A TRIBUTE TO DR. VELOSHINIE GOVENDER

Velo Govender passed away on 5 July 2008 at the age of 32.

She was awarded her PhD in Plant Pathology in September 2008.

SHE WAS THERE

She wasn't there but they awarded her the degree

She wasn't there, but they vigorously applauded her achievement

She wasn't there but her professor saluted her at the podium

She wasn't there, but her mother received her award

She wasn't there, but we all felt her among us

... in that space

... on the stage

... in our hearts

... she was there.

Edwin Smith

Veloshinie Govender, known to her friends as Velo, started her postgraduate studies at the University of Pretoria in 2001. In the middle of 2007 she began lecturing second-year Microbiology practicals, where students enjoyed her small size but large zest for life and learning. Velo was an internationally recognised scientist(for her young age). On her passing, messages of condolence were received as far away as Scotland and Brazil.

She presented her work at international conferences with the professionalism and confidence only found in senior scientists. Velo mentored a number of post-graduate students whom she helped to complete their degrees. Velo was an excellent friend who will be sorely missed for years to come. She loved life and was grateful for all she was blessed with. May we find a lesson in her short fulfilled life. In loving memory of a colleque, scientist, teacher and, most importantly, friend. She will be eternally remembered.

Stacey Collignon

New Publications

Aveling TAS, De Ridder K, Olivier NA, Berger DK. (2020) Seasonal variation in mycoflora associated with asymptomatic maize grain from small-holder farms in two provinces of South Africa. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics (JARTS) 121(2):265-275. 10.17170/kobra-202011262275 PDF
Berger DK, Mokgobu T, De Ridder K, Christie N, Aveling TAS. (2020) Benefits of maize resistance breeding and chemical control against northern leaf blight in smallholder farms in South Africa. South African Journal of Science 12(11) 10.17159/sajs.2020/8286
Godfrey, Aveling, B. Flett, M. Truter. (2020) Control of Alternaria leaf blight caused by Alternaria alternata on sunflower using fungicides and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Crop Protection 132:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2020.105146 PDF
T.A.S. Aveling , Chirwa P, Edgar Mangwende. (2020) Evaluation of seed treatments against Colletotrichum kahawae subsp. cigarro on Eucalyptus spp.. Crop Protection PDF
Zelda, Zelda, Terry, D.A. Cowan, A. Jacobs. (2020) Diversity and seasonality of fungal communities in soil from the SucculentKaroo biodiversity hotspot, South Africa. Journal of Arid Environments 172:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2019.104020 PDF
Mangwende E, Kritzinger Q, Aveling TAS. (2019) Control of Alternaria leaf spot of coriander in organic farming. European Journal of Plant Pathology 10.1007/s10658-019-01682-6 PDF
Mandiriza G, Kritzinger Q, Aveling TAS. (2018) The evaluation of plant extracts, biocontrol agents and hot water as seed treatments to control black rot of rape in South Africa. Crop Protection 114:129-136. 10.1016/j.cropro.2018.08.025 PDF
Mandiriza G, Kritzinger Q, Aveling TAS. (2018) Seed health and germination of Brassica spp. from seed companies in South Africa. Acta horticulturae :171-176. 10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1204.22 PDF
Pieterse E, Aveling TAS, Jacobs A, Cowan DA. (2018) Seasonal variability in fungal endophytes from Aizoaceae plants in the Succulent Karoo biodiversity hotspot, South Africa. Journal of Arid Environments 156:19–26. 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2018.05.004
Mangwende E, Aveling TAS, Kritzinger Q, Truter M. (2018) Alternaria alternata: A new seed-transmitted disease of coriander in South Africa. European Journal of Plant Pathology 152(2):409-416. 10.1007/s10658-018-1484-x PDF
van den Berg N, Christie JB, Engelbrecht J, Aveling TAS. (2018) Callose and β-1,3-glucanase inhibit Phytophthora cinnamomi in a resistant avocado rootstock. Plant Pathology 67(5):1150-1160. 10.1111/ppa.12819
Terry Aveling, Truter M, Ramusi TM, Flett B, Godfrey Kgatle. (2018) Alternaria alternata, the causal agent of leaf blight of sunflower in South Africa. European Journal of Plant Pathology (151):677 – 688. 10.1007/s10658-017-1402-7 PDF
Appolinaire A., Thierry R., Theresa A.S. Aveling. (2017) Phenolic content as an indicator of resistance of cowpea seedlings to Sclerotium rolfsii.. European Journal of Plant Pathology 149(2):245-251. 10.1007/s10658-017-1178-9 PDF
Ramusi TM, Van Der Waals JE, Labuschagne N, Aveling TAS. (2017) Evaluation of mefenoxam and fludioxonil for control of Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium ultimum and Fusarium solani on cowpea.. South African Journal of Plant and Soil 34(1):27-33. 10.1080/02571862.2016.1155764 PDF
Masangwa J, Kritzinger Q, Aveling TAS. (2017) Germination and seedling emergence responses of common bean and cowpea to plant extract seed treatments.. The Journal of Agricultural Science 155(1):18-31. 10.1017/S0021859616000113 PDF
Kandolo SD, Thompson AH, Calitz FJ, Laurie SM, Truter M, Van Der Waals JE, Aveling TAS. (2016) Field tolerance of selected varieties to and fungicide efficacy against Alternaria blight of sweet potato.. African Crop Science Journal 24(3):331-339. 10.4314/acsj.v24i3.9 PDF
Ndunguru J, Ascencio-Ibáñez JT, Aveling TAS, Tohme J, Thompson G, Legg JP, Plata G, Sseruwagi P, Doyle CD, De León L, Hanley-Bowdoin L. (2016) Two Novel DNAs That Enhance Symptoms and Overcome CMD2 Resistance to Cassava Mosaic Disease. Journal of virology 90(8):4160-4173. 10.1128/JVI.02834-15 PDF
Mandiriza G, Kritzinger Q, Aveling TAS. (2016) A survey of brassica vegetable smallholder farmers in the Gauteng and Limpopo provinces of South Africa.. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics 117(1):35-44. PDF
Rudolph N, Aveling TAS, Labuschagne N. (2015) The effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on seed germination, vigour and seedling growth of maize. Seed Science and Technology 43(3):507-518. 10.15258/sst.2015.43.3.04
Mangwende E, Kabengele JBK, Truter M, Aveling TAS. (2015) First Report of White Rust of Rocket (Eruca sativa) Caused by Albugo candida in South Africa. Plant Disease 99(2):290. 10.1094/PDIS-09-14-0947-PDN