Publications

Apr 2024

Comparative transcriptional analysis of Persea americana MYB, WRKY and AP2/ERF transcription factors following Phytophthora cinnamomi infection

Fick A, Swart V, Bombarely A, van den Berg N

Molecular Plant Pathology

Abstract Plant cells undergo extensive transcriptional reprogramming following pathogen infection, with these reprogramming...

Dec 2024

Maize–Fusarium associations and their mycotoxins: Insights from South Africa

Visagie CM, Meyer H, Yilmaz N

Fungal Biology

For maize, a staple food in South Africa, there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge on the mycotoxin-producing fungal diversity....

Apr 2024

Lethal and sublethal effects of insecticides on Bathycoelia distincta (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Pal E, Allison, JD, Hurley BP, Slippers, B et al.

African Entomology

Bathycoelia distincta is one of the most dominant stink bug pests associated with macadamia orchards in South Africa....

Apr 2024

First report of Citrus concave gum-associated virus (CCGaV) on apple (Malus spp.) in South Africa

Pietersen G, Morgan S, Read DA

Journal of Plant Pathology

Feb 2024

Climate, host ontogeny and pathogen structural specificity determine forest disease distribution at a regional scale

Caballol M, Serradó F, Barnes I, Camarero JJ et al.

Ecography

Predicting forest health at a regional level is challenging as forests are simultaneously attacked by multiple pathogens....

2024

Making genome editing a success story in Africa

Abkallo HM, Arbuthnot P, Auer TO, Berger DK et al.

Nature Biotechnology

Mar 2024

Characterization of macadamia ringspot‑associated virus, a novel Orthotospovirus associated with Macadamia integrifolia in South Africa

Robert R, Robberste N, Thompson GD, Read DA

European Journal of Plant Pathology

AbstractSouth Africa is the largest producer of macadamias in the world, producing an estimated 61,288 tons nut-in-shell in 2022....

Feb 2024

In-field climatic factors driving Sclerotinia head rot progression across different sunflower planting dates

Mapfumo P, Buthelezi S, Archer E, Swanevelder DZH et al.

Plant Pathology

Abstract Sclerotinia head rot, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum , is a major disease limiting sunflower production in tropical...

Feb 2024

A new genus and species of Cryphonectriaceae causing stem cankers on plantation eucalypts in South Africa

Hiroyuki S, Marincowitz S, Roux J, Paap T et al.

Plant Pathology

Abstract Fungi in the Cryphonectriaceae are important canker pathogens of woody shrubs and trees in the Melastomataceae and...