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.
Honorary Doctorate
Prof. Walter Friedrich Otto Marasas
Mr. Tony Trahar
Mr. Kenneth G. Pegg
Chancellor's Medal
Mr. Mike B. P. Edwards
Mr. Rodney Hearne
2024
Student: Jade Ashmore*
Thesis title: Development of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tools for the insect pest Gonipterus sp.n. 2.
Supervisor: Dr G Dittrich-Schröder
Co-supervisors: Prof. AT Duong, Prof. B Slippers
Student: Callin Ceriani*
Thesis title: Population genetic and genomic analysis of Fusarium circinatum in Colombia.
Supervisor: Prof. BD Wingfield
Co-supervisors: Prof. ET Steenkamp, Prof. MJ Wingfield
Student: Derick Claassens
Thesis title: Diversity of diazotrophic bacteria associated with Eucalyptus and Acacia trees.
Supervisor: Prof. ET Steenkamp
Co-supervisors: Prof. SN Venter
Student: Deanné du Plessis*
Thesis title: Genomic insights into the pathogenicity and host adaptation in species of the Leptographium wageneri complex.
Supervisor: Prof. AT Duong
Co-supervisors: Prof. MJ Wingfield, Prof. BD Wingfield
Student: Ruby Ebbeling*
Thesis title: Precision phenotyping of pines for resistance against Fusarium circinatum.
Supervisor: Prof. S Naidoo
Co-supervisors: Dr EA Visser
Student: Lihan Esterhuizen*
Thesis title: Detection of Phytophthora root rot in Eucalyptus trees using hyperspectral leaf reflectance.
Supervisor: Prof. A Hammerbacher
Co-supervisors: Prof. B Slippers, Dr T Bose, Dr AS Bosman
Student: Bianca Hough*
Thesis title: Genomic characterisation of mycoviruses associated with members of Ceratocystidaceae.
Supervisor: Dr DA Read
Co-supervisors: Prof. BD Wingfield
Student: Marisca Hough
Thesis title: Comparing a pathogenicity effector gene family from two Cercospora species by Agroinfiltration into tobacco.
Supervisor: Prof. DK Berger
Student: Marizanne Jones
Thesis title: Diversity and virulence of the fungus Beauveria (Cordycipitaceae) species associated with Gonipterus sp. n. 2 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in South Africa.
Supervisor: Dr ML Schröder
Co-supervisors: Prof. BP Hurley, Prof. B Slippers
Student: Harris Keetse
Thesis title: Economic impact and re-establishment of biological control for Gonipterus sp. 2 in Eucalyptus plantations in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. BP Hurley
Co-supervisor: Dr ML Schröder
External Co-supervisors: Dr l Germishuizen (University of KwaZulu-Natal), Dr BJ Sivparsad (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Student: Luke Kim
Thesis title: CRISPR gene editing of glucuronoxylan methyltransferase genes in Populus tremula x alba hybrids to alter xylan properties for woody biomass processing.
Supervisor: Prof. AA Myburg
Co-supervisors: Prof. E Mizrachi, Dr VJ Maloney
Student: Daniella Krämer*
Thesis title: Characterization of hybridization events between three closely related species of Ceratocystis.
Supervisor: Dr PM Wilken
Co-supervisors: Prof. ET Steenkamp, Prof. BD Wingfield
Student: Lindokuhle Masimula
Thesis title: Characterization of selected rhizobia as potential inoculants for crop legumes in South Africa.
Supervisor: Dr EK Muema
Co-supervisors: Prof. ET Steenkamp, Prof. SN Venter, Dr CW Krynauw
Student: Kayla Midgley*
Thesis title: Identification and expression analysis of Phytophthora cinnamomi CRN effector genes during infection of Persea americana (Mill.).
Supervisor: Dr V Swart
Co-supervisors: Prof. N van den Berg
Student: Alice Mthembu
Thesis title: Survey of soil fungal and oomycete diversity from maize field soil in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. CM Visagie
Co-supervisors: Dr N Yilmaz
Student: Monique Muller*
Thesis title: Population genetic analysis and evolutionary history of the pine needle pathogen, Dothistroma pini.
Supervisor: Prof. I Barnes
Co-supervisors: Prof. MJ Wingfield
Student: Ruth Nante*
Thesis title: Comparative genomics of the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of fungal tree pathogens causing Dothistroma needle blight.
Supervisor: Prof. I Barnes
Co-supervisors: Prof. MPA Coetzee, Ms A Postma
Student: Tiphany Nkomo
Thesis title: Exploring the mycorrhizal interactions and deciphering the fungal diversity associated with orchid hybrids from the genus Epidendrum.
Supervisor: Prof. A Hammerbacher
Co-supervisors: Prof. BD Wingfield, Dr T Bose
Student: Tania Pogue*
Thesis title: Environmental and physiological correlates of response by three fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) species to commercial lures.
Supervisor: Prof. CW Weldon
External Co-supervisor: Dr KNP Malod (Stellenbosch University)
Student: Dylan Pullock
Thesis title: Development of novel surveillance tools for rapid detection of citrus psyllids.
Supervisor: Prof. CW Weldon
Co-supervisors: Prof. K Krüger
External Co-supervisor: Prof. A Manrakhan (Citrus Research International)
Student: Jostina Rakoma
Thesis title: Structure of the mating-type locus in ambrosial and asexual Ceratocystidaceae species.
Supervisor: Dr PM Wilken
Co-supervisors: Prof. BD Wingfield
Student: Claire Randolph*
Thesis title: A population genetics study of Fusarium euwallaceae in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. I Barnes
Co-supervisors: Dr T Paap
Student: Lebone Sebapu
Thesis title: Novel markers for inference of species boundaries in Ceratocystis fimbriata sensu lato.
Supervisor: Prof. AT Duong
Co-supervisors: Prof. BD Wingfield
Student: Preston Shaw*
Thesis title: Alternative splicing in the fungal plant pathogens Ceratocystis fimbriata and C. eucalypticola.
Supervisor: Dr AT Duong
Co-supervisors: Prof. B Slippers, Prof. BD Wingfield
Student: Chanel Thomas*
Thesis title: Reconsidering the taxonomy of Sclerotinia with special reference to S. sclerotiorum.
Supervisor: Dr PM Wilken
Co-supervisors: Prof. MPA Coetzee, Prof. CM Visagie
Student: Eloff Theron
Thesis title: Phosphonate sensitivity of Phytophthora in South African Citrus orchards and nurseries.
Supervisor: Prof. JE van der Waals
Co-supervisors: Prof. TA Coutinho
External Co-supervisor: Dr J van Niekerk (Citrus Research International)
Student: Elmarie van der Merwe*
Thesis title: Development of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tools for the insect pest Sirex noctilio.
Supervisor: Dr G Dittrich-Schröder
Co-supervisors: Prof. B Slippers
Student: Alida van Dijk*
Thesis title: Development of CRISPR-Cas systems for genome and transcriptome editing in Fusarium circinatum.
Supervisor: Prof. ET Steenkamp
Co-supervisors: Prof. BD Wingfield, Dr AM Wilson
Student: Alishia van Heerden*
Thesis title: Characterisation of the melanin biosynthesis gene cluster and its application in species identification.
Supervisor: Dr PM Wilken
Co-supervisors: Prof. MJ Wingfield, Prof. BD Wingfield
Student: Melandré van Lill*
Thesis title: Prediction of key phenotypes of Mesorhizobium based on genome sequences.
Supervisor: Prof. SN Venter
Co-supervisors: Prof. ET Steenkamp
Student: Sumari Venter
Thesis title:Differential gene expression linked to parasitic and mycetophagous forms of Deladenus siricidicola in culture.
Supervisor: Prof. B Slippers
Co-supervisors: Ms A Postma
2023
Student: Vasili Balios
Thesis title: Engineering early floral induction in Eucalyptus by manipulating the Flowering Locus T (FT) gene
Supervisor: Prof. AA Myburg
Co-supervisors: Dr SG Hussey
Student: Shivan Bezuidenhout
Thesis title: The fungal diversity and mycotoxins associated with South African soybeans
Supervisor: Prof. CM Visagie
Co-supervisors: Dr N Yilmaz
Student: Xavier Brits
Thesis title: Hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) as pollinators of sunflowers in the Waterberg region of Limpopo province, South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. CW Weldon
Co-supervisors: Dr H Human
Co-supervisors: Dr JM Midgley (KwaZulu-Natal Museum)
Student: Carla Buitendag
Thesis title: Gene silencing mediated by dsRNA reduces grey leaf spot disease in maize
Supervisor: Prof. DK Berger
Co-supervisors: Prof. J Theron
Student: Vinolia Danki
Thesis title: Genome‐wide analysis of fitness data in Ceratocystis albifundus
Supervisor: Dr MA van der Nest
Co-supervisors: Prof. ET Steenkamp, Prof. BD Wingfield, Dr L de Vos, and Dr NP Mchunu (National Research Foundation)
Student: Eileen Engelbrecht
Thesis title: Pollination ecology of Lantana camara and its relationship with honeybees (Apis mellifera scutellata) in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. CWW Pirk
Student: Casey Gill
Thesis title: Metabarcoding of the fungal mutualists associated with Xylosandrus crassiusculus found on avocado in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. N van den Berg
Co-supervisors: Dr J Engelbrecht, Dr G Fourie
Student: Lukanyo Makhabane
Thesis title: Genome defence mechanisms in Basidiomycota fungi, with special reference to Armillariaspecies
Supervisor: Prof. MPA Coetzee
Co-supervisors: Prof. ET Steenkamp, Prof. BD Wingfield, Dr S van Wyk (Stellenbosch University)
Student: Idea Makowe
Thesis title: Factors influencing the rearing and success of biological control agents of Gonipterus sp. n. 2 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Supervisor: Prof. BP Hurley
Co-supervisors: Dr ML Schröder
Student: Mmapaseka Malebe
Thesis title: Bacterial community associated with Acacia crassicarpa seeds and cotyledons
Supervisors: Prof. TA Coutinho
Co-supervisor: Dr G Shin
Student: Nomaswazi Maseko
Thesis title: Transcriptional elements in the Ceratocystidace
Supervisor: Dr PM Wilken
Supervisors: Prof. ET Steenkamp, Prof. BD Wingfield
Student: Ongeziwe Mbhele
Thesis title: Phenotype-genotype distinctions among clones of the pine pitch canker pathogen, Fusarium circinatum
Supervisor: Prof. ET Steenkamp
Co-supervisors: Prof. A Hammerbacher, Dr FF Fru, Dr QC Santana, Dr MA van der Nest
Student: Valencia Mogashoa
Thesis title: Development of a Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) model for screening susceptible and resistant Eucalyptus clones against Chrysoporthe austroafricana
Supervisor: Prof. S Naidoo
Co-supervisor: Prof. P Bonello (The Ohio State University, United States of America)
Student: Tumisang Mokgobu
Thesis title: Aggressiveness of diverse African isolates of Cercospora zeina on maize
Supervisor: Prof. DK Berger
Co-supervisors: Dr DL Nsibo
Thesis title: Aggressiveness of diverse African isolates of Cercospora zeina on maize
Supervisor: Prof. DK Berger
Co-supervisors: Dr DL Nsibo
Student: Chizné Peremore
Thesis title: Biofilms and extracellular vesicles of Fusarium verticillioides and their implication for virulence
Supervisor: Dr TE Motaung
Co-supervisors: Prof. ET Steenkamp, Dr QC Santana
Student: Tshiamo Phakalatsane
Thesis title: Analysis of the mating-type loci of Chrysoporthe species
Supervisor: Prof. NA van der Merwe
Co-supervisors: Dr PM Wilken
Thesis title: Analysis of the mating-type loci of Chrysoporthe species
Supervisor: Prof. NA van der Merwe
Co-supervisors: Dr PM Wilken
Student: Jenna-Lee Price
Thesis title: The fungal diversity associated with maize from emerging farms in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. CM Visagie
Co-supervisor: Dr N Yilmaz
Student: Nombulelo Qikani
Thesis title: The fungal and oomycete diversity associated with commercial maize farm soils of South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. CM Visagie
Co-supervisors: Prof. ET Steenkamp, Dr N Yilmaz
Student: Innocent Rakubu
Thesis title: Efficacy, host-finding ability and application methods of entomopathogenic nematodes to control pupae of Gonipterus sp. 2 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Supervisor: Prof. BP Hurley
Co-supervisors: Dr A Katumanyane
Thesis title: Efficacy, host-finding ability and application methods of entomopathogenic nematodes to control pupae of Gonipterus sp. 2 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Supervisor: Prof. BP Hurley
Co-supervisors: Dr A Katumanyane
Student: Onkgopotse Seabi
Thesis title: Diversity of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) from the South African Highveld and Lowveld and a preliminary assessment of their infection with Wolbachia
Supervisor: Prof. CW Weldon
Co-supervisors: Prof. AD Bastos
Thesis title: Diversity of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) from the South African Highveld and Lowveld and a preliminary assessment of their infection with Wolbachia
Supervisor: Prof. CW Weldon
Co-supervisors: Prof. AD Bastos
Student: Kothibe Sedibane
Thesis title: The role of Pectobacterium brasiliense 1692 outer membrane vesicles on members of soft rot Enterobacteriaceae and Phytophthora parasitica
Supervisor: Prof. LN Moleleki
Co-supervisor: Dr TE Motaung
Student: Kevin Scheepers
Thesis title: Effect of elevated CO2 on maize susceptibility to grey leaf spot disease
Supervisor: Prof. DK Berger
Co-supervisors: Prof. JM Steyn, and Dr NJ Taylor
Thesis title: Effect of elevated CO2 on maize susceptibility to grey leaf spot disease
Supervisor: Prof. DK Berger
Co-supervisors: Prof. JM Steyn, and Dr NJ Taylor
Student: Cheyenne Theron
Thesis title: Characterization of Lecanosticta and Lophodermium species on non-native pines in the southern Hemisphere
Supervisor: Prof. I Barnes
Co-supervisor: Prof. MJ Wingfield
Student: Dee Twiddy
Thesis title: Characterisation of Macadamia nut diseases in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr G Fourie
Co-supervisors: Prof. OA Akinsanmi (The University of Queensland, Australia), Dr A Fourie (Utrecht University, The Netherlands)
Thesis title: Characterisation of Macadamia nut diseases in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr G Fourie
Co-supervisors: Prof. OA Akinsanmi (The University of Queensland, Australia), Dr A Fourie (Utrecht University, The Netherlands)
Student: Nicole van Vuuren
Thesis title: Fungal diversity in Namibian Stipagrostis ‘fairy circles” including the description of new Curvulariaspecies
Supervisor: Dr N Yilmaz
Co-supervisors: Prof. CM Visagie, Prof. MJ Wingfield
Student: Edwin Wanjofu
Thesis title: Taxonomy and symbiotic effectiveness of Mesorhizobium associated with chickpea
Supervisor: Dr EK Muema
Co-supervisors: Prof. ET Steenkamp, Prof. SN Venter, Dr CW Beukes
Thesis title: Taxonomy and symbiotic effectiveness of Mesorhizobium associated with chickpea
Supervisor: Dr EK Muema
Co-supervisors: Prof. ET Steenkamp, Prof. SN Venter, Dr CW Beukes
2022
Student: Shawn Fell
Thesis Title: The impact of the Polyphagous shot hole borer on Pecan trees in South Africa.
Thesis Title: The impact of the Polyphagous shot hole borer on Pecan trees in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. ZW de Beer
Co-supervisor: Prof. BP Hurley
Student: Alicia Fick
Thesis Title: Identification and expression analysis of putative NLR genes in avocado, Persea americana, during infection by the oomycete, Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Thesis Title: Identification and expression analysis of putative NLR genes in avocado, Persea americana, during infection by the oomycete, Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Supervisor: Prof. N van den Berg
Co-supervisor: Dr V Swart
Student: Granny Hlongwane
Thesis Title: Identification and population genetic studies on Ceratocystis spp. infecting Eucalyptus and Acacia plantations inSouth Africa and Indonesia.
Supervisor: Prof. I Barnes
Co-supervisor: Prof. MJ Wingfield, Prof .J Roux (SAPPI)
Student: Robert Jansen van Vuuren
Thesis Title: The role of the kauralexin biosynthetic pathway in maize defences against the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae).
Supervisor: Prof DK Berger
Co-supervisor: Prof K Krüger, Dr NM Creux
Student: Rosa Knoppersen
Thesis Title: The bacterial diversity associated with the gut of Gonipterus sp.n.2 fed on two different Eucalyptus hosts.
Supervisor: Prof A Hammerbacher
Co-supervisor: Prof TA Coutinho
Student: Anneri Lotter
Thesis Title: Haplotype-resolved genome assembly of an F1 hybrid of Eucalyptus urophylla x E. grandis.
Thesis Title: Haplotype-resolved genome assembly of an F1 hybrid of Eucalyptus urophylla x E. grandis.
Supervisor: Prof. AA Myburg
Co-supervisor: Prof. E Mizrachi, Dr A Duong, Prof. JL Wegrzyn (University of Connecticut, United States of America)
Student: Sophie Makua
Thesis Title: The immune response of Sirex noctilio to pathogen infection.
Thesis Title: The immune response of Sirex noctilio to pathogen infection.
Supervisor: Prof B Slippers
Co-supervisor: Prof MPA Coetzee, Ms A Postma Smidt
Student: Modjadji Makwela
Thesis Title: The diversity of fungi associated with endemic and endangered orchids of Southern Africa.
Supervisor: Prof A Hammerbacher
Co-supervisor: Prof MPA Coetzee, Prof. BD Wingfield, Dr T Bose
Student: Nganea Nangammbi
Thesis Title: Functional testing of xylan-associated genes in Arabidopsis and application of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in hybrid poplar trees.
