Dr Ahmed Hassen
Position: Senior Researcher
Research focus: Rhizobium-legume interactions include isolating and characterizing rhizobia, analysing nodulation genes, and studying nitrogen fixation and competition. Soil microbiology research focuses on microbial indicators of soil health and metagenomics of soil microbial communities. Molecular characterization involves next-generation sequencing, genome assembly, and microbiome analysis. We also study beneficial soil microbes for biological control of root pathogens and develop them as biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture.
E-mail: hassena@arc.agric.za
Tel: +27 12 808 8289
Dr Francina Lebogang Bopape
Position: Researcher
Research focus: On screening efficient rhizobia for indigenous legumes like pigeon pea, cowpea, Cyclopia, and Bambara to enhance growth and yield, as well as plant growth-promoting rhizobia (PGPR) for cereal crops including maize, sorghum, wheat, and millet. Additional research includes identifying new strains for commercial production of stress-tolerant legumes and maintaining the South African Rhizobium Culture Collection (SARCC). The work also involves rhizobia bioinoculant supply, quality control of bioproducts, culture deposits, and soil analysis to support biological nitrogen fixation diagnostics.
E-mail: PhalaneF@arc.agric.za
Tel: 012 808 8199
Ms Prudence Mtsweni
Position: Research Technician
Research focus: Soil microbiology, including microbial indicators of soil health, metagenomics, and functional diversity. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) research for fruit trees, screening biofertilizer strains. Provides biological nitrogen fixation diagnostics, including rhizobia bioinoculant supply, bioproduct quality control, culture deposits to SARCC, and comprehensive soil analysis.
Email: MtshweniN@arc.agric.za
Tel: +27 12 808 8143
Position: Research Assistant
Email: MthimunyeP@arc.agric.za
Tel: 012 808 8206
Ms Nomfundo Eshedi
Email: EshediN@arc.agric.za
Tel: +27 12 808 8000
