Why It Matters?
Sclerotinia head rot is a severe fungal disease affecting sunflower crops in South Africa, especially in the Free State and North West provinces. The disease has forced many farmers to stop planting sunflowers, disrupting crop rotation and reducing profitability. This project addresses the urgent need for effective chemical and biological control strategies. By evaluating various fungicide formulations in real field conditions, the research supports improved crop protection, helping restore sunflower’s viability in affected regions and enhancing farmers’ resilience against disease-induced losses.
Research Approach
The project involves multi-site field trials in Delmas, Groblersdal, and Loskop, each representing distinct climatic conditions. In collaboration with industry partners, different biocontrol and fungicide formulations are applied and tested under natural and inoculated conditions. Planting, inoculation, and treatment schedules follow strict trial protocols. Disease assessments will determine efficacy across products and environments. The project also includes close engagement with agronomy experts, regular site visits, and data reporting to participating stakeholders to ensure transparency and relevance.
Research Impact to Farmers?
Farmers benefit directly from the development of effective, registered fungicide solutions that can be confidently used to manage Sclerotinia in sunflower crops. The project enables data-driven decisions that restore sunflower to crop rotations, improving diversification and income. By working closely with industry and conducting trials under real conditions, the research provides timely, practical solutions. Communication through field visits, social media, and extension materials ensures findings are accessible and actionable, helping farmers adopt disease management strategies suited to their specific conditions.
Resources
Reports
- Annual technical trial reports
Articles
Collaborators & Research Leads
- Principal Investigator
- Dr Lisa Rothmann – University of the Free State
- Collaborating Institutions
- University of the Free State
- Agricultural Research Council – Grain Crops
- Agronomy Info Services
- Bayer Crop Sciences
- Syngenta
- Real IPM
- Corteva
- Nichino
- Enviro Biochem
Students and Technicians
- Student: Nomvula Moloi
Technicians:
- Dumo Mposa,
- Marias Cloete