He discovered that plants protect themselves naturally by exuding aromatic compounds. Subsequent research into these compounds showed that furfural is a highly effective nematicide & fungicide.
Illovo Sugar, as a large global commercial producer of furfural, became aware of this discovery and in 1995 initiated trials in South Africa though Dr. Cheryl Venter at the Agricultural Research Institute in Potchefstroom. At the time Dr. Venter was also President of the Nematology Society of South Africa. Having established efficacy Illovo then approached Professor Kabana to collaborate jointly in order to further develop this discovery on a global scale.
The active ingredient in Crop Guard®, furfural, is manufactured from bagasse (the waste fibre of sugar cane following the extraction of sugar) at Illovo's Sezela Downstream Factory.
