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Constantine Sakala Busungu Kwilasa

Lecturer

College of Agricultural Sciences and Food Technology

Crop Sciences and Beekeeping Technology

Biography

Dr. Constantine Busungu is a Lecturer and plant breeder at the University of Dar es Salaam, with specialised expertise in crop improvement. He is an alumnus of Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and a MEXT scholar. His research focuses on the identification, utilisation, and breeding of resistance genes, including the patented Xa42 gene, to enhance durable resistance against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. His broader areas of expertise encompass mutation breeding, seed systems, urban and peri-urban agriculture, crop wild relatives, plant genetic resources management, climate change adaptation, and the development of resilient, high-yielding crop varieties to advance sustainable agriculture and food security.

Research Interest

  • Breeding for disease resistance,drought tolerance and climate resilience in crops
  • Identification, characterisation, and deployment of resistance genes (e.g. Xa genes) for crop protection
  • Mutation breeding for climate-resilient and high-yielding crop varieties
  • Utilisation of crop wild relatives in crop improvement and climate change adaptation
  • Plant genetic resources conservation, characterization, and sustainable use
  • Climate-smart crop breeding strategies for smallholder farming systems
  • Seed systems development and quality seed delivery for improved varietal adoption
  • Urban and peri-urban agriculture for food and nutritional security
  • Breeding approaches to enhance yield stability under biotic and abiotic stresses
  • Integrating breeding innovations with sustainable agriculture and food security
  • Epigenetic studes

Contacts

Email:

Projects

 

1.PI(2019-2022)-Community seed production in Magu district/Mwanza funded by Magu District Council (50%) and Norwegian supportes. (https://www.safebiodev.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Summary-for-internet.pdf  

2.PI(2024-2028)-Climate-Smart Management Strategies for Controlling Yellow Sugarcane Aphids (Sipha flava Forbes) Infestation in Tanzanian Rice Cultivation funded by COSTECH/NORAD

Publications

  1. Elinisa, N. K., Kabota, S. A., Busungu, C. S., et al. (2026). Influence of field management practices, altitude and seasonality on abundance and dynamics of wasps in cucurbit agroecosystems. Discover Agriculture, 4(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44279-025-00443-w

 

  1. Sitta, B., Joseph, C., Busungu, C., & Kashenge, S. (2026). Phenotypic evaluation and genetic insights into brown spot disease resistance in diverse rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes under field conditions. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2025.2600721

 

  1. Busungu, C. (2025). Invasive insect species devastating crop production in Tanzania: Implications on management and agricultural resilience. Journal of Agricultural Sciences – Sri Lanka, 20(3), 501–525. https://doi.org/10.4038/jas.v20i3.11077

 

  1. Busungu, C. (2025). From ancient domestication to modern agriculture: The journey of maize cultivation in Tanzania, its implications for food security, challenges and resilience strategies. Bio-Research, 22(3), 2542–2562. https://doi.org/10.4314/br.v22i3.13

 

  1. Busungu, C., & Ichitani, K. (2024). Survey of wild rice genetic resources in Tanzania Lake Zone. Paper presented at the ISSAAS and 136th Japanese Society of Tropical Agriculture Conference, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan.

 

  1. Busungu, C. (2023). Past, present and future perspectives of rice production in Tanzania. Agricultural Sciences, 14, 987–1006. https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2023.148066

 

  1. Busungu, C., Gondwe, A., Naila, D. L., & Munema, L. (2019). Completing extension officers in technology transfer and extension services: Understanding the influence of media as change agents in modern agriculture. International Journal of Research, 7, 248–269. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3332063

 

  1. Busungu, C., Taura, S., Anai, T., Sakagami, J., & Ichitani, K. (2018). High-resolution mapping and characterization of xa42, a resistance gene against multiple Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae races in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Breeding Science, 68(2), 188–199. https://doi.org/10.1270/jsbbs.17094

 

  1. Szyniszewska, A. M., Busungu, C., Boni, B. S., Shirima, R., Bouwmeester, H., & Legg, J. P. (2017). Spatial analysis of temporal changes in the pandemic of severe cassava mosaic disease in north-western Tanzania. Phytopathology, 107(10), 1229–1242. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-03-17-0105-FI

 

  1. Busungu, C., Taura, S., Sakagami, J., & Ichitani, K. (2016). Identification and linkage analysis of rice bacterial blight resistance gene from XM14, a mutant line. Breeding Science, 66(4), 636–645. https://doi.org/10.1270/jsbbs.16062