Publications

Jun 2024

A diverse range of Phytophthora species from botanical gardens in South Africa, including the novel Clade 5 species, Phytophthora mammiformis sp. nov.

Paap T, Balocchi F, Burgess TI, Bose T et al.

Fungal Systematics and Evolution

The genus <i>Phytophthora</i> contains many destructive and globally important plant pathogens. In the last decade, targeted...

Mar 2024

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is the causal agent of Sclerotinia stem rot on peanut (groundnut) in South Africa

Bornman S, Thomas C, Ntladi S, Wilken PM

Australasian Plant Disease Notes

AbstractSclerotinia stem rot on South African groundnut was previously attributed to Sclerotinia minor, but recent infections...

May 2024

Sex pheromone receptor Ste2 orchestrates chemotropic growth towards pine root extracts in the pitch canker pathogen Fusarium circinatum

Ramaswe JB, Steenkamp ET, De Vos L, Fru FF et al.

Pathogens

In ascomycetous fungi, sexual mate recognition requires interaction of the Ste2 receptor protein produced by one partner with the...

May 2024

Disentangling shifts in the soil microbiome of potatoes infected with Rhizoctonia solani Anastomosis Group 3-PT in search of potential biocontrol agents

Gush S, Lebre P, Coutinho TA, Cowan DA et al.

Phytobiomes Journal

Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group (AG) 3-PT is a devastating pathogenic fungus that causes several diseases in potatoes both...

Feb 2024

Advancements in Spongospora subterranea: Current knnowledge, management strategies, and research gaps

Strydom RF, Wilson CR, Tegg RS, Balendres MA et al.

Potato Research

AbstractPowdery scab was first documented on locally sampled potatoes in Braunschweig, Germany. A hundred and eighty-one years...

Sep 2024

LAMP assay to detect Elsinoë necatrix; an important Eucalyptus shoot and leaf pathogen

van Heerden A, Pham NQ, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ et al.

Plant Disease

Eucalyptus scab and shoot malformation caused by Elsinoë necatrix is an emerging disease and a serious threat to the global...

Apr 2024

Expression of honey bee (Apis mellifera) sterol homeostasis genes in food jelly producing glands of workers

Abdullahi Yusuf, Christian Pirk , Anja Buttstedt

Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A Ecological and Integrative Physiology

AbstractAdult workers of Western honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) acquire sterols from their pollen diet. These food sterols are...

Feb 2024

Best practices for colony management: a neglected aspect for improving honey bee colony health and productivity in Africa

Nganso, Beatrice T., Soroker, Victoria, Osabutey, Angelina F., Pirk, Christian W. W. et al.

Journal of Apicultural Research

Feb 2024

A Hitchhiker’s Ride: The Honey Bee Louse Braula Coeca (Diptera: Braulidae) Selects its Host by Eavesdropping

Yusuf, Abdullahi, Pirk, Christian, Crewe, Robin

Journal of Chemical Ecology

The bee louse Braula spp. had until recently a distribution coincident with its host the honey bee. The adult fly usually...