SeloameTatu Nyaku (BSc.(Agric)Ghana, MSc, PhD Alabama A&M University(Normal AL))

Academic Qualifications* (univ., year).

Ph.D. Alabama A & M University, 2010
M.S. Alabama A & M University, 2006
B.Sc. University of Ghana,  2001

Research interest.

Dr. Seloame Tatu Nyaku's research interest is in host-plant interactions and application of integrated control measures for management of nematode and fungal pathogens on plants, including indigenous crop species. His current research focuses on the application of grafting techniques utilizing nematode-resistant root-stocks for nematode and fungal control, together with imploring useful rhizosphere microorganisms and nutrient-rich biodegradable matrix for crop protection against yam nematodes. Additionally he is exploring the utilization of  Microbial plants extract (MPE) formulations for integrated bio-control of plant diseases and pests. Other areas of interest include, designing Real-Time PCR assays, and analyzing data from multiple sources including complex whole genome, transcriptome, and population genomics through the usage of bioinformatics tools available from numerous public and private sources.

Current research/project(s)

• Principal Investigator (2019-2020), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, through North Carolina State University (NCSU), GCE Phase III: Optimization and Deployment: Nutrient-Rich Biodegradable Matrix for Crop Protection'.
• Principal Investigator (2018-2020), Office of Research Innovation and Development, University of Ghana Research Fund’s 11th call for proposal award for ‘Grafting for disease resistance against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Lycopersicae in tomato genotypes'.
• Collaborator (2015-2020). USAID Feed the Future (FtF) project on soybean, maize and rice in 3 regions of  Ghana.
• Collaborator (2019-2023).  Africa Centers of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact). WACCI: Africa Centre of Excellence for Agricultural Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Past research projects

• Comparative transcriptome analysis of susceptible and resistant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) genotypes from Ghana to root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). (2015-2016).
• Cambridge-Africa Alborada Research Fund for your collaborative research, with Dr. Uta Paszkowski (University of Cambridge). Lead Local Investigator/Collaborator
• Importance, Identification of the Causative Organism and Control of Tree Decline, A New Disease of Mango in Ghana. (2015-2017). Office of Research Innovation and Development, University of Ghana Research Fund’s 8th call for proposal award. Co-Principal Investigator
• Grafting as a means to control Meloidogyne infestation in tomato genotypes.  (2014-2016). Office of Research Innovation and Development, University of Ghana Research Fund’s 7th call for proposal award. Co-Principal Investigator
• Efficacy trial for treatment and control of nematodes in tomato, pepper, and pineapple. (2013-2016). Bayer Crop Science, Germany. Principal Investigator.

Awards

• Awarded a Cambridge Africa Partnership for Research Excellence (CAPREx) fellowship under the Cambridge- Africa Program, for research collaboration between University of Cambridge and University of Ghana (2015-2016).
• Visiting Scholar at Alabama A & M University in the Molecular Biology Program, June 1st, 2014 to July 31st, 2014. Title-‘Development of a Rapid qPCR Assay for Onfarm Confirmation of Reniform Nematode Presence’. Funding provided by Cotton Incorporated and USDA-NIFA.
• Visiting Scholar at Alabama A & M University in the Molecular Biology Program, June 1st, 2013 to July 31st, 2013. Title-‘Genomic Resources for the Study of Cotton-Reniform Nematode Interactions’. Funding provided by NSF/PGRP.
• Third place award in the poster session held during the 4th annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)/ 87th annual meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science day held at AAMU on March 31st 2010.
• Nominee for the award of Outstanding PhD Graduate Student for the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, AAMU, during the 24th School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (SAES) week held from April 20th to 25th, 2009.
• First place award in the poster session held during the 2nd annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) day held at AAMU on April 11th, 2008.

Recent publications

• Amoako-Attah, I., Ali, S.S., Aime, M.C., Odamtten, G.T., Cornelius, E., Nyaku, S.T., Asare-Kumi, E.,  Yahaya, H.B., and Bailey, B. 2020. Identification and characterization of fungi causing thread blight diseases on cacao in Ghana. Plant Disease https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-20-0565-RE
• Nyaku, S.T and Paszkowski, U. 2019. Bio-control of Meloidogyne spp. Using Arbuscular mycorrhiza in root and tuber cropping systems. In: Aidoo,R., Agbenorhevi, J.K., Wireko-Manu, F.D., and Wangel, A. Root and Tubers in Ghana, Overview and Selected Research Papers.
• Nyaku, S.T and Amissah, N. 2019. Grafting: An Effective Strategy for Nematode Management in Tomato Genotypes [Working Title], IntechOpen, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.82774. Available from: https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/grafting-an-effective-strategy-f...
• Nyaku, S.T., Lutuf, H., and Cornelius E. 2018. Morphometric characterisation of root-knot nematode Populations from three regions of Ghana. The Plant Pathology Journal  34(6): 544-554. https://doi.org/10.5423/PPJ.OA.05.2018.0081 pISSN 1598-2254 eISSN 2093-9280
• Lutuf, H., Nyaku, S.T., Cornelius, E.W. Yahaya, S.A. J., and Acheampong, M.A. 2018. Prevalence of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with tomatoes in three agro-ecological zones of Ghana. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Sciences 52:83-94.
• Benjamin A. Okorley, Charles Agyeman, Naalamle Amissah, and Seloame T. Nyaku. 2018. Screening Selected Solanum Plants as Potential Rootstocks for the Management of Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita). International Journal of Agronomy Vol. 2018, Article ID 6715909, 9 pages, https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/6715909
• Nyaku, S.T., Jamani, Y.S., Cornelius E., and Lutuf, H. 2017. Morphometric Characterisation of Scutellonema bradys Populations from the Guinea Savanna and Transitional Rain Forest Ecological Zones of Ghana. South African Journal of Plant and Soil 2017: 1–11 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02571862.2017.1354404
• Nyaku, S.T., Affokpon, A., Danquah A., and Brentu, C. 2017. Harnessing Useful Rhizosphere Microorganisms for Nematode Control. In:  Shah, M.M. (Ed.), Nematology, InTech. ISBN 9789535155270.

Professional membership(s)

• Society of Nematologists (SON)- Member
• International Cotton Genome Initiative (ICGI)-Member
• International Society of African Bio-Scientists and Biotechnologists (ISABB)- Board Member
• Organization of Nematologists of Tropical America (ONTA)-Member