DAAD climapAfrica Postdoc Fellow
National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan
Nigeria
Currently, I am a Principal Research Officer and DAAD ClimapAfrica Postdoctoral fellow at the Biotechnology Research Unit, National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Nigeria. I am working on using neglected and underutilised leguminous crops e.g. African Yam Bean (AYB) as biofertiliser to assist high yield of Plantain, a staple fruit crop in Africa. I am studying the metagenomics of AYB’s nitrogen fixing bacteria, the actual microorganisms that assist crops to sustain their development and fruit yield for food security in the face of adverse climatic conditions in depleted soils. I am also studying the role of beneficial microorganisms for better horticultural crop production and identifying in-vitro plant pathogens using biotechnology approaches. The results of my work greatly benefits small-holder farmers in Nigeria for access to healthy, disease-free horticultural crop as planting materials all year round. I mentor and supervise various students from the Universities across Nigeria. I was a DAAD PhD Sandwich Scholarship holder from 2014-2016.
Climate change expertise and interests
In vitro plant propagation using plant growth promoting microorganisms, molecular biology, plant-microbe Interactions for food security and climate change mitigation, biofertilisers and biopesticides applications for biofriendly recovery of depleted soils.
Publications – (most recent)
Trögl J., Esuola, C. O., Kríženecká, S., Kurán, P., Seidlová, L., Veronesi-Dánová, P., Popelka, J., Babalola, O. O., Hrabák, P., Czinnerová, M., Kakosová, E., Ševc, A., Tischler, D. (2018): Biodegradation of high concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons in soils from a petroleum refinery; implications of applicability of new actinobacterial strains. Applied Sciences, 8, 1855. Appl. Sci. doi:10.3390/app8101855.
Akinyemi, S. O. S., Esuola, C. O., Fajinmi, O. B., Akin-Idowu, P. E. (2018): Influence of explant slicing and cytokinin concentration on in vitro plantlet production of Musa sp. AAB ‘Agbagba’. Acta Horticulturae, 1225, 427-432.
Esuola, C. O., Heine, T., Babalola, O. O., Schlömann, M., Tischler, D. (2016): Identification and characterization of a FAD-dependent putrescine N-hydroxylase (GorA) from Gordonia rubripertincta CBW2. Journal of Molecular Catalysis B. Enzymatic, 134, 378-389.
J. Mol. Catal. B Enzym. doi:10.1016/j.molcatb.2016.08.003.
I participate at climapAfrica because...
It is a great and exciting opportunity designed and tailored towards the direct achievement of my short and long term research goals through virtual and physical mentoring, deep networking, trainings, involvement, participations, and social interactions. These are very helpful to fulfil my academic and scientific career and I am able to impact my skills and knowledge to others, as well as relate the impact of my climate change research to the policy makers for proper implementation.