr. Boney Kuriakose
Genomics of quantitative disease resistance in African maize varieties
Dr. Rikka Linnakoski
Bark beetles and their fungal associates
Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with bark beetles
Dr. Sonia Phillips
Genomics of quantitative disease resistance in African maize varieties
Dr. Pedro Romon
Conifer bark beetles and associated phytopathogenic fungi
Dr. Lucas Shuttleworth
Botryosphaeria spp. associated with the Myrtales
Dr. Stephanie Slinski
Characterization of the pitch canker fungus, Fusarium circinatum
Dr. Daleen van Dyk
Genetic dissection of gene expression regulation, metabolite profiles and wood fibre traits in Eucalyptus hybrid tree populations
Dr. Sze Huei Yek
Host reponse of Sirex to nematode infection
Dr. Chongzing Zhang
Diversity and genetics of nematodes for biological control of forest pests
2009/10
Dr. Wubetu Bihon
Understanding the global population genetics of Diplodia pinea and its life cycle in plantation pines
Dr. Emilie Boissin
Molecular ecology and evolution of tree pests and pathogens, with a particular focus on the Sirex-Amylostereum symbiosis
Dr. Carrie Brady
Taxonomy of plant associated members of the Enterobacteriaceae
Dr. Shuaifei Chen
Cryphonectriaceae associated with native trees in the Western Cape Province
Dr. Bridget Crampton
Genomics of quantitative disease resistance in African maize varieties
Dr. Pieter de Maayer
Comparative and functional genomics of Pantoea spp.
Dr. Raj Deepika Kaul
Development and optimisation of an in vitro regeneration and genetic transformation protocol for genetic modification of cellulose biosynthesis in Eucalyptus clones grown in South Africa
Dr. Martin Kemler
The influence of climate on latent pathogens of native South African trees, with a particular focus on the Botryosphaeriaceae
Dr. Boney Kuriakose
High quality Solanaceous crops for consumer, processors and producers by exploration of natural biodiversity through Diversity Array Technology
Dr. Lu Min
Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with bark beetles
Dr. Eunsung Oh
Phytophthora species in the indigenous forests of South Africa
Dr. Donovan Porter
Survival of Pantoea ananatis in the environment
Dr. Pedro Romon
Conifer bark beetles and associated phytopathogenic fungi: diagnostics, epidemiology and integrated control
Dr. Francois Roets
Phylogeny of the Ophiostomatales on Protea species in South Africa
Dr. Urte Schlüter
Nodule senescence under drought stress
Dr. Daleen van Dyk
Genetic dissection of gene expression regulation, metabolite profiles and wood fibre traits in Eucalyptus hybrid tree populations
Dr. Juan Vorster
Protein modeling and design
Dr. Chongxing Zhang
The diversity and genetics of nematodes for biological control of forest insects
2007/8
Dr. Yoseph Beyene
Genetic characterization of resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana to an African isolate of the bacterial wilt pathogen, Ralstonia solanacearum
Dr. Irene Barnes
Mating strategies in the native fungal pathogen, Ceratocystis albifundus
Dr. Mesfin Bogale
Mitochondrial sequencing of Fusarium
Dr. Emilie Boisson
The molecular ecology and evolution of the Amylostereum – Siricid mutualism
Dr. Carrie Brady
Taxonomy of plant associated members of the Enterobacteriaceae
Dr. Marieka Gryzenhout
The taxonomy of relevant fungi, focusing on the pathogen group Cryphonectriaceae and endophytes of Eucalyptus and Syzygium
Dr. Wolfgang Maier
Global phylogeny of rust fungi with specific focus on African species
Dr. Seonju Marinkowitz
Fungi on Protea species
Dr. Lu Min
Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with bark beetles
Dr. Eunsung Oh
Phytophthora species in the indigenous forests of South Africa
Dr. Donovan Porter
Survival of Pantoea ananatis in the environment
Dr. Francois Roets
