ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute PLANT PROTECTION NEWS January—March 2015 Newsletter of the Plant Protection Research Institute (PPRI), an institute in the Crop Sciences Programme of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Inside this issue: ARC-PPRI SCIENTIST RECEIVES AWARD ARC-PPRI scientist 1 receives award Dr Sandra Lamprecht was elected as a fellow of the Southern African Society of Plant Pathology Biosystematics 2-6 (SASPP) during the 49th congress in January 2015. She was awarded this fellowship in recognition of Pesticide Science 7-8 her outstanding accomplishments in Plant Patholo- gy, specifically soilborne diseases, as well as sup- Plant Microbiology 9-11 port for and service to the Society and to Plant Pa- thology in southern Africa. Weeds Research 12-13 For the past 24 years Dr. Lamprecht has actively Technology Transfer 14 promoted the field of soilborne diseases in South Africa by hosting annual symposia of the Soilborne Plant Diseases Interest Group. The soilborne sym- posia have acted as a focal point to bring together plant pathologists and scientists from other disci- plines in South Africa who focus on soilborne plant diseases and plant health. One of the outstanding features of these symposia is that multidisciplinary collaboration is actively promoted as the symposia are attended by researchers from disciplines such as agronomy, botany, economy, entomology, genet- ics, horticulture, microbiology, soil microbiology, mycology, nematology, plant pathology, plant physi- ology, soil science and zoology. The symposia are attended by international experts and representa- Dr Sandra Lamprecht (left) receiving the award from tives of research councils, national and provincial Prof Teresa Coutinho, President of the Southern Departments of Agriculture, private companies, African Society of Plant Pathology (right). Editorial Committee universities and farmers and are supported by many role players in South Africa who regard this as one Mariette Truter & During her career as a soilborne plant of the major annual events. This event also pro- Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman pathologist, Dr Lamprecht has published 57 motes the image of plant pathology in South Africa (eds) peer-reviewed articles, and regularly reviews and thereby indirectly, also the SASPP. Almie van den Berg articles for international journals. She has Ian Millar made 42 presentations at international confer- Marika van der Merwe ences and 96 presentations at local confer- Annette de Klerk ences or symposia. Dr. Lamprecht is also very Petro Marais active in communicating her research to the Elsa van Niekerk industry with 26 semi-scientific publications and Lin Besaans 43 presentations at farmer’s days or infor- mation days. She has supervised one MSc General enquiries student and co-supervised nine MSc students and one PhD student. She is currently the co- Plant Protection Research supervisor of three PhD students. Institute Private Bag X134 The relevance and success of the disease Queenswood management programmes she has developed 0121 have also been acknowledged by the SASPP South Africa with the Applied Plant Pathology award she received in 2006. It is evident that Dr Lam- e-mail: [email protected] precht has made a highly significant contribu- website: tion to the field of soilborne diseases in South http://www.arc.agric.za Africa. © Information may be From left to right: Drs Gert Marais, Sandra Lamprecht and Contact Yared Tewoldemedhin at used freely with acknowl- John Purchase after the JE Vanderplank Memorial Address [email protected] edgement to the source. Sandra presented during the 49th SASPP congress. Page 2 PLANT PROTECTION NEWS Biosystematics Red Listing of South African Spider Species The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was inspired by the species an endemicity index (EI) has been calculated based on their world community's growing commitment to sustainable develop- distribution patterns. The EI was calculated using data on current ment. It represents a dramatic step forward in the conservation of distribution which included six categories, ranging from species biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the known only from the type locality, to cosmopolitan species (Table 1). fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic All the species with an EI value of 3-6 are endemic to South Africa resources. The IUCN Red Listing activity is the world’s most com- and will be accessed. All the species with EI values of 1-2 can be prehensive information source on the global conservation status of listed as being of less concern because of their wide distribution wild species and their links to