1.    Personal Profile

Mr. Erana Kebede Neda holds a BSc in Plant Sciences and an MSc in Agronomy from Haramaya University, Ethiopia. He is currently an assistant professor at the School of Plant Sciences, where he has over ten years of experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership. He serves as the Head of the School of Plant Sciences, having also coordinated the Lowland Pulse Research Program and led the Plant Production and Health Research Group from 2021 to 2024. Additionally, he led the ‘Development and Delivery of Biofortified Crops at Scale (DDBIO)’ project at the International Potato Center (CIP) and served as a researcher for the World Bank-funded ‘Lowlands Livelihood Resilience Project (LLRP)’ based at Haramaya University, both implemented in Eastern Ethiopia. He is actively involved in various research initiatives and is committed to translating research into practical solutions for smallholder farmers and policymakers. He is dedicated to advancing capacity-building initiatives through teaching and training, conducting cutting-edge research, engaging in community outreach programs, and fostering partnerships that promote sustainable agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship

2.    Major Courses Handled/Taught

1. Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition;
2. Plant Ecology;
3. Irrigation Agronomy and Drainage;
4. Introductory Soils;
5. Industrial Crops Production and Processing; and
6. Research Methods.

3.    Research Interest

• Agronomy, crop production physiology, and plant-microbe-environment interactions in agroecosystems;
• Identification and characterization of beneficial microorganisms for development into biofertilizers for diverse crops;
• Crop improvement and adaptation to biotic and abiotic stressors through agronomic practices and soil fertility management;
• Analysis and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient (C and N) footprints in agricultural systems;
• Precision agriculture and crop production based on geospatial analysis, modeling, and machine learning (AI) applications, among others.

