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. We work closely with Dr Tarekegn Terefe from ARC-Small Grain who provides us with valuable samples to validate this tool.
An article on the occurrence of Rcc in the barley growing regions of South Africa during the 2018 and 2019 seasons has recently been published in SA Grain magazine. This was made possible through field surveying by the ARC and CenGen’s ability to detect the pathogen in the laboratory to confirm the presense/absence thereof.
