About

Dr. Joseph Okani Honger is a Senior Research Fellow of the Soil and Irrigation Research Centre of the College of Applied and Basic Sciences, University of Ghana. He holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Agriculture, MPhil in Crop Science and a PhD Crop Science (Plant Pathology option), all from the University of Ghana. He was a Cambridge-Africa Partnership for Research Excellence (CAPREX) Postdoctoral Fellow at Cambridge University and a visiting scholar at the Ohio State University and the North Carolina State University. He has collaborated with both local and international stakeholders such as Ghana’s Plant Protection and Regulatory Services, Crop Services Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Hortifresh West Africa Centre for Agriculture and Biosiencs International, United Staes Agency for International Development, The Deutsche Gesellchaft fur Internationale Zusammernabeit, Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa among many others in area of diagnosis and managing both invasive and non-invasive diseases and developing of protocols to prevent their introductions. He also teaches at the West African Centre for Crop Improvement and the Department of Crop Science, both in the University of Ghana. Dr. Honger currently has about 27 journal articles and a number of technical reports to his credit.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D) in Crop Science (Plant Pathology option): University of Ghana (2009-2013) 
• Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Crop Science (Plant Pathology Option): University of Ghana (2002-2004)
• B.Sc (Hons.) Agric. Science, 2nd class, Upper Division (1998-2001)

Research Areas

• Epidemiology, ecology and control of crop pathogens (Mycology and bacteriology)
• Plant and microbes’ interaction at the molecular level
• Seed pathology (Rice and Legumes)
• Post-harvest handling of highly perishable fruits and vegetables

Publications

A. PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES

• Joseph Okani Honger, Raphael Ofoe, Samuel Osabutey, Abraham Anartey Abbey (2024). Importance, etiology and management of the bacterial black spot disease of mango. Indian Phytopathology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42360-024-00764-8
• Dofuor, AK., Obeng, J., Sossah, FL., Osabutey, AF., Lutuf, H., Osei-Wusu, J., Ablormeti, FK., Duker, RQ, Loh, SK, Honger, J.O., Opoku, MJ and Aidoo, FO. A comprehensive review of Pseudocercospora fruit and leaf spot angular leaf spot): current status, advances and future directions for sustainable citrus production. Plant pathology, 2024;00:1-24
• Frederick Leo Sossah, Owusu Fordjour Aidoo, Aboagye Kwarteng Dofuor, Angelina Fathia Osabutey, Joshua Obeng, Fred Kormla Abormeti, Rahmat Quaigrane Duker, Akua Konadu Antwi-Agyakwa, Jonathan Osei-Owusu, Seyram Kofi Loh, Joseph Okani Honger, Christian Borgemeister (2024). A critical review on bacterial black spot of mango caused by Xanthomonas citri pv. mangiferaeindicae: Current status and direction for future research. Forest Pathology. 2024;54: e12860.p.1-12.
• John Bokaligidi Lambon, Joseph Okani Honger and David Yakubu Anambam (2023). Assessment of human activities and its effects on forest management: a survey of charcoal producers in the Sekyere Central District of Ghana. Environmental Research Communications:5 (2023) 055011. p1-22. https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/accfea
• Dofuor, A.K, Quartey, N.K.A., Osabutey, A.F., Antwi-Agyakwa, A.K., Asante, K., Boateng, B.O., Ablormeti, F.K., Lutuf, H., Osei-Owusu, J., Osei, J.H.N., Ekloh, W., Loh, S.K., Honger, J.O, Aidoo, O.F. and Ninsin, K.D. (2023) Mango anthracnose disease: the current situation and direction for future research. Frontiers of Microbiology.14:1168203. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1168203
• Oppong C., Amoatey, C. and Honger, J. O (2022). Characterisation and control of Curvularia lunata infecting farmer-saved rice seeds in Ghana. African Crop Science Journal, Vol. 30, No. 4, pp. 485 – 496.
• Honger, J.O., Oppong C. and Amoatey, C. (2022). Mycofloral Diversity and Molecular Characterization of Species Isolated from farmer-saved rice seeds in the Irrigated rice production Districts of the Coastal Savannah Zones of Ghana. Ghana Journal of Science. 63 (1), 1 – 13.
• Nyaku, S.T., Lutuf, H., Honger, J. O., Dede, A., Brentu, F.C., Benissan, R., Osabutey, S., Larbi, V., Koranteng, E., Afun, C., Okyere. M and Ablormeti, F. K (2021). Prevalence of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Rice Fields in Ghana. African Crop Science Journal, Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 471 – 482.
• Honger, J. O., Osabutey, S., Nyaku, S. T. and Lambon, J (2021). Molecular characterization, pathogenicity and copper sensitivity of Xanthomonas citri pv mangiferaeindicae, the causal agent of mango bacterial black spot disease in Ghana, Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection, DOI: 10.1080/03235408.2021.193699.
• Honger, J. O., Narh, S. and Lambon, J. (2021). Importance, etiology and management of the tear stain disease symptoms of mango fruits in Ghana. India Journal of Phytopathology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42360-021-00454-9 
• Ablormeti, F. K., Coleman, S.R , Honger, J.O.,  Owusu, E., Bedu, I., Aidoo, O.F., Cornelius E.W and Odamtten, G.T (2021). Management of Lasiodiplodia theobromae, the causal agent of mango tree decline disease in Ghana. African Crop Science Journal. 29:193 – 207.
• Honger, J. O, Asare, D and Lambon, J. B (2020). Incidence and Aetiology of Stem End Rot and Anthracnose Diseases Affecting Soursop Fruits at Pre-Harvest and Post-Harvest Stages in Ghana. Agricultural and Food Science Journal of Ghana. 13:1186-1195.
• Honger, J.O., Ablomerti F.K., Coleman, S.R., Cornelius, E.W, Owusu, E. and Odamtten G.T (2018). Differentiation of two Botryosphaeriaceae species isolated from declining mango trees in Ghana. West African Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 26(2): 14 – 25.
• Honger, J.O, Coleman S. R., Ablormeti F. K., Cornelius E. W., Owusu E. and Odamtten, G. T (2018).  The Aetiology, Incidence and Severity of Mango Tree Decline Disease in Ghana. Ghana Journal of Science. 58:13-22.     
• Monson, R.E., Honger, J., Rawlinson, A. and Salmond G.P.C (2017). Draft Genome Sequences of Enterobacter cloacae Strains CAPREx E7 and CAPREx E2-2. GenomeAnnounc5:e00488-17.https://doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.00488-17.
• Honger, J., Monson, R.E., Rawlinson, A. and Salmond, G.P.C (2017). Draft genome sequences of Serratia marcescens strains CAPREx SY13 and CAPREx SY21 isolated from yams. Genome Announc5:e00191-17.https://doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.00191-17.
• Honger, J.O., Brentu, C., Opoku, N. and 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.
• Nyaku, S., Kantety, R., Cebert, E., Lawrence, K.S., Honger, J.O. and Sharma, G (2016). Principal Component Analysis and Molecular Characterization of Reniform Nematode Populations in Alabama. Plant Pathology Journal 32 (1):1-13
• Honger, J.O., Essuman, E. and Cornelius, E.W (2016). The Incidence, severity and aetiology of a bacterial canker disease of citrus in Ghana. The West African Journal of Applied Ecology 24(2): 31–44.
• Honger, J.O., Offei, S.K., Oduro, K.A., Odamtten, G.T and Tatu., S.N (2016). Identification and molecular characterisation of Colletotrichum species from avocado, citrus and pawpaw in Ghana. South African Journal of Plant and Soil, 33(3):177-185, DOI: 10.1080/02571862.2015.1125958.
• Gyempeh, N., Offei, S.K., Cornelius, E.W., and Honger, J.O (2015). Importance of the Onion Leaf twister disease in Ghana and the effect of Trichoderma Asperellium on the mycelial growth and sporulation of the causal agent. Ghana Journal of Science 55:51-65
• Honger, J.O., Offei, S.K., Oduro, K.A., Odamtten, G.T and Tatu., S.N. (2014). Identification and species status of the mango-biotype of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in Ghana. European Journal of Plant Pathology 140:455-467
• Honger, J.O., Offei, S.K., Oduro, K.A., Odamtten, G.T. (2015). Nature of anthracnose in Ghana; implications for the control of the disease. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science 49:53-67
• Honger, J.O., Offei, S.K., Oduro, K.A. and Odamtten, G.T (2015). Chemical control of mango anthracnose disease in Ghana. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science 49:15-28
• Honger, J.O., Offei, S.K., Oduro, K.A., Odamtten, G.T and Tatu, S.N. (2014). Phenotypic and molecular characterisation of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, causal agent of mango anthracnose in Ghana. Ghana Journal of Science 54:71 - 82
• Honger, J.O., Cornelius, E. W., Odamtten, G.T., Owusu-Ansah, Desmond and Siaw-Adane, K. (2015). Pathogenicity and fungicide sensitivity of the causal agent of stem end rot of mango in Ghana. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science 49:37-52
• Honger, J.O, Oduro, K.A., Offei, S.K., and Ofosu-Budu, K.G. (2007). Canker-like disease caused by Xanthomonas sp. in Citrus nursery in Ghana. Ghana Journal of Horticultural Science 6:95-101.