Supervisor: Dr VJ Maloney
Co-supervisor: Prof E Mizrachi, Prof AA Myburg
Student: Iviwe Notununu
Thesis Title: Plant growth-promoting bacteria and their effects on maize plants (Zea mays L.) under concurrent drought and heat stress.
Supervisor: Prof. LN Moleleki
Co-supervisor: Prof. RA Adeleke (North-West University)
Student: Siphephelo Phungula
Thesis Title: Environmental determinants of the abundance of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
Supervisor: Prof CW Weldon
Co-supervisor: Prof K Krüger
Student: Doreen Raseala
Thesis Title: Abandoned homestead gardens as a source of plant invasions in rural South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof M Greve
Co-supervisor: Prof PC le Roux
Student: Emeldah Rikhotso
Thesis Title:Leaf pathogens of Eucalyptus in South Africa with particular reference to Teratosphaeria destructans
Thesis Title:Leaf pathogens of Eucalyptus in South Africa with particular reference to Teratosphaeria destructans
Supervisor Prof J Roux
Co-supervisor: Prof A Hammerbacher, Dr SD Fraser, I Greyling
Student: Byron Sonnekus
Thesis Title: Diversity of stink bugs (Pentatomidae) and associated egg parasitoids in macadamia orchards in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr G Fourie
Co-supervisor: Prof BP Hurley, Prof B Slippers, Dr E Joubert (Levubu Centre for Excellence)
Student: Shae Swanepoel
Thesis Title: The molecular dialogue between Eucalyptus grandis and the myrtle rust pathogen, Austropuccinia psidii.
Thesis Title: The molecular dialogue between Eucalyptus grandis and the myrtle rust pathogen, Austropuccinia psidii.
Supervisor: Prof S Naidoo, Dr LS Shuey (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Australia)
Thesis Title: Genetic structure analysis and the assessment of susceptibility to Fusarium euwallaceae of popular avocado cultivars.
Supervisor: Prof. N van den Berg
Co-supervisor: Dr MM Mostert, Dr NS Abeysekara (Dominican University of California, United States of America)
Student: Desiree Biya
Thesis Title: Diversity of fumonisin-producing Aspergillus and Fusarium species in maize collected in South Africa.
Thesis Title: Diversity of fumonisin-producing Aspergillus and Fusarium species in maize collected in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. L.N. Moleleki
Co-supervisor: Dr E. Ncube (Agricultural Research Council), Dr M. Truter (Agricultural Research Council)
Student: Hamish Craze
Thesis Title: The use of deep learning for identification of grey leaf spot in maize with mixed diseases under field conditions.
Supervisor: Prof. D.K. Berger
Co-supervisor: Prof. F. Joubert, Prof. N. Pillay
Student: Stefan Ferreira
Thesis Title: The role of transketolase and transaldolase in carbon partitioning to lignin in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Supervisor: Prof. E. Mizrachi
Co-supervisor: Prof. A.A. Myburg, Dr V.J. Maloney
Student: Leandri Klynsmith
Thesis Title: Functional characterisation of Sirex noctilio chemosensation genes.
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-supervisor: Dr J.D. Allison, Dr T.A. Duong, Ms. A Postma Smidt
Student: Christopher Liakos
Thesis Title: Bacterial microbiome of healthy and diseased storage onion bulbs from Washington State, USA.
Supervisor: Prof. T.A. Coutinho
Co-supervisor: Prof. J.E. van der Waals, Dr P.H. Bixirao Neto Marinho Lebre
Student: Mabodiba Maake
Thesis Title: Diversity of Bradyrhizobium and Mesorhizobium strains associated with root nodules of indigenous South African legumes.
Supervisor: Prof. S.N. Venter
Co-supervisor: Prof E.T. Steenkamp
Student: Aaron Maringa
Thesis Title: Investigating the adhesion of encysted zoospores of the oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi during the early infection of avocado.
Supervisor: Prof. N. van den Berg
Co-supervisor: Dr V. Swart
Student: Celiwe Nxumalo
Thesis Title: Functional characterization of Phytophthora parasitica PpRxLR1 and PpRxLR6 effectors in Nicotiana benthamiana.
Supervisor: Prof. L.N. Moleleki
Student: Trystan Nadasen
Thesis Title: Transient expression of two Cercospora zeina fungal effectors in Nicotiana benthamiana
Supervisor: Prof. D.K. Berger
Co-supervisor: Prof. I. Hein
Thesis Title: Diversity of Bradyrhizobium and Mesorhizobium strains associated with root nodules of indigenous South African legumes.
Supervisor: Prof. S.N. Venter
Co-supervisor: Prof E.T. Steenkamp
Student: Aaron Maringa
Thesis Title: Investigating the adhesion of encysted zoospores of the oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi during the early infection of avocado.
Supervisor: Prof. N. van den Berg
Co-supervisor: Dr V. Swart
Student: Celiwe Nxumalo
Thesis Title: Functional characterization of Phytophthora parasitica PpRxLR1 and PpRxLR6 effectors in Nicotiana benthamiana.
Supervisor: Prof. L.N. Moleleki
Student: Trystan Nadasen
Thesis Title: Transient expression of two Cercospora zeina fungal effectors in Nicotiana benthamiana
Supervisor: Prof. D.K. Berger
Co-supervisor: Prof. I. Hein
Student: Cindy Ramokgano
Thesis Title: Diversity of endophytic fungi associated with branches of Berchemia discolor in the Limpopo province of South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. M.P.A. Coetzee
Co-supervisor: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp
Student: Cassandra Schoeman
Thesis Title: The Encephalartos natalensis-cyanobacterial coralloid root partnership for nitrogen acquisition.
Supervisor: Prof E Mizrachi
Co-supervisor: Prof TP Makhalanyane, Dr D Roodt
Student: Medha Sood
Thesis Title: Structure-function relationship between plastid morphology and carbon partitioning during secondary cell wall synthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Supervisor: Prof. E. Mizrachi
Co-supervisor: Prof. V. van Staden, Dr V.J. Maloney, Dr D.S. Pinard
Student: Zorada Swart
Thesis Title: Characterisation of Deladenus siricidicola genes potentially involved in parasitism and host immunomodulation.
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-supervisor: Prof. B.D. Wingfield, Dr T.A. Duong, Ms. A. Postma Smidt
Thesis Title: Diversity of endophytic fungi associated with branches of Berchemia discolor in the Limpopo province of South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. M.P.A. Coetzee
Co-supervisor: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp
Student: Cassandra Schoeman
Thesis Title: The Encephalartos natalensis-cyanobacterial coralloid root partnership for nitrogen acquisition.
Supervisor: Prof E Mizrachi
Co-supervisor: Prof TP Makhalanyane, Dr D Roodt
Student: Medha Sood
Thesis Title: Structure-function relationship between plastid morphology and carbon partitioning during secondary cell wall synthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Supervisor: Prof. E. Mizrachi
Co-supervisor: Prof. V. van Staden, Dr V.J. Maloney, Dr D.S. Pinard
Student: Zorada Swart
Thesis Title: Characterisation of Deladenus siricidicola genes potentially involved in parasitism and host immunomodulation.
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-supervisor: Prof. B.D. Wingfield, Dr T.A. Duong, Ms. A. Postma Smidt
Student: Lenteli van Zyl
Thesis Title: Production of defensive metabolites by Pinus patula x Pinus tecunumanii hybrids in response to Fusarium circinatum infection.
Supervisor: Prof. A. Hammerbacher
Co-supervisors: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp, Dr F.F. Fru
2021
Student: Juanita Hanneman
Thesis Title: Analyses of the in vitro effects of phosphite on Phytophthora cinnamomi isolates.
Supervisor: Prof. N. van den Berg
Co-supervisors: Dr. S.A. Prabhu, Dr. J. Engelbrecht
Student: Stephan Henning
Thesis Title: Genome-wide diversity assessment for genetic resource management of Eucalyptus dunnii, E. grandis, E. nitens and E. urophylla.
Supervisor: Prof. A.A. Myburg
Co-supervisors: Dr. N.A. van der Merwe
Student: Lomile Khoete
Thesis Title: Population genetic tools for Gonipterus sp. 2 and its egg parasitoid Anaphes nitens.
Supervisor: Prof, M.P.A. Coetzee
Co-supervisors: Dr. I. Barnes, Dr. B.P. Hurley, Prof. B. Slippers, Dr. M.L. Schröder
Student: Pozisa Majaja
Thesis Title: Fusarium species diversity from maize and teff in the northern Free State.
Supervisor: Dr. N.A. van der Merwe
Co-supervisors: Dr. N. Yilmaz
Student: Nhlanhla Shabangu
Thesis Title: Effect of long-term inorganic fertilizer combinations on weed abundance and diversity in maize.
Supervisor: Dr. D. Marais
Co-supervisors: Dr. B.J. Vorster
Student: Ashleigh Smith
Thesis Title: Characterisation of Lepidoptera species associated with Macadamia in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. G. Fourie
Co-supervisors: Prof. B.P. Hurley, Prof. B. Slippers
Student: Garyn Townsend
Thesis Title: Initial assessment of the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) in indigenous afrotemperate forests.
Supervisor: Prof. Z.W. de Beer
Co-supervisors: Dr. M.P. Hill (Rhodes University), Dr. F. Roets (Stellenbosch University)
Student: Shannon Wilson
Thesis Title: Systemic defence responses induced by Chrysoporthe austroafricana in Eucalyptus grandis.
Supervisor: Prof. S. Naidoo
Co-supervisors: Dr. L.S. Shuey (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Australia)
2020
Student: Katrien Brown
Thesis Title: Identification and functional associations of DNase I hypersensitive sites in developing secondary xyllem of Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill.
Supervisor: Dr S.G. Hussey
Co-supervisors: Prof. A.A. Myburg, Prof. E. Mizrachi
Student: Julia Candotti
Thesis Title: Genetic dissection of growth and wood properties in a nested, half-sib Eucalyptus hybrid pedigree.
Supervisor: Prof. A.A. Myburg
Co-supervisors: Prof. E. Mizrachi
Student: Cameron Cullinan
Thesis Title: The response of Soybean Cysteine Protease CP3 to drought.
Supervisor: Prof. B.J. Vorster
Student: Claudette Dewing
Thesis Title: Comparative genomics reveal processes implicated in host-specificity in species within the American clade of the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex.
Supervisor: Dr. L. de Vos
Co-supervisors: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp, Prof. B.D. Wingfield, Dr. M.A. van der Nest
Student: Michael Du Toit
Thesis Title: Assessing the threat of the polyphagous shot hole borer ambrosia beetle and its fungal symbiont, Fusarium euwallaceae, to Persea Americana in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. N. van den Berg
Co-supervisors: Prof Z.W. de Beer, Dr G. Fourie
Student: Stephanus Engelbrecht
Thesis Title: Allele-specific expression in xylogenic tissues of Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla hybrids
Supervisor: Prof. A.A. Myburg
Co-supervisors: Prof. E. Mizrachi
Student: Shaina Facey
Thesis Title: Detection of grapevine leafroll associated virus 3 in South Africa rootstock clones.
Supervisor: Prof. G. Pietersen (Stellenbosch University)
Co-supervisors: Prof. J. Theron
Student: Caitlin Gevers
Thesis Title: The diversity, distribution and role of Hymenoptera associated with Leptocybe gails in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. B.P. Hurley
Co-supervisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Dr G. Dittrich-Schröder
Student: Alessandro Gricia
Thesis Title: The type VI secretion system in Pectobacterium spp: Role in virulence and regulation by Zur.
Supervisor: Prof. L.N Moleleki
Student: Mathew Harris
Thesis Title: Characterising patterns in fungal community ecology at local and global scales.
Supervisor: Dr. M. Greve
Co-supervisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Dr. M. Kemler (Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany)
Student: Jesse Hartley
Thesis Title: Surveillance and isolation of Rosellinia necatrix in South African avocado orchards.
Supervisor: Prof. N. van den Berg
Student: Rochelle Janse van Rensburg
Thesis Title: 'Candidatus Liberibacter africanus' in non-rutaceous alternate host species from South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. G. Pietersen (Stellenbosch University)
Co-supervisors: Prof. T.A. Coutinho
Student: Christoff Joubert
Thesis Title: Constitutive chemical defence of Eucalyptus against herbivory by Gonipterus sp. n. 2.
Supervisor: Dr A. hammerbacher
Co-supervisors: Prof. B.P. Hurley, Dr M.L. Schröder
Student: Melissa Joubert
Thesis Title: Discovery of Phytophthora cinnamomi RxLR effector genes expressed in avocado during infection.
Supervisor: Prof. N. van den Berg
Co-supervisors: Dr S.A. Prabhu
Student: Eugene Kabwe
Thesis Title: Discovery and genomic architecture of Cercospora zeina (Crous & U. Braun) effector genes.
Supervisor: Prof. D.K. Berger
Co-supervisor: Dr T.A. Duong
Student: Tamanique Kampman
Thesis Title: The transcriptome of Pinus maximinoi under Fusarium circinatum challenge.
Supervisor: Prof. S. Naidoo
Co-supervisors: Dr D. Visser
Student: Frances Lane
Thesis Title: Development of a genetic transformation system in the family Ceratocystidaceae with specific reference to Ceratocystis albifundis.
Supervisor: Prof. B.D. Wingfield
Co-supervisors: Dr P.M. Wilken
Student: Nico le Roux
Thesis Title: Soil surface temperature effects on the establishment of three grass-legume seed mixtures used in surface mine rehabilitation.
Supervisor: Prof. W.F. Truter
Co-supervisors: Prof. T.A.S. Aveling
Student: Lizette Loubser
Thesis Title: Genetic architecture of gene expression during xylogenesis in Eucalyptus interspecific hybrids.
Supervisor: Prof. A.A. Myburg
Co-supervisors: Prof. E. Mizrachi, Dr N. Christie
Student: Kira Lynn
Thesis Title: Fusarium spp. associated with ambrosia beetles on Acacia crassicarpa in Indonesia.
Supervisor: Prof. I. Barnes
Co-supervisors: Prof. M.J. Wingfield, Prof. Z.W. de Beer, Dr. A.J. Durán Sandoval (Royal Golden Eagle International, Indonesia)
Student: Thapelo Maboko
Thesis Title: A genetic transformation system for Chrysoporthe austroafricana.
Supervisor: Prof. N.A. van der Merwe
Co-supervisors: Dr. B.G. Crampton, Prof. E. Kunjeku (University of Venda)
Student: Lungile Mabuza
Thesis Title: Characterization of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) gene family of Eucalyptus grandis and a bzip7 mutant homolog in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Supervisor: Dr. S.G. Hussey
Co-supervisors: Dr. A.A. Myburg
Student: Teresia Macharia
Thesis Title: Response of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to challenge by root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica.
Supervisor: Prof. L.N. Moleleki
Co-supervisors: Dr. D. Bellieny-Rabelo
Student: Lazarus Mavima
Thesis Title: Taxonomic characterisation of Paraburkhoderia tuberum-like rhizobia from diverse legumes.
Supervisor: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp
Co-supervisors: Prof S.N. Venter, Dr C.W. Beukes
Student: Nikki Miguel
Thesis Title: Identification of antibacterial type VI secretion system effectors in Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. Brasiliense 1692.
Supervisor: Prof L.N. Moleleki
Student: Tsakani Miyambo
Thesis Title: Identification and characterization of polygalacturonases in Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Supervisor: Prof. N. van den Berg
Co-supervisors: Dr. S.A. Prabhu
Student: Patience Modiba
Thesis Title: Identification of Oomycetes associated with plum orchards in the Western Cape Province, South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof T.A. Coutinho
Co-supervisors: Dr T. Bose
Student: Gontse Modisane
Thesis Title: Metabolic profiling for identification of potential biomarkers in potato tuber extracts associated with tolerance to Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranean infection.
Supervisor: Z Apostolides
Co-supervisor: Prof. JE van der Waals
Student: Seamus Morgan
Thesis Title: taxonomy and biology of Quambalaria spp. infecting eucaypts in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof Z.W. de Beer
Co-supervisors: Prof M.J. Wingfield
Student: Sanele Moyana
Thesis Title: Diversity of rhizobial Methylobacterium species associated with indigenous legumes in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof S.N. Venter
Co-supervisors: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp, Dr E.K. Muema
Student: Fezile Mthunzi
Thesis Title: Identification and characterisation of terpene synthase genes in the fungal genus Armillaria, with special reference to A. mellea.
Supervisor: Prof. M.P.A. Coetzee
Co-supervisors: Prof. B.D. Wingfield, Dr. A. Hammerbacher
Student: Lufuno Mudau
Thesis Title: Development of an effective phytosanitary regulatory system for onion (Allium cepa) export in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. T.A.S. Aveling
Co-supervisors: Dr. M.T. Mutengwe, Prof. M.A. Antwi (University of South Africa), Dr. J.C. Meitz-Hopkins (Stellenbosch University)
Student: Khumbudzo Ndhlovu
Thesis Title: Symbiotic nitrogen fixation efficiency of native rhizobia in selected South African legume crops.
Supervisor: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp
Co-supervisors: Dr A.I. Hassen (Agricultural Research Council)
Student: Alex Nepomuceno
Thesis Title: Inferred evolutionary relationships of the dung beetle tribe Scarabaeini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) using gland morphology and cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs).
Supervisor: Prof. C.L. Sole
Co-supervisors: Prof. C.W.W. Pirk
Student: Kayla Noeth
Thesis Title: Seasonal development and trapping of Coryphoderma tristis in Eucalyptus nitens.
Supervisor: Prof B. P. Hurley
Co-supervisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Dr G. Dittrich-Schröder
Student: Willem Pretorius
Thesis Title: In silica identification of a putative two component system in Pectobacterium brasiliense.
Supervisor: Prof. L.N. Moleleki
Co-supervisors: Dr. D. Bellieny-Rabelo (Umea University, Sweden)
Student: Miranda Procter
Thesis Title: Redefining generic boundaries in the Ophiostomatales (Ascomycota).
Supervisor: Prof Z.W. de Beer
Co-supervisors: Prof M.J. Wingfield, Dr A. Duong
Student: Carol-Ann Segal
Thesis Title: Cloning the Cercospora zeina Ecp2 effector gene for Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation.
Supervisor: Prof D.K. Berger
Student: Sydney Sithole
Thesis Title: Non-ribosomal peptide synthetases from the genomes of selected Chrysoporthe species.
Supervisor: Prof N.A. van der Merwe
Co-supervisors: Prof S. Naidoo, Prof E.T. Steenkamp
Student: Robyn Smith
Thesis Title: The partial characterisation of the terpene synthase genes implicated in the defence response by Pinus patula and Pinus tecunumanii to Fusarium circinatum.
Supervisor: Prof. S. Naidoo
Co-supervisors: Prof. M.P.A. Coetzee
Student: Nicole Soal
Thesis Title: Characterisation of the catechol dioxygenase genes in the Ceratocystidaceae.
Supervisor: Prof. B.D. Wingfield
Co-supervisors: Prof. M.P.A. Coetzee, Dr. A. Hammerbacher, Dr. M.A. van der Nest
Student: Julanie Stapelberg
Thesis Title: Recombinant protein production potential of South African microalgae.
Supervisor: Dr B.G. Crampton
Co-supervisors: Dr M.C. Crampton (Fujifilm Diosynth, United Kingdom), Dr R.L. Roth (Council for Scientific and Industral Research)
Student: Catherine Tatham
Thesis Title: Characterization of Teratosphaeria destructans genome.
Supervisor: Prof B.D. Wingfield
Co-supervisors: Prof M.J. Wingfeild, Dr P.M. Wilken, Dr M.A. van der Nest
Student: Nomakula Zim
Thesis Title: Comparative genomics and pathogenicity of Xanthomonas vasicola.
Supervisor: Prof T.A. Coutinho
Co-supervisors: Dr E.P.P. Wicker (CIRAD Agricultural Research for Development, France), Mrs S.A. McFarlane (South African Sugarcane Research Institute)
2019
Student: Claudio de Nuzzo
Thesis Title: Endogenous peptide defence in maize against the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith).
Supervisor: Prof. D.K. Berger
Co-supervisors: Prof. K. Krüger
Student: Esna du Plessis
Thesis Title: Population biology and impact of Austropuccinia psidii in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-supervisors: Dr I. Barnes, Dr A.R. McTaggart
Student: Ludwig Eksteen
Thesis Title: Patterns and drivers of host use by the European woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, in South African pine plantations.
Supervisor: Dr J.R. Garnas
Co-supervisor: Prof. B.P. Hurley
Student: Lichelle Grobler
Thesis Title: Agrobacterium-mediated CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing in Nicotiana benthamiana.
Supervisor: Dr. B.G. Crampton
Co-supervisors: Dr. M.M. O'Kennedy (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), Dr. P. Pillay (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research).
Student: Zanele Mahlangu
Thesis Title: Seed quality of farm-saved dry bean produced by smallholder farmers in the uThukela district of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. T.A.S. Aveling
Co-supervisors: Dr. Q. Kritzinger
Student: Dineo Mailula
Thesis Title: Production of fusel alcohols in the species of the family Ceratocystidaecea.
Supervisor: Dr. A. Hammerbacher
Co-supervisors: Prof. B.D. Wingfield, Dr. M.A. van der Nest
Student: Zimbili Ethel Mlunjwa
Thesis Title: Expression analysis of selected maize primary metabolism genes in response to Cercospora zeina inoculation in the glasshouse.
Supervisor: Prof. D.K. Berger
Student: Zanelle Mufamadi
Thesis Title: Identification of the causal agents and management of husk rot on macadamia in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. N. van den Berg
Co-supervisors: Dr. G. Fourie
Student: Bianca Rodrigues-Jardim
Thesis Title: Characterisation of Sirex noctilio and Culicoides imicola sex determination pathways.
Supervisor: Dr W.C. Fick
Co-supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers, Dr. A. Postma
Student: Tanya Welgemoed
Thesis Title: De novo assembly of transcriptomes from near-isogenic maize lines for novel defence gene discovery.
Supervisor: Prof. D.K. Berger
Co-supervisor: Dr R.E. Pierneef (ARC)
2018
Student: Daniel Ali
Thesis Title: Cryphonectriaceae from native Myrtales in Indonesia, La 'Reunion and South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Co-supervisor: Prof. J. Roux, Dr A.R. McTaggart
Student: Samantha Bush
Thesis Title: Host preference of the invasive Glycaspis brimblecombei and host specificity of its parasitoid, Psyllaephagus bliteus.
Supervisor: Prof. B.P. Hurley
Co-supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Student: Caitlin Botha
Thesis Title: The genetics of sexual reproduction in Amylostereum areolatum.
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-supervisor: Dr M.P.A. Coetzee, Dr M.A. van der Nest
Student: Edohan Clasen
Thesis Title: Horizontal gene transfer in eukaryotes with a special focus on the nematode Deladenus siricidicola.
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-supervisor: Prof. O. Reva, Dr R.E. Pierneef, A. Postma
Student: Donovin Coles
Thesis Title: Functional characterisation of Arabidopsis thaliana Nitrate Transporter 2.5 in plant defence
Supervisor: Sanushka Naidoo
Co-supervisor: Ritesh Mewalal
Student: Yves du Toit
Thesis Title: The development and use of a comparative transcriptomics tool for Eucalyptus defence interactions
Supervisor: Sanushka Naidoo
Co-supervisor: Nanette Christie
Student: Ginna Granados
Thesis Title: Studies on Puccinia psidii and Cryphonectriaceae on Myrtales in Colombia.
Supervisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Co-supervisor: Prof. J. Roux, Dr A.R. McTaggart
Student: Megan Harris
Thesis Title: Characterization of viruses associated with Grapevine Leafroll disease in Vitis rootstocks in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. G. Pietersen
Student: Angel Maduke
Thesis Title: Botryosphaeriaceae on native and exotic Myrtaceae trees in southern and eastern Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-supervisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield, Dr Draginja Pavlic (ARC)
Student: Dorah Mwangola
Thesis Title: Population genetics of Chrysoporthe austroafricana in southern Africa.
Supervisor: Dr N.A. van der Merwe
Co-supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Student: Wilma Nel
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and mating in the root pathogen Thielaviopsis basicola
Supervisor: Prof. Z.W. de Beer
Co-advisor: Prof. B.D. Wingfield, Prof. M.J. Wingfield, Dr T.A. Duong
Student: Alandie Niewoudt
Thesis Title: Development of a CRISPR-Cas9 system for genome editing in Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) K.J. Leonard & Suggs (Pleosporaceae)
Supervisor: Dr B.G. Crampton
Student: Mashudu Nxumalo
Thesis Title: Characterization of Burkholderia isolates associated with root nodules of Vachellia karoo in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. S.N. Venter
Co-supervisor: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp
Student: Nam Pham
Thesis Title: Calonectria species from Vietnam
Supervisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr I. Barnes, Dr S.F. Chen
Student: Stefan Priem
Thesis Title: Characterisation of the cellulose biosynthesis cluster and its role in Pectobacterium adherence to biotic and abiotic surfaces.
Supervisor: Prof. L.N. Moleleki
Co-supervisor: Prof. T.A. Coutinho
Student: Redzuan Rauf
Thesis Title: Diseases of forestry importance to Malaysia.
Supervisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Kavani Sanasi
Thesis Topic: Fungal associates of pine bark beetles in Guatemala
Supervisor: Prof. Z.W. de Beer
Co-advisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Riaan Swanepoel
Thesis Title: Optimizing Illumina de novo transcriptome assembly for non-model plants.
Supervisor: Dr E. Mizrachi
Co-supervisor: Prof. F. Joubert
Student: Martin Wierzbicki
Thesis Title: Syetems genetics of xylan modification in Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla hybrids.
Supervisor: Prof. A.A. Myburg
Co-advisor: Dr E. Mizrachi
2017
Student: Daniel Ali
Thesis Topic: Cryphonectriaceae from native myrtales in La Reunion and South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. J. Roux, Dr A. McTaggart
Student: Colan Balkwill
Thesis Title: Genetic architecture and robustness of the circadian clock in a Eucalyptus grandis x urophylla backcross.
Supervisor:Dr E. Mizrachi
Co-advisor:Prof. A.A. Myburg
Student: Ncobile Kunene
Thesis Title: Mating-type gene analysis of Cercospora zeina in commercial and small-holder maize farms in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof D. K. Berger
Co-advisor: Dr S. M. PhillipsStudent: Gustav Pretorius
Thesis Title: Towards an understanding of quorum sensing in Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliense
Supervisor: Prof. L. N. Moleleki
Co-advisor: Prof. J. TheronStudent: Liezel Potgieter
Thesis Topic: In silico characterisation of endo-polygalacturonase genes and enzymes in members of Armillaria and allied fungal genera.
Supervisor: M.P.A. Coetzee
Co-advisors: Dr. M.A. van der Nest, Prof. B.D. Wingfield
Student: Benedicta Swalarsk-Parry
Thesis Topic: Characterization of a growth QTL in Fusarium circinatum.
Supervisor: Dr. L de Vos
Co-advisors: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp, Prof. B.D Wingfield
Student: Conrad Trollip
Thesis Topic: Pathogenesis of Ceratocystis eucolypticola
Supervisor:
Co-advisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield
2016
Student: Juanita Avontuur
Thesis Title: The classification of novel Bradyrhizobium species associated with indigenous southern African legumes
Supervisor: Prof E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisor: Prof S. N. VenterStudent: Johan Bestbier
Thesis Title: HPLC and colourimetric quanitification of shikimic acid levels in crops after glyphosate treatment
Supervisor: Dr J. Vorster
Student: Khumbuzile Bophela
Thesis Title: Enterobacter and Xanthomonas species associated with blight and die-back of Eucalyptus
Supervisor: Prof T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisor: Prof S. N. VenterStudent: Vanessa Cronje
Thesis Title: Infection and colonization of onion seedlings by Pantoea ananatis and P. allii
Supervisor: Prof T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisor: Prof N. van den BergStudent: Herman de Bruin
Thesis Title: Characterising the diversity of Beauveria species infecting insects in South African plantations
Supervisor: Prof B. Slippers
Co-advisor: Dr Z. W. de BeerStudent: Angelique du Preez
Thesis Title: Flagellin glycosylation in Pantoea ananatis
Thesis Title: Flagellin glycosylation in Pantoea ananatis
Supervisor: Prof. T. Coutinho
Co-advisor: Prof S. N. VenterStudent: Simone Fouché
Thesis Title: Molecular characterisation of an accessory chromosome of Fusarium circinatum
Supervisor: Prof E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisor: Prof B. D. Wingfield, Dr M. P. A. CoetzeeStudent: Matt Laubscher
Thesis Title: Functional genomics analysis of Eucalyptus grandis secondary cell wall-related transcription factors EgrNAC26 and EgrNAC61 through heterologous induction in Arabidopsis mesophyll protoplasts
Supervisor: Dr. S. Hussey
Co-advisor: Dr E. Mizrachi, Prof. A. A. Myburg.Student: Claire Melinda Martin
Thesis Title: Elicitation of medicinally active dicaffeoylquinic acid derivatives from Helichrysum populifolium (Asteraceae)
Supervisor: Dr B. Crampton
Co-advisor: Dr I. Gazendam, Dr H.M. HeymanStudent: Rofhiwa Nesamari
Thesis Title: Identification of diseases and pests of cycads in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof J Roux
Co-advisor: Prof TA CoutinhoStudent: Gi Yoon Shin
Thesis Title: Investigation of the genetic diversity of Pantoea ananatis
Supervisor: Prof S. N. Venter
Co-advisor: Prof T. A. CoutinhoStudent: Kirsti Snyders
Thesis Title: Detection and isolation of homogeneous genotypes of Citrus tristeza virus for use in virus control through cross protection
Supervisor: Prof G. Pietersen
Student: Collins Tanui
Thesis Title: Characterising quorum sensing regulation of virulence in Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. Brasiliensis
Supervisor: Prof L. N. Moleleki
Student: Stephanie van Wyk
Thesis Title: Molecular characterisation of the growth rate determining quantitative trait locus in Fusarium circinatum
Supervisor: Prof E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisor: Prof B. D. Wingfield, Dr L. de Vos, Dr N. A. van der MerweStudent: Andi Wilson
Thesis Title: Sexual Reproduction in the Genus Huntiella
Supervisor: Prof B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Dr M. A. van der Nest2015
Student: Jon Ambler
Thesis Title: Genome characterisation, with special reference to gene silencing mechanisms, of Armillaria fuscipes
Student: Elrea Appelgryn
Thesis Title: Characterization of Phytophthora cinnamomi from avocado
Student: Francois Boshoff
Thesis Title: Diversity and evolution of rhizobia associated with native and non-native Acacia species in South Africa
Thesis Title: Diversity and evolution of rhizobia associated with native and non-native Acacia species in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisor: Prof. S. N. Venter
Student: Renate Botha
Thesis Title: Evaluating Cavendish banana clones for tolerance to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense
Supervisor: Prof. N. van den Berg
Student: Jean Hakizimana
Thesis Title: Understanding the role of endophytes in avocado root health and in enhancing its tolerance against Phytophthora cinnamomi
Supervisor: Prof. N. van den Berg
Student: Monique Heystek
Thesis Title: Promoter analysis of three defense gene family members from maize in response to Cercospora zeina
Thesis Title: Promoter analysis of three defense gene family members from maize in response to Cercospora zeina
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisor: Dr. B. G. Crampton
Student: Degracious Kgoale
Thesis Title: Gene expression study of candidate Arabidopsis defence genes in response to the bacterial wilt pathogen
Thesis Title: Gene expression study of candidate Arabidopsis defence genes in response to the bacterial wilt pathogen
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisor: Dr. S. Naidoo
Student: Tondani Kone
Thesis Title: Characterization of sex-pheromone receptor genes of Fusarium species and other Sordariomycetes
Thesis Title: Characterization of sex-pheromone receptor genes of Fusarium species and other Sordariomycetes
Supervisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisor: Dr. G. Fourie, Dr. N. A. van der Merwe, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Brigitte Langenhoven
Thesis Title: Characterisation of three putative effector genes from the maize foliar pathogen Cercospora zeina
Thesis Title: Characterisation of three putative effector genes from the maize foliar pathogen Cercospora zeina
Supervisor: Dr. B. G. Crampton
Co-advisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Johan Liversage
Thesis Title: Functional characterisation of the Cercospora zeina crp1 gene in pathogenesis
Thesis Title: Functional characterisation of the Cercospora zeina crp1 gene in pathogenesis
Supervisor: Dr. B. G. Crampton
Co-advisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Rynier Lourens
Thesis Title: Identification and characterisation of the Eucalyptus grandis non-expressor of pathogenesis related 1 (NPR1) genes
Thesis Title: Identification and characterisation of the Eucalyptus grandis non-expressor of pathogenesis related 1 (NPR1) genes
Student: Jackie Lubbe
Thesis Title: Molecular and biological characterization of three Citrus tristeza virus candidate cross-protection sources
Supervisor: Prof. G. Pietersen
Student: Molly Malefo
Thesis Title: Characterisation of selected pathogenicity factors in Cercospora zeina
Thesis Title: Characterisation of selected pathogenicity factors in Cercospora zeina
Supervisor: Dr. B. G. Crampton
Co-advisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Edgar Mangwende
Thesis Title: Seed-borne fungi of herbs cultivated in South Africa and evaluation of non-chemical seed treatments to control Alternaria sp. on coriander
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisor: Dr. Q. Kritzinger
Student: Olga Mashandule
Thesis Title: Population biology of Fusarium circinatum Nirenberg et O'Donnell associated with South African Pinus radiata D.Don plantation trees
Supervisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. M. J. WingfieldStudent: Silvia Mausse Sitoe
Thesis Title: Diseases of Eucalypts in Mozambique with particular reference to the Cryphonectriaceae
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. WingfieldStudent: Mischa Muller
Thesis Title: Molecular diversity of the maize pathogen Cercospora zeina in South Africa
Thesis Title: Molecular diversity of the maize pathogen Cercospora zeina in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisors: Dr. B. G. Crampton, Dr. I. Barnes
Student: Linda M. Ndove
Thesis Title: Botryosphaeriaceae associated with Podocarpaceae in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisor: E. CruywagenStudent: Sitha Ramsuchit
Thesis Title: Establishment of cross-pathogenicity of two different Phytophthora cinnamomi A2 isolates on hosts, Persea americana and Eucalyptus spp., and the host response to these isolates
Student: Danielle Roodt
Thesis Title: The mating genetics and core genome of Ceratocystis albifundus
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, M. Wilken
Student: Thomas Schmidt
Thesis Title: Transient biolistic transformation in maize leaves
Thesis Title: Transient biolistic transformation in maize leaves
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisor: Dr. B. G. Crampton
Student: Pooja Singh
Thesis Title: Transcriptome-wide analysis of predicted proteome variation segregating in a Eucalyptus hybrid family
Thesis Title: Transcriptome-wide analysis of predicted proteome variation segregating in a Eucalyptus hybrid family
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisor: Dr. E. Mizrachi
Student: Sarah Stanton
Thesis Title: The polyamines and endophytes of gousiekte-causing and non-pathogenic Vangueria and Pavetta species
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Student: Katie Termer
Thesis Title: Biotic and abiotic determinants of resource quality for the larvae of the European woodwasp, Sirex noctilio
Supervisor: Dr. J. R. GarnasStudent: Erik Visser
Thesis Title: Pinus patula transcriptome assembly
Supervisor: Dr. S. Naidoo
Co-advisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp, Prof. A. A. Myburg
2014
Student: Jonathan Botha
Thesis Title: Qualitative reporter gene and targeted yeast one-hybrid analysis of the Eucalyptus grandis SND2 promoter region
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. C. Maritz-Olivier, Dr. E. Mizrachi
Student: Jane Bredenkamp
Thesis Title: Characterization of tolerance to bacterial wilt in the model plant Arabidopsis
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisor: Dr. S. Naidoo
Student: Marike du Plessis
Thesis Title: Phylo- and comparative genomics of the Pantoea core genome
Supervisor: Prof. S. N. Venter
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. E. T. Steenkamp, Dr. M. P. A. Coetzee
Student: Arista Fourie
Thesis Title: Distinguishing between cryptic species in the Ceratocystis fimbriata sensu lato species complex
Supervisor: Dr. I. Barnes
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Tracy A. Godlonton
Thesis Title: Mating locus structure and a gene duplication in Ceratocystis species
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Maria P. Haasbroek
Thesis Title: Characterization of Exserohilum turcicum isolates within South African maize production areas
Supervisor: Dr. B. G. Crampton
Co-advisor: Dr. I. Barnes
Student: Darryl A. Herron
Thesis Title: Characterization of Fusarium species from Pinus and Eucalyptus nurseries in Colombia and South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Tondani Kone
Thesis Title: The characterization and evolution of pheromone receptors in the Sordariomycetes
Supervisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisor: G. Fourie, Dr. N. A. van der Merwe, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Thesis Title: Identification of unique genes in the genome of Fusarium circinatum and the development of a robust diagnostic technique using these sequences
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Student: Dora N. Ngoepe
Thesis Title: Genotyping-by-sequencing of sweet-stem and grain sorghum for genetic mapping
Supervisor: Dr. B. G. Crampton
Student: Caryn N. Oates
Thesis Title: Transcriptional responses of Eucalyptus clones to the gall wasp, Leptocybe invasa
Supervisor: Dr. S. Naidoo
Co-advisors: Prof. A. A. Myburg, Prof. B. Slippers
Student: Desre S. Pinard
Thesis Title: Genome-wide analysis of carbohydrate active enzyme diversity and expression in Eucalyptus grandis
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. F. Joubert, Dr. E. Mizrachi
Student: Anandi Reitmann
Thesis Title: ldentification of pathogenicity genes in Phytophthora cinnamomi
Supervisor: Dr. N. van den Berg
Co-advisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Ronel Roberts
Thesis Title: 'Candidatus Liberibacters' found in four indigenous Rutaceous species from South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. G. Pietersen
Student: Nicole Rudolph
Thesis Title: Efficacy of selected rhizobacterial isolates for biocontrol of Rhizoctonia solani and growth promotion of maize in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisor: Prof. N. Labuschagne
Student: Rynhard Smit
Thesis Title: Evaluation of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA and Simple Sequence Repeat markers in Moringa oleifera (Iam.) to establish population diversity
Supervisor: Dr. J. Vorster
Student: Ariska van der Nest
Thesis Title: Comparative study of Epicoccum sorghinum in southern Africa
Supervisor: Prof. G. J. Marais
Co-advisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Student: Ida C. van Jaarsveld
Thesis Title: Basal prometer landscape in Eucalyptus grandis: Annotation of distal transcription start sites and core promoter usage
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. F. Joubert, Dr. E. Mizrachi
Student: Febe E. Wilken
Thesis Title: Establishment of a compatible pathosystem between Eucalyptus nitens and Phytophthora cinnamomi to determine host transcriptional responses
Supervisor: Dr. S. Naidoo
Co-advisors: Prof. A. A. Myburg, Dr. N. van den Berg
Student: Amy Lorraine Wooding
Thesis Title: Sex determination and symbiont transmission in the Sirex-Amylostereum mutualism
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisors: Prof. J. Greeff, Dr. B. P. Hurley, Dr. J. R. Garnas, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
2013
Student: Magdeleen du Plessis
Thesis Title: Cysteine proteases activity and gene expression studies in soybean nodules during development and drought stress
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Dr. B. J. Vorster
Student: Darryl Arthur Herron
Thesis Title: Characterization of Fusarium species from Pinus and Eucalyptus nurseries in Colombia and South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Zander Rainier Human
Thesis Title: The diversity and ecology of actinomycetes associated with environments dominated by ophiostomatoid fungi
Supervisor: Prof. S. N. Venter
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. Slippers, Dr. Z. W. de Beer
Student: Gugulethu Kubheka
Thesis Title: Colonisation patterns of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis in potato plants
Supervisor: Dr. L. N. Moleleki
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Student: Alinke Labuschagne
Thesis Title: Efficacy and crop tolerance of Stamina (pyraclostrobin) and Flite (triticonazole) seed treatment formulations against Fusarium, Pythium and Rhizoctonia soilborne diseases of maize
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Student: Mphariseni Mashavha
Thesis Title: Characterisation of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis isolates causing blackleg and soft rot diseases of potato in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. L. N. Moleleki
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Student: Aobakwe Mongae
Thesis Title: The interaction between root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and soft rot Enterobacteriaceae (Pectobacterium spp.) and their host Solanum tuberosum
Supervisor: Dr. L. N. Moleleki
Student: Jan Hendrik Nagel
Thesis Title: Species of Phytophthora associated with a native ecosystem in Gauteng
Supervisor: Dr. M. Gryzenhout
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Nokukhanya N. Nxumalo
Thesis Title: Occurrence, identification and a potential management strategy for Fusarium species causing wilt of potatoes in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. J. E. van der Waals
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Student: Edward M. Onkendi
Thesis Title: Characterization of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) parasitizing potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) from South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. L. N. Moleleki
Student: Adele Prinsloo
Thesis Title: Molecular approaches to determine the bacterial diversity of selected water samples
Supervisor: Prof. S. N. Venter
Co-advisors: Dr. M. du Preez
Student: Siphathele Sibanda
Thesis Title: Role of quorum sensing in the virulence of Pantoea ananatis
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. J. Theron
Student: Sophia van Coller
Thesis Title: Characterizing mutagenesis in Fusarium circinatum
Supervisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisors: Mrs. G. Fourie, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Lindsay van Niekerk
Thesis Title: Establishment of tissue culture plants for the evaluation of defence-related genes in Persea americana Mill.
Supervisor: Dr. N. van den Berg
Student: Olivier Zablocki
Thesis Title: Unbiased, next-generation sequencing to the characterization of Citrus tristeza virus populations
Supervisor: Prof. G. Pietersen
Co-advisors: Prof. J. Theron
2012
Student: Chrizelle Winsie Beukes
Thesis Title: Characterisation of bacteria associated with the root nodules of Hypocalyptus and related genera
Supervisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisors: Prof. S. N. Venter, Dr. I. J. Law
Student: Gabrielle D. Carstensen
Student: Wai Yin Chan
Student: John Barry Christie
Student: Katrin Natalie Elsbeth Fitza
Student: Felix Fon Fru
Student: Waheed Mahomed
Thesis Title: Bacterial endophytes in the leaves of Pavetta spp. with a specific focus on those causing leaf nodules
Supervisor: Dr. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. S. N. Venter
Thesis Title: Genome assembly and metabolic pathway reconstruction of Pantoea ananatis LMG20103
Supervisor: Prof. S. N. Venter
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Thesis Title: Determining the phenotypic resistance mechanisms in avocado against Phytophthora cinnamomi
Supervisor: Dr. N. van den Berg
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling, Dr. K. G. Pegg
Student: Juanita Engelbrecht
Thesis Title: Studying the interaction between Phytophthora cinnamomi and Persea americana using gene expression profiling and pathogen quantification
Supervisor: Dr. N. van den Berg
Thesis Title: Investigation of induced resistance against Fusarium circinatum in Pinus patula
Supervisor: Dr. S. Naidoo
Co-advisors: Prof. A. A. Myburg, Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Thesis Title: Ceratocystis species on timber harvested for export in Ghana
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Dr. G. K. Nkuekam
Thesis Title: Sequencing ESTs of the avocado transcriptome to study the tolerant response to Phytophthora cinnamomi
Supervisor: Dr. N. van den Berg
Student: Angelica Marsberg
Thesis Title: Diversity and distribution of fungal endophytes associated with native Syzygium cordatum in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. M. Gryzenhout
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Mulalo E. Menutanzhela
Thesis Title: Establishment of an efficient in vitro micropropagation protocol for Hoodia gordonii
Supervisor: Dr. S. Naidoo
Co-advisors: Dr. R. Chikwamba, Dr. B. Crampton
Student: Lunghile Mthombeni
Thesis Title: Characterization of Burkholderia species associated with the root nodules of legumes indigenous to South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisors: Prof. S. N. Venter
Student: Ronishree Naidoo
Thesis Title: Expression profiling marker genes of the salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate signalling pathways in Eucalyptus grandis
Supervisor: Dr. S. Naidoo
Co-advisors: Prof. D. K. Berger, Prof. A. A. Myburg
Student: Dina Paciura
Student: Mmatshepho Malekgale Phasha
Student: Kerry-Anne Pillay
Student: Jamie-Lee Sauer
Thesis Title: Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with bark beetles in China
Supervisor: Mr. Z. W. de Beer
Co-advisors: Dr. X. D. Zhou, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Thesis Title: Intron architecture in Fusarium
Supervisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. M. P. A. Coetzee
Thesis Title: Diversity and spatial distribution of fungal endophytes in a Eucalyptus grandis tree
Supervisor: Dr. M. Gryzenhout
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Priyen Pillay
Thesis Title: Expression of the VP1 antigen from foot-and-mouth disease virus in a bacterial and plant-based expression system
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Dr. R. Chikwamba
Thesis Title: The subcellular localization of Eucalyptus grandis sucrose synthase 1 (EgSUSY1) fusion proteins expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Dr. S. Naidoo, Prof. D. Berger
Student: Melissa Claire Simpson
Thesis Title: Microsatellite analysis of Ceratocystis fimbriata
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. M. P. A. Coetzee, Mr. M. P. Wilken
Student: Ancel C. Stewart
Thesis Title: Bacterial endophytes associated with Eucalyptus nitens clones
Supervisor: Prof. S. N. Venter
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Student: Johannes Alwyn van der Linde
Thesis Title: Factors associated with the decline of Euphorbia ingens in the Limpopo Province of South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. D. Six
Student: Marcele Vermeulen
Thesis Title: Diversity and host range of the Cryphonectriaceae in southern Africa
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. M. Gryzenhout
2011
Student: Marc Clement Bouwer
Thesis Title: Identification of volatile organic compounds from Eucalyptus detected by Gonipterus scutellatus (Gyllenhal) females
Supervisor: Prof. E. Rohwer
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Therese Corine de Castro
Thesis Title: Analysis of Arabidopsis plants transformed with AtPRX34 for defence against bacterial wilt
Supervisor: Dr. S. Naidoo
Co-advisors: Prof. A. A. Myburg, Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Lisa-Danélle de Wet
Thesis Title: Monitoring of Fusarium circinatum spore loads in South African forest seedling nurseries
Supervisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. N. B. Jones
Student: Carlo Stefan Jackson
Thesis Title: Significance of photosynthesis and the photosynthesis related genes TMP14, FBPase and P700 in Russian wheat aphid resistant wheat
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Student: Simon Henry Martin
Thesis Title: Mating type and pheromone genes in the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex: an evolutionary perspective
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Abigail Lufuno Mashamba
Thesis Title: Detection of protease and protease inhibitors during development of soybean crown nodules
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Dr. U. Schlüter
Student: Maria Thuto Matsioloko
Thesis Title: Using cDNA-AFLP and microarray analysis for rapid identification of Diuraphis noxia induced genes from near-isogenic Triticum aestivum lines
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Student: Xolile Osmond Mnyamelezi Mlonyeni
Thesis Title: High throughput development of population genetic markers for the Sirex noctilio woodwasp and its nematode parasite, Deladenus siricidicola
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Mmoledi M. Mphahlele
Thesis Title: Site-directed mutagenesis and functional analysis of Eucalyptus sucrose synthase 1 (EgSuSy1) in Arabidopsis thaliana
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Dr. S. Naidoo
Student: Bernice Porter
Student: Aisha Bibi Mahomed Ali
Student: James W. M. Mehl
Student: Philip John Law
Thesis Title: Pathogenicity and competition studies on Fusarium circinatum, a pathogen of pine trees
Supervisor: Prof. T. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: David A. Read
Thesis Title: Citrus tristeza virus populations in Grapefruit trees, pre-immunized with two different cross-protecting sources
Supervisor: Prof. G. Pietersen
Student: Cornelis Arnold Schriek
Thesis Title: Analysis and standardization of marker genotype data for DNA fingerprinting applications
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. F. Joubert
Student: Irene Schoeman
Thesis Title: Evaluation of two viral vectors for virus-induced gene silencing in pearl millet
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisors: Dr. I. Hein
Student: Janine F. Silberbauer
Thesis Title: Deep digital gene expression profiling during early and late tension wood formation in Eucalyptus trees
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. F. Joubert, Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Lorinda Swart
Thesis Title: Pantoea and Xanthomonas species associated with blight and die-back of Eucalyptus
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. S. N. Venter
Student: Liesl E. van der Linden
Thesis Title: The genetic basis of resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Kil-O against Ralstonia solanacearum isolate DSCF400 from Eucalyptus
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisors: Dr. S. Naidoo
Student: Stefan George van Wyk
Thesis Title: Improving the inhibitory potency of papaya cystatin, using site-directed mutagenesis
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Dr. B. J. Vorster
Student: Erika Viljoen
Thesis Title: Morphology and genetic relationships in members of the Solanum nigrum L. complex used for jam production in the Highveld of South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisors: Prof. A. E. van Wyk, Dr. A. van Schalkwyk
Student: Tania Weller
Thesis Title: Identification and characterisation of pili and fimbriae mediating attachment of Pantoea ananatis to Eucalyptus leaf surfaces
Supervisor: Prof. J. Theron
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Dr. I. Toth
2010
Student: Donald Chungu
Thesis Title: Pathogens associated with plantation tree diseases in Zambia
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Dr. A. Muimba-Kankolongo, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Nanette Coetzer
Thesis Title: SSHscreen and SSHdb: software for microarray-based screening and sequence management of cDNA libraries
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Pranitha Dawlal
Thesis Title: Resistance of maize cultivars against the infestation of mycotoxigenic fungi
Supervisor: Prof. G. J. Marais
Co-advisors: Dr. E. Barros
Student: Marija Kvas
Thesis Title: Characterisation of Fusarium species associated with floral malformation of Syzygium cordatum
Supervisor: Dr. E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisors: Prof. W. F. O. Marasas, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Thesis Title: Production of pyrazine flavours by mycelial fungi
Supervisor: Prof. G. J. Marais
Co-advisors: Prof. E. R. Rohwer, Prof. P. J. van Zyl
Student: Grant Robert McNair
Thesis Title: Whole-tree and tension wood-associated expression profiles of microRNAs in Eucalyptus trees
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. J. Theron
Thesis Title: Fungi associated with the die-back of Pterocarpus angolensis (kiaat) in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. J. Roux, Prof. C. J. Geldenhuys
Student: Tinyiko E. Mokoena
Student: Marja Mirjam O'Neill
Student: Thia Schultz
Thesis Title: Establishment of a transformation procedure to study the role of trypsin inhibitors in soybean
Supervisor: Dr. R. Chikwamba
Thesis Title: Functional genetic analysis of the Eucalyptus grandis cellulose synthase 1 (EgCesA1) gene in Arabidopsis thaliana
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Dr. S. Naidoo
Thesis Title: Profiling of wounding and Diuraphis noxia induced transcripts in hexaploid wheat using cDNA-AFLP analysis
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
2009
Student: Johanna Wilhelmina Grobbelaar
Thesis Title: Taxonomy, phylogeny and species diversity in the Ophiostoma quercus complex
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. P. Bloomer, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Thesis Title: Development and application of analysis modules in MADIBA, a web-based toolkit for the interpretation of microarray data
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisors: Prof. J. Joubert
Student: Mamodise Happy-Girl Maleme
Thesis Title: Characterization of latent Botryosphaeriaceae on diverse Eucalyptus species
Supervisor: Dr. B. Slippers
Co-advisors: Ms. D. Pavlic, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Vuledzani Gloria Muthelo
Thesis Title: Molecular characterisation of Ganoderma species
Supervisor: Dr. M. P. A. Coetzee
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. M. Bogale
Student: Francois Johannes Jacobus van der Walt
Thesis Title: Botryosphaeriaceae associated with native Acacia species in southern Africa with special reference to A. mellifera
Supervisor: Dr. G. J. Marais
Co-advisors: Dr. B. Slippers, Prof. J. Roux, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student:Johanna Jacoba van der Merwe
Thesis Title: Etiology of soft rot and blackleg on potatoes in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. J. E. van der Waals
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. L. Korsten
Student: Natalie Rachel van Zuydam
Thesis Title: Identification of Leptographium species by oligonucleotide mismatch discrimination on a DNA microarray
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. K. Jacobs
Student: Pieter Marthinus Wilken
Thesis Title: Identification and application of mating type gene sequences in Ophiostoma
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Mr. Z. W. de Beer
2008
Student: Gerda Britz
Thesis Title: Water quality of citrus dip tanks and the impact of Salmonella species in the citrus export chain
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Dr. S. N. Venter
Student: Rosita Endah
Thesis Title: Isolation and characterization of two NPR1 genes in banana
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Dr. R. Chikwamba, Dr. N. van den Berg
Student: Gerda Fourie
Thesis Title: Evolutionary biology of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense
Supervisor: Prof. A. Viljoen
Co-advisors: Prof. T. R. Gordon, Dr. E. T. Steenkamp
Student: Tanja Meyer
Thesis Title: Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense for pathogenicity gene analysis
Supervisor: Prof. A. Viljoen
Co-advisors: Dr. A. C. L. Churchill
Student: Izette Greyling
Thesis Title: Pantoea spp. associated with leaf and stem diseases of Eucalyptus
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. S. N. Venter, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Kabengele Muzela Kalonji
Thesis Title: Evaluation of three fungicides for control of soilborne diseases of lettuce seedlings
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. J. E. van der Waals, Prof. N. Labuschagne
Student: Sadiki Delphin Kandolo
Thesis Title: Effect of fungicide seed treatments on germination and vigour of maize seed
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. Q. Kritzinger
Student: Claire Louise Munro
Thesis Title: Identification of defence-related genes in banana against the Fusarium wilt pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense
Supervisor: Prof. A. Viljoen
Co-advisors: Dr. N. van den Berg, Prof. A. A. Myburg
Student: Francina Lebogang Phalane
Thesis Title: The diversity of root nodule bacteria associated with Lebeckia species in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisors: Dr. I. J. Law
Student: Owen Luke Solomon
Thesis Title: Diurnal and circadian regulation of wood formation in Eucalyptus trees
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Marthin Tarigan
Thesis Title: Ceratocystis and Botryosphaeriaceae on plantation Acacia species in Central Sumatra, Indonesia
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. J. Roux, M. van Wyk, Dr. B. Tjahjono
Student: Dewald Zaayman
Thesis Title: Elucidation of Diuraphis noxia biotype-specific responses in Triticum aestivum (98M370 Dn7)
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
2007
Student: Roger Cuan Bagnall
Thesis Title: Control of Pythium wilt and root rot of hydroponically grown lettuce by means of chemical treatment of the nutrient solution
Supervisor: Prof. N. Labuschagne
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Student: Theo Frederik Bekker
Thesis Title: Efficacy of water soluble silicon for control of Phytophthora cinnamomi root rot of avocado
Supervisor: Prof. N. Labuschagne
Co-advisors: Dr. J. H. van der Waals, Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Student: Aneen Belgrove
Thesis Title: Biological control of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense using non pathogenic F. oxysporum endophytes
Supervisor: Prof. A. Viljoen
Co-advisors: Dr. C. Steinberg
Student: Nicole Marie Creux
Thesis Title: Isolation and characterization of the cellulose synthase promoters of Eucalyptus trees
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Minique Hilda de Castro
Thesis Title: Allelic diversity in the CAD2 and LIM1 lignin biosynthetic genes of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden and E. smithii R. T. Baker
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Student: Elsie Magrietha de Meyer
Thesis Title: Fungi from utility poles in South Africa: Taxonomy, phylogeny and effect on wood
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Mr. Z. W. de Beer
Student: Christiaan Giesel
Thesis Title: Transformation of tobacco with a lupin chitinase gene under control of a stress inducible promoter
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisors: Dr. B. Crampton
Student: Charline Kausana Kamburona
Thesis Title: Evaluating the genetic diversity and performance of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) lines
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Dr. A. Cilliers
Student: Gilbert Kamgan Nkuekam
Thesis Title: Ceratocystis and Ophiostoma species infecting wounds on hardwood trees, with particular reference to South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Dr. K. Jacobs, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: John Peter Kemp
Thesis Title: Allele diversity in cellulose synthase genes of the tropical pine species Pinus patula Schiede ex Schlect. & Cham.
