Tarekegn Fite Duressa
@smnk.de
Entomology
naturkundemuseumkarlsruhe
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Tekalegn Gutema, Erana Kebede, Hirpa Legesse, and Tarekegn Fite
Wiley
Belete Desalegn, Erana Kebede, Hirpa Legesse, and Tarekegn Fite
Elsevier BV
Tarekegn Fite, Erana Kebede, Tadele Tefera, and Zelalem Bekeko
Frontiers Media SA
Plant-associated endophytic fungi (EFs) are emerging as a promising solution to advancing modern agriculture and fostering environmental sustainability, especially in the face of climate change scenarios. These fungi, either naturally residing in plants or introduced through artificial inoculation techniques, improve agricultural production due to their various roles in protecting and supporting host plants. The majority of EFs serve as natural biocontrol agents for a variety of agricultural pests, such as insects, phytopathogens, nematodes, and weeds. Notably, EFs produce secondary metabolites, trigger immune responses, modify plant defense gene expression, confer host plant resistance and/or tolerance, and regulate pest growth, populations, and survival to combat agricultural pests. Beyond controlling pests, EFs promote optimal plant growth, development, and resilience by aiding in the synthesis of vital compounds such as phytohormones and bioactive metabolites, nutrient acquisition, and fortifying plants against environmental stresses and climatic changes. Moreover, the mostly nonpathogenic nature of EFs, coupled with their high yield potential, environmental safety, and cost effectiveness, positions them as eco-friendly and economically viable alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals amidst rapid climate change scenarios. As a result, the promising horizon of EFs in agricultural production necessitates interdisciplinary study and microbial modulation approaches to optimize symbiotic plant-EF relationships and their potential for improved productivity. This review provides current and comprehensive insights into the practical applications and multifaceted benefits of EFs in pest management, plant growth promotion, and climate change resilience for future agricultural production improvements. The analysis reveals the potential of developing EFs into innovative bioformulations such as biofertilizers, biostimulants, and biopesticides, thereby paving the way for their integration into a sustainable and more resilient future agricultural system.
Megersa Kebede and Tarekegn Fite
Frontiers Media SA
The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is among the invasive insect pests that damages maize and sorghum, the high-priority crops in newly colonized agro-ecologies, including African contexts. Owing to the increasing infestation of the pest and the limitations of current conventional methods for its management, there is a call for discovering advanced pest management approaches. RNA interference (RNAi) is an emerging molecular tool showing flexible potential for the management of S. frugiperda. We conducted a search of the recent application of RNAi literature using Google Scholar and Mendeley to find advanced papers on S. frugiperda management using RNAi molecular tools that led to growth inhibition, developmental aberrations, reduced fecundity, and mortality, mainly by disruption of normal biological processes of the pest. Although efforts have been made to accelerate the utility of RNAi, many factors limit the efficiency of RNAi to achieve successful control over S. frugiperda. Owing to RNAi’s potential bioactivity and economic and ecological acceptability, continued research efforts should focus on improving its broad applicability, including field conditions. Screening and identification of key target genes should be a priority task to achieve effective and sustainable management of this insect via RNAi. In addition, a clear understanding of the present status of RNAi utilization in S. frugiperda management is of paramount importance to improve its efficiency. Therefore, in this review, we highlight the biology of S. frugiperda and the RNAi mechanism as a foundation for the molecular management of the pest. Then, we discuss the current knowledge of the RNAi approach in S. frugiperda management and the factors affecting the efficiency of RNAi application. Finally, the prospects for RNAi-based insect pest management are highlighted for future research to achieve effective management of S. frugiperda.
Tarekegn Fite, Tadele Tefera, Martin Husemann, Gezahegne Getaneh, and Jandouwe Villinger
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Abstract Helicoverpa armigera is one of the most destructive insect pests of economically valuable crops in the world. Despite its economic importance, the population genetic structure of this insect remains unexplored in Ethiopia. To investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of H. armigera, we sampled 170 individuals from 15 populations throughout Ethiopia. We sequenced a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene and five exon-primed intron-crossing (EPIC) markers. Twenty cyt b haplotypes with low-to-moderate haplotype diversity (mean Hd = 0.537) and high nucleotide diversity (mean Pi = 0.00339) were identified. The most frequently observed and widely distributed cyt b haplotype was designated as Hap_1 (67.058%), which is identical to sequences found across the globe. Tajima’s D and Fu’s F for the cyt b data were negative, supporting a model of population expansion. Within populations, a mean of 2.493 alleles/locus was recorded across the five EPIC loci, ranging from 1.200 to 3.600 alleles/locus. The highest mean effective number of alleles/population was 2.369 and the lowest was 1.178. The mean observed heterozygosity (HO) of the five loci (0–0.289; mean 0.104 ± 0.020) was lower than the expected heterozygosity (HE) (0.095–0.523; mean 0.258 ± 0.028). AMOVA detected significant genetic structure with 61% of the total molecular genetic variation of EPIC genotypes occurring between populations, suggesting a considerable degree of differentiation among populations. STRUCTURE analyses clustered the H. armigera populations into three distinct population groups but very low isolation by distance (R2 = 0.0132, P < 0.05).