4.    Publications

4.1. Published peer-reviewed journal articles

1. Daba, N.A., Huang, J., Alam, M.A., Li, J., Shen, Z., Tadesse, K.A., Gilbert, N., Han, T., Kebede, E., Legesse, T.G., Li, D., Liu, L., & Zhang, H. 2025. Green manure substitution reduces carbon and nitrogen footprints and improves net ecosystem economic benefits in double rice systems. Journal of Cleaner Production, 521, 146266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.146266
2. Yasin, K.H., Gelete, T.B., Kebede, E., Iguala, A.D., & Abdo, M.Y. 2025. Advanced geospatial and machine learning models identify groundwater potential and reveal storage dynamics in Ethiopia’s abbay river basin. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 61, 102762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2025.102762
3. Mengesha, G., Terefe, H., Yitayih G., Kebede, E., Abera, A., Jambo, A., & Yimer, S. 2025. Associations of angular leaf spot (P. griseola) epidemics and yield losses in common bean influenced by integration of variety and fungicide. Journal of Plant Pathology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42161-025-01936-9
4. Daba, N.A., Huang, J., Shen, Z., Han, T., Alam, M.A., Li, J., Tadesse, K.A., Gilbert, N., Kebede, E., Legesse, T.G., Liu, S., Liu, L., Liu, K., & Zhang, H. 2025. Green manure substitution for chemical nitrogen reduces greenhouse gas emissions and enhances yield and nitrogen uptake in rice-rice cropping systems. Field Crops Research, 322, 109715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2024.109715
5. Yasin, K.H., Yasin, M.I., Iguala, A.D., Gelete, T.B., & Kebede, E. 2025. Methodological Integration of Machine Learning and Geospatial Analysis for PM10 Pollution Mapping. MethodsX, 103322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2025.103322
6. Alemayehu, D., Shumi, D., Kebede, E., Daba, N.A., & Dechassa, N. 2025. Optimum plant density and inorganic fertilizer application improved selected soil chemical properties and common bean productivity in southern Ethiopia. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 8(1), e70079. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70079
7. Yasin, K.H., Yasin, M.I., Iguala, A.D., Gelete, T.B., Tulu, D., & Kebede, E. 2025. Predictive machine learning and geospatial modeling reveal PM10 hotspots and guide targeted air pollution interventions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Discover Applied Sciences, 7, 263. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-06723-w
8. Gelete, T.B., Tulu, D., Yasin, K.H., & Kebede, E. 2025. Machine learning predictions of climate change effects on nearly threatened bird species (Crithagra xantholaema) habitat in Ethiopia for conservation strategies. Scientific Reports, 15, 36972. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-20952-4
9. Terefe, H., Mengesha, G.G., Aberab, A., Kebede, E., & Yitayih G. 2024. Vermicompost and bactericide application minimized common bacterial blight development, and enhanced nodulation and agronomic performances of bean varieties in Southern Ethiopia. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 6(5): e20308. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20465
10. Gelete, T.B., Pasala, P., Abay, N.G., Woldemariam, G.W., Yasin, K.H., Kebede, E., & Aliyi, I. 2024. Integrated machine learning and geospatial analysis enhanced gully erosion susceptibility modeling in the Erer watershed in Eastern Ethiopia. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 12, 1410741. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1410741
11. Yasin, K.H., Gelete, T.B., Iguala, A.D., & Kebede, E. 2024. Optimal Interpolation Approach for Groundwater Depth Estimation. MethodsX, 102916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2024.102916
12. Fite, T., Kebede, E., Tefera, T., & Bekeko, Z. 2023. Endophytic fungi: Versatile partners for pest biocontrol, growth promotion, and climate change resilience in plants. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7, 1322861. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1322861
13. Desalegn, B., Kebede, E., Legesse, H., & Fite, T. 2023. Sugarcane productivity and sugar yield improvement: Selecting variety, nitrogen fertilizer rate, and bioregulator as a first-line treatment, Heliyon, 9(4), e15520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15520
14. Gutema, T., Kebede, E., Legesse, H., & Fite, T. 2023. Integrating multiple soil management practices: A system-wide approach for restoring degraded soil and improving Brachiaria productivity. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, e20360. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20360
15. Tulu, D., Gadissa, S., Hundessa, F., & Kebede, E. 2023. Contribution of Climate Smart Forage and Fodder Production for Sustainable Livestock Production and Environment: Lessons and Challenges from Ethiopia. Advances in Agriculture, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8067776
16. Kebede, E., Amsalu, B., Argaw, A., & Tamiru, S. 2022. Nodulation potential and phenotypic diversity of rhizobia nodulating cowpea isolated from major growing areas of Ethiopia. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 5(4), e20308. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20308
17. Kebede, E. 2021. Contribution, utilization and improvement of legumes-driven biological nitrogen fixation in agricultural systems. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5, 767998. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.767998
18. Kebede, E. 2021. Competency of rhizobia inoculation in sustainable agricultural production and biocontrol of plant diseases. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 728014. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.728014
19. Kebede, E., Amsalu, B., Argaw, A., & Tamiru, S. 2021. Abundance of native rhizobia nodulating cowpea in major production areas of Ethiopia as influenced by cropping history and soil properties. Sustainable Environment, (1), 1889084. https://doi.org/10.1080/27658511.2021.1889084
20. Kebede, E. 2020. Grain legumes production and productivity in Ethiopian smallholder agricultural system, contribution to livelihoods and the way forward. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 6(1): 1722353. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2020.1722353
21. Kebede, E., Amsalu, B., Argaw, A., & Tamiru, S. 2020. Symbiotic effectiveness of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) nodulating rhizobia isolated from soils of major cowpea producing areas in Ethiopia. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 6(1), 1763648. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2020.1763648
22. Kebede, E., & Bekeko, Z. 2020. Expounding the production and importance of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) in Ethiopia. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 6(1), 1769805. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2020.1769805
23. Kebede, E., Amsalu, B., Argaw, A., & Tamiru, S. 2020. Eco-physiological and physiological characterization of cowpea nodulating native rhizobia isolated from major production areas of Ethiopia. Cogent Biology, 6(1), 1875672. https://doi.org/10.1080/23312025.2021.1875672
24. Kebede, E. 2020. Grain legumes production in Ethiopia: A review of adoption, opportunities, constraints and emphases for future interventions. Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology, 8(4), 977-989. https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v8i4.977-989.3254

4.2. Proceedings

1. Kebede, E., Amsalu, B., Argaw, A. and Tamiru, S. 2023. Phenotypic Diversity and Symbiotic Effectiveness of Rhizobia Nodulating Cowpea Isolated from Major Production Areas of Ethiopia. 19^th Biennial Conference of Crop Science Society of Ethiopia (CSSoE). Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
2. Kebede, E., Amsalu, B., Argaw, A. and Tamiru, S. 2019. Nodulation potential and phenotypic diversity of rhizobia nodulating Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Isolated from Major Growing Areas of Ethiopia. 1^st National Research Symposium on Enhancing Agricultural Productivity and Natural Resource Conservation for Sustainable Development, Oda Bultum University, Ethiopia.