Prof. Daniel K. Dzidzienyo

Prof. Daniel K. Dzidzienyo

Senior Lecturer, ddzidzienyo@ug.edu.gh

contact info

ddzidzienyo@ug.edu.gh

About

Prof. Daniel K. Dzidzienyo is a Senior Lecturer at the Biotechnology Centre of the University of Ghana (UG) Simultaneously, he serves as the Deputy Director responsible for Administration, Teaching, and Learning (ATL) at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) and also holds the position of Deputy Centre Leader for the WACCI-Africa Centre of Excellence (ACE) project. Before he was appointed Deputy Director (Administration, Teaching, and Learning), he served as the Coordinator for Research Programmes, Anglophone Africa at WACCI. He has also been involved curriculum review and development and in the teaching of courses in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Crop Improvement, and related areas both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.


He has served the University in many significant capacities. Dr. Dzidzienyo is a member of the WACCI Management Committee, Biotechnology Centre Management Committee, and also served on the College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) Academic Board, CBAS Research Board and UG Academic Board. Dr. Dzidzienyo had his secondary education at the Mawuli School in Ho. He then proceeded to the University of Ghana, Legon to read a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, graduating with First Class Honours. He had his second degree under the Developing Solutions Taught Scholarship for MSc, University of Nottingham, UK. He mastered in Plant Genetic Manipulations. Dr. Dzidzienyo also holds a PhD in Plant Sciences (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology) from the University of Nottingham, UK, under a joint PhD Studentship from the University of Nottingham, UK and The James Hutton Institute, UK. His research interest includes the integration of innovative techniques for the genetic improvement of crop plants and the use of modern molecular techniques for developing resilient varieties of staple crops particularly root and tuber crops for food.

 

Education

  • PhD Plant Science (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology), University of Nottingham, UK, 2008 – 2012
  • MSc Plant Genetic Manipulation, University of Nottingham, UK, 2007 – 2008
  • BSc Agriculture, University of Ghana, Ghana, 2002 - 2006 

Research Areas

Research interest includes the applications of innovative techniques for the genetic improvement of crop plants and the use of modern molecular techniques for improving the quality of staple crops particularly root and tuber crops for food and nutrition security in Africa.