livelihoods. Far more than a list of patterns. species and their status, it is a powerful tool to inform and catalyse action for biodiversity conservation, critical to protecting the natural Armed with this knowledge, Dr Theresa Sethusa and Mrs Domitilla resources we need to survive. Raimondo from TSP joined Dr Ansie Dippenaar and Ms Robin Lyle at the Biosystematics building from the 23rd to 27th of March 2015 The Arachnida Unit in Biosystematics, along with the Threatened to evaluate 76 species of spiders for placement on the Red List, Species Programme (TSP) of the South African National Biodiversi- and to determine their status nationally. These 76 species will add ty Institute (SANBI), has been working over the last few years to to the 120 species that were done at the 11th Colloquium of the prepare information that can be used to evaluate the South African African Arachnological Society in Bloemfontein in January 2014. A spider species against the ICUN Categories and Criteria. It has second workshop for the year will be held in June 2015. After com- been possible to evaluate the spiders because for each of the 2170 pleting all the species, a book with the evaluations will be produced. The information will also feed into the species pages being generated by SANBI for the Encyclopaedia of Life. Table 1. Level of endemicity used to determine the ende- micity index for each species 6 = endemic to South Africa, known only from the type locality 5 = endemic to South Africa known only from one prov- ince 4 = endemic to South Africa known only from two adjoin- ing provinces 3 = endemic to South Africa known from >2 provinces 2 = endemic to southern Africa 1 = endemic to Africa; 0 = world-wide Contact: Robin Lyle at [email protected] and Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman at [email protected] Participants of the Red Listing workshop. From left to right: Robin Lyle, Ansie Dippenaar, Domitilla Raimondo and Theresa Sethusa. Spider diversity of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park: uMkhuze Game Reserve The Biosystematics Arachnida Unit has been participating in an atlas field Crab spider, research programme hosted by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Threat- Mystaria savan- ened Species Project. The surveys started in 2007 and were conducted in nensis Lewis & the uMkhuze section of the iSimangaliso (formerly known as the Greater Dippenaar- St Lucia) Wetland Park under the leadership of Xander Combrinck. Schoeman, 2014 Arachnids were collected as part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park new from Threatened Species Project, Operation Wallacea and Wildlife & Ecologi- uMkuze Game cal Investments. Sampling included the use of 250 pitfall traps at 10 differ- Reserve ent sample stations, as well as active searches including sweep netting, bush beating, and searching under rocks for arachnids. Operation Wal- lacea (www.opwall.com) makes use of volunteers, mainly undergraduate students, from UK universities but also school children. Carol Smith of the Spider Club led the arachnid collecting part of the survey in 2008. All sampled arachnid material, comprising more than 3500 specimens, has been donated to the National Collection of Arachnida (NCA) in Preto- Crab spider, ria. To date, 42 spider families represented by 247 species have been Sylligma ndumi identified and accessioned into the NCA. A final report on the diversity of Lewis & Dip- the reserve was prepared in February 2015. Several species are new to penaar- science, and another three species have recently been described with Schoeman, 2011 uMkhuze as their type locality. A paper on the arachnid diversity of new from iSimangaliso Wetland Park: uMkhuze is currently in preparation. uMkuze Game Reserve Contact: Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman at [email protected] or Robin Lyle at [email protected] PLANT PROTECTION NEWS Page 3 Biosystematics (continued) Arachnid Bio-Blitz at Lephahlale A second bio-blitz was recently undertaken at the farm Zandriver in the Limpopo Province. During the first bio-blitz survey in March 2014, a total of 71 spider species were sampled and photographed by Peter Webb. The specimens were identified at the Spider Unit and accessioned in the National Collection of Arachnida (NCA). All the photographs were loaded onto the SANSA virtual museum. The second bio-blitz took place during the weekend of 14-15 March 2015. The arachnid collection now includes members of four arachnid orders: pseudoscorpions, solifugids, scorpions, spiders, and a whip spider. They were all sampled and pho- tographed by Mr Peter Webb. The checklist of spiders present at Lephahlale has increased by 46 species to a total of 117 species. All the