Dr Norman Muzhinji
Position
Senior Lecturer
Department
Plant Sciences
Office
1
Short CV

Dr Norman Muzhinji is a Senior Lecturer in Plant Pathology in the Department of Plant Sciences, Division of Plant Pathology at the University of the Free State, South Africa. He holds a PhD in Plant Pathology from the University of Pretoria. With more than 15 years of experience in agricultural research, teaching, and postgraduate supervision, Dr Muzhinji has established expertise in molecular plant pathology, plant–microbe interactions, microbial ecology, genomics, bioinformatics, plant disease diagnostics, biological control, and sustainable crop production. His doctoral and postdoctoral research focused on the biology, epidemiology, population genetics, diagnostics, and management of economically important potato pathogens, including Rhizoctonia solani, Spongospora subterranea, and Pectobacterium brasiliense. Dr Muzhinji has extensive experience in molecular diagnostics, next-generation sequencing, microbiome analysis, and the development of microbial-based solutions to improve plant health and productivity. He has secured competitive national and international research funding, published widely in peer-reviewed journals, and actively collaborates with researchers across Africa, Europe, and North America. He is committed to excellence in teaching, postgraduate training, and community engagement. Dr Muzhinji currently serves as President of the Southern African Society of Plant Pathology (Central Region) and contributes to the scientific community through editorial and peer-review activities for leading international journals and funding agencies.

 

