Biography

Prof Jacquie van der Waals is an extraordinary professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. She is employed by Citrus Research International as the Programme Manager of preharvest disease research. Her research focus is sustainable management of fruit and foliar diseases of citrus. Currently, she leads an exceptional team of post-graduate students in the Citrus Pathology @ UP programme. The ongoing research projects in CP@UP are aimed at increasing our understanding of the epidemiology of blossom, fruit, and foliar diseases, with the ultimate aim of achieving more sustainable management practices and better yield, in alignment with the EU Green Deal.

Prof van der Waals holds a C1 rating from the National Research Foundation.

Recent Publications (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5737-6277)

1. Strydom, R.F., Wilson, C.R., Tegg, R.S., Balendres, M.A., van der Waals, J.E. 2024. Advancements in Spongospora subterranea: Current knowledge, management strategies, and research gaps. Potato Research https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-024-09701-8.
2. Theron, E. Bophela, K.N., Bisschoff, J., Shin. G., Coutinho, T.A., van der Waals, J.E. 2023. Survey of soft rot Pectobacteriaceae infecting potatoes in South Africa. Potato Research 66:723–749 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-022-09598-1.
3. Gush, S.L., Lebre, P., Coutinho, T.A., Cowan, D.A. and van der Waals, J., 2023. Disentangling shifts in the soil microbiome of potatoes infected with Rhizoctonia solani AG 3-PT in search of potential biocontrol agents. Phytobiomes Journal https://doi.org/10.1094/PBIOMES-06-23-0046-R..
4. Takooree, S.D., Neetoo, H., Ranghoo-Sanmukhiya, V.M., Vally, V., Bulajić, A. and van der Waals, J.E. 2022. A comparison of methods for the detection of Phytophthora infestans on potatoes in Mauritius. Journal of Agricultural Sciences 67(2): 203-217. https://doi.org/10.2298/JAS2202203T.
5. Takooree, S.D., Neetoo, H., Ranghoo-Sanmukhiya, V.M., Hardowar, S., van der Waals, J.E., Vally, V., Bunwaree, A.G., Vojvodić, M., and Bulajić, A. 2021. First report of black scurf caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 on potato tubers in Mauritius. Plant Disease 105(1): 213. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-20-1183-PDN. IF 3.809
6. Mushonga, K., Steyn, J.M., Swart, W.J., and van der Waals, J.E. 2020. Plant-soil feedback responses of four dryland crop species under greenhouse conditions. Plant-Environment Interactions 1: 181-195. https://doi.org/10.1002/pei3.10035.
7. Krüger, K. and van der Waals, J.E. 2020. Potato virus Y and Potato leafroll virus management under climate change in sub-Saharan Africa. South African Journal of Science 116(11/12), Art. #8579, 7 pages. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2020/8579. IF 1.191
8. Muzhinji, N., Dube, J.P., de Haan, E.G. Woodhall, J.W., and van der Waals, J.E. 2020. Development of a TaqMan PCR assay for specific detection and quantification of Pectobacterium brasiliense in potato tubers and soil. European Journal of Plant Pathology 158: 521-532. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-020-02097-4. IF 1.672
9. van der Waals, J.E., Krüger, K. 2020. Emerging potato pathogens affecting food security in Southern Africa: Recent research. South African Journal of Science 116(11/12), Art. #8055,7 pages. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2020/8055. IF 1.191
10. Lekota, M., Modisane, K.J., Apostolides, Z., van der Waals, J.E. 2020. Metabolomic fingerprinting of potato cultivars differing in susceptibility to Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea root infection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21, 3788-3988. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21113788. IF 4.556
11. Simango, K., Slabbert, C.P., and van der Waals, J.E. 2020. Alternative hosts of Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea in southern Africa. European Journal of Plant Pathology 157: 421–424. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-020-01993-z. IF 1.672
12. Muzhinji, N. and van der Waals, J.E. 2019. Population biology and genetic variation of Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea, the cause of powdery scab and root galls on potato in South Africa. Phytopathology 109: 1957-1965. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-12-18-0467-R. IF 3.234
13. Mbedzi, P.P., van der Hoven, L., Vorster, B.J., and van der Waals, J.E. 2019. Screening for Sclerotinia sclerotiorum resistance using detached leaf assays and simple sequence repeat markers in soybean cultivars, Crop Protection 125: 14909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2019.104909. IF 2.381
14. Jordaan, E., McLaren, N.W., and van der Waals, J.E. 2019. Effect of irrigation on charcoal rot severity, yield loss and colonization of soybean and sunflower. Crop Protection 122: 63-69 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2019.04.026. IF 2.381
15. Lekota, M., Muzhinji, N., and van der Waals, J.E. 2019. Identification of differentially expressed genes in tolerant and susceptible potato cultivars in response to Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea tuber infection. Plant Pathology 68: 1196–1206. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppa.13029. IF 2.169

Students

-- Updated November 2024 --