Asande Humalo, who grew up in the rural area of Nkomazi, Mpumalanga province, faced limited access to career counseling. Nevertheless, his parents valued education and encouraged him to look beyond his immediate surroundings. It was this curiosity that ultimately led him to study plant pathology.
Humalo explains to Food For Mzansi that plant pathology is akin to medical practice, but applied to plants. Like humans, plants can become diseased due to fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. He clarifies: 'My job as a phytopathologist is to study the causes of plant diseases, how the disease spreads, and how we can prevent or cure it.'
According to Humalo, plant diseases affect farmers of all production scales—from small-scale maize growers to commercial sugarcane operations. He emphasizes that an outbreak of disease can destroy an entire harvest, negatively impacting food production and agricultural supply.
After finishing school in 2021, he enrolled in an undergraduate agriculture program at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, specializing in plant pathology. In 2024, he completed his master's level studies in the same field and is currently pursuing his master's degree.
The research Humalo is conducting as part of his master's program focuses on utilizing spent mycelial substrate—material left over from mushroom production. He is investigating the possibility of reusing this substrate as a growing medium and its ability to suppress soil-borne diseases using beneficial biological agents such as species of Trichoderma and Bacillus. 'Mushroom farms usually throw away these waste products, and they can become a pollution problem,' he notes. Humalo explains that the discarded material can still contain nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. His research tests whether these properties can support plant growth and help manage soil diseases, including competition between beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms.
Currently, Humalo works at the university as a laboratory demonstrator, assisting junior students during practical sessions. He says this experience has helped him develop as both a scientist and a mentor.
In childhood, Humalo often heard people discuss the potential profitability of agriculture. Amidst a growing population and demand for food, he began seriously considering a career that could provide him long-term security. He recalls: 'I told myself that if you couldn't find a job, you could create one yourself by becoming a farmer.' However, at the time, he was unsure which path to choose within agriculture. Options included botany, soil science, agronomy, and plant pathology, but he knew little about the content of each field.
A high school graduate, Given Khoza, helped him discover plant science. Humalo remembers how the teacher used scientific terminology that captured his attention and introduced him to professions he had never heard of. He quotes: 'He didn't just teach us from the textbook; he told me about the world of science, about professions I had never heard of, such as botany and zoology, and gave me websites so I could learn new things about plants and how they survive among diseases.'
Thus, Humalo became interested in plant pathology. His university experience also broadened his understanding of agriculture. He learned that this field extends beyond simple farming and encompasses science, technology, and innovation. Humalo also realized how microscopic organisms can inflict serious damage on crops, while others can help protect plants from diseases.
Although Humalo has not yet worked officially in the agricultural sector, his studies have provided him with practical research experience. He states: 'Along the way, I realized that agriculture is a science. I learned to isolate pathogens, identify beneficial microorganisms, work in a laboratory and greenhouse, and understand how tiny organisms can either destroy or save a harvest.' He believes this knowledge can help researchers in understanding and managing plant disease outbreaks. 'We are currently experiencing extremely high temperatures due to global warming and climate change. Plant pathology provides the knowledge that will help us protect plant health.'
Despite still working towards his goals, the young researcher plans to officially establish Kun’s Enterprise. This company will focus on developing affordable, eco-friendly growing media and biological control agents for smallholder farmers, with plans to expand to commercial farmers in the future.
