Table of Contents Organising Committee……………………………………… 2 SAAB Council………………………………………………… 3 Paper and Poster Organisation..………….………………. 3 Maps…………………………………………………………… 4 Parking and Access to UP ………………………………… 5 Internet Access……………………………………………… 5 Students………………………………………………………. 5 Notice Board…………………………………………………. 6 Meetings………………………………………………………. 6 Lunches and Social Functions.…………………………… 7 Exhibitions……………………………………………………. 7 Contact Numbers……………………………………………. 8 Transport, Accomodation & Travel……………………… 8 Sponsors.................…………………………………………. 9 Scientific Programme………………………………………. 10 Plenary Speakers……………………………………………. 26 Abstracts of Plenary Speakers…………...………………. 28 Abstracts of Oral Papers...………………………………… 32 Abstracts of Posters.……………………………………….. 126 Author Index…………………………………………………. 158 1 Organising Committee The Organising Committee would like to welcome all delegates to the 38th conference of the South African Association of Botanists hosted by the Department of Plant Science, University of Pretoria. Chairperson Prof M Meyer Secretary and registration Ms R Swart, Ms E Pienaar Treasurers Prof M Meyer, Dr Q Kritzinger Accommodation, refreshments Dr M Deutschlander, Ms R Swart, & lunches Ms J Bapela, Ms E v Wyk, Ms M Nel Social evening functions Ms N Uys, Dr M Deutschlander, Dr K Kiviet, Ms R Swart, Ms E van Wyk Circulars, final programme, abstracts, Dr B Crampton, Prof N Lall, Mr H conference bags, name tags Heyman, Ms P Degashu Scientific programme Prof M Meyer, Prof B v Wyk, Prof D Berger, Prof N Lall, Prof M Rouget, Prof G v Rooyen, Dr E Tshikalange, Dr B Crampton, Mr H Heyman, Ms P Degashu Venues, equipment, projectionists Mr G More, Mr T Nembudani, Mr N Olivier, Dr E Tshikalange, postgraduate students Transport Mr T Nembudani, Ms R Swart Sponsorships and publicity Dr M Deutschlander Information technology Mr N Olivier, Ms N Uys, Mr G More SAAB and Van Staden awards Prof M Rouget, Prof G v Rooyen Poster organisation Ms P Degashu, Ms J Bapela, Dr Q Kritzinger 2 SAAB Council Dr N Makunga (President) Prof J Farrant (Vice-President) Prof GF Smith (SANBI Nominee) Prof K Balkwill Dr C Bredenkamp Dr G Prinsloo Dr M Muasya Dr SM Jacobs Ex Officio Members Dr Paul Hills - Honorary Treasurer Permanent Secretary Mr Myke Scott ([email protected]) Paper and Poster Organisation Presenters: Please submit your Powerpoint files as soon as possible, or at the latest, on 08:00 on the morning of your presentation to the assistant in Room D for distribution to the relevant lecture hall. Internet and computer facilities will also be available in Room D. Posters will be displayed for the full duration of the conference. Delegates can put up their posters from 16:00 on Sunday, 15 January 2012. PLEASE NOTE THAT PINS AND NAILS MAY NOT BE USED, ONLY VELCRO IS PERMITTED. The poster session is scheduled for Monday, 16 January at 13:30. 3 Maps Arrows: green = Plant Sciences Complex; blue = parking area for the conference; yellow = Sanlam Conference Centre; red = Klooster Dining hall 4 Parking and Access to UP Parking for all delegates is available behind the Conference Centre (blue arrow on the map). The main entrance onto campus (c/o Lynwood Road/Roper Street) and the Prospect Road entrance are open 24 hours a day. The Lunnon Road entrance is open from 6 am until midnight only on weekdays. Internet Access Access to WiFi internet will be available in the conference venue and in the foyer of the Asterhof Hostel. The password can be requested at the registration desk. Students SAAB membership All students registered at South African universities and attending the conference, will automatically be registered as SAAB members for 2012. SAAB Awards 1. SAAB Young Scientist awards Students of 30 years and younger (who are registered as SAAB members) and registered at a South African university are welcome to participate. One award is made to the best oral presentation by a young scientist. 2. Best MSc oral presentation award One award is made to the best oral presentation by a MSc student. 3. Best PhD oral presentation award One award is made to the best oral presentation by a PhD student. 4. Best poster presentation award One award is made to the best poster presentation overall. 5 Notice Board Please check the general notice board near Lecture Hall A for messages and announcements regarding changes to the programme etc. All personal messages received by the Secretariat will also be put on the notice board. Meetings SAAB Council Meeting Date: Sunday 15 January Time: 14:30 Venue: Plant Sciences Complex room 3-44 SAAB Annual General Meeting Date: Wednesday 18 January Time: 16:30 Venue: Lecture hall A SAAB Council Special Meeting Date: Wednesday 18 January Time: Directly after the AGM Venue: Lecture hall A 6 Lunches and Social Functions Lunches will be served at the Klooster Hall’s dining room to all persons who booked in advance. Delegates and registered companions are requested to wear their name tags at all times. The name tags and tickets found in conference bags will ensure admission to the lecture halls, tea, lunches and social functions. Sunday 15 January Meet-and-Greet Time: 18:00 Venue: UP Conference Centre Foyer Monday 16 January Student Rumble@Outspan Time: 19:00 Venue: OUTSPAN (LC de Villiers Experimental Farm) Roof Top Braai for other delegates (non-students) Time: 19:00 Venue: Tree House Tea Garden on the roof of the Plant Sciences Complex Wednesday 18 January SAAB Conference Dinner Time: 19:00 Venue: UP Conference Centre Foyer Exhibitions Delegates are invited to visit the exhibitions of: Separations Umdauss Press (Pty) Inqaba Biotechnical Industries Labotec Vividair Lasec Briza Publications 7 Contact Numbers Police Tel: 10111 Fire Brigade/Ambulance Tel: (012) 310 6400 Tel: (012) 427 7111 Univeristy of Pretoria Campus Security Tel: (012) 420 2310 Medical Services HATMED Tel: (012) 362 7180 Transport, Accomodation & Travel Agricultural Tours & Conferences Worldwide Hestie Crous-Beckett Tel: (012) 447-7718 Email: [email protected] Roxburg Travel Tel: 083 261 0455 Tel: 084 556 2304 Avis Rent-a-car Tel: (012) 362 7073 Imperial Car Rental Tel: (012) 342 6371 Europcar Tel: (012) 342 3912 8 Sponsors The kind support of the following sponsors is greatly acknowledged: 9 Scientific Programme Papers will be presented in three different lecture halls (A, B and C). All the plenary lectures will be presented in Lecture Hall A (Sanlam Auditorium). Presenters: Please submit your Powerpoint files as soon as possible or at the latest on 08:00 on the morning of your presentation to the assistant in Room D for distribution to the relevant lecture hall. Internet and computer facilities will also be available in Room D. SUNDAY, 15 JANUARY 2012 14:30 SAAB Council Meeting (Plant Sciences Complex, room 3-44) 17:00-19:00 Registration (Conference Centre Foyer) 18:00 Meet and Greet (Conference Centre Foyer) 10 MONDAY, 16 JANUARY 2012 07:45 Registration (Conference Centre Foyer) OPENING CEREMONY Lecture Hall A (Sanlam Auditorium) 08:30 Prof Cheryl de la Rey – Vice Chancellor University of Pretoria 08:45 Prof Nox Makunga – President of SAAB 08:55 Prof Marion Meyer – Organising Committee Chairperson 09:00 Plenary lecture: Prof Robert Verpoorte Metabolomics: A gateway to discoveries. Chairperson: Prof Marion Meyer 10:00 TEA Lecture Hall A Lecture Hall B Lecture Hall C Mon A1: Phytochemistry and Bioactivity Mon B1: Molecular Systematics and Barcoding Mon C1: Plant Biotechnology Chairperson: Prof Kobus Eloff Chairperson: Prof Ben-Erik van Wyk Chairperson: Dr Bridget Crampton 10:30 L.J. McGaw, T.J. Makhafola, O.O. Udom, K. Naidoo, M.P.A. Coetzee, E. Steenkamp, B. B.J. Vorster, M.C. Goulet and D. Michaud: K.T.V. Mayekiso and J.N. Eloff: Slippers, M.J. Wingfield and B.D. Wingfield: Plant cystatins and insect cysteine proteases: Antimycobacterial activity, cytotoxicity and Gene conversion of the Ribosomal RNA cistron. weapons in a molecular arms race. genotoxicity studies of Ptaeroxylon obliquum and Sideroxylon inerme leaf extracts. 10:45 H.M. Heyman, V. Maharaj, C. Kenyonand A.R. Magee, A.N. Nicolas, P.M. Tilney, B.-E. van I. Gazendam, D. Oelofse and D.K. Berger: and J.J.M. Meyer: Wyk and G.M. Plunkett: Functional evaluation of a drought-induced Determination of anti-HIV active Systematics of the early diverging Apiaceae tribe ―late embryogenesis abundant‖ protein gene constituents of Helichrysum species by Annesorhizeae with emphasis on the South from cowpea. means of metabolomics. African genera. 11:00 C.B. Oosthuizen, C. Hamilton and N. Lall: P. Rousseau, P. Vorster, D. P. Little and M. van N.M. Creux, M. Ranik, M.H. De Castro, A. Potential of synthesized naphthoquinones for der Bank: Spokevicius, G. Bossinger, C. Maritz-Olivier anti-tuberculosis activity. A molecular phylogeny of Encephalartos Lehm. and A.A. Myburg: Understanding the transcriptional regulation of the Eucalyptus Cellulose synthase1 gene. 11 11:15 A. Samie, T. Nefefe, T. Mulaudzi and P.O. J. Gere, O. Maurin and M. van der Bank: J. Bredenkamp, S. Naidoo and D.K. Berger: Bessong: Phylogenetic relationships within subtribe Challenging the dogma: Gene-for-gene Immunomodulatory effect of Combretum Terminaliinae (Combretaceae). tolerance, not resistance, to bacterial wilt in molle leaves water extracts on the production Arabidopsis. and expression of cytokines and toll like receptors. 11:30 K.G. Mawela, E. Chakauya and R. B.H. Daru, O. Maurin, J.C. Manning, J.S. Maize eQTL project consortium: Chikwamba: Boatwright and M. van der Bank: Update on the maize eQTL project. Heterologous expression of RANTES Phylogeny of the subfamily Alooideae analogues in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (Asphodelaceae): Paraphyly of Aloe and Haworthia and consequences for classification. 11:45 S. Singh and N. Lall: C.L. Taylor and N.P. Barker: M.M. van Dyk, A.R.K. Kullan, E. Mizrachi, Evaluation of the mutagenicity and stability DNA fingerprinting of Acacia karroo: Attempting C.A. Hefer, L. Jansen van Rensburg, D. of plant extracts with potential use in the to resolve taxonomic uncertainties and inform Newman, N.