Patrick Rakau | Mutation Breeding | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Patrick Rakau | Mutation Breeding | Best Researcher Award 

Researcher | Agricultural Research Council | South Africa

Mr. Patrick Ngwako Rakau is an accomplished agricultural researcher specializing in forage and range science, with expertise in pasture management, forage breeding, and sustainable agricultural systems. He serves as a Junior Researcher in Range and Forage Sciences at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), South Africa, and is pursuing a PhD in Crop Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, focusing on the response of ethyl-methane sulphonate (EMS) mutagenized teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] for dual-purpose traits that enhance its suitability for both animal feed and human consumption. His research advances the development of climate-smart and high-yield forage varieties that improve livestock productivity and soil health across diverse agro-ecological systems. As project leader of the National Cover Crop Program funded by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, he has coordinated multi-provincial collaborations to promote sustainable agricultural practices. Mr. Rakau has authored numerous scientific papers, conference abstracts, and semi-scientific articles in prominent outlets including Farmers Weekly, AgriAbout, StockFarm, and the Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology. A long-standing member of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) and a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), he actively contributes to professional knowledge networks and agricultural policy development. Through collaborations with national and international seed companies such as PGW Seeds (New Zealand) and DLF Seed International, he has advanced forage improvement programs emphasizing resilience, nutritional quality, and genetic diversity. His dedication to farmer education, postgraduate supervision, and community outreach reflects his enduring commitment to knowledge transfer, sustainable food systems, and agricultural innovation in Africa.

Profile: ORCID 

Publication

1. Mbambalala, L., Mpanza, T. D. E., Tjelele, T. J., Ncisana, L., Mkhungo, S., Sithole, L., Nzeru, M. S., Rakau, P. N., Rani-Kamwendo, Z. T., & Mkhize, N. R. (2025). Dryland fodder radish genotypes: Planting date effects on nutritive value and in-vitro dry matter degradability in Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

 

Mr. Patrick Ngwako Rakau’s research advances sustainable livestock production through the development of climate-resilient and nutrient-rich forage crops. His work supports food security and environmental sustainability by improving the productivity and adaptability of pasture systems under changing climatic conditions.

Nashwa Sallam | Biological Control | Women Researcher Award

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Prof. Nashwa Sallam | Biological Control | Women Researcher Award

Faculty of Agriculture | Assiut University | Egypt 

Prof. Dr. Nashwa Mohamed Atef Ahmed Sallam is a prominent researcher in plant pathology at Assiut University, Egypt, whose scientific contributions have significantly advanced sustainable plant disease management and biological control strategies. Her research primarily focuses on understanding the complex interactions between plants and pathogenic microorganisms, particularly fungi and bacteria, and developing eco-friendly biocontrol approaches to replace conventional chemical treatments. Dr. Sallam has extensively investigated the use of beneficial microorganisms such as Bacillus spp., Trichoderma spp., and endophytic yeasts to suppress soil-borne and foliar diseases in economically important crops including tomato, onion, pepper, and legumes. Her pioneering studies have demonstrated the potential of microbial metabolites, essential oils, and plant extracts in inducing systemic resistance and enhancing crop resilience under biotic stress. With over thirty peer-reviewed publications in high-impact international journals, she has established herself as a respected voice in biological pest control, postharvest disease suppression, and microbial biotechnology. Her collaborative research with global institutions, including the University of Hohenheim and the Biologische Bundesanstalt für Land-und Forstwirtschaft in Germany, reflects her international engagement and leadership in advancing phytopathological sciences. Through innovative experimentation and integrated disease management approaches, Dr. Sallam’s work has contributed to improving agricultural productivity, environmental safety, and global food security. Her research not only provides a scientific foundation for sustainable crop protection but also inspires the next generation of scientists to pursue environmentally responsible solutions to plant health challenges.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Zhang, X., Yang, Q., Solairaj, D., Sallam, N. M. A., Zhu, M., You, S., & Zhang, H. (2024). Volatile organic compounds of Wickerhamomyces anomalus prevent postharvest black spot disease in tomato. Foods, 13(12), 1949.

El-Fawy, M. M., Abo-Elyousr, K. A. M., Sallam, N. M. A., El-Sharkawy, R. M. I., & Ibrahim, Y. E. (2023). Fungicidal effect of guava wood vinegar against Colletotrichum coccodes causing black dot disease of potatoes. Horticulturae, 9(6), 710.

Imran, M., Abo-Elyousr, K. A. M., Al-Harbi, M. S., Ali, E. F., Sallam, N. M. A., & Bagy, H. M. M. K. (2022). Antibacterial efficacy of clove essential oil against Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. phaseoli and its influence on pathogen responses in bean. Gesunde Pflanzen, 74, 705–715.

Abo-Elyousr, K. A. M., Imran, M., Almasoudi, N. M., Ali, E. F., Hassan, S., Sallam, N. M. A., Youssef, K., Abdel-Rahim, I. R., & Bagy, H. M. M. K. (2022). Controlling of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli by induction of phenolic compounds in bean plants using salicylic and benzoic acids. Journal of Plant Pathology, 104, 1335–1345.

Abo-Elyousr, K. A. M., Ali, E. F., & Sallam, N. M. A. (2022). Alternative control of tomato wilt using the aqueous extract of Calotropis procera. Horticulturae, 8(3), 197.