This research programme is fully funded by Citrus Research International, with emphasis on the sustainable management of important preharvest diseases, and pre- and postharvest insect pests of citrus in South Africa. The increased pressure on South African agriculture from the EU Green Deal, particularly on export crops such as citrus, necessitates the need to focus research on gaining a better understanding of the epidemiology of diseases and biology of insect pests in order to develop and advise on effective Integrated Pest Management strategies. The diseases currently under consideration in this programme are Phytophthora root rot, Botrytis grey mould and Alternaria brown spot. The complex of fruit flies (Bactrocera and Ceratitis species) and psyllids present or at risk of introduction to South Africa are the focus of our entomological research.
Citrus Health
New Publications
Theron E, van Niekerk JM, van der Waals JE. (2025) A review of the use of phosphonates in the management of Phytophthora nicotianae in citrus in South Africa. Phytoparasitica 53(11)
10.1007/s12600-024-01234-7 
Pogue T, Malod K, Weldon CW. (2025) Effects of semiochemical pre-feeding, physiological state, and weather on the response of Bactrocera dorsalis to methyl eugenol baited traps. Crop Protection 188:107015.
10.1016/j.cropro.2024.107015
Ramaoka MR, Manrakhan A, Weldon CW. (2025) Responses of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) to protein bait: Effects of tree canopy, species, physiological state and weather. Crop Protection 197:107331.
10.1016/j.cropro.2025.107331
Strydom RF, Wilson CR, Tegg RS, Balendres MA, van der Waals JE. (2024) Advancements in Spongospora subterranea: Current Knowledge, Management Strategies, and Research Gaps. Potato Research 67:1497-1537.
10.1007/s11540-024-09701-8 
Gush SL, Lebre P, Coutinho TA, Cowan D, van der Waals JE. (2024) Disentangling Shifts in the Soil Microbiome of Potatoes Infected with Rhizoctonia solani Anastomosis Group 3-PT in Search of Potential Biocontrol Agents. Phytobiomes Journal 8:128-142.
10.1094/PBIOMES-06-23-0046-R
Coutinho TA, van der Waals JE. (2024) Historical perspective on 120 years of agriculture: Highlights from research published in the SAJS. South African Journal of Science 120:Article #18965.
10.17159/sajs.2024/18965
Da Cunha VAG, Pullock DA, Ali M, Neto AOC, Ampatzidis Y, Weldon CW, Krüger K, Manrakhan A, Qureshi J. (2024) PSYLLID DETECTOR: A web-based application to automate insect detection utilizing image processing and deep learning. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 40(4):427-438.
10.13031/aea.15826
Pogue T, Malod K, Weldon CW. (2024) Effects of physiological status and environmental factors on the lure responses of three pest fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae). Journal of Chemical Ecology 50:679–700.
10.1007/s10886-024-01516-8
Pullock DA, Krüger K, Manrakhan A, Yusuf AA, Weldon CW. (2024) Addition of selected plant-derived semiochemicals to yellow sticky traps does not improve citrus psyllid captures. Journal of Chemical Ecology 50:701–713.
10.1007/s10886-024-01491-0
Theron E, Bophela K, Bisschoff J, Shin G, Coutinho TA, van der Waals JE. (2023) Survey of Soft Rot Pectobacteriaceae Infecting Potatoes in South Africa. Potato Research 66:723-749.
10.1007/s11540-022-09598-1 