Dane McDonald
D
HORTGRO
eciduous fruit growers are set to
benefit from an exciting collaboration which has been initiated between Stellenbosch University insect biological control researcher Dr Antoinette Malan and a bioprocess engineering expert from the Indian subcontinent.
Mass production
Malan specialises in the development of
methods whereby biological organisms like
nematodes can be used to control economically important fruit pests.
Belur says that the only way to achieve mass
production was through the use of bioreactors – a process in which he has honed his
skills over several years.
HORTGRO Science Programme Manager for
Crop Protection Matthew Addison says that
the industry-funded research programme
started with a basic survey of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN’s) eight years ago.
“As a bioprocess engineer I have the expertise
in developing the process and I have some
experience with respect to nematodes,” he
says.
“We now have the basics in place and the
needed know-how to use EPN’s on a number
of pest insects, and now we need to refine
the mass culture of the various EPN species
involved,” he says.
Mermis nigrescens, a species of nematode
emerging from a great green bush-cricket
(Tettigonia viridissima)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mermis_nigrescens
For the next three years Malan will team up
with Dr Prasanna Belur from the National Institute of Karnataka, Surathkal to build
knowledge and develop expertise for the
mass production of the insect-fighting nematodes.
Belur completed an M.E in biotechnology and
a PhD in bioprocess development. After his
academic training he acquired seven years of
industrial experience before embarking on a
career in academia where nematode culture
features as one of his areas of interest.
Nematodes emerging from a wax moth larva cadaver
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entomopathogenic_nematode#/media/
File:Waxmothcadaverusda.jpg