Celestine Azubuike Afiukwa
Country (Nationality)
Nigeria
Grantee Title
Area of research: Agricultural Biotechnology
Grantee Description
Home Institution: Ebonyi State University
Host institution: Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
Area of research: Agricultural Biotechnology
Research focus: The study seeks to find Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers strongly linked to agronomic traits associated with drought tolerance in rice. The study aims to develop a protocol for applying molecular tool (marker-assisted selection) to facilitate breeding for drought resistance in Nigerian rice. The study was informed by the selection challenge our breeders face in developing improved varieties. They rely on the use of morphological (physical) markers for selection, which is not only time consuming but prone to substantial error owing to effects of environmental factors on gene expression.