Publications
  1. Santamaria, Z. S., Muzhinji, N. and 89 others. 2026.Soil microbial diversity and network organization respond to land use and agricultural inputs worldwide. Global Biology Change. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5557-1316. in Press
  2. Fosa,H.,Swart, W. J.,Muzhinji, N and Coetzer, G. A. 2026. First report of cladode soft rot on spineless cactus pear caused by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens in South Africa. Plant Disease. In -press
  3. Mangwende, E., Safari, S., Lepage, Z.,Muzhinji, N.,O`Halloran, L., Askarian, H., Akhavan, A.,and Yost, C. (2026). Pathogenicity and host range of Stemphylium vesicarium, causing leaf spot of quinoa in Canada. Plant Pathology.In Press
  4. Paudel,R., Muzhinji, N., Pandey. A., Panthee, D. R., Dean, R. A., Louws, F and Adhikari TB. 2026. Chromosome-scale de novo genome assembly of the tomato pathogen Septoria lycopersici coupled with comparative genome analyses provide insights into genomic landscapes and features associated with pathogenicity. Scientific Reports. In Press
  5. Adhikari, T. B., Muzhinji, N., Gaire, S., Magar, P. B., Pandey, A., Moparthi S, et al. 2026. Genome-wide analysis of the invasive fungal pathogen Neopestalotiopsis reveals high genomic diversity, effector repertoires, and the assessment of fungicide resistance risks. PLoS One 21(5): e0348782. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0348782
  6. Chimuti, S.,  Ntuli , S., Mugadza, D. T., Mavengere, M.,  Muzhinji, N.,  Njage, P. M.K  2026. Whole genome sequencing reveals antimicrobial resistance, virulence determinants, and stress adaptation traits of Escherichia coli from informal dairy sector. International Dairy Journal, 176, 10650
  7. Gaire, S., Muzhinji, N., Louws F.J., and Adhikari,T. B. 2026. Neopestalotiopsis spp., an invasive fungal pathogen, is a major threat to strawberry production: the current status, challenges, and future directions. Front Plant Sci. 2026 Jan 28;17:1725321. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1725321. PMCID: PMC12891159.
  8. Lekota, M., Nketsi, K.; Machela, S. Muzhinji, N. (2025) . Rhizoctonia solani AG4 HG-I Causing Black Scurf of Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Tubers in Lesotho. New Disease Reports, 2025, v. 52, n. 1, p. 1, doi. 10.1002/ndr2.70065
  9. Lekota, M. Machela, S. Nketsi, K., Muzhinji, N. (2025). First Report of Fusarium Oxysporum and F. longifundum Causing Dry Rot of Potato (Solanum tuberosum) in Lesotho. New Disease Reports, 2025, Vol 52, Issue 1, p1
  10. Lekota, M., Nketsi, K., Machela, S.and Muzhinji, N. (2025). Assessment of the impact of certified and uncertified potato seed tubers on yield, quality, and disease incidence in Lesotho. Plant Protection, 3: 609-622
  11. Paudel, R., Muzhinji, N., Pandey, A. et al. 2025. Genome assembly and comparative analysis of Alternaria linariae reveal novel genes associated with host colonization and virulence. BMC Genomics 26, 638 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11819-z
  12. Adhikari,T. B., Muzhinji, N., Philbrick, A. N, Guido Schnabel. And Louws, F. J (2025). Genome resource and whole genome sequencing of Colletotrichum species associated with leaf and crown rot anthracnose of strawberry in North Carolina. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1515894/abstract
  13. Adhikari,T. B., Muzhinji, N., Philbrick, A. N, Guido Schnabel. And Louws, F. J (2025). Genome Sequence Resource of Four Botrytis cinerea isolates from North Carolina. Phyto Frontiers https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-05-24-0060-A
  14. Muzhinji, N and Lekota, M. (2024). Binucleate Rhizoctonia on potato: Geographic distribution, identification, taxonomy, genomics, host range, and disease management. Journal of Phytopathology 172, https://doi.org/10.1111/jph.13364
  15. Muzerengwa, R.,Muzhinji, N.,Garwe, D.,Chisango, T. J.,Nyoni,M.,and Magama, F. (2024). Development of a PCR-based method for the detection and identification of tobacco mosaic virus and potato virus y in tobacco. International Journal of Plant Pathology and Microbiology Microbiol (2):15-21. DOI: 10.22271/27893065.2024.v4.i2a.85
  16. Mothibeli, K.,Lekota,L., Liphoto, M., Morojele, M. E and Muzhinji. N (2023). First Report of Rhizoctonia solani Associated with Black Scurf of Potato Tubers in Lesotho.International Journal of Phytopathology. 20; 87-97.
  17. Tjimune, R., Mangwende, M., Lekota, N., Muzhinji, N (2022). First Report of Rhizoctonia solani AG 3-PT causing black scurf on potato tubers in Namibia. New Disease Report. https://doi.org/10.1002/ndr2.12066
  18. Adhikari,T. B., Muzhinji, N. Meadows, I., Halterman, D., and Louws, F. J. (2021) Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Alternaria Species Infecting Tomato and Potato in North Carolina and Wisconsin Determined by DNA Sequence-Based Microsatellite Genotyping.Scientific reports 11: 17024.
  19. Kimunye, J. Muzhinji N, Mostert, D., Viljoen, A., van der Merwe A. E and Mahuku G. (2021) Genetic Diversity and Mating Type Distribution of Pseudocercospora fijiensis on Banana in Uganda and Tanzania. Phytopathology, 111: 741-750
  20. Muzhinji, N. and Ntuli V. (2021) Genetically modified organisms and food security in Southern Africa: conundrum and discourse, GM Crops & Food, 12:1, 25-35
  21. Muzhinji, N., Dube, J.P., de Haan, E.G., Woodhall, J and van der Waals, J. (2020) Development of a TaqMan PCR assay for specific detection and quantification of Pectobacterium brasiliense in potato tubers and soil. Eur J Plant Pathol 158, 521–532
  22. Lekota, M., Muzhinji, N and J. van der Waals 2019. Identification of differentially expressed genes in tolerant and susceptible potato cultivars in response to Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea tuber infection. Plant Pathology, https://doi.org/10.1111/ppa.13029
  23. Gush, S-L., Muzhinji, N, Truter, M. and van der Waals, J. 2019. First Report of Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2IIIB Causing Elephant Hide on Potato Tubers in South Africa. Plant Disease https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-18-1850-PDN
  24. Muzhinji, N and van der Waals, J. E (2019). Population Biology and Genetic Variation of Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea, the Causal Pathogen of Powdery Scab and Root Galls on Potatoes in South Africa. Phytopathology 109 (11), 1957-1965
  25. Muzhinji, N., Woodhall, J. W., Truter, M., van der Waals, J. E.2018. Variation in fungicide sensitivity among anastomosis groups of Rhizoctonia solani and binucleate Rhizoctonia recovered from potatoes in South Africa. Plant Disease, 15:60-67
  26. Luke Jimu; Norman Muzhinji; Charles Magogo; Admore Mureva. 2018. Chrysoporthe zambiensis on native Syzygium in Zimbabwe. Australasian Plant Disease Notes, 13:1
  27. Muzhinji, N., Woodhall, J.W., Truter, M. and van der Waals, J. E. 2018. Relative contribution of seed tuber- and soil-borne inoculum to potato disease development and changes in the population genetic structure of Rhizoctonia solani AG 3-PT under field conditions in South Africa. Plant Disease, 102:60-66

 

Area(s) of Interest

My current research interests include the biology and ecology of soil borne pathogens, identification of plant growth promoting microbes, plant-pathogen interactions, development of diagnostic tools for pathogen identification, surveillance and monitoring, plant disease epidemiology, soil and plant health.

Courses Presented

PPLG 4824-Host -Pathogen Interaction

PPLG 3477- Ecology of plant pathogens

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BLOEMFONTEIN CAMPUS FACULTY CONTACT

Elfrieda van den Berg (Marketing Manager)
T: +27 51 401 2531
E:vdberge@ufs.ac.za

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