Habte Nida Chikssa

Highly experienced plant breeder with nearly 20 years of experience conducting research to develop improved varieties of field crops. Successfully released numerous high-yielding and climate-resilient crop varieties. Supported the commercialization of improved crop varieties. Extensive experience in the implementation of modern breeding approaches including product concepts, modern breeding techniques, and breeding pipeline optimization to increase genetic gain. Excellent knowledge and skill in next-generation sequence analysis that includes cluster computing, genome analysis, SNP calling, GWAS, QTL mapping, RNA sequencing, and marker analysis. Experience in the design and statistical analysis of field experiments using R and SAS including advanced analysis methods such as accounting for spatial field patterns and MET analysis.

Journal articles

Habte N, Girma G, Xu X, Liao CJ, Adeyanju A, Hailemariam S, Lee S, Okoye P, Ejeta G, Mengiste T. Haplotypes at the sorghum ARG4and ARG5 NLR loci confer resistance to anthracnose. Plant J. 2023 Dec 18. doi: 10.1111/tpj.16594. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38111157.

Dessalegn, K, Lule, D, Habte, N, Girma G, Mengiste T. 2022. Evaluation of selected Ethiopian sorghum genotypes for resistance to anthracnose. Eur J Plant Pathol, 162, 79–9

Habte N, Lee S, Li Y, Mengiste T. 2021. Transcriptome analysis of early stages of sorghum grain mold disease reveals defense regulators and metabolic pathways associated with resistance. BMC Genomics, 22(1):295

Habte N, Girma G, Mekonen M, Tirfessa A, Seyoum A, Bejiga T, Birhanu C, Dessalegn K, Senbetay T, Ayana G, Tesso T, Ejeta G, Mengiste T. 2021. Genome-wide association analysis reveals seed protein loci as determinants of variations in grain mold resistance in sorghum. Theoretical and Applied Genetics

Girma G, Habte N, Tirfessa A, Lule D, Bejiga T, Seyoum A, Mekonen M, Nega A, Dessalegn K, Birhanu C, Bekele A, Gebreyohannes A, Ayana G, Tesso T, Ejeta G, Mengiste T. 2020. A comprehensive phenotypic and genomic characterization of Ethiopian sorghum germplasm defines core collection and reveals rich genetic potential in adaptive traits. The plant genome, 13(3):e20055

Fox G, Nugusu Y, Habte N, Tedessa T, McLean G, Jordan D. 2020. Evaluation of variation in Ethiopian sorghum injera quality with new imaging techniques. Cereal Chemistry, 97(2):362-372

Seyoum A, Semahegn Z, Nega A, Siraw S, Gebreyohannes A, Solomon H, ... Legesse T, Wagaw K, Terresa T, Mitiku S, Tsehaye Y, Mokonen M, Chifra W, Habte N, Tirfessa A. 2020. Multi-environment evaluation and Genotype× Environment interaction analysis of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotypes in highland areas of Ethiopia. American Journal of Plant Sciences 11 (12), 1899-1917

Amare S, Amare N, Kedanemaryam W, Taye T, Diriba T, Alemu T, Habte N, Adane G, Sewmehone S, Tsegaye G, Chalachew E, Hailemariam H, Tamirat B, Tokuma L, David J, Emma M, Daniel N, Ligaba A, Meron B. 2020. Multi environment and spatial analysis of early maturing sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotypes in dry lowland areas of Ethiopia. African Journal of Agricultural Research 15 (2), 278-290

Wagaw K, Seyoum A, Nega A, Tadesse T, Nadew D, HabteN, Tirfessa A, Gebreyohannes A. 2020. Multi-environment trial and spatial analysis for yield performance of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] hybrids in dry lowland sorghum growing areas of Ethiopia. Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science 12 (4), 275-284

Habte N, Girma G, Mekonen M, Lee S, Seyoum A, Dessalegn K, Tadesse T, Ayana G, Senbetay T, Tesso T, Ejeta G, Mengiste T. 2019. Identification of sorghum grain mold resistance loci through genome wide association mapping. Journal of Cereal Science, 85:295-304

Girma G, Habte N, Seyoum A, Mekonen M, Nega A, Lule D, Dessalegn K, Bekele A, Gebreyohannes A, Adeyanju A, Tirfessa A, Ayana G, Taddese T, Mekbib F, Belete K, Tesso T, Ejeta G, Mengiste T. 2019. A Large-Scale Genome-Wide Association Analyses of Ethiopian Sorghum Landrace Collection Reveal Loci Associated With Important Traits. Front Plant Sci, 10

