Me Monique Heystek
Hons Student
Molecular Plant-Pathogen Interactions
Research Interests
I joined the MPPI group as undergraduate lab assistant in 2009. Upon completion of my B.Sc Plant Biotechnology degree, I
joined the group again for my Honours year, working in the project: Genomics of Quantitative Disease Resistance in African Maize Varieties. My Honours research project involves a
"candidate gene approach" in maize. Previous microarray experiments conducted by the MPPI group had indicated the gene’s up-regulation during grey leaf spot (GLS) infection. I aim to
confirm this increase in expression levels and thus the genes role in plant resistance to GLS using RT-qPCR.
GLS has a significantly negative impact on especially maize yields in all major maize-producing areas worldwide. Cercospora zeina is the causal agent of GLS in South-Africa. Symptoms are displayed as rectangular greyish leaf lesions and severe infection eventually leads to early senescence and reduced yield. Estimated crop losses could be as high as 100% under severe epidemic conditions. A strategy to implement maize resistance to GLS would be of global agricultural and economic importance.
GLS has a significantly negative impact on especially maize yields in all major maize-producing areas worldwide. Cercospora zeina is the causal agent of GLS in South-Africa. Symptoms are displayed as rectangular greyish leaf lesions and severe infection eventually leads to early senescence and reduced yield. Estimated crop losses could be as high as 100% under severe epidemic conditions. A strategy to implement maize resistance to GLS would be of global agricultural and economic importance.
