Five MSc students of the Plant Breeding Laboratory in the Department of Genetics are among the first Stellenbosch University students to be using the upgraded growth room facilities of the Faculty of AgriSciences for grain experiments.
With the flick of a switch they can now change the light spectrum shining on the plants, and rest assured that the temperature in the growth room will remain constant.
Irma van Zyl is for instance conducting experiments on pollen mediated gene flow and crossability of small grain cereals. The research of Wandile Ngcamphalala, Jabulani Mthembu, Nondumiso Cebehulu and S-W Meintjes relates to the Plant Breeding Laboratory's wheat pre-breeding programme.
The facilities have been upgraded and modernised thanks to R2 million being made available through the Faculty of AgriSciences' Strategic Fund. "This is in an effort to ensure that we remain at the forefront of wheat and genetic research in South Africa, to the advantage of the local industry," explains Dr Michael-John Freeborough, manager of the Faculty of AgriSciences.
The building on the Welgevallen Experimental Farm in which the growth rooms are housed, was erected by the Wheat Board many years ago. It however started to became outdated and fell into a state of disrepair. "The lighting was not very energy efficient and had to be changed by hand, while adequate maintenance was becoming an issue," says plant breeder Willem Botes of the Department of Genetics.
The existing eight growth rooms inside the facility were demolished and the space re-utilised to establish six new growth room units and a preparation area. Each room has a small entrance lobby with a double door system to improve temperature management and to address bio-safety aspects. New work areas and energy saving LED lighting to better regulate temperatures are part of the refurbushment
"Although the use of LED lighting is becoming more common in households, this growth room project is one of the first of its kind in South Africa to use this kind of lighting," Botes explains. The system was designed and installed by a South African supplier, Tech Trend.
Members of the Plant Breeding Laboratory are not the only to have access to the new facilities. It is also regularly used by by the Department of Agronomy and Prof Anna-Maria Oberholster of the Wheat Genomics Laboratory in the Department of Genetics.
If all goes according to plan, the remaining space will be made available to other researchers in the Faculty of AgriSciences.
"It is ideal for researchers who need to perform experiments in a growth room under specific controlled light and temperature conditions," explains Botes.
Photo:
Plant breeder Willem Botes of the Department of Genetics and MSc student Irma van Zyl at work in one of the growth rooms. Photo: Engela Duvenage
