PhD student
My research aims to investigate the growth and pathogenicity of Fusarium circinatum pathogen as affected by root exudates. Few studies reported on the infection of F. circinatum on wounded roots of seedling, until recent, however, there is lack of knowledge known regarding the response of the pathogen towards the root exudates of pine. Therefore, the specific objectives of my research are 1. To investigate whether F. circinatum has a chemotropic response towards the root exudates of the host, this is done by developing a system such as a quantitative chemotropic plate assay. 2. To evaluate whether the responses of F. circinatum is facilitated by pheromone receptors, this will be determined by a gene knockout system.
Swalarsk-Parry BS, De Vos L, Fru FF, Santana QC, van der Nest MA, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ, Herron DA, Ramaswe JB, Dewing C, Sayari M, van der Merwe NA, van Wyk S, Lane FA, Wilson AM, Adegeye OO, Soal NC, Price J-L, Steenkamp ET. (2024) Wide variation in aggressiveness and growth in South African Fusarium circinatum isolates with geographical origin as the primary determinant. Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science 10.2989/20702620.2024.2363749
Ramaswe JB, Steenkamp ET, De Vos L, Fru FF, Adegeye OO, Wingfield BD. (2024) Sex pheromone receptor Ste2 orchestrates chemotropic growth towards pine root extracts in the pitch canker pathogen Fusarium circinatum. Pathogens 10.3390/pathogens13050425