Phylogeny of the Ophiostomatales on Protea species in South Africa
Dr. Barbara Ros
Genomics of quantitative disease resistance in African maize varieties
Dr. Urte Schlüter
Nodule senescence under drought stress
Dr. Christell van der Vyver
Radiation-induced genome changes
Dr. Antoinette van Schalkwyk
High quality Solanaceous crops for consumer, processors and producers by exploration of natural biodiversity through Diversity Array Technology
Dr. Juan Vorster
Protein modelling and design
Dr. Jane Wright
The global population biology of Fusarium circinatum
2005/6
Dr. Yoseph Beyene
Genetic characterization of resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana to an African isolate of the bacterial wilt pathogen, Ralstonia solanacearum
Dr. Leanne Forsyth
Global gene expression profiling in banana against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc)
Dr. Solomon Kebede
Development and use of microarray technology for genotyping and gene expression analysis in Eucalyptus trees
Dr. Seonju Lee
Fungi on Protea species
Dr. Wolfgang Maier
Global phylogeny of rust fungi with specific focus on African species
Dr. Barbara Ros
Genomics of quantitative disease resistance in African maize varieties
Dr. Urte Schlüter
Nodule senescence under drought stress
Dr. Noëlani van den Berg
Identification of defence-related genes in Cavendish bananas to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense
Dr. Christell van der Vyver
Radiation-induced genome changes
Dr. Antoinette van Schalkwyk
High quality solanaceous crops for consumer, processors and producers by exploration of natural biodiversity through Diversity Array Technology
Dr. Jane Wright
The global population biology of Fusarium circinatum
Dr. Lawrie Wright
Population dynamics of Cylindrocladium pauciramosum
Dr. Xudong Zhou
Fungi associated with bark beetles
2003/4
Dr. Martin Coetzee
Population genetics of Armillaria fuscipes in South African pine plantations
Dr. Solomon Gebeyehu
Studies on Pissodes nemorensis and its possible role in vectoring Fusarium circinatum
Dr. Karin Jacobs
Molecular taxonomic studies on Ophiostoma and Ceratocystis, particularly of species linked to forest biosecurity
Dr. Solomon Kebede
Development and use of microarray technology for genotyping and gene expression analysis in Eucalyptus trees
Dr. Seonju Lee
Fungi on Protea species
Dr. Wolfgang Maier
Global phylogeny of rust fungi with specific focus on African species
Dr. Adele McLeod
Genetic studies of resistance to the bacterial pathogen, Ralstonia solanacearum, in Arabidopsis thaliana
Dr. Dharini Sivakumar
Improving litchi quality and shelf life through the export chain focussing on all aspects from production to consumption
Dr. Retha Slabbert
The effect of cold stress on the physiology of banana plants during infestation by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense
Dr. Ana Slaughter
Genetic improvement of maize to enhance food safety by introducing resistance to Fusarium moniliforme
Dr. Marlene van der Merwe
A phylogenetic study of Eugenia (Myrtaceae)
Dr. Jane Wright
The global population biology of Fusarium circinatum
Dr. Xudong Zhou
Fungi associated with bark beetles
2002/3
Dr. Dilzara Agayeva
Insect/fungal pathogen associations
Dr. Marcus Conradt
Scientific consultant: plant gene discovery using SAGE (Serial analysis of gene expression)
Dr. Alan Gaume
Genetic studies of resistance to the bacterial pathogen, Ralstonia solanacearum, in Arabidopsis thaliana
Dr. Solomon Gebeyehu
Studies on Pissodes nemorensis and its possible role in vectoring Fusarium circinatum
Dr. Karin Jacobs
Molecular taxonomic studies on Ophiostoma and Ceratocystis, particularly of species linked to forest biosecurity
Dr. Ntsane Moleleki
Pathogenic determinants of Fusarium circinatum
Dr. Retha Slabbert
The effect of cold stress on Fusarium wilt development in banana
Dr. Ana Slaughter
Genetic improvement of maize to enhance food safety by introducing resistance to Fusarium moniliforme
Dr. Marlene van der Merwe
A phylogenetic study of Eugenia (Myrtaceae)
2000/1
Dr. Treena Burgess
Studies on the population diversity of Sphaeropsis sapinea
Dr. Percy Chimwamurombe
Genetic improvement of maize to enhance food safety by introducing resistance to Fusarium verticillioides
Dr. Gwen Koning
Sphaeropsis sapinea on Pinus spp. in South Africa: seed infection, its impact and management
Dr. Linda Meyer
Black spot of citrus
Dr. Thierry Regnier
Markers for disease resistance in Eucalyptus
Dr. Marlien van der Merwe
Molecular systematics and phylogenetics of the genera Eugenia and Syzygium (Myrtaceae) in southern Africa
1998/9
Dr. Treena Burgess
Population genetics of Sphaeropsis sapinea
Dr. Jingua Chen
Selection of disease (especially Ceratocystis albofundus) tolerant wattle
Dr. Anupama Gaur
Studies on Ceratocystis spp. infecting different crops
Dr. Hong Li
Identification of Mycosphaerella leaf blotch pathogens of eucalypts
Dr. Oliver Preisig
Hypovirulence and biological control of Cryphonecria cubensis and Sphaeropsis sapinea
Dr. Dennis Wilson
Endophytic fungi associated with eucalypts
New Publications
Bose T, Wingfield MJ, Brachmann A, Witfeld F, Begerow D, Kemler M, Dovey S, Roux J, Slippers B, Vivas M, Hammerbacher A. (2025) Removal of organic biomass in Eucalyptus plantations has a greater impact on fungal than on bacterial networks. Forest Ecology and Management 586:122734.
10.1016/j.foreco.2025.122734
Maduke N, Slippers B, Van der Linde E, Wingfield M, Fourie G. (2025) Botryosphaeriaceae associated with racemes, fruits and leaves of macadamia in South Africa. Plant Pathology 0:1–15:1–15.
10.1111/ppa.14107
Knoppersen RS, Bose T, Coutinho TA, Hammerbacher A. (2025) Inside the Belly of the Beast: Exploring the Gut Bacterial Diversity of Gonipterus sp. n. 2. Microbial Ecology 88:27.
10.1007/s00248-025-02524-1
Bose T, Roux J, Titshall L, Dovey SB, Hammerbacher A. (2025) Mulching of post-harvest residues and delayed planting improves fungal biodiversity in South African Eucalyptus plantations and enhances plantation productivity. Applied Soil Ecology 210:106091.
10.1016/j.apsoil.2025.106091
Wychkuys KA, Giron E, Hyman G, Barona E, Castro-Llanos FA, Sheil D, Yu L, Du Z, Hurley BP, Slippers B, Germishuizen I, Bojacá CR, Rubiano M, Sathyapala S, Verchot L, Zhang W. (2025) Biological control protects carbon sequestration capacity of plantation forests. Entomologia Generalis
10.1127/entomologia/2025/3015 
Balocchi F. (2025) Risk Analysis for Alien Taxa (RAAT) for Phytophthora cinnamomi in South Africa.
10.5281/zenodo.14858265
Paap T, Balocchi F, Wingfield MJ. (2025) The root rot pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi: a long-overlooked threat to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Biological Invasions 27(4)
10.1007/s10530-025-03570-z
Harikrishnan K, Rajeshkumar KC, Patil PM, Jeewon R, Visagie CM. (2025) Aspergillus dhakephalkarii and A. patriciawiltshireae spp. nov., two new species in Aspergillus sect. Nigri ser. Japonici (Eurotiales, Aspergillaceae) from India. Phytotaxa 695:57–79.
10.11646/phytotaxa.695.1.2
Dewing C, Visagie CM, Steenkamp ET, Wingfield BD, Yilmaz N. (2025) Three new species of Fusarium (Nectriaceae, Hypocreales) isolated from Eastern Cape dairy pastures in South Africa. MycoKeys 115:241–271.
10.3897/mycokeys.115.148914
Coertze S, Visagie CM, Rose L, Slippers B, Mostert D, Makhura T, de Villiers D, Basson E, Coetzee B, Read D. (2025) First report of Clavibacter nebraskensis, causing Goss’s bacterial leaf blight on maize (Zea mays L.) in South Africa. Plant Disease
10.1094/PDIS-01-25-0164-PDN