Mr. Wedajo Gebre | Plant Breeding | Editorial Board Member

This researcher is an established agricultural scientist with a sustained record of applied research focused on crop improvement, genetic diversity, and yield stability in drought-prone and lowland agro-ecologies of Ethiopia. With 171 total citations, an h-index of 8, and an i10-index of 7, his scholarly impact reflects consistent contributions to plant breeding, agronomy, and stress tolerance research since 2014. His work primarily addresses sorghum, maize, pearl millet, mung bean, rice, groundnut, cassava, and finger millet, emphasizing adaptation, genetic variability, phenotypic diversity, and productivity under challenging environmental conditions. A significant portion of his research explores drought tolerance and yield stability using morpho-physiological traits, association and path coefficient analyses, and multi-location trials, providing practical insights for variety selection and sustainable crop production. Publications in reputable journals such as Heliyon, Scientifica, Agrosystems, Geosciences and Environment, and various agricultural science journals demonstrate his engagement with both regional and international research platforms. His collaborative work with national and international co-authors highlights interdisciplinary approaches integrating genetics, breeding, and environmental management. In addition to conventional field evaluation studies, he has contributed to innovative methodologies such as alternative tissue culture media for cassava micro-propagation, reflecting methodological versatility. His studies are particularly relevant to smallholder farming systems, offering evidence-based recommendations for improved cultivar performance, resilience to climate variability, and food security enhancement in Ethiopia and similar agro-ecological regions. Recent outputs from 2024–2025 indicate continued productivity, with expanded analyses of sorghum genetic diversity and drought resilience, reinforcing his role as a consistent contributor to agricultural research aimed at climate adaptation, sustainable intensification, and resource-efficient crop production.

The nominee’s work advances agricultural science by strengthening understanding of genetic diversity, yield stability, and drought tolerance in staple crops critical to food security. By delivering evidence-based solutions for climate-resilient crop improvement, his research directly supports smallholder farmers, sustainable agriculture, and long-term resilience in vulnerable agro-ecological regions.