Recent news:
Gebisa Ejeta was named the 2009 World Food Prize Laureate. To learn more about the prize and Gebisa's research click the links below.
Research Areas:
Elucidate mechanisms of resistance to drought, Striga, and plant diseases in sorghum
Study inheritance of traits associated with resistance to these traits
Characterize genomic differences among botanical races and germplasm pools of sorghum
Develop and enhance sorghum germplasm with increased levels of resistance to drought, Striga, and
grain mold infection.
A USAID-Funded Project on Striga Control in Ethiopia Produces Dramatic Results
Most Significant Publications:
Joel, D.M., Y. Hershenhorn, H.Eizenberg, R. Aly, G. Ejeta, P.J.Rich, J.K. Ransom, J. Sauerborn, and D. Rubiales. 2006. Hort Reviews vol. 33 (In press).
Ejeta, G. 2005. Integrating biotechnology, breeding, and agronomy in the control of Striga in sorghum. pp 239-251. In: Tuberosa, R. Phillips, R.L., Gale, M. (eds) In the Wake of the Double Helix: From the Green Revolution to the Gene Revolution. Avenue Media Press, Bologna, Italy.
Rich, G., C. Grenier, and G. Ejeta. 2004. Striga resistance in the wild relatives of sorghum. Crop Sci. 44:2221-2229.
Mohamed, A., A. Ellicott, T.L. Housley, and G. Ejeta. 2003. Hypersensitive response to striga infection in sorghum. Crop Sci. 43:824-828.
Menkir, A. and G. Ejeta. 2002. Selection for grain yield in sorghum under moisture stress and nutrient stress environments. African Crop Sci. Journal 11:55-64
Hess, D. E., G. Ejeta, and L.G. Butler. 1992. Selecting sorghum genotypes expressing a quantitative biosynthetic trait that confers resistance to Striga. Phytochemistry 31:493-497.
Ejeta, G. 1988. Development and spread of Hageen Dura-1, the first commercial sorghum hybrid in the Sudan. Appl. Agr. Res. 3(1):29-35.
Ejeta, G., M.M. Hassen, and M.T. Mertz. 1987. In vitro digestibility and amino acid composition of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) and other cereals. Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci., USA 84:6016-6019.
Extension:
Collaborative linkages with national and international sorghum research programs in several countries through INTSORMIL CRSP.
Work closely with international research centers, foundations, and federal agencies in contemporary agricultural research and development issues.
Teaching:
Agronomy 520 - Principles and Methods of Plant Breeding
Agronomy 692 - Plant Breeding Seminar
Professional Experience:
Principal Plant Breeder, ICRISAT, Wad Medani, Sudan, 1979-1983
Research Associate, Ethiopian Sorghum Improvement Project, 1973-1974
Research Assistant, Institute of Agricultural Research, Ethiopia, 1971-1972
Education:
B.S., Plant Sciences, Alemaya College, Ethiopia, 1973
M.S., Plant Breeding and Genetics, Purdue University, 1976
Ph.D., Plant Breeding and Genetics, Purdue University, 1978
Date joined staff: January 1984