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. E. Jansen van Rensburg
Student: Daniel Mkhathazi Khumalo
Thesis Title: Evaluation of fungicide seed treatments to control seedling diseases of cowpea
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. Q. Kritzinger
Student: Ndivhuho Agnes Makhado
Thesis Title: Epiphytic and endophytic members of the Enterobacteriaceae associated with heathy Eucalyptus trees
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. S. N. Venter
Student: Frank Mathabatha Maleka
Thesis Title: Allelic diversity in cellulose and lignin biosynthetic genes of Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. P. Bloomer
Student: Celia Marilia Martins
Thesis Title: The expression of Bt Cry1Ac in transformed cotton under abiotic stress
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Dr. K. Kruger
Student: Mariette Truter
Thesis Title: Etiology and alternative control of potato rhizoctoniasis in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. F. C. Wehner
Student: Leon van Eck
Thesis Title: Aphid-induced transcriptional regulation in near-isogenic wheat
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Prof. N. L. V. Lapitan
Student: Rosetta Andrews van Zyl
Thesis Title: Elucidation of possible virulence factors present in Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) biotypes' saliva
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Student: Michelle Victor
Thesis Title: MicroRNAs in the differentiating tissues of Populus and Eucalyptus trees
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. H. Huismans
Student: Michelle Wilmot
Thesis Title: Inhibition of phytopathogenic fungi on selected vegetable crops by catechins, caffeine, theanine and extracts of Camellia sinensis (L) O. Kuntze
Supervisor: Prof. N. Labuschagne
Co-advisors: Dr. Z. Apostolides
2006
Student: Jane Boshoff
Thesis Title: Biological control of Pythium wilt and root rot in hydroponically grown lettuce
Supervisor: Prof. N. Labuschagne
Student: Natalie Ruth Feltman
Thesis Title: Development of the polygalacturonase inhibiting protein (PGIP) for delivery of foreign proteins to the surfaces of plant cells
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisors: Dr. M. Cloete
Student: Susan Groenewald
Thesis Title: Biology, pathogenicity and diversity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense
Supervisor: Dr. A. Viljoen
Co-advisors: Prof. W. F. O. Marasas, Mrs. N. van den Berg
Student: Almuth Hammerbacher
Thesis Title: The ecology and epidemiology of Fusarium circinatum, the causal agent of pitch canker of pine
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Brett Hurley
Thesis Title: Fungus gnats in forest nurseries and their possible role as vectors of Fusarium circinatum
Supervisor: Dr. P. Govender
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Willeke Keesenberg
Thesis Title: Food safety and quality throughout the apple export chain
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Student: Zelda Pieterse
Thesis Title: Mycogone perniciosa, a pathogen of Agaricus bisporus
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. P. N. Labuschagne
Student: Tshekgene Moses Ramusi
Thesis Title: Biological and chemical control of fungal seedling diseases of cowpea
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. J. van der Waals, Prof. N. Labuschagne
Student: Liesl Stonkhorst
Thesis Title: The effect of soil chemical properties and plant nutrition on the growth of banana (Musa acuminata L.A. Colla) plants infected with Fusarium wilt
Supervisor: Dr. J. van der Waals
Co-advisors: Dr. A. Viljoen, Prof. A. Claasens
Student: Rene Sutherland
Thesis Title: Genetic modification of Cavendish Bananas (Musa spp.) in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. A. Viljoen
Co-advisors: Dr. J.-V. Escalant, Dr. R. Chikwamba, Prof. K. J. Kunert
Student: Honghai Zhou
Thesis Title: Isolation and functional genetic analysis of Eucalyptus wood formation genes
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. D. K. Berger
2005
Student: Colleen Michelle Aldous
Thesis Title: University level genetics students' competencies in selected science process skills
Supervisor: Prof. J. M. Rogan
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Carrie Louise Brady
Thesis Title: Taxonomy of Pantoea associated with bacterial blight of Eucalyptus
Supervisor: Dr. S. N. Venter
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Student: Besrat Tesfagiorgis Demoz
Thesis Title: Alternative application methods of antagonists to avocado flowers to control stem-end rot pathogens
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Dr. G. M. Swart
Student: Franco Bauer du Preez
Thesis Title: Tracking nucleotide-binding-site-leucine-rich-repeat resistance gene analogues in the wheat genome complex
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Student: Maria M. Geldenhuis
Thesis Title: Studies on fungi associated with dying Schizolobium parahybum in Ecuador
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. J. Roux, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Veloshinie Govender
Thesis Title: Evaluation of biological control systems for control of mango postharvest diseases
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Dr. T. J. C. Regnier
Student: Wilma Havenga
Thesis Title: Mode of action of Bacillus subtilis ATCC 55466 as biocontrol agent of postharvest diseases of avocado
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Student: Lancelot Maphosa
Thesis Title: Molecular and biochemical characterization of Armillaria
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof M. J. Wingfield, Dr. M. P. A. Coetzee, Dr. E. Mwenje
Student: Fhumulani Mathilda Mashau
Thesis Title: Risk assessment of fire blight on pome fruits in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Student: Lerato Matsaunyane
Thesis Title: Isolation and characterization of the apple polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein 2 gene
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisors: Dr. D. Oelofse
Student: Draginja Pavlic
Thesis Title: Botryosphaeria species on native South African Syzygium cordatum and their potential threat to Eucalyptus
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. B. Slippers
Student: Martin Ranik
Thesis Title: Expression profiling and characterization of wood formation genes in Eucalyptus
Supervisor: Dr. A. A. Myburg
Student: Johanna Petronel Weich
Thesis Title: Studies on the interaction between Arabidopsis thaliana and African isolates of Ralstonia solanacearum
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
2004
Student: Theresa Bandounas-van den Bout
Thesis Title: White rust (Albugo tragopogonis) of sunflower in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. A. Viljoen
Student: Leulseged Begashaw
Thesis Title: Utilisation of rhizosphere microflora in the biocontrol of root rot and growth enhancement of lettuce under hydroponic systems
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Dr. N. Labuschagne, Prof. F. C. Wehner
Student: Mapula Julia Domola
Thesis Title: Survey and characterization of sweet potato viruses in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. G. J. Thompson
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Student: Andries Fourie
Thesis Title: Biochemical mechanisms for tolerance of citrus rootstocks against Phytophthora nicotianae
Supervisor: Prof. N. Labuschagne
Co-advisors: Dr. Z. Apostolides
Student: Ronald Natale Heath
Thesis Title: Studies to consider the possible origins of three canker pathogens of Eucalyptus in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. J. Roux, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Elizabeth Mothibi Kola
Thesis Title: Mycoflora and polyphenolics of variously coloured seeds of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc.)
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Student: Lorenzo Lombard
Thesis Title: Fungal diseases in Eucalyptus and Acacia nurseries in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Dr. B. J. H. Janse, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Hester Catarina Lotter
Thesis Title: Characterization and expression of an endopolygalacturonase gene from the lupin anthracnose fungus identified as Colletotrichum lupini var. setosum
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Mogalatjane Patrick Mphahlele
Thesis Title: Honey bee dissemination of Bacillus subtilis to citrus flowers for control of Alternaria
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Prof. R. Crewe
Student: Barbara Nel
Thesis Title: Management of Fusarium wilt of banana by means of biological and chemical control and induced resistance
Supervisor: Dr. A. Viljoen
Co-advisors: Dr. C. Steinberg, Prof. N. Labuschagne
Student: Marie Catherine Onanena
Thesis Title: Isolation and characterization of genome differences in the indigenous grass Monocymbium ceresiiforme
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Dr. C. van der Vyver
Student: Koreen Ramessar
Thesis Title: Genetic modification of maize by introduction of antifungal genes to confer resistance to Fusarium verticillioides
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisors: Dr. M. O'Kennedy
Student: Mashudu Silimela
Thesis Title: Evaluation of biocontrol and sunprotectors to control mango fruit diseases and disorders
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Student: Americo Uaciquete
Thesis Title: Epidemiology and control of powdery mildew (Oidium anacardii Noack) on cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) in Mozambique
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Student: Marelize van Wyk
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and population biology of selected Ceratocystis spp. with hat-shaped ascospores
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. J. Roux, Mrs. I. Barnes
2003
Student: Rodrigo Ahumada
Thesis Title: Diseases in commercial Eucalyptus plantations in Chile, with special reference to Mycosphaerella and Botryosphaeria species
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Mr. G. C. Hunter, Prof. P. W. Crous
Student: Raksha Bhoora
Thesis Title: Molecular characterization of Eucalyptus grandis PGIP
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. D. K. Berger, Dr. P. M. Chimwamurombe, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Anton Jordaan
Thesis Title: Transformation of Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun with melanin and indigo genes
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Student: Inge Maritz
Thesis Title: Evaluation of polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (PGIP)-mediated resistance against Verticillium dahliae, a fungal pathogen of potato
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisors: Mr. D. Oelofse
Student: Grace Nakabonge
Thesis Title: Diseases associated with plantation forestry in Uganda
Supervisor: Dr. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Anneke Prins
Thesis Title: The protective role of Oryzacystatin-I under abiotic stress
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Student: Carlos A. Rodas P.
Thesis Title: Diseases of Eucalyptus in Colombia
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Dr. J. Roux, B. Slippers
Student: Angela Karen Joanna Surridge
Thesis Title: Fungi associated with banana leaf diseases in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. A. Viljoen
Co-advisors: Prof. P. W. Crous, Prof. F. C. Wehner
Student: Zacharias Hendrik Swanevelder
Thesis Title: Diversity and population structure of Clivia miniata Lindl. (Amaryllidaceae): Evidence from molecular genetics and ecology
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Prof. A. E. van Wyk, Dr. M. M. van der Merwe
Student: Barend Juan Vorster
Thesis Title: The application of representational difference analysis and plant differentiation
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
2002
Student: Lieschen Bahlmann
Thesis Title: Factors affecting the resistance mechanisms of the Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) on wheat
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Dr. P. Govender
Student: Irene Barnes
Thesis Title: Taxonomy, phylogeny and population biology of Ceratocystis species with particular reference to Ceratocystis fimbriata
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. J. Roux
Student: Zacharias Wilhelmus de Beer
Thesis Title: Ophiostoma species from hardwood sources in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Cornelia Gull
Thesis Title: Study of Pythium root diseases of hydroponically grown crops, with emphasis on lettuce
Supervisor: Prof. N. Labuschagne
Co-advisors: Prof. F. C. Wehner
Student: Gavin Craig Hunter
Thesis Title: Mycosphaerella species causing leaf blotch on Eucalyptus species in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. J. Roux, Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. P. W. Crous
Student: René Jacobs
Thesis Title: Characterization of Botryosphaeria species from mango in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Mr. B. Slippers, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Shilo Loots
Thesis Title: Isolation and characterization of Diuraphis noxia induced sequences from wheat line PI 294994
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Mr. E. Venter
Student: Catharina Aletta Magdalena Louw
Thesis Title: Antimicrobial activity of indigenous bulbous plant extracts to control selected pathogens
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Dr. T. Regnier
Student: Margareth Vuyiswa Schoeman
Thesis Title: Comparative studies of Dothiorella on avocado
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Dr. G. M. Swart
Student: Hendrik Sithole
Thesis Title: Integrated pest management of the banana weevil, Cosmpolites sordidus, in South Africa: A critical review of the literature
Supervisor: Dr. P. Govender
Co-advisors: Dr. A. Viljoen
Student: Wilma van Broekhuizen
Thesis Title: Detection, characterization and suppression of Ralstonia solanacearum
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Prof. P. S. Hammes
2001
Student: Appolinaire Adandonon
Thesis Title: Damping-off of cowpea in Benin and South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. N. Labuschagne
Student: Erika Elizabeth Auret
Thesis Title: Control strategies for citrus postharvest diseases
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Prof. F. C. Wehner
Student: Elsabe Botes
Thesis Title: Molecular characterization of toxin-producing and non-toxin producing strains of Microcystis aeruginosa
Supervisor: Prof. J. J. Grobbelaar
Co-advisors: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Student: M. Christi Burger
Thesis Title: Tolerance of citrus rootstocks to root pathogens
Supervisor: Dr. N. Labuschagne
Co-advisors: Prof. F. C. Wehner
Student: Jacqueline Heidi Doyle
Thesis Title: Determining gene flow, linkage and parental contribution in Pinus elliottii x Pinus caribaea pine hybrids
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Nomphelo Gantsho
Thesis Title: Comparison of Xanthomonas campestris pv. mangiferaindicae from mango production areas in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Dr. G. M. Swart
Student: Barend Johannes Henning
Thesis Title: Agricultural recycling of sewage sludge for maize and oats cultivation
Supervisor: Dr H. G. Snyman
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Student: Adriaana Jacobs
Thesis Title: The genus Phialocephala: a taxonomic study
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. K. Jacobs
Student: Quenton Kritzinger
Thesis Title: Storage fungi and mycotoxins associated with cowpea
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Prof. W. F. O. Marasas
Student: Jo-Mari Lottering
Thesis Title: Identification and characterization of molecular markers linked to leaf rust resistance gene Lr41
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Dr. F. J. Kloppers
Student: Alpheus Kgabo Matlala
Thesis Title: Detection of Erwinia spp. on potatoes
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Dr. G. Swart
Student: Elisabeth Irmgard Maria Stander
Thesis Title: Cultural practices for the control of bacterial wilt of potato
Supervisor: Prof. P. S. Hammes
Co-advisors: Prof. L. Korsten
Student: Christiaan Troskie
Thesis Title: Identification and characterization of markers linked to the leaf rust resistance gene LR37
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Dr. F. J. Kloppers
Student: Noëlani van den Berg
Thesis Title: A new disease of cowpea caused by Alternaria cassiae
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. S. Venter
2000
Student: Juanita de Wet
Thesis Title: Studies on the biology and diversity of the pine pathogen Sphaeropsis sapinea
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Nicolaas Albertus van der Merwe
Thesis Title: Molecular phylogeny and population biology studies on the Eucalyptus canker pathogen Cryphonectria cubensis
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. M. G. Milgroom
Student: Marieka Venter
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and pathology of a new species of Cryphonectria from Eucalyptus in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
1999
Student: Christa Coetsee (née Visser)
Thesis Title: Molecular characterization of selected Ophiostomatoid fungi
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Lynelle Lacock (MSc)
Thesis Title: Genotype variation in regeneration and transformation efficiencies of South African wheat cultivars
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Student: Bongani Bruce O'Clive Zwelibanzi Maseko
Thesis Title: Oomycetes associated with citrus and Eucalyptus root rot in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Mr. F. Wolfaardt
Student: Schalk Willem van Heerden
Thesis Title: Pathogenicity and variation amongst South African isolates of Cryphonectria cubensis
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Eduard Venter
Thesis Title: Characterization of wheat sequences linked to Russian wheat aphid resistance
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
1998
Student: Martin Petrus Albertus Coetzee
Thesis Title: Characterization of Armillaria in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. T. A. Coutinho, Prof M. J. Wingfield
Student: Bernard Slippers
Thesis Title: The fungal symbiont of Sirex noctilio in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
2024
Student: Juanita Avontuur
Thesis Title: Genome-based systematics of Bradyrhizobium and its species.