Publications

Published Research Work in Refereed Journals
  • Mirara, F., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Mwangi, M. (2024). Nano-enhanced defense: Titanium-enriched Alginate–Bentonite coating augments Bacillus amyloliquefaciens D203 efficacy against Magnaporthe oryzae in Kenyan rice cultivation. Heliyon10(16) e36141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36141 [Corresponding author]
  • Mirara, F., Dzidzienyo, D. K., & Mwangi, M. (2024). Bacillus amyloliquefaciens D203 ameliorates rice growth and resistance to rice blast disease. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2024.2371943 [Corresponding author]
  • Abah, S. P., Joseph Okpani, M., Dzidzienyo, D. K., Njoku, D., Onyeka, J., Danquah, E. Y., Offei, S.K., Kulakow, P., & Egesi, C. (2024). Determination of Genomic Regions Associated with Early Storage Roots Formation and Bulking in Cassava. Frontiers in Plant Science, 15, 1391452. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1391452.
  • Danso, B. A., Dzidzienyo, D. K., Eleblu, J. S. Y., Addy, S., Manilal, W., Ofori, K., & Asibuo, J. Y. (2024). Validation of SNP markers associated with late leaf spot resistance in groundnut. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2024.2367067 [Corresponding author]
  • Mbe, J.O., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Abah, S.P., Njoku, D.N., Onyeka, J., Tongoona, P., & Egesi C. (2024) Novel SNP markers and other stress-related genomic regions associated with nitrogen use efficiency in cassava. Frontiers in Plant Science 15:1376520. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1376520 [Corresponding author]
  • Eleblu, J. S. Y., Asante, M., Traore, E. V., Ifie, B., Ibitoye, D., Owusu-Ansah, B. J., Gyamfi, M.O., Danquah, A., Dzidzienyo, D., Ofori, K., Offei, S.K., Ortiz, R., & Danquah, E. Y. (2023). Building Resilient and Robust Food Systems for a Hungry, Growing, and Changing World–Case Study of 2nd Topmost Ranked African Union and European Union Project at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI). ASRIC Journal on Agricultural Sciences, 4(2):167-188.
  • Gaoh, B.S.B., Gangashetty, P.I., Mohammed, R., Govindaraj, M., Dzidzienyo, D.K., & Tongoona, P. (2023). Establishing breeding priorities for developing biofortified high-yielding Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) varieties and hybrids in Dosso region of Niger. Agronomy 13(1):166. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13010166
  • Gaoh, B.S.B., Gangashetty, P.I., Mohammed, R., Ango, I.K., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Tongoona, P., & Govindaraj, M. (2023). Combining ability studies of grain Fe and Zn contents of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) in West Africa. Frontiers in Plant Science 13:1027279. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1027279.
  • Danso, B.A., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Oteng-Frimpong, R., Cann, R., & Asibuo, J.Y. (2023). Farmers’ Preferred Traits and Constraints to Groundnut Production in Ghana. International Journal of Agricultural Science and Research 13(1):25-32.
  • Diakite, O.S., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Soulé, A.K.M., Haoua, H.B., Teme, N., Danquah, E., Tongoona, P., & Tuinstra, M. (2023). Sorghum Bmr6 and Bmr12 lines may provide new forage opportunities in West Africa. International Research Journal of Plant Science 14(4): 1-6. DOI:http:/dx.doi.org/10.14303/irjps.2023.26.
  • Uchendu, K., Njoku, D.N., Ikeogu, U.N., Dzidzienyo, D., Tongoona, P., Offei, S., & Egesi, C. (2022). Genotype-by-environment interaction and stability of root mealiness and other organoleptic properties of boiled cassava roots. Scientific Reports 12, 20909 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25172-8.
  • Uchendu, K., Njoku, DN., Paterne, A., Rabbi, I.Y., Dzidzienyo, D., Tongoona, P., Offei, S., & Egesi, C. (2021). Genome-wide association study of root mealiness and other texture-associated traits in cassava. Frontiers in Plant Science 12:770434. doi:10.3389/fpls.2021.770434. PMID: 34975953; PMCID: PMC8719520.
  • Mohammed, S.B., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Umar, M.L., Ishiyaku, M.F., Tongoona, P.B., & Gracen, V. (2021). Appraisal of cowpea cropping systems and farmers’ perceptions of production constraints and preferences in the dry savannah areas of Nigeria. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience 2:25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-021-00046-7 [Corresponding author]
  • Atanda, S.A., Olsen, M., Crossa, J., Burgueño, J., Rincent, R., Dzidzienyo, D., Beyene, Y., Gowda, M., Dreher, K., Boddupalli, P.M., Tongoona, P., Danquah, E.Y., Olaoye, G., & Robbins, K.R. (2021). Scalable sparse testing genomic selection strategy for early yield testing stage. Frontiers in Plant Science 12:658978. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.658978.
  • Gariba, S.Y., Dzidzienyo, D.K., & Eziah, V.Y. (2021). Assessment of four plant extracts as maize seed protectants against Sitophilus zeamais and Prostephanus truncatus in Ghana. Cogent Food & Agriculture 7:1, 1918426. doi:10.1080/23311932.2021.1918426 [Corresponding author]
  • Mohammed, S.B., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Yahaya, A., Umar, M.L., Ishiyaku, M.F., Tongoona, P.B., & Gracen, V. (2021). High soil phosphorus application significantly increased grain yield, phosphorus content but not zinc content of cowpea grains. Agronomy 11, 802. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11040802.
  • Diatta, C., Sarr, M.P., Tovignan, T.K., Aidara, O., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Diatta-Holgate, E., Faye, J.M., Danquah, E.Y., Offei, S.K., & Cisse, N. (2021). Multi-environment evaluation of tannin-free photoperiod-insensitive sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) moench) for yield and resistance to grain mold in Senegal. International Journal of Agronomy. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5534314.
  • Atanda, S.A., Olsen, M., Burgueño, J., Crossa, J., Dzidzienyo, D., Beyene, Y., Gowda, M., Dreher, K., Zhang, X., Prasanna, B.M., Tongoona, P., Danquah, E.Y., Olaoye, G., & Robbins, K.R. (2021). Maximizing efficiency of genomic selection in CIMMYT’s tropical maize breeding program. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 134: 279–294. Doi.org/10.1007/s00122-020-03696-9.
  • Adom, J. A., Dzidzienyo, D. K., & Ofosu-Anim, J. (2021). Retailers’ knowledge and practices on the storage and handling of certified vegetable seeds: A case study of the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Sustainable Futures, 3, 100059.
  • Mohammed, S.B., Mohammad, I.F., Pangirayi, T.B., Vernon, G., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Umar, M.L., & Umar, S. (2020). Farmers’ knowledge, perception, and use of phosphorus fertilization for cowpea production in Northern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria. Heliyon 6 (10), e05207. Doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05207.
  • Akaogu, IC., Badu-Apraku, B., Gracen, V., Tongoona, P., Gedil, M., Unachukwu, N, Offei, S.K., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Hearne, S., & Garcia-Oliveira, A.L. (2020). Genetic diversity and inter-trait relationships among maize inbreds containing genes from Zea diploperennis and hybrid performance under contrasting environments. Agronomy 10, 1478. Doi:10.3390/agronomy10101478.
  • Gaoh, B.S.B., Gangashetty, P.I., Mohammed, R., Dzidzienyo, D.K., & Tongoona, P. (2020). Generation mean analysis of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] grain iron and zinc contents and agronomic traits in West Africa. Journal of Cereal Science 96, 103066. Doi.org/10.1016/j.jcs.2020.103066.
  • Diop, B., Wang, D.R., Drame, K.N., Gracen, V., Tongoona, P., Dzidzienyo, D., Nartey, E., Greenberg, A.J., Djiba, S., Danquah, E.Y., & McCouch, S.R. (2020). Bridging old and new: diversity and evaluation of high iron-associated stress response of rice cultivated in West Africa. Journal of Experimental Botany 71(14): 4188 - 4200. Doi:10.1093/jxb/eraa182.
  • Banla, E.M., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Diangar, M.M., Melomey, L.M., Offei, S.K., Tongoona, P., & Desmae, P. (2020). Molecular and phenotypic diversity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars in Togo. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants 26(7): 1489-1504. Doi.org/10.1007/s12298-020-00837-8.
  • Karim, K.Y., Norman, P.E., Dzidzienyo, D., Ifie, B., Kulakow, P., Rabbi, I., Omoigui, L., & Parkes, E. (2020).  Gene action analysis studies for agronomic traits in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) genotypes developed using line by tester mating design. African Journal of Agricultural Research 16(10): 1472-1480.
  • Karim, K.Y., Ifie, B., Dzidzienyo, D., Danquah, E.Y., Blay, E.T., Whyte, J.B.A., Kulakow P., Rabbi, I., Parkes, E., Omoigui, L., Norman, P.E., & Iluebbey, P. (2019). Genetic characterization of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) genotypes using agro-morphological and single nucleotide polymorphism markers. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants 26: 317–330. Doi:10.1007/s12298-019-00740-x.
  • Dieni, Z., Batieno, T.B.J., Barro, A., Serge Zida, F.M.W., Tignegre, J., & Dzidzienyo, D. (2019). Diallel analysis of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] for seed size, and resistance to Alectra vogelii Benth. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 13(3): 1496-1509.
  • Mohammed, S. B., Pangirayi, B. T., Gracen, V., Dzidzienyo, K. D., Ishiyaku, F. M., Umar, M. L., & Abdulmalik, R. O. (2019). Factors Determining Adoption of Improved Cowpea Varieties Among Smallholder Farmers in the Dry Savannas of Nigeria. Journal of Agripreneurship and Sustainable Development, 2(1), 132-143.
  • Diallo, C., Rattunde, H.F.W., Gracen, V., Touré, A., Nebié, B., Leiser, W., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Sissoko, I., Danquah, E.Y., Diallo, A.G., Sidibé, B., Sidibé, M., & Weltzien, E. (2019). Genetic diversification and selection strategies for improving sorghum grain yield under phosphorous-deficient conditions in West Africa. Agronomy 9, 742. Doi:10.3390/agronomy9110742.
  • Bediako, K.A., Dzidzienyo, D., Ofori, K., Offei, S.K., Asibuo, J.Y., Amoah, R.A., & Obeng, J. (2019). Prevalence of fungi and aflatoxin contamination in stored groundnut in Ghana. Food Control 104: 152–156. Doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.04.034.
  • Akaogu, I., Badu-Apraku B., Offei, K., Gracen V., Tongoona P., & Dzidzienyo D. (2019). Inheritance of Striga hermonthica adaptive traits in an early maturing white maize inbred line containing resistance genes from Zea diploperennis.  Plant Breeding 138(5): 546-552. Doi.org/10.1111/pbr.12707.
  • Adu, M.O., Asare, P.A., Yawson, D.O., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Nyadanu, D., Asare-Bediako, E., Afutu, E., Tachie-Menson, J.W., & Amoah, M.N. (2019). Identifying key contributing root system traits to genetic diversity in field grown cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) genotypes. Field Crops Research 232:106–118. Doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2018.12.015.
  • Bediako, K.A., Ofori, K., Offei, S.K., Dzidzienyo, D., Asibuo, J.Y., & Amoah, R.A. (2019). Aflatoxin contamination of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.): Predisposing factors and management interventions. Food Control 98: 61-67. Doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2018.11.020.
  • Banla, E.M., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Ifie, E.B., Offei, S.K., Tongoona, P., & Desmae, H. (2018). Groundnut production constraints and farmers’ trait preferences: a pre-breeding study in Togo. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 14:75. Doi.org/10.1186/s13002-018-0275-y.
  • Dieni, Z., Tignegre, J., Tongoona, P., Dzidzienyo, D., Asante, I.K., & Ofori, K. (2018). Identification of sources of resistance to Alectra vogelii in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] germplasm from Burkina Faso. Euphytica 214- 234. Doi.org/10.1007/s10681-018-2311-3.
  • Diallo, C., Isaacs, K., Gracen, V., Touré, A., Rattunde, E.W., Danquah, E.Y., Sidibé, M., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Rattunde, F., Nébié, B., Sylla, A., & Tongoona, P.B. (2018). Learning from farmers to improve sorghum breeding objectives and adoption in Mali. Journal of Crop Improvement 32 (6): 829-846. DOI: 10.1080/15427528.2018.1531800.
  • Diakité, O.S., Aissata, M., Aliou, S., Sekouba, S., Kouressy, M., Michel, V., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Danquah, E., Tongoona, P., Traoré, K., & Teme, N. (2018). Brown midrib 6 and 12 genes introgression in two Nigerian and one Malian sorghum varieties: a practical guide to young scientists with limited molecular facility. Journal of Basic and Applied Scientific Research 8(6):1-10.
  • Danso, B.A., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Prempeh, R.N.A., & Quain, M.D. (2018). DNA fingerprinting and assessment of genetic diversity among 22 cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] varieties grown in Ghana. Open Access Library Journal 5: e4938. Doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1104938.
  • Honger, J.O., Brentu, C., Opoku, N., & Dzidzienyo, D. (2017).  Identification and molecular phylogenetics of Lasiodiplodia parva associated with white, yam (Dioscorea rotundata L.) in Ghana. Ghana Journal of Science 57: 23-33.
  • Dzidzienyo, D.K., Bryan, G.J., Wilde, G., & Robbins, T.P. (2016). Allelic diversity of S-RNase alleles in diploid potato species. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 129 (10): 1985-2001. Doi:10.1007/s00122-016-2754-7. [First author]
  • Okyere, J., Oppon, E., Dzidzienyo, D., Sharma, L., & Ball, G. (2014). Cross-species gene expression analysis of species specific differences in the preclinical assessment of pharmaceutical compounds. PLoS ONE 9(5): e96853. Doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0096853.

