Miss Marija Kvas

MSc Student
DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology

Research Interests

The aim of my project is to determine the diversity of Fusarium species associated with floral malformation of the indigenous, myrtaceous tree, Syzygium cordatum (waterberry). Throughout its native geographic range in South Africa, waterberry suffers from a disease that is characterized by abnormally enlarged, excessively branched and sterile inflorescences. The Fusarium species isolated from the diseased floral tissue were grouped using morphology and DNA sequence information. The results indicate that malformed waterberry inflorescences are colonized by highly diverse Fusarium species belonging to the sections Elegans, Gibbosum and Arthrosporiella, as well as the Gibberella fujikuroi complex. The majority of the Fusarium isolates examined so far appears to represent novel lineages and/or species of this genus. This suggests that previously unexplored ecological niches such as the one examined in this study represent significant sources of many novel fungi.

"Aspire to inspire before you expire."

Conferences

Oral presentations

Kvas M, Herron DA, Steenkamp ET, Rodas CA, Wingfield MJ. 2009. Novel Fusarium lineages in the Gibberella fujikuroi complex are associated with Pinus species in Colombia. Proceedings of 46th Congress of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology and 6th Congress of the African Mycology Association, 25-28 January 2009, Gordon’s Bay, South Africa.

Kvas M, Steenkamp ET, Wingfield BD, Marasas WFO, Wingfield MJ. 2008. Fusarium isolates representing novel lineages in the Gibberella fujikuroi complex colonize malformed Syzygium cordatum inflorescences. 10th International Fusarium Workshop and Fusarium Genomics Workshop, 30th August - 2nd September 2008, Alghero, Sardinia, Italy.

Kvas M, Steenkamp ET, Al Adawi AO, Deadman ML, Al Jahwari AA, Marasas WFO, Wingfield BD, Ploetz RC, Wingfield MJ. 2008. Mango malformation in the Sultanate of Oman. 9th International Congress of Plant Pathology, 24-29 August 2008, Torino, Italy.

Kvas M, Steenkamp ET, Wingfield BD, Marasas WFO, Wingfield MJ. 2008. DNA-based methods reveal an unexpected diversity of Fusarium species associated with malformed waterberry inflorescences. 20th South African Genetics Society Congress, 27-29 March 2008, Pretoria, South Africa.

Kvas M, Steenkamp ET, Wingfield BD, Marasas WFO, Wingfield MJ. 2006. Fusarium species associated with Syzygium cordatum floral malformation. Proceedings of 44th Congress of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology, 22-25 January 2006, Magalies Park, Hartbeespoort, South Africa. South African Journal of Science 103 (1/2): xi

Kvas M, Marais GJ, Steenkamp ET, Lübben A. 2005. Mycotoxigenic fungi associated with commercial pet food. Proceedings of 43rd Congress of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology, 23-26 January 2005, Hartenbos, South Africa. South African Journal of Science 101 (7/8): 314.