HonsBSc / MSc / PhD
(Plant Pathology)

 
Postgraduate programmes

HonsBSc (Plant Pathology)

Requirements for admission
A BSc degree with Microbiology or Genetics or Botany or Biotechnology as a major. An average final mark of 60% is required in the applicable modules. Supplementary study may be required.

Composition and content
The one-year honours programme in Plant Pathology leads to the qualification BScHons in
Plant Pathology. The programme consists of further specialised study in Plant Pathology.
Supplementary studies may sometimes be required. The modules and study tasks add
greater depth of learning, building further on a bachelor's programme with Microbiology or
Genetics or Botany or Biotechnology as major subject. The programme is research- and
career-oriented and is based on modern technology and the most recently available research
in Plant Pathology. It links up with research projects carried out in the Department.
The programme consists of the following four modules:

Modules
Plant Pathology 771 Advanced plant disease dynamics
Components of plant diseases, such as the plant pathogens that cause them, the host
factors that influence their development and the environmental conditions that favour
them. Diseases of national and international importance and the damage they cause to
food production in the world. The dynamics of pathogens associated with seed and
nursery plants, as well as those causing soil-borne, foliar and fruit diseases before
harvest, and decay and damage after harvest.

Plant Pathology 772 Advanced disease management
The importance of epidemiology in control and management of plant diseases through
the integration of cultivation practices, physical, biological and chemical strategies (seed
technology, minimum manipulation, plant quarantine, sanitation practices and
resistance). The mode of action of fungicides and the management of fungicide
resistance in fungal populations. Biological control. Development and production of
biocontrol systems for soil-borne, plant and fruit pathogens.

Plant Pathology 773 Research methodology
Relevant and current experimental approaches and methods of analysis used in plant
pathology. Experimental design and statistical analysis, molecular methods, phylogenetic
analysis, paper reviews.
Subject to continuous assessment.

Plant Pathology 774 Project management and presentation
Course work will include lessons in project identification, planning and execution,
writing of research proposals and reports, presentation of research findings, scientific
collaboration and ethics in science. Exercises in project planning and execution will be
conducted under supervision. A literature study and scientific findings will be presented
as scientific manuscripts and as an oral presentation.
Subject to continuous assessment.

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MSc (Plant Pathology)

Requirements for admission
BScAgric (Plant Pathology)
BScHons (Plant Pathology)

Composition and content
The programme consists of only a research component.

Master's thesis
Research projects can be selected from one of the following themes: Fungal taxonomy (description and reclassification of known and new fungi by the application of various methods, such as molecular technology); applied molecular plant pathology, including the use of molecular-based techniques for the detection, diagnosis and characterisation of plant pathogenic populations of vines, deciduous fruit, citrus and agronomic crops; pre- and postharvest pathology in deciduous fruit, vines and citrus (status and behaviour of inocula on fruit surfaces, infection processes and plant resistance reactions); stem diseases in vines (ethiology, diagnosis, epidemiology and integrated management); use of fungicides (spray technology) and fungal resistance (sensitivity in wild populations and disruption after fungicide exposure, management of fungicide resistance in fruit orchards, vine yards and agronomic crops: integrated management (chemical, biological and alternative compounds) of diseases in deciduous fruit, vines, citrus and agronomic crops. New or existing disease epidemics of economic importance are also researched.

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PhD (Plant Pathology)

Requirements for admission
MSc (Plant Pathology) or MScAgric (Plant Pathology)

Composition and content
A dissertation containing original research is required.

PhD's dissertation
Research projects can be selected from one of the following themes: Fungal taxonomy (description and reclassification of known and new fungi by the application of various methods, such as molecular technology); applied molecular plant pathology, including the use of molecular-based techniques for the detection, diagnosis and characterisation of plant pathogenic populations of vines, deciduous fruit, citrus and agronomic crops; pre- and postharvest pathology in deciduous fruit, vines and citrus (status and behaviour of inocula on fruit surfaces, infection processes and plant resistance reactions); stem diseases in vines (ethiology, diagnosis, epidemiology and integrated management); use of fungicides (spray technology) and fungal resistance (sensitivity in wild populations and disruption after fungicide exposure, management of fungicide resistance in fruit orchards, vine yards and agronomic crops: integrated management (chemical, biological and alternative compounds) of diseases in deciduous fruit, vines, citrus and agronomic crops. New or existing disease epidemics of economic importance are also researched.

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New available postgraduate research projects for 2013

MSc research projects are available for 2013 in the following research programmes:

  • Fusarium Research (Prof Altus Viljoen)

     Silencing fumonisin-producing genes in Fusarium verticillioides by RNA interference

    OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT:
    To demonstrate that small RNAs can effectively silence essential genes and gene regulators in F. verticillioides, the following experiments will be executed:
    •The selection of target genes and gene regulators
    •Characterization of candidate genes
    •Post-transcriptional gene silencing
    •Phenotypic assays for loss of function
    BACKGROUND:
    Fusarium verticillioides is responsible for Fusarium ear rot (FER) and contaminates maize with fumonisins, a group of mycotoxins that causes serious illness and immune suppression in humans and animals. Recent progress made with research on small RNAs and host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) now provides an opportunity to use this technology against F. verticillioides and fumonisin production in maize grain. By targeting genes involved in fungal development, pathogenicity and fumonisin production in F. verticillioides, we hope to interfere with fungal growth and metabolism, and thereby prevent the pathogen’s ability to infect maize and produce fumonisin. If successful, this technology could later be used for HIGS. From a biotechnological perspective, silencing of fungal genes by generating RNAi in the host would provide a strategy for developing maize resistant to F. verticillioides and fumonisin production. In the current project Stellenbosch University, in collaboration with researchers in Germany and the USA, will identify and test genes that could eventually be considered for HIGS of FER and mycotoxin contamination of maize.
    PROJECT OUTLINE:
    In the proposed study, regulatory and functional genes in F. verticillioides involved in fungal development, pathogenicity and fumonisin production will be identified. Fusarium verticillioides will then be transformed with RNAi constructs containing sequences of such genes to determine whether they have an effect on fungal development and mycotoxin production. If successful, we will investigate whether inhibition of toxin formation is durable throughout pathogenesis. The proposed project will not proceed to attempt HIGS, and will only identify candidate genes that could in future be used for HIGS.
    PROJECT SUPERVISION:
    This work will be undertaken within the programme on Fusarium diseases of staple food crops at Stellenbosch University in collaboration with the ARC-GCI and international collaborators. The successful candidate will be working in a research team that includes national and international scientists, and under the supervision of Prof. Altus Viljoen and Ms Lindy Rose.

    Identification and characterization of pathogenicity genes in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense

    OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT:
    •To disrupt putative pathogenicity genes in Foc by means of targeted/directed mutagenesis
    •To screen mutants for loss of their pathogenicity to banana
    •Identification of disrupted genes by PCR
    •Confirmation of gene function by gene knockout and complementation studies
    BACKGROUND:
    Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is considered the most important plant pathogen of bananas in the world. During the early 1900’s, Foc race 1 resulted one of the most significant plant disease epidemics in agricultural history when a disease called Fusarium wilt (Panama disease) affected thousands of hectares of export plantations of Gros Michel banana in Central America. In the past two decades, a destructive new variant of the fungus, called Foc tropical race (TR) 4, destroyed Cavendish plantation in Asia. A related form, Foc subtropical (STR4), is present in South Africa, where it has reduced banana production by 70% in some production areas. By understanding the fundamental mechanisms by which the fungus grows, recognizes, infects and causes disease to plants, we may be able to develop novel, stable, and environmentally sound disease management practices aimed at interfering with fungal pathogenesis. In the current project Stellenbosch University, in collaboration with researchers in China and the USA, will identify genes associated with pathogenicity to banana. These could potentially be used for host-induced gene silencing of Foc in future.
    PROJECT OUTLINE:
    In the proposed study, plasmids containing a gene encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) will be randomly inserted at random locations in the genome of Foc STR4 and Foc TR4. In addition, specific genes identified as putative pathogenicity genes will be disrupted by means of targeted/directed mutagenesis. Mutants generated will then be screened for loss of their pathogenicity to banana, and the disrupted genes identified by PCR. The function of the identified genes will be confirmed by gene knock-out and complementation studies.
    PROJECT SUPERVISION:
    This work will be undertaken within the programme on Fusarium diseases of staple food crops at the SU in collaboration with the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences (China) and the Broad Institute (USA). The successful candidate will, thus, be working in a research team that includes national and international scientists, and under the supervision of Prof. Altus Viljoen and Ms Diane Mostert.

  • Fruit and Post-harvest Pathology (Dr Cheryl Lennox)

    Fungicide Resistance of Pome Fruit Pathogens

    The research project will focus on shifts in fungicide sensitivity of pome fruit pathogens from South African orchards. The student will gain experience in field work, laboratory techniques and critical approaches to research planning and implementation. The aim is to develop an understanding of fungal biology and the molecular basis of fungicide resistance of plant pathogens. Further objectives include the development of transferable skills, such as the ability to work in a team, and practice scientific writing and public speaking. Completion of the MSc training will provide the opportunity for students to gain and enhance skills required by research organisations and consultants or companies in the field of crop protection.


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  • Grapevine Pathology (Dr Lizel Mostert)

    Two projects are available in grapevine pathology - contact Dr Lizel Mostert for further information



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  • Oomycete research (Dr Adele McLeod)

    Identification of oomycete (Pythium and Phytophthora) inoculum sources in apple production systems

    Certain oomycetes including Phytophothora and Pythium are important members of the pathogen complex that incites apple replant disease. These pathogens have also been associated with the death of young trees. Therefore, management of these pathogens are important to ensure sustainable apple production. An important aspect of integrated oomycete management is the identification of inoculum sources, which are currently unknown. Two putative inoculum sources in apple production systems include propagation material and irrigation water.
    The first aim of the project will be to determine if a DNA based molecular technique can be established for identification and quantification of several pathogenic oomycete species from apple seedling rhizosphere soil, pear fruits and avocado leaf disks. The relevance of the rhizosphere soil quantification technique will be evaluated using greenhouse pathogenicity trials to establish whether there is a correlation between symptoms, inoculum concentration and DNA quantity. The second aim of the project will be to use the developed techniques to investigate nursery trees and irrigation water as inoculum sources of pathogenic oomycete species in the Western Cape. The third aim of the project will be to label Phytopthora cactorum and Pythium irregulare with red- and green fluorescent proteins respectively, which will serve as a further tool to investigate the relevance of DNA quantification of co-inoculated pathogens.

    Phytophthora isolate expressing red-fluerescent protein gene. Symptoms caused by Phytophthora cactorum
    on apple seedlings


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  • Citrus Pathology (Dr Paul Fourie)

    Projects are available in fungicide application technology, as well as citrus black spot epidemiology. Contact Dr Paul Fourie for further information.

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Pagemaster: Tel +27(21) 808 4799
Last update: 4 December 2012

 

  
 
University of Stellenbosch