Mr Hardus Hatting
Technical Staff
Research Interests
Background
I
finished my national diploma in Forestry in 2002 and did a B-Tech degree in Agriculture in 2007 with the focus on biological control. This was to implement and broader my scope on
integrated pest management in both Forestry and Agricultural crops.
Research
Interest
I
started working for the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute in 2003 where I did field diagnosis in Entomology and tree disease evaluation with specific focus on the biological
control of the Sirex woodwasp. Currently I am busy with my research proposal for my M-tech degree in forestry.
My
work experience from 2002 to 2010 includes
Field
research
- Field diagnosis and disease evaluation
- Insect pest consultation
- Field inoculations
- Monitoring of insect pests and their biological control agents
- Preparing and implementing research trials to promote optimum biological control in the future.
Laboratory
work
- Experiment preparation and implementation
- Culture maintenance
- Breeding of biological control agents
Training
- I have experience in training of personnel and the implementation of Human Resource Management
- I also have experience in presenting short courses to undergraduates
I play an important role in implementing the mass breeding of the biological control agents for the Sirex wood wasp and the release and monitoring of the parasitic nematodes in South Africa. To make sure we produce and send virulent nematodes on an annual basis to the Forestry industry, I need to maintain cultures of the parasitic nematodes on both fungus and liquid nitrogen. The nematodes are the main biological control agent for Sirex. When you look at my critical performance area, it is very important to identify risks and provide information on the breeding techniques of the biological agents of Sirex and therefore I need to manage the Sirex technical team on every day laboratory tasks. I am also involved in presenting at field days to interact with farmers and industry regarding Sirex in South Africa.
Publications:
Hurley BP, Slippers B, Croft PK, Hatting HJ, van der Linde M, Morris AR, Dyer C, Wingfield MJ . 2008. Factors influencing parasitism of Sirex noctilio (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) by the nematode Deladenus siricidicola (Nematoda: Neotylenchidae) in summer rainfall areas of South Africa. Biological Control 45: 450-459.
Roux J, van Wyk M, Hatting H, Wingfield MJ. 2004. Ceratocystis species infecting stem wounds on Eucalyptus grandis in South Africa Plant Pathology 53: 414-421.
