Plant Pathology
In Plant Pathology students are trained as specialists in plant health. To keep plants healthy, they study organisms that cause disease, how plants are affected by disease, and how plant diseases can be controlled. With this knowledge, they are able to help commercial companies, farmers and small-scale growers to control plant diseases through various means, including integrated p
est and disease management. Students will also be trained in post harvest pathology and food safety, which contribute to production of safer food products. A plant pathologist is a person who specialises in plant health just like a doctor specialises in human health or a veterinarian in animal health. Keeping plants healthy requires an understanding of the organisms and agents that cause disease and an understanding of how plants grow and are affected by disease. Plant diseases are caused by several organisms (called pathogens) such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, protozoa, and parasitic plants. Non-living agents such as air pollutants, nutrient imbalances, and various environmental factors can also cause disease. New diseases and changes in existing pathogens remain a constant threat to our forests, food and fibre crops and landscape plants. Control of plant diseases traditionally involved the use of chemical compounds to protect plants. This inevitably contributed to pollution of the environment. The modern plant pathologist strives to apply his knowledge to a better understanding of factors involved in plant diseases and to develop and/or evaluate control measures which are not detrimental to the environment. In their work, plant pathologists co-operate with plant breeders, crop managers and insect and weed specialists. They work together to develop integrated, environmentally sound approaches to the management of crops and their pests and pathogens. Through this co-operation, plant pathologists contribute to the production of a stronger economy, safer food, a cleaner environment, conservation of soil and water resources, and the health of workers on farms. Plant pathologists and bio-engineers also are cooperating closely in developing disease-resistant plant varieties, preserving food from spoilage, developing new strains of organisms for biological control, and even in developing composting processes for solid waste disposal. Molecular plant pathologists use modern molecular techniques to gain a better understanding of pathogen population genetics, plant-microbe interactions and gene transfer between pathogens and even the host. What are your career opportunities as a plant pathologist? Plant pathologists have a wide choice of occupations, ranging from basic to high-technology research to practical fieldwork. Career opportunities include research or teaching at universities, technicons, institutes of Agricultural Research Council, organisations like the CSIR, Medical Research Council, SABS, agricultural control bodies, agrochemical and seed companies, co-operatives and private estates. Plant pathologists can also practice on their own, or operate as consultants. Depending on your background, education and experience, there are a number of options or fields of specialisation to choose from in your career as a plant pathologist. You might prefer to specialise in plant virology, forest, market or nursery pathology, mycology, phytobacteriology, plant protection or extension and will be involved in the improvement of plant health and food production. You could also be closely involved in environmental protection, plant breeding, molecular biology and microbial ecology. Listed below are examples of the opportunities available to you once you complete your education.
