Control Technical Assistant (Field Trial & Horticulture Unit): Innovation Africa @UP Campus

I am a Control Technical Assistant for the Field Trials and Horticultural Unit at Innovation Africa @UP Campus. With 14 years of experience in agricultural research, I specialise in conventional breeding, I have published as the main author and also contributed as a co-author on published scientific papers.

Previously, I worked as a Senior Research Technician at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), gaining extensive experience in field research, plant breeding, and horticultural management. I am also a registered member of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP).

Academic Background 
-PhD candidate (Genetics) – University of Pretoria
-MSc Agric (Cum Laude) – University of the Free State
-BSc (Hons) in Plant Breeding – University of the Free State
-BTech in Agricultural Management – Tshwane University of Technology

My Role & Expertise

-Managing research field trials and fruit orchards (citrus, avocado, pecan, and moringa)
-Assist in mentoring undergraduate and postgraduate students
-Assisting with practicals and hands-on learning experiences
-I am passionate about agricultural innovation, sustainable farming, and mentoring the next generation of researchers.

Whelma Mphela publication list

Philemon Tsele, Abel Ramoelo, Lucy Moleleki, Sunette Laurie, Whelma Mphela, Natasha Tshuma (2025) Leaf area index-based phenotypic assessment of sweet potato varieties using UAV multispectral imagery and a hybrid retrieval approach. Smart Agricultural Technology, Volume 11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2025.100960.

Seventy years of sweet potato [ Ipomoea batatas L. (LAM)] research in South Africa (journal article) Laurie, Sunette M. Mulabisana, Julia. Sutherland, Rene. Sivakumar, Dharini. Pofu, Kgabo. Mphela, Whelma M. Truter, Mariette. du Plooy, Ian. Araya, Nadia. Araya, Hintsa. Bairu, Michael W.Crop Science, volume 64, issue 3, pages 1112-1128 (2024).10.1002/csc2.21097

Naidoo SIM, Laurie SM, M Booyse, H Shimelis, MD Laing, Mphela WM (2024) Early generation clonal selection of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) using an accelerated breeding scheme. Euphytica (2024) 220:19

Laurie SM and Mphela WM (2022) Consumer acceptability of fried chips made from South African sweet potato cultivars. South African Journal of Plant and Soil 290-298

Mphela WM, Laurie SM, Bihon W, Minnaar-Ontong A (2022) Development of Fusarium wilt resistant lines in Sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam]. Euphytica 218:68

Naidoo SIM, Laurie SM, Booyse M, Mphela WM, Makunde GS, Shimelis H, Laing MD (2021) Combining ability, heterosis and heritability of sweetpotato root protein, ?-carotene, sugars and mineral composition 11(14): 1802

Mulabisana MJ, Cloete M, Laurie SM, Mphela W, Maserumule MM, Nhlapo TF, Cochrane NM, Oelofse D, Rey MEC (2019) Yield evaluation of multiple and co-infections of begomoviruses and potyviruses on sweet potato varieties under field conditions and confirmation of multiple infection by NGS. Crop Protection Journal 119: 102-112

Laurie S, Calitz F, Mtileni M, Mphela W, Tjale S (2017) Performance of informal market sweet potato cultivars in on-farm trials in South Africa. Open Agriculture Journal

Naidoo SIM, Laurie SM, Odeny DA, Vorster BJ, Mphela WM, Greyling MM, Crampton BG (2016) Genetic study of yield and flesh colour in sweet potato. African Crop Science Journal

Promotion of vitamin A-enriched sweetpotato for production by small-scale commercial farmers in South Africa. (book chapter) In Potato and sweetpotato in Africa: transforming the value chains for food and nutrition security Laurie, S. M. Mtileni, M. M. Mphela, W. M. Berg, A. A. van den, Ramathavhana, T. Sediane, L. Maraganedzha, T. Plooy, C. P. du CABI (2015) 10.1079/9781780644202.0533