Mr Didier Begoude

PhD Student

Research Interests

I joined the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) and the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) group early in 2007 from Cameroon to start a PhD program in Plant Pathology and Microbiology. The aim of my PhD is to investigate diseases of Terminalia species in Africa. This tree has qualities that are now enabling it to play a major role in the implementation of various agricultural systems in Western and Central Africa. However, up to now, no thorough survey of the diseases affecting plantations of African Terminalia trees in their native areas has been properly conducted as has been done for other important tree genera. This survey will identify possible fungal pathogens on these trees, as well as their means of infection and spread. Research will also be conducted into possible management strategies to reduce the impact of the diseases found on these Terminalia trees.