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Astronomers have unveiled the first image of the supermassive black hole at the centre of our own Milky Way galaxy. The announcement was made at simultaneous press conferences around the world. Professor Roger Deane, an Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria and Director for the Centre of Astrophysics at the University of Witwatersrand and Wits Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr Iniyan Natarajan, were part of this global collaboration with the Event Horizon Telescope team. They are the only two African-based representatives who are part of the global team of more than 300 astronomers.

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South Africa's first early warning system for potato growers

PROBLEM

Aphids are among the most widespread pests affecting the agricultural industry around the world. While we may not think we need to compete against these tiny insects for the potatoes on our plate, if not monitored, the effects of aphids may present a serious problem for potato production.

Aphids are efficient transmitters of plant viruses that threaten the quality of seed potatoes. Two of the viruses that have devastating potential in the potato industry globally are potato virus Y (PVY) and potato leafroll virus (PLRV). Potato plants are susceptible to infection with these viruses when aphids feed on them.

SOLUTION

Prof Kerstin Krüger, of the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria (UP), has been monitoring the flight patterns of different aphid species and has researched their efficiency in transmitting viruses that threaten the South African seed potato industry. This research ultimately aims to provide an early warning system for potato growers who are at risk of yield losses and, consequently, financial losses resulting from plant viruses transmitted by aphids. The early warning system, which emulates systems used in Europe, relies on the use of a nation-wide network of suction traps that sample flying or wind-borne aphids.

The national aphid monitoring programme coordinated by Prof Krüger’s research group forms part of a joint initiative by UP, Potatoes South Africa, the Department of Agriculture: Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC)’s Small Grain Institute, the Winter Cereal Trust, the ARC Plant Protection Research Institute, as well as regional laboratories of the Potato Laboratory Services.

The team collects data from the suction traps in an effort to reliably estimate aphid numbers and the risk of virus spread. The evaluation of the data informs them which aphid species most capable of vectoring PVY and PLRV occur in the various potato-growing regions. Growers are notified via a nation-wide network and are thus able to keep track of aphid numbers and vector pressures by receiving weekly SMS notifications and regular news bulletins.

PROGRESS

The data collected provide important information for the agricultural industry on specific species and the potential threat they pose in specific regions and also provides information on the commencement of aphid flight and peak periods, which can be used to time control measures such as insecticide application. Current research by the group involves improving risk forecasting by determining the number of individuals in a given vector species population that are carrying viruses.

Prof Krüger’s own research on aphids is now also looking at aphids as indicators of climate change, as these little insects react quickly to changes in climatic conditions due to their short generation time and the large number of offspring they produce. Aphid suction trap data are therefore ideal for determining the effect of changes in climatic conditions on aphid abundance and are making an important contribution to our understanding thereof.

Prof Kerstin Krüger