Seyoum A, Gebreyohannes A, Nega A, Habte N, Tadesse T, Tirfessa. 2019. A Performance evaluation of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) genotypes for grain yield and yield related traits in drought prone areas of Ethiopia. Advances in Crop Science and Technology, 7 (2), 423

Gebreyohannes A, Tadesse T, Seyoum A, Habte N. 2018. Genetic variability in agronomic traits and associations in sorghum [(Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)] genotypes at intermediate agro-ecology sorghum growing areas of Ethiopia. African Journal of Agricultural Research 13 (49), 2780-2787

Abduselam F, Tana T, Abdulahi J, Habte N, Tadese T. 2017. Evaluation of double cropping system for sorghum production at Fedis, Eastern Ethiopia. Journal of Plant Sciences, 5 (2), 75-81

Habte N, Blum S, Zielinski D, Srivastava DA, Elbaum R, Xin Z, Erlich Y, Fridman E, Shental N. 2016. Highly efficient de novo mutant identification in a Sorghum bicolor TILLING population using the ComSeq approach. Plant J, 86(4):349-359

HabteN, Seyoum A, Gebreyohannes A. 2016. Evaluation of yield performance of intermediate altitude sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) genotypes using Genotype x Environment Interaction Analysis. Journal of Trend in Research and Development 3 (2), 27-35

Adugna G, Habte N, Mnalku A, Amsalu S, Mnaleshewa M. 2016. A review of soil fertility improvement and monitoring studies on cotton at middle awash and Arba Minch areas, Ethiopia. Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research 4 (1), 18-30

Ben-Israel I, Kilian B, HabteN, Fridman E. 2012. Heterotic trait locus (HTL) mapping identifies intra-locus interactions that underlie reproductive hybrid vigor in Sorghum bicolor. PLoS One, 7(6):e38993

Articles in proceedings

Tadesse T, Seyoum A, Nega A, Gebreyohannes A, Kebede Y, Wagaw K, Bejiga T, Legesse T, Siraw S, Habte N, Tirfessa A, Nadew D, Endalamaw C, Solomon H, Ayele L, Bogale M. Major achievements, challenges and prospects of sorghum and millet research and development. Proceedings of 50th Anniversary of Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, 27–31 August 2019. Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research Melkassa Agricultural Research Center

Abduselam F, Tana T, Abdulahi J, Habte N, Tadese T. Cropping System for Food Security in the Face of Climate Change: The Case of Eastern Ethiopia. Proceedings of the International Conference on Impact of El Niño on Biodiversity, Agriculture, and Food Security 23-24 February 2017 Haramaya University, Ethiopia

Abstracts and posters

Habte N, Fenton M, Adeyanju A, Bowser N, Rich P, Ejeta G. 2023. PP37 multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) population – a resource for Striga research. Sorghum in the 21st Century Global Sorghum Conference: Resiliency and Sustainability in the Face of Climate Change, 5-9 June, Montpellier, France (abstract).

Habte N, Girma G, Mekonen M, Tirfessa A, Bejiga T, Birhanu C, Seyoum A, Ayana G, Ejeta G, Mengiste T. 2023. The role of phytochemicals in grain mold resistance in sorghum: opportunities and challenges. Sorghum in the 21st Century Global Sorghum Conference: Resiliency and Sustainability in the Face of Climate Change, 5-9 June, Montpellier, France (abstract).

Bejiga T, Habte N, Tirfessa A, Seyoum A, Adedayo A, Bowser N, Rich P, and Ejeta G. 2023. The potential of sorghum hybrids in enhancing productivity in the dry lands of Ethiopia. Sorghum in the 21st Century Global Sorghum Conference: Resiliency and Sustainability in the Face of Climate Change, 5-9 June, Montpellier, France (abstract & poster).

Habte Nida, Tadesse T, Seyoum A, Mace E, Jordan D. 2018. Implementing next generation marker sequencing technologies in Ethiopian sorghum breeding programs. Global Sorghum Conference: Sorghum in the 21st Century, 9 -12 April, Cape Town, South Africa (abstract and poster)

Habte Nida, Girma G, Lule D, Desalegn K, Mekonen M, Tadesse T, Seyoum A, Gebreyohannes A, Nega A, Ayana G, Tesso T, Ejeta G, Mengiste T. 2018. Identification of sorghum grain mold resistance loci through genome wide association mapping. Global Sorghum Conference: Sorghum in the 21st Century, 9 -12 April, Cape Town, South Africa (abstract)

Tadesse T, Habte N, Seyoum A, Nega A, Gebreyohannes A, Tirefssa A, Jordan D. 2018. The use of integrated technologies to improve the rate of genetic gain in the national sorghum breeding program in Ethiopia. Global Sorghum Conference: Sorghum in the 21st Century, 9 -12 April, Cape Town, South Africa (abstract and poster)