Tarekegn Fite, Tadele Tefera, Muluken Goftishu, and Tebekew Damte
Wiley
AbstractThe Old World bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a globally distributed agricultural and horticultural insect pest. Despite the economic importance of this insect in Ethiopia, its genetic diversity and demographic history are poorly understood. We examined the nucleotide variation of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene fragment of 74 H. armigera individuals from six collection sites in Ethiopia. We recorded 15 COI haplotypes in H. armigera, ten globally shared and five exclusive to Ethiopia (HaET15, HaET14, HaET10, HaET7, and HaET4). Haplotype HaET1 was the most widely geographically distributed and frequent (71.62%). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed a high and significant level of variation within H. armigera populations (θST = −0.0135). Negative values of the neutrality test and nonsignificant index of mismatch distribution supported the demographic expansion of H. armigera populations in Ethiopia; furthermore, this was also supported by the nonsignificant values of the sum of squared deviations (SSD) and raggedness index (r). The high genetic variation and population expansion of H. armigera have immense implications for devising locally adapted management strategies in area‐wide integrated pest management IPM programs. However, a comprehensive study of H. armigera genetic diversity and population structure using various molecular markers is needed for future confirmation.
Asfaw Wondimu, Hirpa Legesse, and Tarekegn Fite
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Gezahegne Getaneh, Tadele Tefera, Fikre Lemessa, Seid Ahmed, Tarekegn Fite, and Jandouwe Villinger
MDPI AG
Ascochyta blight, also known as chickpea blight, which is caused by the fungal pathogen, Didymella rabiei, is an important disease affecting chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in many countries. We studied the genetic diversity and population structure of 96 D. rabiei isolates collected from three geographic populations in Ethiopia using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. We confirmed the genetic identity of 89 of the D. rabiei isolates by sequencing their rRNA internal transcribed spacer region genes. The chickpea blight pathogen isolates were genetically diverse, with a total of 51 alleles identified across 6 polymorphic SSR loci, which varied from 3 to 18 (average 8.5) alleles per SSR marker. The observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.01 to 0.92 and 0.19 to 0.86, respectively. The mean polymorphic information content value of the D. rabiei populations was 0.58, with a mean gene diversity of 0.61 among loci. Gene flow (Nm = number of migrants) for the three populations of D. rabiei isolates ranged from 1.51 to 24.10 (average 6.2) migrants/cluster. However, the genetic variation between the D. rabiei populations was small (8%), with most of the variation occurring within populations (92%). Principal component analysis to visualize genetic variation showed that the D. rabiei isolates obtained from most of the chickpea samples formed roughly three groups on a two-dimensional coordinate plane. Similarly, the clustering of individuals into populations based on multi-locus genotypes (using Clumpak) grouped isolates into three clusters but with individual isolate admixtures. Hence, no clear geographic origin-based structuring of populations could be identified. To our knowledge, this is the first report of D. rabiei diversity in Ethiopia. Virulence studies should be conducted to develop chickpea varieties that are resistant to more aggressive pathogen populations.
Tarekegn Fite, Tebkew Damte, Tadele Tefera, and Mulugeta Negeri
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT Assessment was conducted to determine the occurrence and estimate parasitism rates of hymenopteran and dipteran parasitoids on Cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in chickpea growing districts of Ethiopia. Larval parasitoids of tachinid species Drino sp., Goniophthalmus halli, Linnaemya cf. longirostris, Pimelimyia sp., and ichneumonid species, Charops sp., were identified from samples of H. armigera in chickpea. Charops sp. was the most common larval parasitoid species of H. armigera in most of the surveyed districts having varying parasitism rates.