material was deposited in the NCA and the photographs have been loaded onto the virtual museum. Contact: Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman at [email protected] A net-throwing spider Deinopidae Menneus camelus from Zan- driver Course on urban insects presented to Coopers Environmental Science The middle of March saw the Entomology Unit abuzz with activity, preparing and presenting a course for Coopers Environmental Sci- ence. The course was specifically developed for Coopers, who sent two very keen delegates, eager to learn more about the pests they commonly encounter. Coopers Environmental Science is a supplier of pest control products throughout South Africa and various other African countries. Staff at the Entomology Unit enthusiastically im- parted their knowledge, while covering the following topics: general insect morphology; collecting methods; killing and temporary stor- age; labelling, accessioning and dispatching of specimens; identifi- cation of mites and insects in an urban environment including grass- hoppers, cockroaches, bugs, lice, fleas, flies, stored grain pests and termites. A very full two days were concluded with a tour of the insect collections at the Biosystematics Division, followed by the presentation of certificates. Contact: Vivienne Uys at [email protected] Dr Cornel du Toit demonstrating material to course participants VISIT OF ISRAELI COLLEAGUE Dr Eric Palevsky of the Department of Entomology, Newe-Ya'ar Research Centre, Israel visited the ARC-PPRI Biosystematics Divi- sion from 8-13 March 2015. This visit resulted from a taxonomy course on soil mites that Prof. Eddie Ueckermann presented in Israel from 27 January to 13 February 2014. Prof. Ueckermann assisted Dr Palevsky with the identification of soil mites that were collected during surveys in Israel. This collaboration is part of a project that involves searching for potential biological control agents for root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in pepper and tomato and for the control of bulb mites, Rhizoglyphus robini, gnats and thrips pupae, or overwintering stages of pests, in soils. Data based on this material will also contribute towards identification keys to the species of some of these soil mite families that are being prepared for publication. Contact: Prof Eddie Ueckermann at Uecker- [email protected] Left to right: Dr Pholoshi Maake, Dr Eric Palevsky, Prof Eddie Ueckermann, and Ms Tshidi Makutoane Page 4 PLANT PROTECTION NEWS Biosystematics (continued) 49th Congress of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology Several staff members from Biosystematics, Plant Microbiology and Africa. [Poster] Weed Research divisions attended the biennial conference of the Pavlic-Zupanc D, B. Piškur, B. Slippers, M.J. Wingfield, D. Jurc. 49th congress of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology 2015. Molecular and morphological characterization of Dothiorella (SASPP) that were held at Bains Game Lodge near Bloemfontein, species associated with dieback of Ostrya carpinifolia in Slovenia Free State Province from 18-21 January 2015. The programme and Italy, and a host and geographic range extension for D. parva. included a variety of sessions including ecology and epidemiology; [Poster] pathogen genetics; disease management (biological control, chemi- Pennells S, le Roux PAL, Jacobs-Venter A & Gryzenhout M. 2015. cal control and host plant resistance); pathogen characterisation Selected Fusarium species isolated from grazing lawn soils in the and identification; and mycotoxins. Two workshops were held dur- Kruger National Park. [Poster] ing the congress, one on fungicide application technology and plant Pieterse Z, Jacobs-Venter A & Aveling TAS. 2015. Culturable disease control and the second on GenBank and other online re- fungi associated with mesembs in the Namaqua National Park of sources to identify unknown fungi. It was an excellent opportunity to the succulent Karoo biome. [Poster] present research findings not only to the Plant Pathology community Retief E, Lamprecht SC & McLeod A. 2015. Characterization of of South Africa but also various attendees from overseas and the Verticillium and nematodes associated with tomatoes in the Lim- industry. Dr Sandra Lamprecht presented the JE Vanderplank Me- popo province in South Africa. [Poster] morial Address on invitation. The title of her presentation was Con- Tewoldemedhin YT & Lamprecht SC. 2015. Pythium species as- fessions of a serial Soilborne Plant Pathologist – 30 years of digging sociated with soilborne diseases of soybean in South Africa. holes, and finding my way out of them. The congress will be re- [Poster] membered for the high quality applied research presentations deliv- ered by researchers and students. Contact Dr Mariette Truter at [email protected] ARC-PPRI presented 8 oral presentations and 11 posters as listed below: Australian visitor to the National Oral presentations: Collection of Fungi Dube JP, Truter M & Van der Waals JE. 2015. Reduced sensitivity to QoI in Alternaria alternata isolates from potato in South Africa. [Oral] Prof Brett Summerell, the Deputy Executive Director of Science and Moloto VM, Goszczynska T & Coutinho TA. 2015. New pathovar Conservation Botanic Gardens and Centennial Parklands in Austral- of Pseudomonas syringae from onion plants. [Oral] ia, visited the National Collection of Fungi (NCF) on an NRF-ARC Moloto VM, Coutinho TA & Goszczynska T. 2015. Characterisa- funded visit during the first weeks of March. Brett is a world- tion and identification of Agrobacterium species from South Africa. renowned Fusarium expert, author of more than 100 peer-reviewed [Oral] publications and co-author of the Fusarium Manual, a book very Muzhinji N, Woodhall J, Truter M & Van der Waals J.2015. A survey well-known to mycologists. During his visit, he spent time in the of genetic diversity of Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis groups laboratory with students involved in the Fusarium grasslands project associated with potatoes in South Africa. [Oral] at both the ARC and the University of Johannesburg. He demon- Truter M, Kandolo D, Thompson A, Cloete M, Nkosi Z, Dau N & strated Fusarium-specific laboratory techniques and discussed Oelofse D. 2015. Re-evaluation of Alternaria species causing preliminary results, as he will act as co-supervisor of these studies. Alternaria blight on sweet potato in South Africa. [Oral] His visit also included a sampling trip to Melville koppies during Tewoldemedhin YT & Lamprecht SC. 2015. Detection and dis- which soil samples were collected for analyses. Brett’s inputs also tribution of sudden death syndrome of soybean in South Africa. extend to other collaborative projects currently under way between [Oral] ARC-PPRI and ARC-VOPI, such as Fusairum wilt of sweet potato. Van Coller GJ, Lamprecht SC & Viljoen A. 2015. Resistance of One of the highlights of his visit was the seminar he presented at South African wheat cultivars and test lines to Fusarium head the University of Pretoria on the current species concepts in the blight caused by F. graminearum s.s. and F. pseudograminearum. genus Fusarium. As Brett will be co-presenting the International [Oral] Fusarium workshop in South Africa in 2016, we hope to host him Wood AR. 2015. The life cycle of Uromycladium tepperianum: again at the NCF. things are not what they seem. [Oral] Contact: Riana Jacobs at [email protected] Poster presentations: Bopape FL & Hassen AI. 2015. Investigating the tolerance to extreme environmental conditions by commercial strains of Rhizo- bia from the South African Rhizobium Culture Collection (SARCC). [Poster] Kgatle MG, Ramusi TM, Flett B, Truter M & Aveling TAS. 2015. A survey of Alternaria species on sunflower in South African produc- tion fields. [Poster] Goszczynska T, Moloto VM, Coutinho TA, Botha WJ & Jacobs- Venter A. 2015. A new disease of banana, scaly black spot of fruit, caused by Xanthomonas species. [Poster] Moloto VM, Goszczynska T & Coutinho TA. 2015. Bacterial pathogens in onion seed. [Poster] Ncedana C, Pavlic-Zupanc D & Roux J. 2015. Botryosphaeria- ceae associated with Acacia erioloba (camel thorn) die-off in the Kathu area, Northern Cape. [Poster] Nkosi BZ, Jacobs-Venter A, Cloete M, Thompson AH, Oelofse D & Rees J. 2015. Characterization of Fusarium oxysporum species complex associated with Fusarium wilt of sweetpotato in South Prof Brett Summerell during his visit PLANT PROTECTION NEWS Page 5 Biosystematics (continued) New appointments in Biosystematics Nematology: Chantelle Jansen Mycology: Maano Tshimange Chantelle started as a Ph.D. student in the Professional Develop- ment Programme at the National Collection of Nematodes. She has an MSc in Envi- ronmental Sciences from the North West University where she was introduced to the world of nematodes. Her project will be on the nematodes of the Groenkloof Nature Reserve, with ample opportunity to develop her skill as a nematode Miss Maano Tshimange joined the Mycology unit in March 2015 in biosystematist, under the supervision of Prof. Driekie Fourie, North the Professional Development Programme as an MSc student in West University and Dr Mariette Marais, ARC-PPRI. Chantelle says Microbiology at the Department of Microbiology and Plant Patholo- she is very excited to be a part of the biosystematics team, is very gy, University of Pretoria under the supervision of Dr Mariette Truter humbled by the opportunity that the ARC has given her, and intends (ARC-PPRI) and Dr Wilhelm de Beer (Forestry and Agricultural grabbing it with both hands. Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria). Maano is investigat- ing the diversity of fungi in the Pleosporaceae (Dothideomycetes, Contact: Dr Mariette Marais at [email protected] Ascomycota) on agricultural important crops and other plants asso- ciated with agriculture. Important genera of the Pleosporaceae include Alternaria, Bipolaris, Curvularia, Epicoccum, Phoma-like and Stemphylium, of which some species are important plant pathogens Mycology: Angel Maduke that could cause significant economic losses if not controlled. Fun- gal strains collected during the study will be characterised based on morphological characteristics and on a multi-gene phylogeny. Miss Angel Maduke joined the Mycology Unit at the Contact Dr Mariette Truter at [email protected] ARC-PPRI in February 2015 as a postgraduate student in the Professional Development Programme. Nematology: Moloko Olga Motheketlela She obtained a BSc Agric degree from the University of the Free State, majoring Miss Moloko Olga in Plant Pathology and Soil Motheketlela was appoint- Science. During her under- ed as a support research graduate study she has assistant in plant patholo- had the opportunity to work gy at ARC-Grain Crops as a laboratory assistant for Institute in November a well-known mycologist, 2009. She was transferred Dr Marieka Gryzenhout, to the Nematology unit at Senior Lecturer at the Uni- the Biosystematics Divi- versity of the Free State. sion in January 2015 as a That experience further research assistant. She stimulated her interest in has experience in screen- Plant Pathology and particularly in Mycology, and Miss Maduke ing of plant material for desired to pursue her postgraduate degrees in these fields. She disease developments, was accepted for her MSc degree at the Department of Microbiolo- plant measurements, gy and Plant Pathology at the University of Pretoria. In her research sampling of plant material, project, Miss Maduke will focus on the diversity, distribution and preparation of research pathogenicity of Botryosphaeriaceae (Dothideomycetes, Ascomyco- material as well as planting trials. She is currently spending most of ta) on native and exotic Myrtaceae trees including Syzygium, Heter- her time in the extraction laboratory fulfilling that essential part of opyxis and Eucalyptus species in eastern and southern Africa. She nematode systematic research and diagnostic services, extracting will be doing her project under the supervision of Prof.Jolanda Roux the nematodes from soil and plant material. of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Uni- versity of Pretoria, and Dr Draginja Pavlic-Zupanc at ARC-PPRI. Contact Dr Mariette Marais at [email protected] Contact Dr Draginja Pavlic-Zupanc at [email protected] Page 6 PLANT PROTECTION NEWS Biosystematics (continued) Biosystematics bids farewell to valuable staff Entomology: Mr Simon Mamogale Mycology: Mrs Grace Kwinda Simon Mamogale In November 2014 the Mycol- started working for ogy Unit bid farewell to a long the Plant Protection -standing colleague and Institute within the friend, Grace Kwinda. Grace Department of Agri- was affiliated with the Mycolo- culture as a general gy Unit for 13 years. She assistant in Novem- started as a Department of ber 1983, and end- Science and Technology ed up as a research volunteer and contract worker assistant when he on the National Karnal Bunt left over 31 years Survey for the Department of later, in February Agriculture, Forestry & Fish- this year. Mr Mamo- eries, and later became a gale played an im- junior researcher in the unit. portant role as a Grace was primarily responsi- member of the insect collections management team. He was re- ble for the curation and sponsible for the sorting of material, checking for pest infestations maintenance of fungal cul- within the collection as well as the preparation and labelling of tures in the PPRI living cul- specimens, which eventually led to him specialising in beetles. He ture collection of the National was also highly skilled at making collections equipment, and his Collection of Fungi. Her ef- departure therefore leaves a big gap in the Entomology unit. Mr forts resulted in an addition and safeguarding of 10 353 living cul- Mamogale will be greatly missed for his years of experience and tures. Grace not only curated the PPRI collection, but was also contribution to the Institute. We wish him all the best with his early closely involved in lecturing aspects of the Introductory Mycology retirement. Course and all student orientation in the unit. She also served as our health and safety officer for a number of years. No