Seyoum A, Gebreyohannes A, Tadesse T, Tirfessa T, Habte N, Jordan D. 2018. Implementation of electronic data capture in EIAR sorghum breeding program. Global Sorghum Conference: Sorghum in the 21st Century, 9 -12 April, Cape Town, South Africa (abstract and poster)

Girma G, Habte N, Tadesse T, Seyoum A, Gebreyohannes A, Nega A, Lule D, Desalegn K, Mekbib F, Belete K, Ayana G, Tesso T, Ejeta G, Mengiste T. 2018. Ethiopian sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) genetic diversity and genome wide association study (GWAS) for Agriculturally important traits. Global Sorghum Conference: Sorghum in the 21st Century, 9 -12 April, Cape Town, South Africa (abstract).

Manuals

Seyoum A, Kebede Y, Assefa A, Jordan D, Mace E, Habte N, Wagaw K, Tirfessa A, Bejiga T, Zerihun M, Tadesse T, Nega A, Gebreyohannes A, Legesse T. 2019. Sorghum breeding manual. Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research

Talks

Habte N, Fenton M, Adeyanju A, Bowser N, Rich P, Ejeta G. 2023. PP37 multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) population – a resource for Striga research. Sorghum in the 21st Century Global Sorghum Conference: Resiliency and Sustainability in the Face of Climate Change, 5-9 June, Montpellier, France.

Habte N, Girma G, Mekonen M, Tirfessa A, Bejiga T, Birhanu C, Seyoum A, Ayana G, Ejeta G, Mengiste T. 2023. The role of phytochemicals in grain mold resistance in sorghum: opportunities and challenges. Sorghum in the 21st Century Global Sorghum Conference: Resiliency and Sustainability in the Face of Climate Change, 5-9 June, Montpellier, France.

Habte N, Tirfessa A, Bejiga T, Ejeta G. 2023. Genetic Enhancement of Sorghum to Promote Commercial Seed Supply and Grain Market Development. Sorghum and Millet Innovation Lab, Annual Meeting, February 2-3, Adama, Ethiopia

Habte N, Tirfessa A, Bejiga T, Ejeta G. 2022. Genetic Enhancement of Sorghum to Promote Commercial Seed Supply and Grain Market Development. Sorghum and Millet Innovation Lab, Annual Meeting, March 21-25, Virtual

Habte N, Tirfessa A, Bejiga T, Ejeta G. 2021. Genetic Enhancement of Sorghum to Promote Commercial Seed Supply and Grain Market Development. Sorghum and Millet Innovation Lab, Annual Meeting, March 22-26, Virtual

Habte N, Girma, G, Tadesse T, Seyoum A Mekonen M, Gebreyohannes A, Nega A, Bejiga T, Lule D, Desalegn K, Mekbib M, Belete K, Ayana G, Tesso T, Ejeta G, Mengiste T. 2018. Ethiopian Sorghum Genetic Diversity and GWAS for Important Traits. Global Sorghum Conference: Sorghum in the 21st Century, 9 -12 April, Cape Town, South Africa

Habte N, Girma G, Lule D, Desalegn K, Mekonen M, Tadesse T, Seyoum A, Gebreyohannes A, Nega A, Ayana G, Tesso T, Ejeta G, Mengiste T. 2018. Identification of Sorghum Grain Mold Resistance Loci through GWAS. Global Sorghum Conference: Sorghum in the 21stCentury, 9 -12 April, Cape Town, South Africa

International and national collaboration

• Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) (2016-present)
• Haramaya University
• Jimma University
• University of Queensland (UQ) (2013-2016)
• Kansas State University (2013-2016)
• International Crop Research Center for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) (2013-2016)
• International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) (2022-present)

Major donors and partners

• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)
• USAID Feed the Future Program, Sorghum and Millet Innovation Lab (SMIL) (2014-2023)

Teaching

• Taught (TA) Introductory Plant Pathology (BTNY 301, 3 credits), Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, Spring 2020
• Provided guest lecture/invited seminar on “African Crops” to the class of Plants and Civilization (BTNY 285) on 11/30/2023
• Taught undergraduate courses, Plant Physiology (3 credits) and Root and Tuber Crops (lecture (2 credits) and practical (1 credit)) at Assosa ATVET College, Assosa, Ethiopia (September 2004 – April 2005)
• Taught Plant Physiology (3 credit) course at Samara University, Ethiopia (January – May 2013).

Graduate student advisory

• Served as co-adviser for 5 Ph.D. and 1 MSc students working on various topics in Ethiopia
• Provided technical support to various Ph.D. and MSC students at Purdue