FABIans engage with the grain industry about fungicide resistance in maize pathogens 2022-07-25
Dr David Nsibo and members of the Molecular Plant Pathogen Interactions (MPPI) research group in FABI recently hosted Adriana Anthonissen, the chairperson of the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) South Africa and Grain SA’s Research and Policy Officer, Dr Miekie Human. During the meeting, the team discussed the risk of fungi developing resistance to fungicides used on cereal crops in South Africa and why industry (chemical and seed companies) should partner with universities to understand fungicide resistance dynamics. These partnerships will generate knowledge towards the effective management of fungicide resistance. The meeting was ended by a tour through the lab during which Marné van Butzelaar explained her MSc project and showed the team her experimental set up and preliminary results on testing for fungicide resistance in Exserohilum turcicum, the causal agent of Northern leaf blight in maize. The meeting was also attended by MSc student Jabulile Mahlangu and Prof. Dave Berger from the MPPI research group.