I completed my BSc Agric (Agronomy) degree at University of Zululand and an MSc in Plant breeding at the University of Kwa Zulu Natal. My PhD project is titled Manipulating time to anthesis with plant growth regulators as a possible escape strategy from Sclerotinia headrot in sunflower. The main aim is to investigate the feasibility of using plant growth regulators to manipulate time to anthesis in sunflowers as an escape strategy from sclerotinia head rot. This project will assist in improving the control and management strategies against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.