Supervisor: Prof. ET Steenkamp
Co-supervisor: Prof. MPA Coetzee, Prof. SN Venter
External Co-supervisor: Prof. TM Stepkowski (Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland)
Student: Harm Barten
Thesis Title: Factors influencing the efficacy of biological control of Gonipterus sp. n. 2 by Anaphes nitens.
Supervisor: Prof. BP Hurley
Co-supervisors: Prof. B Slippers, Dr ML Schröder
Student: Julia Candotti
Thesis Title: Haplogenome analysis and genetic dissection of growth and wood property traits in Eucalyptus urophylla x E. grandis hybrids.
Supervisor: Prof. AA Myburg
Co-supervisors: Prof. E Mizrachi, Prof. S Naidoo, Prof. AT Duong
Student: Firehiwot Eshetu
Thesis Title: Diversity in Sirex noctilio, Amylostereum areolatum and Deladenus siricidicola populations in Australasia and its implications for biological control.
Supervisor: Prof. B Slippers
Co-supervisors: Prof. I Barnes
External Co-supervisor: Dr H Nahrung (University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia)
Student: Sasha-Lee Gush
Thesis Title: Disentangling shifts in the soil microbiome of potatoes infected with Rhizoctonia solani AG 3-PT in two contrasting regions of South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. JE van der Waals
Co-supervisors: Prof. TA Coutinho, Prof. DA Cowan, Dr PH Bixirao Neto Marinho Lebre
Student: GuoQing Li
Thesis Title: Diversity and biology of Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with Eucalyptus in southern China.
Supervisor: Prof. SF Chen
Co-supervisors: Prof. B Slippers, Prof. MJ Wingfield
Student: WenWen Li
Thesis Title: Distribution, biology and diversity of Calonectria species on Eucalyptus in southern China.
Supervisor: Prof. AT Duong
Co-supervisors: Prof. MJ Wingfield, Prof. SF Chen, Dr FF Liu
Student: Teresia Macharia
Thesis Title: Identification and functional characterization of Meloidogyne javanica pathogenicity factors.
Supervisor: Prof. LN Moleleki
Student: Nam Pham
Thesis Title: Discovery of the cause and relevance of a serious new Eucalyptus foliar disease in Indonesia.
Supervisor: Prof. MJ Wingfield
Co-supervisors: Prof. I Barnes, Prof. BD Wingfield
Student: Lazarus Takawira
Thesis Title: Inferring secondary cell wall-related R2R3-MYB transcription factor gene targets in Eucalyptus grandis using DNA affinity purification sequencing.
Supervisor: Dr SG Hussey
Co-supervisors: Prof. E Mizrachi, Prof. AA Myburg
Student: Marthin Tarigan
Thesis Title: Emerging pathogens of Eucalyptus and Acacia plantation forestry in Indonesia.
Supervisor: Prof MJ Wingfield
Co-supervisors: Prof. I Barnes
Student: Demissew Teshome
Thesis Title: The response of Eucalyptus grandis to drought stress, rewatering and combined stress involving Chrysoporthe austroafricana infection.
Supervisor: Prof. S Naidoo
External Co-supervisors: Prof. GE Zharare (University of Zululand), Dr RAP Ployet (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, United States of America)
Student: Tanya Welgemoed
Thesis Title: Comparative genomics of diverse African isolates of Cercospora zeina.
Supervisor: Prof. DK Berger
Co-supervisors: Prof. I Barnes, Prof. AT Duong
External Co-supervisor: Prof. E Holtgrewe-Stukenbrock (Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Germany)
2023
Student: Felipe Balocchi Schalchli
Thesis Title: Araucaria (Araucaria araucana) canker disease in Chile: etiology and fungal diversity
Supervisor: Prof. I. Barnes
Co-supervisors: Prof. MJ Wingfield, Dr RJ Ahumada
Student: Laura Bester
Thesis Title: The effects of neonicotinoids and increasing temperatures on the thermoregulation and flight ability of South African honey bees, Apis mellifera scutellata (Lepeletier)
Supervisor: Prof. CWW Pirk
Student: Dr Ayubo Kampango
Thesis Title: Characterization of mosquito community assemblages and vector species ecology to inform control interventions at hotel settings in Zanzibar
Supervisor: Prof. CW Weldon
Co-supervisor: Prof. P Furu (University of Copenhagen, Denmark), Prof. KL Schiøler (University of Copenhagen, Denmark)
Student: Dr QianLi Liu
Thesis Title: Phylogeny, taxonomy and the ecology of Calonectria species
Supervisor: Dr SF Chen
Co-supervisor: Prof. MJ Wingfield, Prof. BD Wingfield, Dr TA Duong
Student: Londiwe Mabuza
Thesis Title: Haploid-inducer development by CRISPR/Cas9 mediated CenH3 gene modification in Helianthus annuus (Sunflower)
Supervisor: Dr BG Crampton
Co-supervisor: Dr ZH Swanevelder (Agricultural Research Council)
Student: Privilege Makunde
Thesis Title: Biology and ecology of Eucalyptus psyllid pests in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. BP Hurley
Co-supervisor: Prof. B Slippers
Student: Silindile Maphosa
Thesis Title: Secretome analyses of selected Pectobacterium brasiliense 1692 secretion systems
Supervisor: Prof. LN Moleleki
Student: Mandy Messal
Thesis Title: Fungal community interactions in the Eucalyptus grandis phyllosphere
Supervisor: Prof. B Slippers
Co-supervisor: Prof. S Naidoo, Dr M Kemler (Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany)
Student: Rachel Mkandawire
Thesis Title: Diversity of Fusarium Link and mite species associated with malformed Syzygium cordatum Hochst. Ex Krauss (water berry) inflorescences
Supervisor: Dr G Fourie
Co-supervisor: Prof. ET Steenkamp, Prof. MJ Wingfield, Dr N Yilmaz
Student: Knowledge Mushonga
Thesis Title: Crop rotation effects on soil and plant health in a dryland production system in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. JE van der Waals
Co-supervisor: Prof. WJ Swart (University of the Free State)
Student: Deborah Narh Mensah
Thesis Title: Characterising some mechanisms of iron homeostasis in selected Armillaria species
Supervisor: Prof. MPA Coetzee
Co-supervisor: Prof. BD Wingfield
Student: Elisa Pal
Thesis Title:Ecology and management of Bathycoelia distincta (two-spotted stink bug) in Macadamia orchards in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr G Fourie
Co-supervisor: Prof. JD Allison, Prof. BP Hurley, Prof. B Slippers
2022
Student: Jane Chepsergon
Thesis Title: Identification and functional characterization of short linear motifs (SLiMs) of Phytophthora parasitica var nicotianae “Core” RxLR effector proteins.
Supervisor: Prof. L.N. Moleleki
Student: Agil Katumanyane
Thesis Title: Entomopathogenic nematodes associated with white grubs from forest and sugarcane plantations and mechanisms of resistance of white grubs to nematode infection.
Supervisor: Prof BP Hurley
Co-supervisor: Prof B Slippers, Dr MW Gossa, Prof. AP Malan (Stellenbosch University)
Student: Brigitte Langenhoven
Thesis Title: Insights into northern leaf blight disease: investigating the Exserohilum turcicum-Sorghum bicolor interaction.
Supervisor: Dr B.G. Crampton
Co-supervisor: Dr S.L. Murray (Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research)
Student: Lorraine Mhoswa
Thesis Title: Genome-wide association study in Eucalyptus grandis for resistance to Leptocybe invasa.
Supervisor: Prof. S. Naidoo
Co-supervisor: Prof. A.A Myburg, Prof. B. Slippers
Student: Mmoledi Mphahlele
Thesis Title: Genomic breeding for accelerated improvement of growth, wood properties and plant defence in Eucalyptus grandis.
Supervisor: Prof. A.A. Myburg
Co-supervisor: Prof. G.R. Hodge (North Carolina State University, United States of America), Prof. F. Isik (North Carolina State University, United States of America
Student: Vallry Moloto
Thesis Title: Seedborne bacteria of onion: a study on pathogenicity and diversity.
Supervisor: Prof TA Coutinho
Co-supervisor: Prof LJ du Toit (Washington State University, United States of America); Dr T Goszczynska (Agricultural Research Council)
Student: Vongai Paradza
Thesis Title: Development of effective biopesticides against Greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in tomato and French bean
Supervisor: Prof. A.A. Yusuf
Co-supervisor: Dr K.S. Akutse (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Kenya), Dr F.M. Khamis (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Kenya)
Student: Ariska van der Nest Ariska
Thesis Title: Species diversity of Lecanosticta and population genetics of Dothistroma species: important needle pathogens of Pinus.
Supervisor: Prof I Barnes
Co-supervisor: Prof MJ Wingfield
Student: Roelof van Wyk
Thesis Title: Machine learning and network-based approaches unveil key aspects of gene regulation that drive Plasmodium falciparum pathogenesis.
Supervisor: Prof L Birkholtz
2021
Student: Istifanus Aiki
Thesis Title: Diversity, nesting behaviour, thermoregulation and cephalic secretions of termites from two Nigerian savannahs.
Supervisor: Dr. A.A. Yusuf
Co-advisor: Dr. C.W.W. Pirk
Student: Mahukpe Ayelo
Thesis Title: Identification of kairomones for the biological control of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), two major pests of tomato Solanum lycopersicum L.
Supervisor: Dr. A.A. Yusuf
Co-advisor: Dr. C.W.W. Pirk, Dr. É.M.M Delétré (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, France)
Student: Bethelihem Bekele
Thesis Title: Semiochemicals from the African weaver ant Oecophylla longinoda (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and their repellency on mango fruit flies.
Supervisor: Dr. A.A. Yusuf
Co-advisor: Dr. C.W.W. Pirk, Dr. É.M.M. Delétré (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, France)
Student: Khumbuzile Bophela
Thesis Title: The effect of drought and ring nematode stress combinations in predisposing Prunus domestica (plum) to infection by Pseudomonas syringae.
Supervisor: Prof T.A. Coutinho
Co-advisor: Dr. C.T. Bull (Penn State University, USA), Dr. Y. Petersen (Agricultural Research Council)
Student: Juanita Engelbrecht
Thesis Title: Population genetics and genomics of Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Supervisor: Prof. N van den Berg
Student: Quentin Guignard
Thesis Title: Visual and chemical ecology of Sirex noctilio.
Supervisor: Dr. J.D. Allison
Co-advisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Student: Minette Havenga
Thesis Title: Biology and pathology of the Eucalyptus foliar pathogen Teratosphaeria destructans.
Supervisor: Dr. J. Aylward
Co-advisor: Prof. B.D. Wingfield, Prof. M.J. Wingfield, Dr. L.L. Dreyer (Stellenbosch University), Dr. F. Roets (Stellenbosch University)
Student: Caroline Kung'u
Thesis Title: Biological traits, plant sugar feeding patterns and chemical ecology of Aedes aegypti.
Supervisor: Dr. C.L. Sole
Co-advisor: Dr. C.W.W. Pirk, Dr. B. Torto
Student: Mammoloro Malefo
Thesis Title: Functional characterization of transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing the maize Bowman-Birk serine protease inhibitor gene under biotic and abiotic stress.
Supervisor: Prof. B.G. Crampton
Co-advisor: Prof. B.J. Vorster
Student: Marja Mostert O'Neill
Thesis Title: Genomic consequences of natural and artificial selection in wild and advanced breeding populations of Eucalyptus grandis.
Supervisor: Prof. A.A. Myburg
Co-advisor: Dr. J.O.C Borevitz (Australian National University, Australia), JJ Acosta Jaramillo (North Carolina State University, United States of America)
Student: Wilma Nel
Thesis Title: Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with fungus farming insects in South Africa.
Supervisor: Dr. T.A. Duong
Co-advisor: Prof. Z.W. de Beer, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Mmatshepho Phasha
Thesis Title: Functional characterization of pathogenicity genes in Fusarium circinatum.
Supervisor: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp
Co-advisor: Prof. M.P.A. Coetzee, Prof. B.D. Wingfield, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Joséphine Queffelec
Thesis Title: Influence of reproductive biology on the invasion dynamics of Sirex noctilio.
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisor: Dr. J.M. Greeff, Dr J.D. Allison
Student: Yosef Hamba Tola
Thesis Title: Characterization of the honey bee and stingless bee gut microbiota: A hidden diversity and host-specific microbiomes from sub-Saharan-African region.
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisor: Dr. J.C. Paredes Escobar (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Kenya)
2020
Student: Akua Antwi-Agyakwah
Thesis Title: Development of semiochemical-based tools for the management of the African citrus triozid (ACT).
Supervisor: Dr. C.W.W. Pirk
Co-advisor: Dr. B. Torto, Dr A.A. Yusuf
Student: Robert Backer
Thesis Title: Molecular and bioinformatic analysis of the Persea Americana (Mill.) NPR1-dependent defense signalling pathway in response to Phytophora cinnamomi infection.
Supervisor: Prof N. van den Berg
Co-advisor: Prof S. Naidoo
Student: Katrin Fitza
Thesis Title: Diversity, specificity and admixture in the Sirex-Amylosterum-Deladenas symbiosis.
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisor: Dr. J.R. Garnas
Student: Joey Hulbert
Thesis Title: Phytophthora diversity in the Cape Floristic Region
Supervisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. T.I. Burgess
Student: Miekie Human
Thesis Title: Effector identification from the susceptible Exserohilum turcicum - Zea mays interaction.
Supervisors: Dr B. Crampton
Co-supervisor: Prof. D. Berger
Student: Estiene Jordaan
Thesis Title: Triangulating charcoal rot in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. J.E. van der Waals
Co-advisor: Dr. N.W. McLaren (University of the Free State)
Student: Jieqiong Li
Thesis Title: Taxonomy, mating type distribution and population biology of Calonectria species.
Supervisor: Dr. S.F. Chen
Co-advisor: Dr. I. Barnes, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Edgar Mangwende
Thesis Title: identification and control of Colletotrichum species associated with Eucalyptus seeds.
Supervisor: Prof. T.A.S. Aveling
Co-advisor: Prof. W.P. Chirwa
Student: Jan Nagel
Thesis Title: Genomic insights into the biology and evolution of Botryosphaeriaceae.
Supervisor: Prof B. Slippers
Co-advisor: Prof M.J. Wingfield
Student: David Nsibo
Title of thesis: Population genetics of the maize foliar pathogen Cecospora zeina in five countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Supervisor: Prof. D. Berger
Co-supervisors: Prof. I. Barnes
Student: Nicky Olivier
Thesis title: Genome assembly, annotation and comparative analysis of the maize fungal pathogen Cercospora zeina. Supervisor: Prof. O. Reva
Co-supervisor: DK Berger
Student: Desré Pinard
Thesis title: Systems biology of organellar carbon metabolism in Eucalyptus xylogenesis.
Supervisor: Prof. E. Mizrachi
Co-supervisor: A.A. Myburg
Student: Ronel Roberts
Thesis title: Genetic and biological diversity of ‘Candidatus Liberibacters’ from South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof G. Pietersen (Stellenbosch University)
Student: Gloria Valentine Nakato
Thesis Title: Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum: population diversity and the identification of potential sources of resistance from banana accessions representing the Musa diversity worldwide.
Supervisor: Prof. T.A. Coutinho
Co-advisor: Dr. G. Mahuku (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Tanzania), Dr. E.P.P. Wicker (CIRAD Agricultural Research for Development, France)
Student: Ntombikayise Nkomo
Thesis Title: The use of transcriptome and functional analysis to unravel the role played by Phop and SlyA in the biology of Pectobacterium brasiliense1692 (Pb1692).
Supervisor: Prof. L.N. Moleleki
Co-advisor: Dr. D.Y. Shyntum, Dr. D. Bellieny-Rabelo (Umea University, Sweden)
Student: Mohammad Sayari
Thesis title: Secondary metabolite pathways in Ceratocystidaceae.
Supervisor: Prof B.D. Wingfield
Co-supervisors: Prof. ET Steenkamp, Dr MA van der Nest
Student: Gi Yoon (Gina) Shin
Thesis Title: Functional characterization of Hfq and identification of Hfq-dependent sRNAs in Pantoea ananatis.
Supervisor: Prof T.A. Coutinho
Co-advisor: Prof L.N. Moleleki, Dr D.Y. Shyntum
Student: Michel Tchoumi Tchotet
Thesis title: Wood-rot fungi in the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) and surrounds of South Africa: Identification and taxonomy.
Supervisor: Prof. J Roux
Co-supervisors: Prof. M.P.A. Coetzee, Dr D.M. Rajchenberg (CIEFAP - Centro de Investigacion y Extension Forestal Andino Patagonico, Argentina)
Student: Stephanie van Wyk
Thesis Title: Repeat-induced point mutations in the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex
Supervisor: Prof E.T. Steenkamp
Co-advisor: Prof B.D. Wingfield, Dr N.A. van der Merwe, Dr L. de Vos
Student: Andi Wilson
Thesis: Unisexual reproduction in filamentous Ascomycete fungi.