B. BOOKS AND BOOK CHAPTERS

• Billah M and Honger, J.O (2022). Mango Guide, Crop and Pest Management. Hortifresh Fruit and Vegetables West Africa. Accra Ghana. 80pgs
• Honger, J.O and Adiku, S. G.K (2019). Climate change and Plant diseases. Pg 138-156 In Adiku, S.G.K (editor) Climate Change. Variability and Biophysical Landuse in Ghana. Afram Publicationd Ghana Ltd, Accra
• Honger, J. O (2018). Identification of the disease symptoms, Factors promoting the spread and prevalence and control of mango bacterial black spot disease in Ghana: a training manual for farmers and extension agents. International Executive Services Corporation, USAID, Accra.
• Obeng P., Bassam, A., Honger, J.O and Sandini, M. (2017). Mango Export Manual. The Trade Related Assistance and Quality Enabling Programme, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana, Accra. 71 pgs.

C. TECHNICAL REPORTS

• A field evaluation of Master Cop (Copper sulphate pentahydrate for the control of Mango anthracnose disease in Ghana. EPA Ghana, 2024
• Evaluation of the bioefficacy of Zamir 400EW (133g/l Tebuconazole+267 g/l Prochloraz) for the control of rice blast disease of rice (Oryza sp). EPA Ghana. 2016
• The methods of mango disease diagnosis and control from farmers’ perspective. A report submitted to the GIZ, Accra, 2015
• Managing mango flowering in Ghana; farmers’ practices and perspectives. A report submitted to the GIZ. Accra, 2015
• An update of mango diseases in Ghana. A paper submitted to the mango-round table discussion group in Accra. May 2015
• Evaluation of bioefficacy of Topsay (Thiophanate methyl) for the control of Early Blight disease of Tomato). EPA Ghana. 2014.
• Field evaluation of the bio-efficacy of carbofuran 30% (Fulan) for the control of root knot nematodes of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). EPA Ghana. 2010.
• Evaluation of the bio-efficacy of Azoxystrobin (49%)+Tebuconazole (36%) for the control of blast disease of rice (Oryza sp) in Ghana. EPA Ghana. 2010.