Overview
Background
Tolera Keno is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Sorghum Genetics at The University of Queensland, based at the Hermitage Reseach Facility. His work focuses on improving seed producibility of female lines in sorghum hybrid production by investigating genetic and environmental factors limiting female seed yield in commercial hybrid seed production. He integrates large volumes of phenotypic, environmental, and genomic data to improve seed producibility of female sorghum lines. Before joining UQ, he dedicated over 10 years working as maize breeder at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), where he served as leader of the Ethiopian National Maize Research Program from 2014 to 2016.
Tolera's research interests include enhancing crop genetics for tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses and employing advanced statistical & quantitative methodologies in crop improvement, aiming to accelerate the rate of genetic gain in breeding programs.
Availability
- Dr Tolera Keno is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Plant Science, Hawassa University (Debub University)
- Masters (Coursework) of Other Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies, University of Sydney
- Masters (Research), Haramaya University (Alemaya)
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
-
Quantitative Genetics
-
Crop Reproductive Biology
-
Plant Breeding
Works
Search Professor Tolera Keno’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Book Chapter
Factors that transformed cereals productivity
Abate, Tsedeke, Menkir, Abebe, Belay, Getachew, Feyissa, Regassa, Keno, Tolera and Bossey, Olubunmi (2024). Factors that transformed cereals productivity. The untold stories of African agriculture: lessons from Ethiopia. (pp. 42-60) edited by Tsedeke Abate. Wallingford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom: CABI. doi: 10.1079/9781800626386.0003
2024
Journal Article
The use of fixed shelling percentage biases genotype selection in hybrid maize multi-environment yield trials
Keno, Tolera, Mace, Emma, Godwin, Ian, Jordan, David and Kelly, Alison (2024). The use of fixed shelling percentage biases genotype selection in hybrid maize multi-environment yield trials. Field Crops Research, 315 109437, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2024.109437
2024
Journal Article
Combining ability and genetic distance analysis of mid altitude sub-humid agroecology adapted maize inbred lines for high grain yield
Engida, Bitew Tilahun, Wegary, Dagne, Keno, Tolera and Mekonnen, Tesfaye Walle (2024). Combining ability and genetic distance analysis of mid altitude sub-humid agroecology adapted maize inbred lines for high grain yield. Heliyon, 10 (11) e32267, e32267. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32267
2019
Journal Article
Genotype x environment interaction and stability analysis of grain yield in QPM hybrid varieties
Wolde, Legesse, Keno, Tolera, Abebe, Abenezer, Abakemal, Demisew, Terefe, Worknesh and Negera, Demoz (2019). Genotype x environment interaction and stability analysis of grain yield in QPM hybrid varieties. Maydica, 64 (3) M 30.
2019
Journal Article
Test cross performance and combining ability of newly introduced quality protein maize (Zea mays) inbred lines for grain yield and agronomic traits evaluated in mid-altitude agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia
Tilahun, Bitew, Azimach, Girum, Keno, Tolera, Chibsa, Temesgen, Garoma, Belay, Abebe, Beyene, Tulu, Dufera, Tafa, Zelalem and Chalchisa, Desalegn (2019). Test cross performance and combining ability of newly introduced quality protein maize (Zea mays) inbred lines for grain yield and agronomic traits evaluated in mid-altitude agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia. South African Journal of Plant and Soil, 36 (3), 173-180. doi: 10.1080/02571862.2018.1537009
2019
Book Chapter
Fast-tracking the development and dissemination of a drought-tolerant maize variety in Ethiopia in response to the risks of climate change
Ertiro, Berhanu T., Azmach, Girum, Keno, Tolera, Chibsa, Temesgen, Abebe, Beyene, Demissie, Girma, Wegary, Dagne, Wolde, Legesse, Teklewold, Adefris and Worku, Mosisa (2019). Fast-tracking the development and dissemination of a drought-tolerant maize variety in Ethiopia in response to the risks of climate change. The Climate-Smart Agriculture Papers: Investigating the Business of a Productive, Resilient and Low Emission Future. (pp. 79-86) edited by Todd S. Rosenstock, Andreea Nowak and Evan Girvetz. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-92798-5_7
2018
Journal Article
Mega-environment targeting of maize varieties using AMMI and GGE bi-plot analysis in Ethiopia
Wolde, Legesse, Keno, Tolera, Tadesse, Berhanu, Bogale, Gezahegn, Teklewold, Adefris and Abebe, Beyene (2018). Mega-environment targeting of maize varieties using AMMI and GGE bi-plot analysis in Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 28 (2), 65-84.