 

Published conference proceedings
  • Dzidzienyo, D.K., Bryan, G.J., Wilde, G., & Robbins, T.P. (2010). Genetic manipulation of self-incompatibility in diploid potato species. Poster presented at the XXI International Congress on Sexual Plant Reproduction, Bristol, UK, August 3 – 6, 2010
  • Danquah, E.Y., Offei, S.K., Gracen, V.E., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Danquah, A., Tongoona, P., Ifie, B.E., Eleblu, J.S.Y., & Madakadze, R.M. (2015). The West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana: An Emerging Centre of Excellence for Training Plant Breeders in Africa, In: Internationalisation of Higher Education in Africa. Proceedings from COREVIP 2015
  • Saba, M.B., Ishiyaku, M.F., Umar, M.L., Tongoona, P.B., Gracen, V., & Dzidzienyo, D. (2019). Phenotypic Evaluation and Mapping Genomic Regions for Yield and Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Cowpea. Poster presented at the Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXVII. San Diego, CA, January 12 – 16, 2019
  • Dieni, Z., Tignegre, J., Dzidzienyo, D., Tongoona, P., Asante, I.K., & Ofori, K. (2019). Genotype by environment interaction and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) resistance to Alectra vogelii Benth. Poster presented at the Maiden International Conference of the African Plant Breeders Association, Accra, Ghana Oct 23-25, 2019.
  • Bediako, K.A., Dzidzienyo, D., Ofori, K., Offei, S.K., Asibuo, J.Y., Amoah, R.A., & Obeng, J. (2019). Preliminary study towards breeding groundnut for aflatoxin resistance in Ghana. Poster presented at the Maiden International Conference of the African Plant Breeders Association, Accra, Ghana Oct 23-25, 2019.
  • Diakité, O.S., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Aissata, M., Tongoona, P., Teme, N., & Danquah, E. (2019). Dual purpose sorghum varieties development for Nigerien small-scale farmers. Poster presented at the Maiden International Conference of the African Plant Breeders Association, Accra, Ghana Oct 23-25, 2019.
  • Akaogu, I., Badu-Apraku, B., Offei, K., Gracen V., Tongoona, P., & Dzidzienyo, D. (2019). Performance of striga-resistant early-maturing maize inbreds in hybrid combination under moisture stress. Poster presented at the Maiden International Conference of the African Plant Breeders Association, Accra, Ghana Oct 23-25, 2019.
  • Tighankoumi, G., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Asante, I.K., Tongoona, P.B., & Koussao, S. (2019). Genetic Improvement of cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) for cassava mosaic (CMD) resistance in Togo. Poster presented at the Maiden International Conference of the African Plant Breeders Association, Accra, Ghana Oct 23-25, 2019.
  • Saba, M.B., Ishiyaku, M.F., Umar, M.L., Tongoona, P.B., Gracen, V., & Dzidzienyo, D. (2019). Root system architecture of field-grown cowpeas in contrasting phosphorus environments confirms four main root types. Poster presented at the Maiden International Conference of the African Plant Breeders Association, Accra, Ghana Oct 23-25, 2019.
  • Mbe, J.O., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Tongoona, P.B., Nartey, E., & Egesi, C.N. (2019). Genome-wide association studies for nitrogen use efficiency in casssava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Poster presented at the Maiden International Conference of the African Plant Breeders Association, Accra, Ghana Oct 23-25, 2019.
  • Wembabazi, E., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Kawuki, R.S., Ofori, K., & Danquah, E.Y. (2019). High throughput phenotyping for the genetic study of texture, starch, and associated properties in cassava. Poster presented at the Maiden International Conference of the African Plant Breeders Association, Accra, Ghana Oct 23-25, 2019.
  • Mrema, E.F., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Kulembeka, H., Tongoona, P.B., & Offei, S.K. (2019). Resistance to cassava brown streak disease and selection approaches for improving cassava traits. Poster presented at the Maiden International Conference of the African Plant Breeders Association, Accra, Ghana Oct 23-25, 2019.

 

Varieties released (3)
  • Tongoona, P.B., Ifie, B.E., Azinu, A.R., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Danquah, A., Eleblu, J.S.Y., Ofori, K., Offei, S.K., & Danquah, E.Y. (June 2017). Proposal for the Release of White Grained Maize Hybrids (Abeefo Aburo, Akuafo Aburo and Aburo Legon) presented to the National Variety Released and Registration Committee. Sponsored with funds from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) (2009 – 2012) and Scaling Seeds and Technology Program (SSTP) of AGRA (2015 – 2017).

 

Publication IDs/Links