task was Contact: Khumo Mwase at [email protected] ever too small or insignificant for Grace. Grace will be greatly missed by us all! Contact: Dr Riana Jacobs at [email protected] Mycology: Mr Prechers Dikhoba and Miss Lucia Maluleke Mycology: Miss Madira Manganyi Lucia and Prechers spent the last 16 Madira left the Mycology months at the Mycolo- unit in December 2014 gy Unit as contract after a short appointment research technicians. as research technician in Although, they previ- February 2013. As the ously worked within only permanent research the ARC and had technician within the My- diverse experience in cology unit, Madira ful- laboratory techniques, filled essential tasks in the mycology was not daily running of the fungal their main focus. At identification service, the Mycology they were living PPRI collection and responsible for various dried PREM collection of activities within the the National Collection of research project soil Fungi, laboratory man- Fusarium survey in agement, equipment the grassland biome of South Africa under the supervision of Dr maintenance and re- Riana Jacobs. Activities included sample collection, isolating and search support. She was always willing to help and advice students preserving almost 900 fungal cultures in the PPRI collection. They with daily laboratory work. Her positive outlook on life and enthusi- were also part of the collections team with various responsibilities asm towards research contributed greatly to a dynamic and produc- pertaining to client requests, new accessions and maintenance of tive mycology team. the collections, as well as the fungal identification service helping out with sample processing for fungal identifications. They were Contact Dr Mariette Truter at [email protected] great team members, who played to each of their strengths. Their enthusiasm will be missed and we wish them all the best. Contact: Khumo Mwase at [email protected] PLANT PROTECTION NEWS Page 7 Pesticide Science ARC-PPRI host STOPRATS review workshop The first annual review workshop of the StopRats project partners of the University of Ven- (Sustainable Technologies to Overcome Pest Rodents in Africa da, at Polokwane during February Through Science) was hosted by ARC-PPRI at the ARC Conven- 2015 (Fig. 2). tion Centre in Hatfield, Pretoria, during March 2015 (Fig. 1). To raise awareness and visibility StopRats is a project funded by the European Union (ACP-EU of the StopRats project, Emil Cooperation Programme in Science and Technology) aimed at presented an overview of the bringing together African rodent experts to strengthen science, project “Sustainable technologies technology and innovation on ecologically-based rodent manage- to overcome pest rodents in Afri- ment as a key enabler for poverty reduction, growth and socio- ca through science: StopRats” at economic development. The project is managed by the Natural the ARC-PPRI Research Sympo- Resources Institute, University Greenwich in the UK, and has sium at Roodeplaat in November seven project partners in six African countries: ARC-PPRI and the 2014. The project and activities University of Venda in South Africa, the University of Namibia, has also been introduced to a University of Swaziland, Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tan- wider audience through papers presented at international symposia. zania, Association Vahatra in Madagascar and Concern World- Stoprats project leader Professor Steve Belmain provided overview wide in Sierra Leone. The project has an External Advisory Board talks about the project such as “The StopRats project: The next of three independent, internationally respected experts. The ARC step in delivering ecologically based rodent management in Africa” -PPRI team consists of Emil von Maltitz, Phanuel Malebana and at the 5th International Conference on Rodent Biology and Manage- Frikkie Kirsten, all from the Pesticide Science Division. ment in Zhengzhou, Henan in China during August 2014 and at the 12th African Small Mammal Symposium (ASMS) in Madagascar in All the project partners (excluding those from Sierra Leone due to April 2015. the Ebola situation) and advisory board members, as well as guests from the Centre for Wildlife Management of the University Stoprats partners were well presented at the 12th ASMS held at of Pretoria and Rat-O-Pel in Port Elizabeth, attended the work- Mantasoa in Madagascar (Fig. 3), contributing as presenters or co- shop in Pretoria from 10 to 13 March. Partners presented their authors of 33% of the papers and 24% of the posters at the sympo- progress and achievements over the first year, and discussed the sium. Emil was funded by StopRats to attend and present a paper planned activities going forward. “Chemical