Miss Alinke Labuschagne

MSc Student
Seed Science

Research Interests

 

Masters Work

I am currently testing the effect of different fungicidal seed treatments on the germination vigour of maize and also the efficacy of these compounds in controlling seedborne pathogens (Pythium, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia). During the past six months I have isolated the three pathogens both from soil and plant material and tested their pathogenicity in petri dishes and paper-dolls. I have also tested the vigour of maize seed by determining moisture content and doing standard germination, saturated cold test, accelerated ageing and rate of germination tests.

 

Honours Work

During the final year of my BSc (Agric) in Plant Pathology I did a research project in the area of food safety dealing specifically with the attachment and colonization of foodborne pathogens (such as E.coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus) on the surface of pear fruit. In this project I gained experience in working with human pathogens, experimental design and analysis and also working with a scanning electron microscope.

 

 

 

Questions for fellow scientists

If you have the answers to any of these questions or any advice please do not hesitate to contact me

Does anyone know where I can find accelerated ageing boxes (ones that seal and with a grid to keep the seeds out of the water)?

Does anyone have any isolates of Pythium, Fusarium or Rhizoctonia that are highly pathogenic on maize or have untreated seeds of cultivars that are particularly susceptible to these diseases? 

When I\'m not working...

I love the outdoors and my hobbie include (but are not limited to) Hiking, fly-fishing, scuba diving, stunt-kite flying, playing piano and ballroom dancing. I'm also passionate about the cutest little chihuahua with the heart of a lion: Meeko

 

 

 

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