Timber iQ August - September 2019 // Issue:45 | Page 47

WOOD WISE He will collaborate closely with scientists in the Faculties of AgriSciences and Science at SU, along with a number of leading international researchers. The initiative provides co-funding for new laboratory facilities and research equipment in the Department of Forest and Wood Science, and allows for the appointment of a new technical staff member. The first group of postdoctoral students and postdoctoral fellows to be supported through the Chair is expected to commence their work in 2020. In the first five-year phase, six postgraduate students (M.Sc. and PhD) will be funded along with at least two postdoctoral fellows. Have your finger on the mining industry’s pulse with African Mines Handbook 2019 THE FORMATION OF WOOD RESEARCH OUTPUTS Work done through the EucXylo Chair will aim to develop an evolving, inter-connected set of models of how Eucalyptus wood forms. Studies into the factors that influence wood formation will, among other foci, explore how trees respond to periodic cycles of drought. “This will be done through a range of projects by postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows and academics that will employ cutting-edge, high precision measurement techniques, combined with intensive sampling and laboratory analyses,” explains Dr Drew. “These insights will be the basis from which researchers in the project continually build and improve predictive models at multiple scales.” He says the models will be incorporated into a software- based simulation framework, which is envisaged to become a platform for scientific collaboration and the generation of new hypotheses and ideas within South Africa and around the world. www.timberiq.co.za // AUG / SEPT 2019 45 .za o c . ning i m . www This handbook is your portal to the most comprehensive database on operational mines, quarries, mine projects and exploration undertakings throughout Africa. Your subscription to the handbook also gives you access to the online database which offers a powerful tool to access up-to-date information. Unearth what you need, without digging. One print and online subscription: A once-off payment of R3 500 (excludes VAT) Valid for 12 months CONTACT OUR CONSULTANTS TO SUBSCRIBE: [phone] Maxlee: [email protected] Ralph: [email protected] According to Dr Drew, the process by which trees form wood is of global significance and cannot be under-estimated. “Wood formation, technically known as xylogenesis, is fundamental to the fixing of carbon dioxide into the stable, valuable and beautiful material we call wood, and to the production of our planet’s increasingly important renewable timber resources,” he explains. According to Dr Drew, xylogenetic studies are a niche field of research pursued by only a relatively small number of scientists internationally. Most of them work in the northern hemisphere on poplar, softwood species and small ‘model’ plant species. He says there are very good reasons why the research chair focuses on eucalypts in particular. “Eucalyptus, or gum trees, are arguably the world’s most widely planted hardwood forest species. Its wood is used for a wide variety of purposes, ranging from pulp to solid wood for construction,” he explains. Dr Drew says that great progress has been made in South Africa by colleagues at the University of Pretoria on the molecular genetics of wood formation in eucalypts. “In our programme, however, we will focus on understanding and modelling the processes of wood formation of Eucalyptus in the context of the physiology of the whole plant,” he notes. He adds that the research chair is in keeping with the inspiring legacy of geologist and agricultural pioneer, Dr Hans Merensky. After successfully locating many large mineral deposits across South Africa (including diamonds, platinum and gold), he successfully established commercial plantations of Eucalyptus in, especially, the northern parts of the country. Tel: [phone] Email: [email protected] www.interactmedia.co.za // AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2019 45