control; short-term solution to manage gerbil damage to maize”, results of a research project conducted in the maize pro- StopRats aims to link researchers across Africa and to develop ducing areas of the western Free State, at the symposium. their wider networks with civil society organisations, businesses and policy makers in order to evaluate relevant national/regional Based on training models used in Madagascar (Fig. 4), regional policies on rodent management, build capacity in staff and institu- field biology schools will be established in West, East and southern tions, and increase awareness about rodents; the problems they Africa to increase skills of post-graduate students and early career cause and their ecologically-based management. researchers in order to inspire a new generation of rodent experts. For this purpose, Phanuel attended a 10-day field school hosted by The ARC-PPRI team are founder members of Rodenticide Inte- StopRats partner, Association Vahatra, in the forest of Ambohitan- grated Management (RIM) Group, which is a Gauteng-based tely in Madagascar during October 2014. He also attended the rodent pest control manufacturer, operator and research discus- StopRats field school at the Lajuma Research Centre in the sion group that aims to improve standards in rodent control, to Luvhondo Nature Reserve in the Soutpansberg near Louis Trichardt develop effective safe use of rodenticides and to look for the pos- (Fig. 5). This international field school was led by the University of sibility of rodenticide resistance. Representatives of the group and Venda’s South African Research Chair in Biodiversity and Change the PPRI team (industry and research) participated in the StopRats northern-Limpopo regional stakeholder workshop, which included representatives of small-holder farmers from rural communities and government agricultural advisors in the prov- ince. The stakeholder’s workshop was hosted by the StopRats Fig. 2. Farmer community stakeholder workshop, Limpopo Fig. 1. StopRats review workshop, Pretoria Page 8 PLANT PROTECTION NEWS Pesticide Science (continued) PPRI host STOPRATS review workshop (continued) in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve (SARChI), during the first week of March 2015. Field activities and lec- tures were led by experts in zoology, trapping programmes, as well as in parasitology of birds and small mam- mals such as bats, rodents and shrews. For more information on StopRats visit our website at http://projects.nri.org/stoprats/ Contact: Emil von Maltitz at [email protected] Fig. 3. Arrival of Stoprats partners at 12th African Small Mammal Symposium ASMS, Mantasoa in Madagascar. Fig. 5 StopRats field school, Limpopo Fig. 4 Field school, Madagascar. PLANT PROTECTION NEWS Page 9 Plant Microbiology Characterization of novel lineages of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter afri- canus’ from indigenous rutaceous hosts of Trioza erytreae Greening disease in South Africa is associated with a A B C phloem-limited member of the Alphaproteobacteria known as ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus’ (Laf). Spread of this bacterium is assisted by the flight and feeding activities of its triozid vector, Trioza erytreae. In addition to Laf, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus subsp. capensis’ (LafC) has been described from this country. LafC is widely associated with Calodendrum capense (Cape Chestnut), an indigenous Rutaceous species. Despite the implementation of control strategies, citrus greening remains problematic suggesting the existence of reservoir hosts to Laf. In a CRI funded study, Prof. D E F Gerhard Pietersen and Mrs. Ronel Roberts set out deter- mine the existence of such reservoirs amongst the indig- enous hosts (Fig. 1) of T. erytreae. During various field trips, samples from 234 Clausena anisata (horsewood tree), 289 Vepris lanceolata (white ironwood) and 231 Zanthoxylum capense (small forest knobwood) were collected throughout the natural distri- bution of these trees in South Africa. Total DNA was extracted from samples and tested for the presence of liberibacters by a generic Liberibacter TaqMan real-time PCR assay. Fig. 1 Native hosts of Trioza erytreae a) healthy and b) triozid infested Clausena Liberibacters present in positive samples were characterised by anisata; c) healthy growing Vepris lanceolata in Knysna, Western Cape; d) amplifying and sequencing rplJ, omp and 16S rRNA gene regions. Leaves of V. lanceolata showing characteristic T. erytreae infestation; e) Bark of The identity of tree host species from which liberibacter sequences Zanthoxylum capense found in KwaZulu-Natal; f) Z. capense leaf with evidence of previous triozid infestation. were