For research scientists, a “quick fix” is basically a foreign concept. Research and development takes time, and often a project runs over multiple years before an answer (and a scientific publication) is reached. Therefore, when we get to put our applied science coats on it is very satisfying when we are able to provide a… Continue Reading
The Southern African Plant Breeders’ Association (SAPBA) has recently announced the twenty most influential plant breeders in Africa for 2020. We are proud to be able to say that some of our long standing colleagues and collaborators have been included in this list (available for download below). Congratulations to all and thank you for the… Continue Reading
In January 2021, Ms Shannon Derman will join CenGen as part of the wheat gene cloning team. Shannon recently completed her master’s degree at Stellenbosch University under the supervision of Prof Melané Vivier at the Institute for Wine Biotechnology (IWBT). During the course of her project, “Protoplast-based biotechnology methods for Vitis vinifera”, she gained valuable experience… Continue Reading
For crop producers the presence of any disease is a dreaded and much unwelcome situation. But for researchers like us, disease is the one thing that you want most in a disease resistance trial. In fact, most trials are inoculated with the pathogen in question to ensure that resistant and susceptible plants in the trial… Continue Reading
We are always excited when we get requests for something “new” that we haven’t worked on before. One such request was from Provar, an independent cultivar evaluation company, who wanted to see whether there was a genetic reason for low fruit set observed in some local Japanese plum orchards. Together with Carl Hörstmann, we could determine… Continue Reading
CenGen gratefully acknowledges the role that the DIPLOMICS network plays in strengthening our service capacity to the SA Agri-industry. They recently filmed footage at our laboratory and at our collaborators at SABBI and Sensako to create a profile of CenGen as part of the DIPLOMICS Network Partner Profile Series. Please click on the link below… Continue Reading
At CenGen we strive towards doing relevant research that can be applied directly to benefit the agricultural industry. One such project is the development of a molecular tool for the rapid identification of the seed borne fungus Ramularia collo-cygni (Rcc). This will enable producers to make quick decisions about the treatment of their barley fields.… Continue Reading
With the COVID pandemic and the ensuing lockdown, many events had to be postponed or even cancelled. In other cases, innovativeness and technology made it possible for the event to continue, albeit in a different format. September usually is one of the busiest months at CenGen, with field trials, producers’ days and meetings at the… Continue Reading
On September 1st, with snow-capped mountains in the background, Benny Leriba has put down his roots in Worcester to work at CenGen as an intern, sponsored by the South African Cultivar & Technology Agency (SACTA). Already on his first day he had to spring into action with Alana showing him the ropes on entering accessions… Continue Reading
CenGen is excited to announce that Katlego Bennet Leriba will be joining the team at the start of September. He will assume the role of an intern laboratory technician, specifically working alongside Kelly Breeds on the Barley research and commercial projects. This position is made possible through funding kindly provided by SACTA. CenGen had hoped… Continue Reading