| Dr Elsie Cruywagen Specialist Researcher
Tel: +27 (0)12 808 8048
Research focus: Identification and characterisation of fungal pathogens of vegetable, industrial and medicinal plants.
I am a specialist researcher responsible for the pathology section of crop protection at ARC-VIMP. My current research interests include the investigation of fungal foliar diseases of potatoes[EC1] , including Alternaria species and late blight as well as the black dot pathogen, Colletotrichum coccodes. Other projects include fungal diseases of medicinal plants, and indigenous African vegetables. I am also testing various fungal pathogens for loss of sensitivity to different classes of fungicides. Further research interests include the investigation of soil health using various tests and improving soil health to control soil-borne diseases. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Elsie_Cruywagen2
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| Dr Julia Mulabisana
Senior Researcher
Tel: +27 (0)12 808 8049
Research focus: Identification and genetic characterisation of viruses of vegetables.
My research focus is on pathogen (virus) detection, which integrate conventional and molecular techniques to genetically characterise viruses of leafy and fruit vegetables, legumes, root and tuber crops and medicinal plants. The work contributes to the development of integrated disease control measures for famers. She is also involved in knowledge and skills transfer through training and interaction with farmers. She is also involved in post graduate student supervision (MSc and PhD) and mentoring of internship candidates. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Julia_Mulabisana2
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Dr René Sutherland
Senior Researcher
Tel: +27 (0)12 808 8050
Research focus: Bacterial and fungal diseases of vegetables.
I am a plant pathologist specialising in bacteriology. My current research interests focus on discovery and characterisation of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) from various crops. I am running the diagnostic clinic at ARC-VIMP, providing disease identification services to industry and farmers. Other research interests include the investigation of bacterial wilt of potatoes and scab diseases of potatoes caused by Streptomyces species.
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| Dr Juanita Engelbrecht
Researcher
Research focus: Identification and characterisation of fungal pathogens of vegetable, industrial and medicinal plants.
I am a plant pathologist specialising in mycology, with a primary focus on soilborne and foliar fungal pathogens affecting agricultural crops. Much of my career has been dedicated to the study of Phytophthora cinnamomi, with particular emphasis on its biology, epidemiology, and population dynamics. My current research includes population-level analyses of P. infestans, investigations into powdery mildew pathogens across a range of host plants, and the characterisation of leaf spot diseases affecting cannabis and indigenous vegetables. My work integrates classical mycology with molecular techniques to better understand pathogen diversity and distribution with the broader aim of improving disease management strategies in both conventional and emerging crop systems.
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| Dr Phophi Dzivhuluwani Ṋethononda
Researcher
Tel: +27 (0)12 808 8000
Research focus:My current research interests include pest ecology, population dynamics, and plant–insect interactions, with a primary emphasis on biological control using parasitoids, predators, and entomopathogens to develop effective and sustainable pest management strategies.
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| Dr Annah Zanele Mahlangu
Researcher
Tel: 27 (0)12 808 8000
Research focus: Identification and characterisation of seed-borne fungi associated with leguminous vegetables.
A committed researcher in Seed and Plant Pathology with more than a decade of hands-on experience in research methodology, data analysis, and policy evaluation. My primary research interests lie in seed health, particularly fungal identification and characterisation using morphological and molecular techniques, as well as linking seed physiology and seed treatments to improve seed quality.
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| Philani Dlamini
Researcher
Tel: 27 (0)12 808 8000
Research focus: Research integrates
molecular breeding approaches, including CRISPR-based technologies, to identify
and functionally characterise genes involved in viral pathogenicity.
This work supports the development of crop varieties with enhanced resistance to viral diseases. Next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics tools re used for novel virus identification and characterisation.
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Mr Kenneth Mabasa
Researcher
Tel: +27 (0)12 808 8000
Research focus: Viral diseases of vegetables.
I am a plant pathologist specialising in virus diseases of vegetable crops. Research interests include the investigation of virus diseases of vegetables, as well indigenous African vegetables.
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| Tel: 27 (0)12 808 8000
Research focus: Plant virology with emphasis on the identification and characterisation of viruses infecting commercial vegetables, legumes, roots and tubers, leafy and fruit vegetables, including investigation of seed borne viruses. The work integrates conventional and molecular techniques to genetically characterise viruses.
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| Lesiba Klaas Ledwaba
Associate Researcher
Tel: 27 (0)12 808 8000
Research focus: Bacterial diseases hindering crop production. I am an Associate Researcher, actively involved in various research projects aiming at improving soil health, seed health, plant growth, yield and food biosecurity. I am also Involved in rendering diagnostic service at ARC-VIMP, providing disease identification services to industry and farmers. My current research interest is understanding molecular effects induced by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) in different crops under different growth conditions.
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