Dr. Chikezie Onuora Ene | Genotypes | Young Scientist Award

Lecturer II of Alex Ekwueme-Federal University, Nigeria

Profile :

• Google Scholar

Educational Background :

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding (2019-2023) – Jimma University, Ethiopia. Thesis: “Genetic analysis and quantitative trait loci mapping for selected quantitative traits in tomato (Solanum spp.)” (GPA: 3.86/4.00).
• M.Sc. in Plant Breeding and Genetics (2013-2017) – University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Thesis: “Variability and heritability studies in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)” (CGPA: 4.91/5.00).
• B.Sc. in Crop Production and Protection (2006-2011) – Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria. Thesis: “Performance of three soybean (Glycine max L. Merril) varieties under varying weeding regimes” (CGPA: 4.62/5.00) – First Class Honours.

Professional Experience :

Since 2017, Dr. Ene has been a Lecturer in the Crop Science Department at Alex Ekwueme-Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, Nigeria. He teaches a range of crop science courses including Crop Taxonomy, Anatomy and Physiology, Arable Crops Production, Principle of Crop Protection, Crop Breeding and Genetics, Principle of Crop Production, Permanent Crop Production, and bio-statistics/Field experimentation. Previously, he worked as a Research/Laboratory Assistant at the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) in Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria (2009-2010), conducting research on yam breeding, plant protection, tissue culture, and in-vitro propagation and multiplication of cassava, cocoyam, yam, and other crops. He also served as a Field Enumerator/Farm Attendant for the Ministry of Agriculture, Abia State (2009-2010), where he collated data on rural cassava farmers and related stakeholders. Additionally, Dr. Ene taught agricultural science at Kono Secondary School, Rivers State, Nigeria, as part of the National Youth Service Corps (2012-2013).

Research Focus :

Dr. Chikezie Onuora Ene is dedicated to improving fruit and grain yields and the quality of vegetables (cucumber, pepper, tomato) and cereals (maize) under various abiotic stresses such as heat stress, salinity, drought, and humidity. He focuses on plant molecular breeding techniques, particularly marker-assisted selection.

Publication Top Notes:

• Ogah O., Ene C.O., Ebenyi L.N., Frederick O.O., Okpuru I.G., Nwankwo, S.E. (2024). Comparative assessment for nutritional and antinutritional qualities revealed better performance of traditional white-fleshed sweet potatoes than orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. 120/2: 1-17. Acta Agriculturae Slovenica. doi: https://doi.org/10.14720/aas.2024.120.2.15297 (WOS) (SCOPUS)
• Ene, C.O., Abtew, W.G., Oselebe, H.O., Chukwudi, U.P., Okechukwu, E.C., Menamo, T.M., Ozi, F.U., Ene,K., Atugwu, A.I. (2024). Selfing revealed potential for higher yield performance than backcrossing among tomato segregating populations of Solanum lycopersicum × S. Pimpinellifolium crosses under tropical humid climate. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research. 15(2024): 100993. doi: https://doi.org/1016/j.jafr.2024.100993 (WOS) (SCOPUS)
• Nwankwo, M.C., Ogwo, N., Oti, V.O., Nweze, N.O., Ohabuiro, A.A., Ene, O.C. (2023). Effects of indole butyric acid and coconut liquid endosperm on rooting of Crateva adansonii Journal of Biological Research & Biotechnology (Bio-Research). 21(2): 2003-2018. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/br.v21i2.7s
• Ene, C.O., Abtew, W.G., Oselebe, H.O., Ozi, F.U., Ogah, O., Okechukwu, E.C., Chukwudi, U.P. (2023). Hybrid vigour and heritability estimates in tomato crosses involving Solanum lycopersicum × pimpinellifolium under cool tropical monsoon climate. International Journal of Agronomy. Article ID 3003355. doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/3003355 (WOS) (SCOPUS)
• Ahaiwe, M.C, Nwoko, M.C., Ogwo, N., Ene, C.O. (2022). Effect of pasteurization techniques on productivity, morphology and mycochemical composition of Pleurotus ostreatus (JACQ.) fruit-bodies cultured on Andropogon gayanus Journal of Food and Fibre Production. 3(3): 15-25.
• Ene, C.O., Abtew W.G., Oselebe, H.O., Ozi, F.U., Ikeogu, U.N. (2022). Genetic characterization and quantitative trait relationship using multivariate techniques reveals diversity among tomato germplasms. Food Science and Nutrition. 10: 2426-2442. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2850 (WOS) (SCOPUS)
• Inyang, P., Ene, C.O., Emmanuel, A., Chukwudi, U.P., Ikeogu, U.N. (2021). Environmental impact and genetic expressions of new drought-tolerant maize genotypes in derived savannah agro-ecology. Notulae Scientia Biologicae. 13(1): 10691. doi: https://doi.org/10.15835/nsb13110691 (SCOPUS)
• Onyia, V.N., Chukwudi, U.P., Ezea, A.C., Atugwu, A.I., Ene, C.O. (2020). Correlation and path coefficient analyses of yield and yield components of eggplant (Solanum melongena) in a coarse-textured Ultisol. Information Processing in Agriculture. 7: 173–181. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inpa.2019.03.005 (SCOPUS)
• Ogwo, N., Ene, C.O.,Ahaiwe, M.C., Chukwudi, U.P. (2019). Influence of varying preservation methods on the shelf life and proximate composition of Pleurotus plumonarius (Fr) Quel cultivated on Andropogon gayanus International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Food Sciences. 3(3): 162-170. doi: https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2019.3.8
• Uzoigwe, D.A., Muoneke, C.O., Nwokoro, C.C., Ene, C.O. (2019). Benefit cost analysis of orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) varieties under varying planting density. Notulae Scientia Biologicae. 11(1): 145-148. doi: https://doi.org/10.15835/nsb11110381 (SCOPUS)