Mr Ronald Heath

PhD Student

Research Interests

I completed my B-Tech degree in Forestry in December 2000 at Saasveld (PE Technikon) specializing in Woodland ecology and management, Fire ecology and management, Environmental management and Silviculture. In 1999 I was employed by the Hans Merensky foundation as an assistant forester at the Northern Timber estate in the Northern province. During my employment there I gained experience in various aspects of forestry such as human resource management, forest enumeration, fire prevention and fire control. I also assisted in minor research projects, which included growth modeling of indigenous species as well as foliage and soil sampling in order to determine the relation between soil nutrient levels, uptake of nutrient by trees and tree growth.

I joined the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) and the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) group later in 1999 as a research assistant. I recently completed my MSc degree in Plant pathology and Microbiology. The aim of my study was a disease survey of Myrtaceae and Melastomataceae (especially Eucalyptus, Syzigium and Tibouchina spp.) investigating the infection of Myrtaciouse hosts by known Eucalyptus pathogens such as Cryphonectria cubensis, Endothiella spp. and Botryosphaeria spp. In this study we also investigated the possible origin of the South African form of C. cubensis infecting Eucalyptus spp. as well as native Syzygium spp.

The aim of my PhD is to investigate the role of insects in the transmission and infection of Eucalyptus and Acacia species by wilt pathogens in the genus Ceratocystis. During this study I will include an investigation into the role of wounding on infection by Ceratocystis spp. as well as the mode of infection of the fungus. I will also investigate the population structure of C. albofundus, a wilt pathogen known to be native to Africa, to investigate the host of origin of this pathogen.

My hobbies include the propagation and maintenance of Bonsai plants and Orchard species but my passion in my spare time is carpentry. This passion was instilled in my hart by my grandfather and over the years he has taught me not only to work with wood, but to appreciate the time, work and love behind working with timber. He also taught me to do the best you can and this I apply to every thing I approach in life.