Mpho Matsetela, an MSc student and Siyabonga Magagula, an extension officer, from the Macadamia Protection Programme (MaPP), recently visited several farms in Levubu, Modjadjiskool, and Mashamba in the Limpopo province. Their visit aimed to survey flower blight during the blooming season and to collect seedlings of five different cultivars for various upcoming trials. Their trip also included a visit to Amorenitia Estate and Nursery, where they collected leaves displaying concentric ringspot symptoms associated with Macadamia ringspot-associated virus.

The team further visited the University of Venda to collect samples and used this opportunity to discuss ongoing projects of the Macadamia Protection Programme. The MaPP extends its gratitude to Cornell from Amorenitia Estate and Nursery for his warm welcome and assistance with sample collection, Reneilwe from the University of Venda for providing a tour of their insectarium, and Elsje from the Levubu Centre of Excellence for her insights on macadamia cultivation and the current industry threats in South Africa.