FABI research on tree fern death continues
Iconic tree ferns Alsophila (Cyathea) dregii have been observed dying in southern Cape forests for some years.
7 Jun 2021
3 Jun 2021
FABI investigates bark beetles and their fungal associates on South African Cedar trees
During 2020, FABI initiated a research project focused on the fungi associated with bark beetles infesting, especially the Clanwilliam Cedar Widdringtonia (cedarbergensis) wallichii.
2 Jun 2021
Chemical Ecology under the spotlight at the FABI International Seminar Series
Leading chemical ecologist, Prof. Jonathan Gershenzon, of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology was the guest speaker at the May FABI International Seminar Series.
1 Jun 2021
FABI team considers research progress on Phytophthora die-back of Silver trees in Kirstenbosch
During the second week of May a group of FABI researchers joined Stellenbosch University colleagues to inspect silver tree (Leucodendron argenteum) research being conducted in Kirstenbosch.
31 May 2021
Milkwood trees dying in the Hermanus area of the Western Cape
FABI tree health researchers have recently been requested to inspect relatively large numbers of milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme) trees that have been dying in the Hermanus area of the Western Cape.
30 May 2021
FABIans present at the SASM conference
FABI was well represented at the 21st Biennial Conference of the South African Society of Microbiology (SASM) took place virtually between 4-6 May.
27 May 2021
Mycotoxins: behind the scenes
Members of the Applied Mycology research group at FABI embarked on a day trip to the Southern African Grain Laboratory (SAGL) in Pretoria on Thursday 20 May.
26 May 2021
Applied Mycology group visits Bayer Crop Science
On 6 May, members of the Applied Mycology group within the bigger Grain Research Program at FABI, visited the Bayer Crop Science experimental farm in Petit, Gauteng.
24 May 2021
Pictures speak 1000 words about plant health
To celebrate the International Year of Plant Health 2020 and the role plants play in our lives, the South African National Seed Organization (SANSOR) organised a photo competition for professionals and amateurs alike.
11 May 2021
Three Mad-Macs in KZN
The Macadamia Protection Programme’s (MPP) ‘Mad-Macs’ team went on another field trip, this time to the KwaZulu-Natal south coast!
10 May 2021
32nd Annual Symposium of the TPCP and CPHB
The 32nd Annual Symposium of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) and DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Plant Health Biotechnology (CPHB) in FABI was hosted as a six-hour long hybrid meeting on 4 May.
9 May 2021
Student training through the SANBI-funded Sentinel Plant Project in South African botanical gardens
Drs. Mesfin Gossa and Trudy Paap initiated a link with the Department of Horticulture at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) to discuss possibilities of student training via the Sentinel Plant Project.
6 May 2021
The PSHB takes FABI researchers to Somerset West
FABI Field extension officer Shawn Fell, joined by PhD candidate Josephine Queffelec and field extension intern Jabulile Mahlangu travelled to Somerset West during the week of 26 April.
5 May 2021
Farewell to Darryl Herron
On Thursday 29 April, a small group of FABIans gathered to say an emotional farewell FABI stalwart and PhD candidate Darryl Herron who leaves the Institute after 14 years to take up a research position at Scion in New Zealand.
3 May 2021
Record turnout for FABI’s International Seminar Series
FABI was proud to host it’s monthly International Seminar on 29 April with more than 200 participants from across the globe, all keen to hear US Forest Services’ Dr Andrew “Sandy” Liebhold speak on the “Macroecology of insect invasions”.
23 Apr 2021
FABI's Internship Programme is growing
Two more candidates joined the FABI Internship programme on 1 April.
22 Apr 2021
Contributing to the USDA Beech Leaf Disease Workshop
Dr. Katrin Fitza and other international speakers from were given the opportunity to present on their work on an online workshop hosted by the USDA.
21 Apr 2021
Tree planting day for the Mad Macs team
On Tuesday 20 April, members of the Macadamia Protection Programme (MPP) in FABI planted approximatively 300 macadamia trees from various different cultivars that are grown commercially by the industry.
13 Apr 2021
Brett Hurley appointed as ICFR Research Associate
Professor Brett Hurley has been appointed as a Research Associate of the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) strengthening the long and close association between the Institute, especially with the ICFR’s Dr Ilaria Germishuizen, and the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme in FABI.
8 Apr 2021
Engaging small holder farmers to use digital disease diagnostic support tools
FABI has partnered with Grain SA and Social Coding to engage smallholder farmers to connect with the Institute’s diagnostic clinic via its digital platform.
6 Apr 2021
FABI bids Fahimeh farewell
A small group of FABIans attended a farewell function for Dr Fahimeh Jami who leaves the Institute after 14 years to join the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).
2 Apr 2021
Discovering biologically-active fungal metabolites from unexplored species
The March guest presenter of the FABI International Seminar Series was the world-renown Prof. Marc Stadler who present on his research activities linked to the discovery of biologically active fungal metabolites from new and hitherto unexplored species.
1 Apr 2021
Partnership to bring big data techniques to Africa’s agriculture and forestry sectors
Advance.io is partnering with Innovation Africa @UP to bring artificial intelligence and big data techniques to the continent’s agricultural and forestry sectors.
29 Mar 2021
Mike Wingfield participates in the Australian Myrtle Rust Symposium
FABI Professor and Advisor to the Executive of the University of Pretoria joined the Australian Plant Biosecurity Science Foundation's National Symposium on Myrtle Rust to present a keynote presentation.
25 Mar 2021
Prof Brenda Wingfield and Dr. Tuan Dong to receive prestigious UP awards
The FABI team was delighted to learn this past week that the University of Pretoria (UP) will recognise Prof Brenda. Wingfield and Dr Tuan Duong for their research excellence.
23 Mar 2021
Augmentative biological control of the Sirex woodwasp continues in 2021
FABI technical staff, Sophie Nyoni and Pritty Khumalo, have again produced millions of nematodes for the control of the Sirex woodwasp.
15 Mar 2021
Online launch of forestry pests and diseases book
The official launch of the recently-published book “Important insect pests and diseases of Pinus and Eucalyptus in Colombia” by Dr Carlos Rodas and Prof. A PDF of the book is freely available for download by clicking here.
12 Mar 2021
Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer online resource
The PSHB Research Network in FABI has been at the forefront of research and field extension work, and to this end has created an online resource for use by both the public and academia.
10 Mar 2021
Many hands make light work at the TPCP tree planting
Some 50 students linked to the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) in FABI replanted more than 1700 Eucalyptus and 200 pine seedlings on the morning of 5 March.
8 Mar 2021
GRP team visits farms in the Eastern Cape and KZN
The Grain Research Program (GRP) team in collaboration with the University of the Free State’s Department of Plant Sciences team embarked on a field trip to the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
3 Mar 2021
FABI researchers work with Sappi in KwaZulu-Natal
FABI team members visited various Sappi holdings in KwaZulu-Natal during the week of 22 February.
26 Feb 2021
Drivers and brakes of pathogen emergence
Professor Daniel Croll of the University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland was the guest presenter of this month’s FABI International Seminar Series on 25 February.
19 Feb 2021
In memoriam: Professor Stefan Neser
Stefan passed away on Wednesday, 17 February 2021. Our deepest condolences to his wife Ottilie, his children, other members of his family, and the many special friends that he had in South Africa and abroad.
19 Feb 2021
Macadamia research program’s field visit to Mpumalanga
The Macadamia Protection Program (MPP) is back in the field! MPP research group leader Dr Gerda Fourie, joined by MSc candidate Dee Twiddy and PhD candidate Elisa Pal travelled to the Mpumalanga area during the week of 9 February.
18 Feb 2021
FABI biocontrol centre imports Anaphes nitens from Australia
Despite travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a shipment of Anaphes nitens collected in Queensland, Australia was received by the FABI biocontrol facility at the University of Pretoria’s experimental farm last week.
17 Feb 2021
Two FABIans attend the Leadership Academy for Agriculture
During the first week of February, two FABIans, Drs Mahlane Godfrey Kgatle and Miekie Human attended the first of three sessions of the “Leadership in the Connection Economy Programme”.