Supervisor: Prof. B.D. Wingfield
Co-supervisors: Prof. M.J. Wingfield, Dr PM Wilken, Dr MA van der Nest
2019
Student: Teddy Amuge
Thesis Title: Genome-wide transcriptome analysis of cassava challenged with Uganda cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV).
Supervisor: Prof. D. Berger
Co-advisors: Prof. A.A. Myburg, Dr M Ferguson (IITA)
Student: Chrizelle Beukes
Thesis Title: Genomic diversity and phylogeography of South African rhizobia.
Supervisor: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp
Co-advisors: Prof. S.N. Venter, Dr M. le Roux (SANBI), Prof. T. Stepkowski (Warsaw University of Life Sciences)
Student: Arista Fourie
Thesis Title: A genomic approach towards understanding host specificity and pathogenicity in two Ceratocystis species.
Supervisor: Dr I. Barnes
Co-advisor: Dr M. van der Nest, Prof. B.D. Wingfield, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Miekie Human
Thesis Title: Effector identification from the susceptible Exserohilum turcicum – Zea mays interaction.
Supervisor: Dr B. Crampton
Co-advisor: Prof. D Berger
Student: Zander Human
Thesis Title: The microbial ecology of Protea repens infructescences.
Supervisor: Prof. Z.W. de Beer
Co-advisors: Prof. S.N. Venter, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: FeiFei Liu
Thesis Title: Species diversity and host associations of plant pathogenic Ceratocystis species in China.
Supervisor: Prof. S.F. Chen
Co-advisors: Dr I. Barnes, Prof. J. Roux, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: David Nsibo
Thesis Title: Population genetics of the maize foliar pathogen Cecospora zeina Crous & U. Braun in five countries of sub-Saharan Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. D. Berger
Co-advisors: Dr I. Barnes
Student: Inosters Nzuki
Thesis Title: QTL mapping for pest and disease resistance in cassava cultivars Kiroba and AR37-80 and coincidence of QTL with introgression regions from Manihot glaziovii.
Supervisor: Prof. A.A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Dr N.A. van der Merwe, Dr M. Ferguson (IITA)
Student: Caryn Oates
Thesis Title: Eucalyptus morphological and molecular responses to Leptocybe invasa oviposition.
Supervisor: Prof. S. Naidoo
Co-advisors: Dr H. Nahrung (University of the Sunshine Coast), Prof. R. Buggs (Queen Mary University)
Student: Nicky Olivier
Thesis Title: Genome assembly, annotation and comparative analysis of the maize fungal pathogen Cercospora zeina.
Supervisor: Prof. O. Reva
Co-supervisor: Prof. D.K. Berger, Prof. A.A. Myburg
Student: Yewande Orubuloye
Thesis Title: Chemical ecology of Equid-Tsetse interactions for improved control of African Trypanosomosis.
Supervisor: Dr. A.A. Yusuf
Co-advisor: Dr C.W.W. Pirk, Dr. B. Torto
Student: Desré Pinard
Thesis Title: Systems biology of organellar carbon metabolism in Eucalyptus xylogenesis.
Supervisor: Dr E. Mizrachi
Co-advisor: Prof A.A. Myburg
Student: Ronel Roberts
Thesis Title: Genetic and biological diversity of 'Candidatus Liberibacters' from South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. G. Pietersen (Stellenbosch University)
Student: Danielle Roodt
Thesis Title: The evolution of xylogenesis in the vascular plants.
Supervisor: Prof. E. Mizrachi
Co-advisors: Prof. Y. van der Peer (Gent University)
Student: Quentin Santana
Thesis Title: Population and genomic analyses on the pitch canker pathogen, Fusarium circinatum.
Supervisor: Prof. M. Coetzee
Co-advisors: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp, Prof. B.D. Wingfield, prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Mohammad Sayari
Thesis Title: Secondary metabolite pathways in Ceratocystidaceae.
Supervisor: Prof. B.D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp, Dr M van der Nest
Student: Vou Moses Shutt
Thesis Title: Bacterial pathogens of tomato in South Africa: identification, population diversity and cultivar susceptibility.
Supervisor: Prof. T.A. Coutinho
Co-advisor: Prof. J.E. van der Waals, Dr. T. Goszczynska (Agricultural Research Council)
Student: Elrea Strydom
Thesis Title: Soybean blotchy mosaic virus: Molecular characterization and seasonal persistence.
Supervisor: Prof. G. Pietersen
Student: James Tchotet Tchoumi
Thesis Title: Wood-rot fungi in the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) and surrounds of South Africa: Identification and taxonomy.
Supervisor: Prof. J Roux
Co-advisors: Dr M.P.A. Coetzee, Dr M Rajchenberg (CIEFAP)
Student: Erika Viljoen
Thesis Title: Genetic diversity analysis of the Amaranthus genus using genomic tools.
Supervisor: Prof. D.K. Berger
Student: Eric Visser
Thesis Title: Transcriptomic model of resistance mechanisms in the Pinus-Fusarium circinatum interaction.
Supervisor: Prof. S Naidoo
Co-advisors: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp, Prof A.A. Myburg
Student: Andi Wilson
Thesis Title: Unisexual reproduction in filamentous Ascomycete fungi.
Supervisor: Prof. B.D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M.J. Wingfield, Dr M. van der Nest, Dr M. Wilken
2018
Student: Tanay Bose
Thesis Title: Phytophthora species diversity associated with native and non-native forests in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr J. Roux, Prof. T. Burgess (Murdoch University)
Student: Gabrielle Carstensen
Thesis Title: Bacterial wilt of Eucalyptus: Understanding pathogenicity and the virulence of the causal agents.
Supervisor: Prof. T. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof M.J. Wingfield, Prof. S.N. Venter
Student: RunLei Chang
Thesis Title: Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with conifer-infesting bark beetles and their mites in China.
Supervisor: Prof. ZW de Beer
Co-advisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield, Prof. X. Zhou, Dr T.A. Duong
Student: Felix Fru
Thesis Title: Population genetics and ecology of Fusarium circinatum on Pinus species in eastern South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. J Roux
Co-advisors: Prof M.J. Wingfield, Prof. E.T. Steenkamp
Student: Esther Masumba
Thesis Title: Mapping of QTL associated with resistance to Cassava Brown Streak and Mosaic Disease in cassava farmer varieties from Tanzania.
Supervisor: Dr A van der Merwe
Co-advisors: Prof. AA Myburg, Dr M. Ferguson (IITA)
Student: Osmond Mlonyeni
Thesis Title: Characterisation of genetic variability in the Sirex-Amylostereum-Deladenus symbioses.
Supervisor: Prof. B Slippers
Co-advisors: Prof. BD Wingfield, Prof. MJ Wingfield, Dr J. Greef
Student: Valentine Nakato
Thesis Title: Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum: Population diversity and the identification of potential sources of resistance from accessions representing the Musa diversity worldwide
Supervisor: Prof. T Coutinho
Co-advisors: Dr E Wicker (CIRAD), Dr G. Mahuku (IITA)
Student: Margot Otto
Thesis Title: Bacterial canker of cherry trees: Insight into pathogen biology and epidemiology.
Supervisor: Prof. T Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. J. Roux, Dr Y. Petersen (ARC-Infruitec)
Student: Marike Palmer
Thesis Title: Genome based systematics of taxa in the Erwiniaceae.
Supervisor: Prof. S.N. Venter
Co-advisors: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp, Dr M. Coetzee
Student: Zelda Pieterse
Thesis Title: Fungal biodiversity associated with mesembs in the Namaqua National. Park in the Succulent Karoo biome.
Supervisor: Prof. T Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr A Venter (ARC)
Student: Vou Shutt
Thesis Title: Bacterial pathogens of tomato in South Africa: Identification, population diversity and cultivar susceptibility.
Supervisor: Prof. T Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof J van der Waals, Dr T. Goszczynska (ARC)
Student: Melissa Simpson
Thesis Title: Mating in Ceratocystis fimbriata.
Supervisor: Prof. BD Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr MA van der Nest, Dr MPA Coetzee
Student: Collins Tanui
Thesis Title: Pectobacterium brasiliense: Genes involved in ecological fitness and virulence mechanisms during potato tuber infection.
Supervisor: Prof. L Moleleki
Student: Johan van der Linde
Thesis Title: Fungi, insects and abiotic factors associated with the death of Euphorbia ingens in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. J Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. MJ Wingfield, Prof. D. Six (University of Montana)
Student: Erika Viljoen
Thesis Title: Genetic diversity studies of the genus Amaranthus using genomic tools.
Supervisor: Prof. D Berger
2017
Student: Birhan Abate
Thesis Title: Molecular characterisation and evaluation of entomopathogenic nematodes in South African forestry plantations.
Supervisor: Dr B.P. Hurley
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Mesfin Gossa
Thesis Title: Ecology and diversity of introduced Pissodes (Coleoptera: Curculionidea) in South Africa.
Supervisor: Dr B.P. Hurley
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Dr J. Garnas
Student: Aquillah Kanzi
Thesis Title: Comparative genomics of Chrysoporthe species
Supervisor: Dr A. van der Merwe
Co-advisors: Prof. B.D. Wingfield, Prof. E.T. Steenkamp
Student: Stanford Kwenda
Thesis Title: Transcriptome profiling of potato plant stems challenged with Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliense and elucidation of the role of small RNAs in Pectobacterium survival mechanisms.
Supervisor: Prof. L. Moleleke
Co-advisor: Prof. P. Birch
Student: James Mehl
Thesis Title: Factors influencing the distribution of selected species of the Botryosphaeriaceae.
Supervisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. J. Roux
Student: Jacqueline Meyer
Thesis Title: RNA-Seq and metabolic profiling of resistant and susceptible tropical maize lines reveals a role for kauralexins in resistance to grey leaf spot disease caused by Cercospora zeina.
Supervisor: Prof. D. Berger
Co-advisors: Prof. S. Murray (University of Cape Town), Prof. A.A. Myburg.
Student: Eston Mutitu
Thesis Title: Invasion history of Thaumastocoris peregrinus and development of a biological control agent.
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. J. Roux
Student: Alexander Osorio
Thesis Title: Diseases of mangrove trees in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. Z.W. de Beer, Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Priyen Pillay
Thesis Title: Characterisation of VP1 protein sensitivity against proteases and identification of agroinfiltration-induced proteases in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves.
Supervisor: Dr B.J. Vorster
Student: Siphathele Sibanda
Thesis Title: Functional analysis of quorum sensing in Pantoea ananatis LMG 2665T.
Supervisor: Prof. T.A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. L. Moleleki, Dr D. Shyntum
Student: Velushka Swart
Thesis Title: Functional genomics of the cercosporin biosynthetic gene cluster in the maize pathogen, Cercospora zeina.
Supervisor: Prof. D.K. Berger
Co-advisor: Dr B.G. Crampton
2016
Student: Elsie Magretha Cruywagen
Thesis Title: Diversity and taxonomy of fungi infecting species of Adansonia (Baobab)
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. J. Roux
Student: Gerda Fourie
Thesis Title: Evolution of mitochondrial genomes in the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex.
Supervisor: Prof. ET Steenkamp
Co-advisors: Prof. BD Wingfield, Prof MJ Wingfield, Prof. NA van der Merwe
Student: Luke Jimu
Thesis Title: Diseases and pests of Eucalyptus species in Zimbabwe with particular reference to Teratosphaeria stem canker
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield, Prof. E. Mwenje (University of Bindura, Zimbabwe)
Student: DongYeon Lee
Thesis Title: Biology of Ceratocystis albifundus and C. pirilliformis in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. J. Roux, Prof. B.D. Wingfield
Student: Waheed Mahomed
Student: Ritesh Mewalal
2015
Thesis Title: Describing the continuum of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid mediated defence response in avocado-Phytophtora cinnamomi interaction
Supervisor: Prof. N. van den Berg
Co-advisor: Dr. B. G. Crampton
Student: Ronishree Mangwanda
Thesis Title: Transcriptional profiling of Eucalyptus grandis and Chrysoporthe austroafricana elucidates host defence mechanisms and putative pathogenicity strategies
Supervisor: Dr. S. Naidoo
Co-advisor: Dr. N. A. van der Merwe, Prof. A. A. Myburg
Thesis Title: Functional characterisation of cell wall-related proteins of unknown function (CW-PUFs) in Arabidopsis thaliana
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisor: Dr. E. Mizrachi, Prof. S. Mansfield
Student: Sarai Olivier-Espejel
Thesis Title: Patterns and drivers of insect community diversity and composition in non-native black wattle and pine plantations in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. J. Garnas
Co-advisor: Dr. B. P. Hurley
Student: Markus Wilken
Thesis Title: Mating in Ceratocystis.
Supervisor: Prof. BD Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. MJ WIngfield, Prof. ET Stenkamp, Prof. ZW de Beer
Student: Gudrun Dittrich-Schroder
Thesis Title: Molecular ecology and management of Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. B. P. Hurley
Student: Gerda Fourie
Thesis Title: Evolution of mitochondrial genomes in the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex
Supervisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. N. A. van der Merwe
Thesis Title: Molecular responses of maize to its foliar pathogen, Cercospora zeina
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisor: Dr. B. G. Crampton
Student: DongHyeon Lee
Thesis Title: Invasive biology of Ceratocystis in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. J. Roux
Student: David Read
Student: Bianca ReekstingThesis Title: Improving co-existence of the citrus industry and Citrus Tristeza virus through better genotype detection and understanding populations
Supervisor: Prof. G. Pietersen
Thesis Title: Elucidating the early response of Persea americana to Phytophthora cinnamomi and flooding
Supervisor: Prof. N. van den Berg
Co-advisor: Dr. N. Taylor
Student: Stephen Taerum
Thesis Title: Origin and diversity of the invasive red turpentine beetle and its fungal symbionts
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Dr. Z. W. de Beer
Student: Stefan van Wyk
Thesis Title: Soybean nodule development and senescence: The role of cysteine proteases and their inhibitors
Supervisor: Dr. B. J. Vorster
Co-advisor: Dr. Z. W. de Beer
Thesis Title: Genomic and functional characterization in Pantoea ananatis
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. I. Toth, Dr. P. de Maayer
Student: Markus Wilken
Thesis Title: Mating in Ceratocystis
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp, Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. Z. W. de Beer
Thesis Title: Taxonomic revision of four major species complexes in the Ophiostomatales (Fungi, Ascomycota), with specific reference to associates of conifer-infesting bark beetles in China
Supervisor: Dr. Z. W. de Beer
Co-advisor: Dr. X. D. Zhou, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
2014
Student: Bertha-Lucia de Castro
Thesis Title: Diseases of coffee with particular references to those affecting stems and roots in Colombia
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. J. Roux
Student: Nanette Christie
Thesis Title: Transcriptional regulation underlying the quantitative genetic response of maize to grey leaf spot disease
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Student: Nicole M. Creux
Thesis Title: In silica and functional characterization of the cellulose synthase 1 gene promoter of Eucalyptus trees
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisor: Prof. C. Maritz-Olivier
Student: Dawit Degefu
Thesis Title: Ecology and genetic diversity of Coryphodema tristis on Eucalyptus nitens in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisors: Dr. J. R. Garnas, Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. B. P. Hurley
Student: Karen Anne Eatwell
Thesis Title: Remediation of instability in Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) in tree breeding populations
Supervisor: Prof. C. Z. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. S. D. Verryn
Student: James du Guesclin Harrison
Thesis Title: Phylogeny of the Pegyline and taxonomy of selected southern African Leucopholina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae), with an emphasis on genera of agricultural concern
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Steven Grant Hussey
Thesis Title: Functional genomics of NAC transcription factor SND2 regulating secondary cell wall biosynthesis in Arabidopsis and Eucalyptus
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. D. K. Berger, Dr. E. Mizrachi
Student: Fahimeh Jami
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and ecology of Botryosphaeriaceae associated with Acacia karroo in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. M. Gryzenhout
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Matome Eugene Makgopa
Thesis Title: Production and characterization of trangenic Arabidopsis and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) plants overexpressing oryzacystatin-1
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Student: Celia M. Martins
Thesis Title: Characterizing four cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) Mozambican landraces deposited in a seed bank for drought tolerance
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Student: Michael Mbenoun
Thesis Title: Diversity, ecology and taxonomy of tree infecting Ceratocystis species in Africa
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Eshchar Mizrachi
Thesis Title: Functional genomics and systems genetics of cellulose biosynthesis in Eucalyptus
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Divine Y. Shyntum
Thesis Title: Characterising the Type VI secretion system in Pantoea ananatis
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. S. N. Venter, Dr. L. N. Moleleki
2013
Student: Rodrigo J. Ahumada N.
