DIVISION:
Disease Management
PROGRAMME COORDINATOR:
Dr. Wilma du Plooy
COLLABORATING RESEARCHERS:
Prof. Cheryl Lennox, Dr. Wilma Augustyn
RESEARCH CONDUCTED:
Research and services on all postharvest diseases, and packaging aspects. Most specific focus is on green and blue mould, sour rot, anthracnose and stem-end-rots, as summarised below:
Market Access
- Adherence to permitted MRL levels, which includes science-based debate towards curbing market pressure to apply unsustainable MRL levels.
- Palletising issues and mycoflora in export containers
Etiology & Diagnosis
- Investigation of environmental contribution to development of postharvest pathogen complexes
- Investigation into the phytochemistry of blackspot-susceptible cultivars
- Characterise variability in pathogen populations
- Resistance monitoring and improvement of resistance management
Epidemiology
- Study epidemiological aspects that would facilitate improvement of management strategies
- Study into the effect of shade netting on the epidemiology of postharvest pathogens
Disease Management
- Formulation and evaluation of management strategies during pre-harvest and postharvest stages
- Structuring of pre-harvest spray programmes to reduce inoculum loads on harvested fruit
- Implementation of strategies to limit fungicide resistance build-up
- Evaluation of novel and GRAS chemical compounds,
and biocontrol agents for postharvest disease control
- Integration of cold chain management strategies with regard to fruit quality, rind condition, pre- and postharvest decay management
Inoculum Management
- Formulation and evaluation of pre- and postharvest sanitation strategies that would reduce contamination of harvested fruit