The International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Italy, FABI and Innovation Africa @UP partnered to host a unique workshop on the Biophysics of Spore Dispersal: Ideas for Stopping Plant Disease from 10-14 June. The workshop was organized by Prof. Tjaart Krüger, Prof. Anne Pringle (University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA) and Prof. Bernard Slippers.

Growing food (in)security is a major concern in the developing world. The workshop aimed to stimulate research on basic phenomena of the biophysics of spore dispersal, but also ask how research might be used in applied contexts. Reducing chemical use for pest management is an urgent need in Africa and globally, for cost, food safety and environmental sustainability. Research on this topic can guide more accurate use of fungicides in the short term, and explore less toxic alternatives in the long term.

The workshop was aligned with the strategies aimed at developing biophysics research on the African continent. Furthermore, the workshop was also a strategic step to enhance collaboration between the recently established National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS) and ICTP, in line with their recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The aim was to have intensive engagements on (a) how to build biophysics on the African continent and (b) ask whether the biophysics of pathogen spore dispersal (which is hardly studied) offers potential targets for the disruption of plant disease.

Keeping in mind these twin aims, the workshop included lectures and discussions around the following topics:

1. Introduction to biophysics
2. Introduction to mycology and biology of spore development and release
3. Environmental factors influencing fungal spore development, release, and dispersal
4. Basics of fluid dynamics and the physics of spore dispersal
5. Application of physics of spore dispersal to the management of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a global plant pathogen with a wide host range and strong impact

The main workshop was attended by 24 participants from South Africa, Botswana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Finland, Italy and the USA. The first day of the workshop was an open day, and was attended by 52 people in person and more than 70 virtually.  Participants represented an interdisciplinary group involving Plant Pathology, Mycology, Physics, Mathematics, Plant Sciences and the Arts.

The workshop was opened by Mr. Jan Hendrik Venter, Director of Plant Health: Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. The remainder of the day included 8 more talks from leading international experts from South Africa, Finland, Italy and the USA. The day concluded with a discussion on the way forward with Biophysics of Spore Dispersal as an emerging field, with a focus on its relevance to African plant health in particular. Recordings of the talks are available here.

During the rest of the week, core participants explored key open questions on biophysics of spore dispersal and generated ideas as to how this knowledge could be used for stopping plant disease. With this aim, the participants worked in small groups to develop project ideas based on the core themes identified. Project ideas taken up by these groups included biophysics and mathematical modelling of spore dispersal, spore morphology influences on plant pathogen ecology, case studies of a key pathogen (experimental model system) Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and development of capacity, networking and funding opportunities. Participant groups working on core themes gave presentations to the group and received feedback for further development. Working groups incorporated the feedback and developed project management plans for implementation of the projects beyond the workshop.

Each workshop day also included an activity related to some element of the workshop. These activities, for example, included a ‘plant disease walk’, where participants engaged with experts in real world settings on the Future Africa campus and experimental farm, observing plant diseases and reflecting on the ideas generated at the workshop. The third day included a workshop on microscopy, including digital microscopy of spore shape (using the first digital microscope set up in Africa). The final day included a visit to the Javett @UP Art Centre. Art-Science interface was a discussion topic throughout the workshop.

The workshop had many outcomes and opportunities. These included for example a raised awareness and inspiration amongst students and established researchers about the value and potential of Biophysics of Spore Dispersal for plant health; Connecting African and international networks and capacity on the topic of Biophysics of Spore Dispersal; Capacity development and knowledge sharing on key topics in Biophysics of Spore Dispersal; Development of a roadmap for building and managing an international network, anchored in Africa, on Biophysics of Spore Dispersal; Advancing support for Biophysics in Africa; Identification of research gaps and questions, and progress on developing ideas towards projects and proposals, as well as teams around these ideas; Identification of potential partners and funding sources for Biophysics of Spore Dispersal. The projects emerging from the meeting have significant potential to impact plant disease management (potentially influencing modeling, breeding, treatment of disease, decision making of application of chemicals, new chemical options), biosecurity (monitoring of plant pathogens) and the bioeconomy (novel economic opportunities linked to the plant health and biosecurity topics mentioned); Development of Science Art and Communication abilities, as well as creative problem-solving methods and skills.

The participants were very positive about their experience at the workshop. Some of their comments were:

“The workshop far exceeded my expectations because gaining a basic understanding of biophysics completely changed my perspective on the disease cycle and the occurrence of infection in the field.”

“The workshop met and exceeded my expectations in the shared motivation and already developing community spirit, and also in the level of concreteness of the outputs.”

“More than I expected. Super cool to be part of the start of biophysics @UP centring around and relating to plant pathology.”

“I'd like to thank all the participants for their kindness. These days spent at Future Africa will remain forever engraved in my heart. Beyond the biological and physical knowledges of fungal spore dispersal and their consequences, I lived in a pleasant and friendly environment. I learned a lot in such a short time.”