Thesis Title: Diseases of Pinus radiata in Chile
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers
Student: Tuan Duong Anh
Thesis Title: Taxonomy, mating type distribution and population biology in species of Leptographium and Grosmannia
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. Z. W. de Beer
Student: Berhanu Amsalu Fenta
Thesis Title: Investigation of the physiological responses in soybean and common beans to water deficit
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Student: James du Guesclin Harrison
Thesis Title: Phylogeny of the Pegylina and taxonomy of selected southern African Leucopholina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae): with an emphasis on genera of agricultural concern
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Anand R. K. Kullan
Thesis Title: Genomic mapping of growth and wood properties in interspecific hybrids of Eucalyptus grandis and E. urophylla
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Student: Kershney Naidoo
Thesis Title: Mitochondrial genomes and concerted evolution in Ceratocystis
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Carlos Alberto Rodas Peláez
Thesis Title: Important pests and diseases of plantation grown pines and Eucalyptus in Colombia and their control
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: René Sutherland
Thesis Title: The effect of cold stress on resistance in Cavendish bananas to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense "subtropical" race 4
Supervisor: Dr. N. van den Berg
Co-advisors: Prof. A. Viljoen, Prof. A. A. Myburg
Student: Matšepo Motšelisi Taole
Thesis Title: Phylogenetic reassessment and population biology of the Eucalyptus pathogen Teratosphaeria suttonii isolated from diseased Eucalyptus leaves
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. T. I Burgess, Dr. M. Gryzenhout
Student: Marelize van Wyk
Thesis Title: Phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of species in Ceratocystis sensu lato
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
2012
Student: Ali 'Obaid Khamis Al 'Adawi
Thesis Title: Studies on Ceratocystis spp. associated with mango die-back in Oman
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. Deadman, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. I. Barnes
Student: Zacharias Wilhelm de Beer
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and phylogeny of Ophiostoma spp. with Sporothrix anamorphs and their generic relationships in the Ophiostomatales
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Lieschen de Vos
Thesis Title: Genetic linkage map and QTL analysis of a cross between Fusarium subglutinans and Fusarium circinatum
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. A. A. Myburg, Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Student: Inge Gazendam
Thesis Title: Identification and functional evaluation of a drought induced "late embryogenesis" gene from cowpea plants.
Supervisor: Prof. D.K. Berger
Co-advisor: Dr. D. Oelofse (ARC)
Student: Endale G. Kedisso
Thesis Title: Manipulation of gibberellin biosynthesis for the control of plant height in tef (Eragrostis tef) for lodging resistance
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Student: Richard G. Mitchell
Thesis Title: Reducing the risk of the pitch canker fungus (Fusarium circinatum) to Pinus patula in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Student: David Talengera
Thesis Title: Functional analysis of Cyclin D2;1-type genes expressed in transgenic banana plants
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Prof. G. T. S. Beemster
Student: Nicolaas Albertus van der Merwe
Thesis Title: Phylogeography and population biology of Chrysoporthe austroafricana and allied species
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
2011
Student: ShuaiFei Chen
Thesis Title: Fungal diseases of eucalypts in China
Supervisor: Dr. X. D. Zhou
Co-advisors: Prof. J. Roux, Prof. Y. J. Xie, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Charles Amadeus Hefer
Thesis Title: Assembly, annotation and polymorphism analysis of a draft transcriptome sequence for a fast-growing Eucalyptus plantation tree
Supervisor: Prof. F. Joubert
Co-advisors: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Student: Wubetu Bihon Legesse
Thesis Title: Understanding the global population genetics of Diplodia pinea and its life cycle in plantation pines
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. Slippers, Dr. T. Burgess
Student: María-Noel Cortinas Irazabal
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and population genetics of Teratosphaeria causing stem cankers on Eucalyptus trees
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Pieter de Maayer
Thesis Title: Genome comparisons to identify selected pathogenicity factors of a plant-associated Pantoea ananatis strain
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. S. N. Venter, Dr. P. R. J. Birch
Student: Rosita Endah Yocgo
Thesis Title: Functional characterization of two banana NPR1 genes for pathogen defense response in Arabidopsis
Supervisor: Dr. R. Chikwamba
Co-advisors: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Student: Adriaana Jacobs
Thesis Title: Taxonomy of species within the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. W. F. O. Marasas
Student: Gilbert Kamgan Nkuekam
Thesis Title: Ophiostomatoid fungi and their insect associates on Eucalyptus trees in Australia and South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Alejandro Guillermo Pérez Suárez
Thesis Title: Global genetic diversity of the Eucalyptus leaf pathogen Teratosphaeria nubilosa species complex in native forests and commercial plantations
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. B. Slippers
Student: Zacharias Hendrik Swanevelder
Thesis Title: Aphid-plant interactions and the possible role of an endosymbiont in aphid biotype development
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Dr. E. Venter
Student: Magrieta Aletta van der Nest
Thesis Title: Mycelial compatibility in Amylostereum areolatum
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. J. Stenlid
2010
Student: Aime-Didier Begoude Boyogueno
Thesis Title: Characterization of Botryosphaeriaceae and Cryphonectriaceae associated with Terminalia spp. in Africa
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Alvaro Jorge Durán Sandoval
Thesis Title: Determination and characterization of the causal agent of Pinus radiata needle blight in Chile
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. M. Gryzenhout, Prof. B. Slippers
Student: William Andile Grootboom
Thesis Title: Effect of RNAi down-regulation of three lysine-deficient kafirins on the seed lysine content of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]
Supervisor: Dr. R. Chikwamba
Co-advisors: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Student: Brett Phillip Hurley
Thesis Title: Factors influencing the control of the Sirex woodwasp in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Lorenzo Lombard
Thesis Title: Phylogeny and taxonomy of Calonectria and its Cylindrocladium anamorphs
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. P. W. Crous
Student: Bruce O'Clive Zwelibanzi Maseko
Thesis Title: Dieback of cold tolerant eucalypts associated with Phytophthora spp. in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Dr. T. I. Burgess, Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Ryan L. Nadel
Thesis Title: Molecular and chemical ecology of the Eucalyptus pest, Thaumastocoris peregrinus
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisors: Prof. M. C. Scholes, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
2009
Student: Carrie Louise Brady
Thesis Title: Taxonomic evaluation of the genus Pantoea based on a multigene approach
Supervisor: Prof. S. N. Venter
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Student: Juanita de Wet
Thesis Title: Molecular studies on the taxonomy, host-associations and viruses of the Diplodia-like anamorphs of the Botryosphaeriaceae
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. O. Preisig
Student: Irene Barnes
Thesis Title: Taxonomy, phylogeny and population biology of the red band needle blight pathogen and related species
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Ronald Natale Heath
Thesis Title: Ceratocystis species in southern and eastern Africa with particular reference to Ceratocystis albifundus
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Draginja Pavlic
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and population diversity of Botryosphaeriaceae associated with woody hosts in Southern Africa and Western Australia
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Seyed Mahdi Ziaratnia
Thesis Title: Identification and characterization of a novel phenolic compound and cinnamate 4-hydroxylase in Helichrysum aureonitens Sch. Bip.
Supervisor: Prof. J. J. M. Meyer
Co-advisors: Prof. K. J. Kunert
2008
Student: Veloshinie Govender
Thesis Title: Vigour of fungicide-treated and untreated maize seeds following storage
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. Q. Kritzinger
Student: Andrew Kiggundu
Thesis Title: Engineering plant cysteine protease inhibitors for the transgenic control of banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) amd other coleopteran insects in transgenic plants
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Prof. A. Viljoen, Prof. D. Michaud
Student: Barnabas Anthony Kiula
Thesis Title: Increasing line combining ability and gray leaf spot resistance in maize by integrating conventional with DNA marker technology
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Dr. N. G. Lyimo
Student: Sanushka Naidoo
Thesis Title: Microarray expression studies in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana infected with the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisors: Dr. K. J. Denby
Student: Pamela Paparu
Thesis Title: Plant defense responses against Radopolus similis in East African Highland bananas (EAHB-AAA) inoculated with endophytic non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum
Supervisor: Prof. A. Viljoen
Co-advisors: Dr. T. duBois, Dr. D. Coyne
Student: Anneke Prins
Thesis Title: Proteases and protease inhibitors involved in plant stress response and acclimation
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Dr. C. Foyer
Student: Carlos Alberto Pérez Rodríguez
Thesis Title: Relationship between pathogens of Eucalyptus and native Myrtaceae in Uruguay
Supervisor: Prof. R. Blanchette
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. N. Altier
Student: Barend Juan Vorster
Thesis Title: Using whole genome comparison to detect sequence similarities between plants and microbes
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Prof. C. A. Cullis
2007
Student: Sissay Bekele
Thesis Title: Identification of citrus (Citrus sinensis) postharvest pathogens from Ethiopia and their control
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Dr. T. Regnier
Student: Teresa Goszczynska
Thesis Title: Emerging diseases of maize and onion caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Pantoea
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. S. N. Venter
Student: Ahmed Idris Hassen
Thesis Title: Efficacy of rhizobacteria for growth promotion and biocontrol of Pythium ultimum and Fusarium oxysporum on sorghum in Ethiopia and South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. N. Labuschagne
Co-advisors: Prof. L. Korsten
Student: Gavin Craig Hunter
Thesis Title: Taxonomy, phylogeny and population biology of Mycosphaerella species occuring on Eucalyptus
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. P. W. Crous
2006
Student: Shahasi Yusuf Athman
Thesis Title: Host-endophyte-pest interactions of endophytic Fusarium oxysporum antagonistic to Radopholus similis in banana (Musa spp.)
Supervisor: Prof. N. Labuschagne
Co-advisors: Dr. A. Viljoen, Dr. T. Dubois, Dr. D. Coyne
Student: Getu Beyene
Thesis Title: Gene expression and plant performance in oryzacystatin-I expressing transformed tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Samsun) plants under abiotic stress
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Prof. C. H. Foyer
Student: Mesfin Bogale
Thesis Title: Molecular characterization of Fusarium isolates from Ethiopia
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. E. T. Steenkamp
Student: Sari Ramón Mohali Castillo
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and ecology of Botryosphaeria species and their anamorphs from Venezuela
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. B. Slippers, Dr. T. Burgess
Student: Bridget Genevieve Crampton
Thesis Title: Elucidation of defence response mechanisms in pearl millet
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Johan de Graaf
Thesis Title: Integrated pest management of the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar), in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. P. Govender
Co-advisors: Dr. A. Viljoen, Prof. A. Schoeman
Student: Gertina Wilhelmina du Plooy
Thesis Title: Aspects of mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit rind morphology and chemistry and their implication for postharvest quality
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Student: Marieka Gryzenhout
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and phylogeny of Cryphonectria and allied genera
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Grace Nakabonge
Thesis Title: Studies on Cryphonectria species in Africa
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Ida Paul
Thesis Title: Modelling the distribution of Citrus Black Spot caused by Guignardia citricarpa Kiely
Supervisor: Prof. A. S. van Jaarsveld
Co-advisors: Prof. L. Korsten
Student: Noëlani van den Berg
Thesis Title: Identification of genes associated with tolerance in the Cavendish banana selection, GCTCV-218, against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, 'subtropical' race 4
Supervisor: Dr. A. Viljoen
Co-advisors: Prof. D. K. Berger, Dr. P. R. J. Birch, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
2005
Student: Yoseph Beyene Aydagn
Thesis Title: Genetic analysis of traditional Ethiopian Highland Maize (Zea mays L.) using molecular markers and morphological traits: implication for breeding and conservation
Supervisor: Dr. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Student: Legesse Wolde Beyene
Thesis Title: Genetic diversity, combining ability and heterosis in maize inbred lines (Zea mays L.) for the highlands of Ethiopia
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Dr. A. A. Myburg, Dr. K. V. Pixley
Student: Quenton Kritzinger
Thesis Title: Antimicrobial activity and fumonisins associated with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. N. Lall
Student: Sabine Lezar
Thesis Title: Assessment and development of microarray-based DNA fingerprinting in Eucalyptus grandis and related species
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. A. A. Myburg, Prof. D. K. Berger, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Joseph Ndunguru
Thesis Title: Molecular characterization of cassava mosaic geminiviruses in Tanzania
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. G. Thompson, Dr. J. Legg, Dr. C. Fauquet
Student: Ella Johanna van der Linde
Thesis Title: Ergot of nut sedge in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Prof. F. C. Wehner
2004
Student: Appolinaire Adandonon
Thesis Title: Damping-off and stem rot of cowpea in Benin caused by Sclerotium rolfsii
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. M. Tamo
Student: Martin Petrus Albertus Coetzee
Thesis Title: Molecular phylogenetic studies on Armillaria with specific reference to Southern Hemisphere species
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. P. Bloomer
Student: Pascal Fandohan
Thesis Title: Fusarium infection and mycotoxin contamination in preharvest and stored maize in Benin, West Africa
Supervisor: Prof. W. F. O. Marasas
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Mauricio Alejandro Marín Montoya
Thesis Title: Phylogenetic and molecular population biology studies on Ceratocystis spp. associated with conifer and coffee diseases
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. O. Preisig, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. T. Kirisits
Student: Joseph Obagwu
Thesis Title: Developing biopesticides for control of citrus fruit pathogens of importance in global trade
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Dr. T. Regnier
Student: Yolisa Patronella Pakela
Thesis Title: Interaction between Colletotrichum dematium and cowpea
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Student: Jacqueline Elise van der Waals
Thesis Title: Epidemiology of early blight on potatoes in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling, Dr. F. D. N. Denner
Student: Schalk Willem van Heerden
Thesis Title: Studies on Cryphonectria cubensis in South Africa with special reference to mycovirus infection
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. O. Preisig, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Eduard Venter
Thesis Title: The molecular characterization of the interaction between Fusarium circinatum and Pinus patula
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Marinda Visser
Thesis Title: Molecular biological studies of the Fusarium wilt pathogen of banana in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. A. Viljoen
Co-advisors: Prof. T. R. Gordon, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
2003
Student: Deidrè Fourie
Thesis Title: Bacterial diseases of dry beans in South Africa special reference to common bacterial blight and its control
Supervisor: Prof. P. S. van Wyk
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Alemu Gezahgne
Thesis Title: Diseases of exotic plantation forestry trees in Ethiopia
Supervisor: Dr. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Pramanathan Govender
Thesis Title: Soil invertebrate pests in the re-establishment of plantations in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. C. H. Scholtz
Student: Lynelle Lacock
Thesis Title: Profiling of gene expression in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) line PI 137739 in response to Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia Mordvilko) feeding
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Student: Henrietta Myburg
Thesis Title: Molecular phylogenetic studies on species of Cryphonectria and related fungi
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Dean Oelofse
Thesis Title: Molecular approaches towards anthracnose resistance in lupins
Supervisor: Prof. I. A. Dubery
Co-advisors: Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Bernard Slippers
Thesis Title: Taxonomy, phylogeny and ecology of Botryosphaeriaceous fungi occurring on various woody hosts
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. P. W. Crous, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Christell van der Vyver
Thesis Title: Stress-induced genome alterations in plants
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Prof. C. A. Cullis
Student: Chantal van Niekerk
Thesis Title: Analysis of gene expression in Triticum aestivum L. cv. 'Tugela DN' after Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia Mordvilko) infestation
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Student: Jan Hendrik Viljoen
Thesis Title: Mycotoxins in grain and grain products in South Africa and proposals for their regulation
Supervisor: Prof. W. F. O. Marasas
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: XuDong Zhou
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and biology of Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with conifer-infesting bark beetles
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
2002
Student: Sandra Denman
Thesis Title: Botryosphaeria diseases of Proteaceae
Supervisor: Prof. P. W. Crous
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Henriette Britz van Heerden
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and population genetics of Fusarium subglutinans sensu lato on pine and mango
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. W. F. O. Marasas
Student: Ntsane Moleleki
Thesis Title: RNA viruses of Sphaeropsis sapinea and Diaporthe ambigua and their possible use as biological control agents
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. O. Preisig
Student: Esmé van Jaarsveld
Thesis Title: Phytophthora nicotianae on tobacco and its control in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. A. Drenth, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
2001
Student: Percy Maruwa Chimwamurombe
Thesis Title: Molecular plant-pathogen interactions with special reference to Eucalyptus grandis polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins and fungal polygalacturonases
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Hendrik Smith
Thesis Title: Biology of Botryosphaeria dothidea and Sphaeropsis sapinea as endophytes of eucalypts and pines in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. P. W. Crous
Student: Emma Theodora Steenkamp
Thesis Title: Molecular taxonomic studies of selected species in the Gibberella fujikuroi complex
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. W. F. O. Marasas
2000
Student: Cousins Gwanama
Thesis Title: The hererotic patterns of fruit yield and quality of Cucurbita moschata using RAPD genetics markers and combing ability estimates
Supervisor: Prof. M. T. Labuschagne
Co-advisors: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Student: Karin Jacobs
Thesis Title: The genus Leptographium: a critical taxonomic analysis
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. P. W. Crous
Student: Baone Cynthia Kwerepe
Thesis Title: Integrated pest management of Meloidogyne incognita on Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea)
Supervisor: Dr. N. Labuschagne
Co-advisors: Prof. A. S. Claassens
Student: Conrad L. Schoch
Thesis Title: Phylogenetic relationships and population dynamics of Calonectria
Supervisor: Prof. P. W. Crous
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
1999
Student: Zachee Ngoko
Thesis Title: Mycotoxin contamination of maize in relation to insect infestation, agricultural practices and agroecology in the republic of Cameroon
Supervisor: Prof. W. F. O. Marasas
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. K. F. Cardwell
Student: Daniël Jacobus Theron
Thesis Title: Fusarium dry rot of potatoes etiology, epidemiology, toxicity and control
Supervisor: Prof. W. F. O. Marasas
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Leonel Merwe van Zyl
Thesis Title: Factors associated with Coniothyrium canker of Eucalyptus in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Jacobus Francois Wolfaardt
Thesis Title: Utilization of wood-decay fungi for Biokraft pulping of softwood
Supervisor: Dr. C. J. Rabie
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
1998
Student: Celeste Linde
Thesis Title: Population structure of Phytophthora cinnamomi in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. A. Drenth
Student: Jolanda Roux
Thesis Title: Diseases of Acacia mearnsii in South Africa, with particular reference to Ceratocystis wilt
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Stephanus Hendrik Swart
Thesis Title: The biology, aetiology and control of Alternaria brown spot disease of Minneola tangelo in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. W. J. Swart
Student: Regina Cornelia Witthuhn (née Strydom)
Thesis Title: Molecular taxonomy and mating type genes in Ceratocystis sensu stricto
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. T. C. Harrington
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 