obtained was verified by sequencing host rbcL genes. Fig. 2 Maximum likelihood phylogeny of liberibacter based on the rplJ sequences obtained from the Clausena, Vepris and Zanthox- ylum samples examined in this study, as well as for Laf, Las and Lam. Bootstrap support values based on 1000 replicates are indicated at the branches. The number of sequenced liberibacter-positive samples per tree host is indicated in square brackets. Fig. 3 Maximum likelihood phylogeny of Liberibacter based on the omp sequences obtained from the Clausena, Vepris and Zan- thoxylum samples examined in this study, as well as for Laf, Las and Lam. Bootstrap support values based on 1000 replicates are indicated at the branches. The number of sequenced liberibacter-positive samples per tree host is indicated in square brackets. Page 10 PLANT PROTECTION NEWS Plant Microbiology (continued) Characterization of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus’ (continued) Of the trees tested, 33 Clausena, 17 Vepris, and 10 Zanthoxy- Initially we set out to determine whether reservoir hosts exist for Laf. lum tested positive for liberibacter. Phylogenetic analysis of the However, typical citrus-infecting Laf were not detected in any of the in- rplJ (Fig. 2) and omp (Fig. 3) gene regions revealed unique digenous rutaceous specimens tested, hence these native Rutaceae clusters for liberibacters associated per tree species. Phyloge- hosts of T. erytreae do not appear to play a role in the epidemiology of netic analysis of 16S rRNA (Fig. 4) sequences indicated that Laf on citrus. We were, however, able to identify novel liberibacters from liberibacters obtained from Vepris and Clausena were identical all three tree hosts tested. Further studies are needed to determine to 16S rRNA sequences for LafC, whereas those from Zanthox- whether these liberibacters are transmitted to commercial citrus and ylum species grouped separately. Due to the homology of the whether any of these Liberibacter subspecies are capable of causing liberibacters identified from this study to Laf, it was proposed disease on commercial citrus species. Additionally, the association of that these libeibacters are granted subspecies status. Names various Laf subspecies with native Rutaceae trees presents researchers corresponding to the hosts from which these liberibacters were with a unique opportunity to explore the possible evolution of Laf on identified from were given for these new Liberibacter subspe- citrus from a liberibacter source indigenous to the African continent. cies as follow; ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus subsp. clausenae’ (LafCl), ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus subsp. Contact: Ronel Roberts at [email protected] and Gerhard Pie- vepridis’ (LafV) and ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus subsp. tersen at [email protected] zanthoxyli’ (LafZ). Fig. 4 Maximum Likelihood phylogeny of the genus Liberibacter based on the 16S rRNA sequences obtained from the Clause- na, Vepris and Zanthoxylum samples examined in this study, as well as for all known liberibacters and related Proteobacteria. Bootstrap support values based on 1000 replicates are indicated at the branches. The number of sequenced liberibacter- positive samples per tree host is indicated in square brackets. Escherichia coli (V0038) was used as the outgroup. Sudden death syndrome of soybean Sudden death syndrome (SDS) (Fig. 1) is responsible for economi- cally devastating reductions in yields of soybean in North and South America, including in Argentina, Brazil, Canada and United States. Since its initial detection in Arkansas in the early 1970s, SDS of soybean has been reported in all major production areas within North and South America. From 1996 to 2005, SDS was listed as one of the most important diseases of soybean in the United States, and it was described as a premature dying of soybeans after flower- ing and before maturity. The fungus SDS is caused by four closely related soilborne fusaria that are morphologically and phylogenetically distinct species Fusarium brasiliense, F. crassistipitatum, F. tucumaniae and F. virguliforme. All species are found in Argentina, while F. virguliforme is the only species present in North America and the three species except F. virguliforme have been reported in Brazil. Recently in South Africa (in 2013), SDS was spotted in a commercial soybean field (Lydenburg) in Mpumalanga and F. virguliforme (Fig. 2) was identi- Fig. 1 Sudden death syndrome in a commercial soybean field in fied as the causal agent. After the first detection of SDS in Lyden- Mpumalanga at pod filling stage of the plant. burg, it has been found in other areas of South Africa including