Wondi Mersie, Lidya Alemayehu Chala, Tarekegn Fite, and Clyde McNamee
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT Parthenium hysterophorus L. is an aggressive weed found in over 40 countries including Ethiopia. One of its natural enemies is the winter rust fungus Puccinia abrupta var. partheniicola. There was an outbreak of the winter rust fungus on parthenium in Ethiopia in 2020. A survey at six locations in central Ethiopia indicated a mean per cent score of winter rust fungus infection ranging from 76 ± 10% to 96 ± 6%. In 2020, for July August and September, the average rainfall (370 mm), cloud cover (65%) and relative humidity (81%) were greater than in previous years. The conditions in 2020 were ideal for germination and development of the winter rust fungus.
Tarekegn Fite, Tadele Tefera, Mulugeta Negeri, Tebekew Damte, and Waktole Sori
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT The old-world bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a destructive pest of chickpeas that has proven difficult to control using conventional methods. We evaluated the virulence of 14 isolates of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. and a commercial wettable product of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) against larvae of H. armigera. Three isolates of B. bassiana, APPRC-9604, APPRC-T5 and DLCO-EA-56, and one of M. anisopliae strain (DLCO-EA-40) were most effective against third instar H. armigera at 108 conidia/mL. At this rate, B. bassiana was more virulent to the third instar H. armigera than M. anisopliae. Among the B. bassiana isolates, APPRC-9604 had the highest virulence; i.e. LT50 (4.6 days) and LC50 (1.3 × 104 conidia/mL). Field trials indicated that APPRC-9604 is effective in reducing larval infestations, decreasing pod damage and increasing chickpea yield. Wettable powder concentrations of Bt caused higher mortality to second instar (69%) than to third instar (56.5%) H. armigera larvae at 0.2 g/200 mL at 8 days post-treatment. Surviving larvae feeding on Bt-treated chickpea leaves required additional days for pupation and adult emergence and had a shortened adult life span compared to untreated controls. We conclude that APPRC-9604 isolate and Bt show potential as biological control agents of H. armigera larvae. Further research should focus on the effectiveness of Bt products under field conditions.
Tarekegn Fite, Tebekew Damte, Tadele Tefera, and Mulugeta Negeri
Informa UK Limited
Abstract The trapping efficacy and specificity of a commercially available two types of traps; funnel and delta traps, two types of lures; botrack (sex pheromone) and femtrack (floral attractant) were evaluated to determine the population dynamics of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its effects on non-target insects under field condition of Dandi district during 2018/2019. The result obtained indicates that the funnel-botrack was captured H. armigera moth more profoundly than the other treatments, followed by a femtrack with the same kinds of trap. Likely, funnel-botrack was less effect on non-target insects than the other treatment combinations. Funnel types were more effective than sticky traps in catching H. armigera. Delta traps captured the highest number of non-target insects and recorded the lowest capture of H. armigera moths. Significantly more non-target moths were captured in delta-femtrack and delta-botrack treatments. Across all traps and lure combinations, 6,332 non-target insects were collected, belonging to five major insect orders. The most commonly collected insect orders in descending order were Diptera -> Lepidoptera -> Coleoptera -> Hymenoptera or at a family level, Noctuidae -> Tachinidae -> Muscidae were common in traps baited with H. armigera lures. We noted that, two population peaks in Ethiopia. Our results suggest that the funnel-botrack combination was efficient and specific to capture H. armigera under the agro-ecology of the Dandi district in Ethiopia.
Tarekegn Fite, Tadele Tefera, Mulugeta Negeri, and Tebekew Damte
Informa UK Limited
Abstract Nowadays, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is becoming a serious insect pest of chickpea in Ethiopia and its management has faced considerable challenges, to improve yields in many crops, in most parts of the world. This experiment was initiated with the objective to evaluate the effectiveness of Azadirachta indica and Milletia ferruginea extracts for the management of H. armigera in chickpea from July to December during 2017 and 2018 cropping season under field conditions. The results revealed that aqueous extracts of M. ferruginea and A. indica at 5% concentration either individually or in combinations at 2.5% concentration of each were more effective in reducing per plant H. armigera larval populations, pod damage with increased the subsequent yields during both cropping seasons as compared to control plot. Comparing the net cost–benefit return of each treatment, during 2017 maximum CBR was from the M. ferruginea 5% treated plot and A. indica 5% treated plots during the 2018 year. Thus, locally available botanical extracts would greatly benefit the resource-poor farmers in chickpea production. Future research attentions and considerations as a part of IPM tools, in pest management, are crucial.
Tarekegn Fite, Emana Getu, and Waktole Sori
Science Alert