Advanced Plant Breeding Facilities Enable Research on Striga-Resistant Maize

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Dr Nanou Emeline Dossa’s PhD research through the African Centre for Crop Improvement (ACCI) at UKZN was a significant study to uncover novel genetic resources, markers and genes in maize associated with resistance to the parasitic witchweed, Striga hermonthica and Striga asiatica.

Striga poses a severe threat to maize and other cereal crops in sub-Saharan Africa, with yield losses between 10% and 100% in susceptible cultivars, affecting food security and the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers.

Dossa, supported by the ACCI, the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), applied genome-wide association analysis to identify Striga resistance genes in tropical and sub-tropical maize populations. She studied S. asiatica and S. hermonthica, hoping to find genes that resist both but did not find strong genetic regions (QTLs) linked to resistance against both species simultaneously. This led her to recommend breeding maize specifically for resistance to each species, using germplasm adapted to regions where each parasite is endemic.

Her study revealed a key result: host resistance is the most effective method for controlling Striga infestation.

Dossa joined UKZN’s ACCI from Benin, where she completed her undergraduate and master’s studies at the University of Parakou and the National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics (UNSTIM). Motivated to advance agriculture to meet human needs, particularly food security in Benin and Africa, she was intrigued by plant breeding’s potential to uncover innovative solutions for sustainable food production.

She chose to study at UKZN because of its advanced technical resources that support high-level research and aimed to gain expertise to improve crop production in Benin. UKZN’s strong reputation in agriculture and related fields made it the ideal place to develop her skills. She received vital support from her supervisor, Professor Hussein Shimelis, in securing the highly competitive OWSD fellowship that made her PhD studies possible.

Working with advanced equipment and methodologies enhanced Dossa’s technical abilities and broadened her knowledge of modern plant breeding techniques. Collaborations with researchers grew her network and enriched her work, while UKZN’s academic and cultural environment offered new perspectives and ideas, shaping a global outlook.

She presented her findings at conferences and produced four journal publications during her PhD.

The transformative journey included overcoming a year-long COVID-19-related delay as she could not travel to UKZN. Once at the University, she had to adjust to a new academic and cultural setting without her familial support system.

Despite the challenges, Dossa remained focused on her goals, found support in her academic network and stayed connected with loved ones. This built her resilience and taught valuable lessons. She supported her well-being through exercise, reading and a structured routine, balancing research and rest.

Now working as a research assistant at the ACCI, Dossa is strengthening her expertise in bioinformatics and genomic selection, focusing on advanced tools that improve precision and speed in plant breeding. Her work involves international collaborations and contributes meaningfully to crop improvement for food security and sustainability. She aims to build a career in academia, combining her passion for teaching and research.

Dossa thanked her family for their tremendous support, especially her late father, Mr Dossa Lofa Paul Isidore, for laying the foundation of her education, and her mother, Ms Towadè Julienne, and siblings. She was also grateful to Shimelis for his guidance; Professor Mark Laing for his advice; the ACCI, OWSD, and SIDA for supporting her study; her former supervisor, Professor Gustave Djedatin at UNSTIM, for his encouragement and Dr Yao Nasser for connecting her to the ACCI.

She thanked God for the strength and opportunity to reach this milestone.

Words: Christine Cuénod

Photographs: Sethu Dlamini and supplied