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SU part of new network to strengthen teaching in Africa about roundworms
Author: Engela Duvenage
Published: 22/06/2021

​​Nematologists of Stellenbosch University's Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology are part of a new three-year project that funds the development of research and educational capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa on the topic of nematodes (also known as roundworms). The Nematology Education in Sub-Sahara Africa (NEMEDUSSA) is a joint effort by a consortium of 14 African and 2 European universities. It is coordinated by the University of Ghent in Belgium.

Plant-parasitic nematodes or roundworms cause significant damage and yield loss to at least 3000 types of crops of economic importance, often together with other pathogens. Unfortunately, nematodes are often overlooked or misdiagnosed, resulting in the unnecessary use of unhealthy agro-chemicals. There is however also a “good" side to nematodes, as they can also be used as bio-control agents against insect pests to ensure better environmental health and biodiversity and bio-indicators of soil health.

The NEMEDUSSA project stretches from 2021 to 2023. It is co-funded by the European Union's Erasmus+ KA2 Capacity Building in Higher Education programme and VLIR-UOS. It is linked to the objectives of the Erasmus+ Programme, which encourages cooperation between the EU and partner countries, and to help in addressing challenges in the management and governance of local higher education institutions.

According to nematode expert Prof Antoinette Malan of the SU Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, the Faculty will receive six microscopes to use during the practical sessions of undergraduate students. This forms part of efforts to upgrade lab facilities on the continent through the project.

SU staff working on nematodes will also receive training at the University of Côte d'Azur in France on the latest molecular tools available in their study field, and on how nematodes can be used as bio-indicators of soil health at the Ghent University. They will also be able to tune into workshops and related webinars.

SU is currently the only university in Sub Sahara Africa that already offers an undergraduate module on nematodes," says Prof Malan.

Nematology at Stellenbosch University was initiated by Prof Albertus J Meyer in 1973. Recently a new entomopathogenic nematode specie from South Africa was described and named Steinernema bertusi in honour of Prof Meyer, or 'Bertus' as he was affectionately known by his pears.

SU experts are therefore ideally placed to help train staff from other African universities especially about entomopathogenic nematodes that can be used as biocontrol agents against agricultural pests, and to assist in developing relevant undergraduate and postgraduate modules at these institutions. The project focuses on increasing the capacity of academic and technical staff, through the provision of short study trips and specialised training.

NEMEDUSSA aims to enhance cooperation between nematologists in Sub-Sahara Africa by providing networking tools, workshops on relevant topics in nematology and sharing good practices in education and promoting collaboration. Staff training will be key in these endeavours.

SU experts will also help to further develop and consolidate the Nematology Digital Learning Platform (NDLP), an open access e-learning portal that was created by Ghent University in 2017. It facilitates global access to training content relevant for nematology in agriculture in the least developed economies.

“Measured against the potential impact of plant-parasitic nematodes on agriculture, public awareness and understanding of the impact of nematodes on agriculture have remain almost unchanged for the last decade," says Prof Malan. “Nematology, as a recognised field of study needs to be taken seriously alongside other plant health disciplines. However, plant-parasitic nematodes remain a persistently overlooked concern in agriculture and information communicated to the industries and small-holder farmers are insufficient and requires urgent attention."

  • The institutions that are part of the consortium, led by Ghent University in Belgium, are: University of Abomey-Calavi and the University of Parakou in Benin, Haramaya University and Jimma University in Ethiopia, Kenyatta University and Moi University in Kenya, Ahmadu-Bello University and the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, North-West University and Stellenbosch University in South Africa, Makerere University and Muni University in Uganda, and the University of Côte d'Azur in France.

For more information, visit http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/agri/conservation-ecology/collaborations