Zerihun Tadele

Prof. Zerihun Tadele is a Professor and Group Leader in the Department of Crop Breeding and Genomics at the University of Bern's Institute of Plant Sciences. His research focuses on improving the orphan African cereal Eragrostis tef (tef) through genomic, agronomic, and biotechnological approaches. Key areas include drought tolerance, genetic diversity, and sustainable agricultural practices. He leads projects on tef variety development, mutant breeding, and mycorrhizal symbiosis effects.

Research emphasizes

• Genetic improvement of tef and other underutilized crops
• Omics technologies for crop resilience
• Climate-smart agricultural techniques
• Seed systems and policy for orphan crops

Recent work highlights innovations like somatic embryogenesis for Ethiopian potato and nitrogen-use efficiency studies. His team collaborates on global initiatives to enhance food security through underutilized crops.

Publications (2022–2025) span over 50 peer-reviewed articles, focusing on tef genetics, breeding strategies, and environmental adaptation. He actively promotes tef as a strategic crop for Africa's food systems.