Contact Information:

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

Awards and Honors:
Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS), 2005
Outstanding Journal Article of the Year on Plant Genetic Resources, Crop Science Society of America, 2005
Distinguished Career Achievement Award, INTSORMIL, 2002
Technical Editor, Crop Science, Crop Science Society of America, 1998-2000
Dean's Interdisciplinary Team Award, Purdue School of Agriculture, 1998
Distinguished Scientific Career Award, African Crop Science Congress, 1997
International Service in Agronomy Award, ASA, 1997
Associate Editor, Crop Science, Crop Science Society of America, 1995-1997
International  Service in Crop Science Award, CSSA, 1994
Fellow of ASA, 1995; Fellow  of CSSA, 1994
Award for Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture of the Sudan, Agr. Res. Corporation of Sudan, 1983
Special Award, Graduate with Great Distinction, Alemaya College of Agriculture, 1973

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

Last updated:  April, 2007