2021 UKZN Graduation
The University of KwaZulu-Natal hosted their virtual graduation ceremony for the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science (CAES) on the 25th of May 2021.
Graduation Ceremony
2021 ACCI Graduates
Wilson Nkhata
PhD Thesis Title: Pre-Breeding of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) for Bean Fly (Ophiomyia spp) Resistance
The bean fly is a noxious insect pest causing low productivity of common bean in Malawi. The candidate used the conventional and marker-assisted breeding methods and developed new genetic resources of common bean for bean fly resistance to release market preferred varieties. From this work the candidate published five scientific papers in high impact journals. The study was financially supported by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. READ MORE
Esnart Nyirenda Yohane
PhD Thesis Title: Breeding for Early Maturity and Resistance to Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium udum Butler) in Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh]
The grain yield of pigeonpea is low (< 700 kg ha-1) in Malawi compared with the potential yield of the crop reaching up to 2000 kg ha-1. The candidate developed new breeding populations with high yield and Fusarium wilt resistance for variety development and release in Malawi. Three scientific papers were published from the study. The study was financially supported by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. READ MORE
Boluwatife Modupeoluwa Olaolorun
PhD Thesis Title: Breeding Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for Drought Tolerance, Improved Yield and Biomass Allocation through Chemical Mutagenesis
The productivity of wheat has stagnated in sub-Saharan Africa due to unavailability of improved cultivars, recurrent droughts and heat stress presented by global climate change. The candidate used mutation breeding techniques and created superior mutant populations with enhanced biomass allocation, drought tolerance and agronomic performance. This is the first study that reported novel mutants specifically selected for better biomass allocation as a means to improve drought tolerance in wheat. READ MORE
Nelia Nkhoma
PhD Thesis Title: Genetic Improvement of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] for Grain Yield and Yield Components in Zambia
Cowpea is a multi-purpose grain legume cultivated in Zambia for food security and local markets. The candidate selected breeding parents using phenotypic and high-density single nucleotide polymorphism markers. New breeding populations were developed with enhanced yield and yield components for further genetic advancement and multilocation selection for variety release and deployment. The study was financially supported by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. READ MORE
Happy Makuru Daudi
PhD Thesis Title: Breeding Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) for Rust Resistance in Tanzania
Groundnut rust disease causes low yields (< 1 t/ha) in Tanzania compared to the potential yield of the crop reaching up to 2.5 t/ha. The candidate developed new breeding families with high combining ability effects for rust resistance and kernel yield. Three scientific papers were published from the study. The study was funded by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics/India through Tropical Legumes III project. READ MORE
William Titus Suvi
PhD Thesis Title: Breeding for Resistance to Rice Yellow Mottle Virus and Improved Yield in Rice in Tanzania
The productivity of rice is low in Tanzania due to the rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) disease and lack of improved varieties. The candidate selected agronomically superior and RYMV resistant breeding parents and new rice families for further evaluation and variety release in Tanzania. From this study five scientific papers were published in high impact journals. The study was financially supported by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. READ MORE
Chapwa Kasoma
PhD Thesis Title: Breeding Maize for Tolerance to the Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Improved Yield and Yield-related Traits
The recent arrival of the fall armyworm (FAW) in Africa has been severely threatening maize production. Host-plant resistance has been identified as one of the most sustainable pest control options. The candidate developed new FAW resistant maize hybrids involving landrace varieties and donor parents. From this study five scientific papers were published in high impact journals. The study was financially supported by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. READ MORE
Yared Semahegn Belete
PhD Thesis Title: Breeding Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for Drought Tolerance in Ethiopia
The candidate developed new generation bread wheat lines which are considerably drought tolerant, high and stable yielding with farmers’ preferred traits. The new breeds will enhance productivity in marginal and drought prone wheat production areas in Ethiopia. From this study four scientific papers were published in high impact journals. The study was financially supported by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. READ MORE