Titel: Genetic and molecular analyses of European maize landrace for resistance to stalk rot
Abstract:
Maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple crop for both human consumption and animal feed, with an annual global production of approximately 1.16 billion tons. However, its productivity is limited by a range of fungal pathogens, particularly Fusarium species. Fusarium stalk rot
(FSR) alone accounts for an average global yield loss of about 4.5%.
Desmond’s goal is to map QTLs underlying FSR resistance using GWAS in a European maize landrace population, generate informed recommendations, and ultimately enable breeders to develop commercial maize lines with enhanced resistance to this stalk rot disease.
Biography:
Desmond Darko Asiedu is a PhD student at the State Plant Breeding Institute, building on prior research roles at CSIR-Crop Research Institute and KNUST. He holds an MSc in Plant Breeding and Genetics and a First Class Honors in BSc Agricultural Biotechnology, with five years of hands-on maize-breeding experience.
