Publications

Feb 2025

Enhancing plantation forest sustainability: A review of Eucalyptus defence mechanisms to foliar fungal pathogens

Solís M, Hammerbacher A, Wingfield M.J, Naidoo S

Current Forestry Reports

Abstract Purpose of the Review In this review, we synthesize knowledge generated over many decades on the main defence responses...

Jan 2025

Flavonoids and anthocyanins in seagrasses: implications for climate change adaptation and resilience

Botes J, Ma X, Chang J, Van de Peer Y et al.

Frontiers in Plant Science

Seagrasses are a paraphyletic group of marine angiosperms and retain certain adaptations from the ancestors of all embryophytes...

Feb 2025

Several Seiridium species (Sporocadaceae: Xylariales) cause cypress canker in South Africa

Aylward J, Atkins S, Roets F, Wingfield BD et al.

Fungal Biology

Cypress canker is an important fungal disease caused by at least seven different Seiridium species. The disease has been known on...

Jan 2025

In silico characterisation of the avocado WAK/WAKL gene family with a focus on genes involved in defence against Phytophthora cinnamomi

Harvey A, van den Berg N, Swart V

Frontiers in Plant Science

The avocado industry faces a significant threat from the hemibiotrophic oomycete pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. A variably...

Dec 2024

DNA sequence data confirms the presence of two closely related cypress-feeding aphid species on African cypress (Widdringtonia spp.) in South Africa

Wondafrash M, Wingfield MJ, Hurley BP, Slippers B et al.

Southern Forests

Jan 2025

The impact of past and current district-level climatic shifts on maize production and the implications for South African farmers

Mangani R, Mazarura J, Matlou S, Marquart A et al.

Theoretical and Applied Climatology

Abstract South Africa’s climate studies generally focus on coarser provincial levels, which aid policy recommendations, but have...

Jan 2025

The impact of past and current district-level climatic shifts on maize production and the implications for South African farmers

Theoretical and Applied Climatology

Abstract South Africa’s climate studies generally focus on coarser provincial levels, which aid policy recommendations, but have...

Jan 2025

Branch canker battles: understanding and managing the Botryosphaeriaceae in avocado

Möller H, Slippers B, van den Berg N

Phytoparasitica

Abstract Avocado holds an important position in global agriculture and economic development. However, this thriving industry...

Dec 2024

The Pine pathogen Diplodia sapinea: Expanding frontiers

Wingfield MJ, Slippers B, Barnes I, Duong AT et al.

Current Forestry Reports

Abstract Purpose of Review This review offers a thorough examination of the pine pathogen Diplodia sapinea , tracing its...