2018
Journal Article
Major biotic maize production stresses in Ethiopia and their management through host resistance
Keno, T., Azmach, G., Wegary, D., Worku, M., Tadesse, B., Wolde, L., Deressa, T., Abebe, B., Chibsa, T. and Suresh, L. M. (2018). Major biotic maize production stresses in Ethiopia and their management through host resistance. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 13 (21), 1042-1052. doi: 10.5897/ajar2018.13163
2017
Journal Article
Genetic variation and population structure of maize inbred lines adapted to the mid-altitude sub-humid maize agro-ecology of Ethiopia using single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers
Ertiro, Berhanu Tadesse, Semagn, Kassa, Das, Biswanath, Olsen, Michael, Labuschagne, Maryke, Worku, Mosisa, Wegary, Dagne, Azmach, Girum, Ogugo, Veronica, Keno, Tolera, Abebe, Beyene, Chibsa, Temesgen and Menkir, Abebe (2017). Genetic variation and population structure of maize inbred lines adapted to the mid-altitude sub-humid maize agro-ecology of Ethiopia using single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers. BMC Genomics, 18 (1) 777. doi: 10.1186/s12864-017-4173-9
2017
Journal Article
Combining ability and heterotic orientation of mid-altitude sub-humid tropical maize inbred lines for grain yield and related traits
Tolera, Keno, Mosisa, Worku and Habtamu, Zeleke (2017). Combining ability and heterotic orientation of mid-altitude sub-humid tropical maize inbred lines for grain yield and related traits. African Journal of Plant Science, 11 (6), 229-239. doi: 10.5897/ajps2016.1502
2016
Journal Article
Prevalence, distribution and impact of maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND) in Ethiopia
Demissie, Girma, Deressa, Temesgen, Haile, Messele, Bogale, Gezahegn, Dida, Midekissa, Chibsa, Temesgen, Gedefaw, Yitayih, Tulu, Dufera, Debelo, Mezigebu, Keno, Tolera and Azmach, Girum (2016). Prevalence, distribution and impact of maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND) in Ethiopia. Pest Management Journal of Ethiopia, 18, 37-49. doi: 10.20372/pmjoe.v18i.102
2015
Journal Article
Factors that transformed maize productivity in Ethiopia
Abate, Tsedeke, Shiferaw, Bekele, Menkir, Abebe, Wegary, Dagne, Kebede, Yilma, Tesfaye, Kindie, Kassie, Menale, Bogale, Gezahegn, Tadesse, Berhanu and Keno, Tolera (2015). Factors that transformed maize productivity in Ethiopia. Food Security, 7 (5), 965-981. doi: 10.1007/s12571-015-0488-z
2012
Conference Publication
Maize seed production in research centers and higher learning institutes in Ethiopia
Keno, Tolera, Negash, Meseret, Admasu, Solomon, Chibsa, Temesgen, Sukar, Hirko, Chemeda, Girma, Napir, Gudeta, Bogale, Gezahegn, Jifar, Habte, Haile, Taye, Tsegaw, Tekalign, Asseffa, Molla, Fekadu, Wondimu, Gebre, Desta and Wollie, Andualem (2012). Maize seed production in research centers and higher learning institutes in Ethiopia. Third National Maize Workshop of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 18-20 April 2011. Mexico City, Mexico: CIMMYT.
2012
Conference Publication
Participatory on-farm maize technology evaluation and promotion in Ethiopia
Beshir, Bedru, Habte, Endeshaw, Gedefa, Bayissa, Shale, Gemechu, Jifar, Habte, Keno, Tolera, Naper, Gudeta, Tsegaw, Belete, Tilahun, Lealem, Bogale, Gezahegn, Wogari, Dagne and Dessalegn, Tsige (2012). Participatory on-farm maize technology evaluation and promotion in Ethiopia. Third National Maize Workshop of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 18-20 April 2011. Mexico City, Mexico: CIMMYT.
2012
Conference Publication
Genetic improvement of maize for mid-altitude and lowland sub-humid agro-ecologies of Ethiopia
Legesse, W., Mosisa, W., Berhanu, T., Girum, A., Wende, A., Solomon, A., Tolera, K., Dagne, W., Girma, D., Temesgen, C., Leta, T., Habtamu, Z., Habte, J., Alemu, T., Fitsum, S., Andualem, W. and Belayneh, A. (2012). Genetic improvement of maize for mid-altitude and lowland sub-humid agro-ecologies of Ethiopia. Third National Maize Workshop of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 18-20 April 2011. Mexico City, Mexico: CIMMYT.
2012
Conference Publication
Breeding maize for food-feed traits in Ethiopia
Berhanu, T., Habtamu, Z., Twumasi-Afrieye, S., Blummel, M., Friesen, D., Mosisa, W., Dagne, W., Legesse, W., Girum, A., Tolera, K. and Wende, A. (2012). Breeding maize for food-feed traits in Ethiopia. Third National Maize Workshop of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 18-20 April 2011. Mexico City, Mexico: CIMMYT.
2012
Conference Publication
Development of Improved Yellow Maize Germplasm in Ethiopia
Azmach, Girum, Worku, Mosisa, Wolde, Legesse, Abera, Wende, Tadesse, Berhanu, Keno, Tolera, Chibsa, Temesgen, Spillane, Charles and Menkir, Abebe (2012). Development of Improved Yellow Maize Germplasm in Ethiopia. Third National Maize Workshop of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 18-20 April 2011.
2012
Conference Publication
Status and future direction of maize research and production in Ethiopia
Worku, Mosisa, Wolde, Legesse, Tadesse, Berhanu, Demissie, Girma, Azmach, Girum, Abera, Wende, Keno, Tolera, Bogale, Gezahegn, Wegary, Dagne, Admasu, Solomon and Zeleke, Habtamu (2012). Status and future direction of maize research and production in Ethiopia. Third National Maize Workshop of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 18-20 April 2011. Mexico City, Mexico: CIMMYT.
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Tolera Keno is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Improving seed producibility in sorghum in a hotter, drier world
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Jordan, Professor Emma Mace
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Dr Tolera Keno's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: