Maryke Labuschagne is a professor in Plant Breeding at the University of the Free State in South Africa. She has been leading the National Research Foundation South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) in Disease Resistance and Quality in Field Crops since 2016. From 2025 she is also leading the ARC/DOA/UFS Chair in Breeding Climate Resilient Vegetables and Grains. Her research interest is in the genetic improvement of nutritional value of food security crops in South Africa and Africa, in the context of climate change. Biofortification efforts with collaborators in Africa has already lead to the release of highly nutritious and climate resilient maize and sweet potato. She is also leading the Sorghum Cluster Initiative from 2023 with partners at UKZN and Sorgho. She has, with her team, published 300 papers in accredited journals in her career. She has supervised 71 PhD students as main supervisor and another 14 as co-supervisor, and 54 MSc students as main supervisor and another 22 as co-supervisor.  

Publications: Prof. Maryke Labuschagne 2022-2026

1. Mekonnen, T.W., Mekbib, F., Amsalu, B., Gedil, M., Labuschagne, M., 2022. Genotype by environment interaction and grain yield stability of drought tolerant cowpea landraces in Ethiopia. Euphytica 218: 57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-022-03011-1.
2. Mbuma, N.W., Labuschagne, M., Siwale, J., Hugo, A., 2022. Diversity in seed protein content, selected minerals, oil content and fatty acid composition of the Southern African Bambara groundnut germplasm collection. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 109: 104477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2022.104477
3. Amegbor, I.K., van Biljon, A., Shargie, N., Tarekegne, A., Labuschagne, M.T., 2022. Does the quality protein maize trait cause hybrid yield losses? A case study in Southern Africa. Euphytica 218: 87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-022-03041-9.
4. Amegbor, K.I., van Biljon, A., Shargie, N., Tarekegne, A., Labuschagne, M.T., 2022. Heritability and associations among grain yield and quality traits in quality protein maize (QPM) and non-QPM hybrids. Plants 11: 713. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11060713.
5. Amegbor, I.K., van Biljon, A., Shargie, N., Tarekegne, A., Labuschagne, M., 2022. Identifying quality protein maize inbred lines for improved maize nutritional value in southern Africa. Foods 11: 898. https://doi.org/10.3390/ foods11070898.
6. Tembo, E., Minnaar-Ontong, A., Menkir, A., Marais, G., Magorokosho, C., Labuschagne, M., 2022. Inheritance of resistance to Fusarium verticillioides ear rot in maize inbred lines of southern, West and Central Africa origin. Crop Science 62 (5): 1818-1833. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20776
7. Mbuma, N.W., Gerrano, A.S., Lebaka, N., Labuschagne, M.T., 2022. Interrelationship between grain yield components and nutritional quality traits in cowpea genotypes. South African Journal of Botany 150: 34-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2022.07.006
8. Mekonnen, T.W., Gerrano, A.S., Mbuma,N.W., Labuschagne, M.T., 2022. Breeding of cowpea as highly nutritious and climate resilient vegetable in sub-Saharan Africa: progress, opportunities, and challenges. Plants 11: 1583. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11121583
9. Abdi, N., van Biljon, A., Steyn, C., Labuschagne, M., 2022. Salicylic acid improves salt stress tolerance of two bread wheat cultivars. Plants 11: 1853. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11141853.
10. Amegbor, I.K., van Biljon, A., Shargie, N., Tarekegne, A., Labuschagne, M.T., 2022. Grain quality of hybrids from quality and non-quality protein maize inbred lines. Journal of Cereal Science 107: 103544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcs.2022.103544
11. Olckers, S., Osthoff, G., Guzmán, C., Wentzel, B., van Biljon, A., Labuschagne, M., 2022. Drought and heat stress effects on gluten protein composition and its relation to bread-making quality in wheat. Journal of Cereal Science 108: 103562. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcs.2022.103562
12. Ndoro, O., Magorokosho, C., Setimela, P., Kamutando, C., Labuschagne, M., 2023. Identification of exotic temperate maize inbreds for use in tropical breeding programs. Euphytica 218: 164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-022-03119-4
13. Mekonnen, T.W., Mekbib, F., Amsalu, B., Gedil, M., Labuschagne, M., 2022. Implications of qualitative trait diversity for future cowpea improvement and genetic resource conservation. South African Journal of Botany 151: 763-773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2022.10.047.
14. Mekonnen, T.W., Mekbib, F., Amsalu, B., Gedil, M., Labuschagne, M., 2022. Breeding implications of nodulation performance and root structure under natural inoculation for soil fertility enhancement and sustainable cowpea production. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 6: 1076760. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2022.1076760
15. Matongera, N., Ndhlela, T., van Biljon, A., Kamutando, C.N., Cairns, J.E., Baudron, F., Labuschagne, M., 2023. Genetic variation of zinc concentration in zinc-enhanced quality protein, provitamin A and normal maize under optimal, low nitrogen and drought stress conditions. Plants 12: 270. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020270
16. Siwale, J., Labuschagne, M., Gerrano, A.S., Paterne, A., Mbuma, N.W. 2023. Variation in protein content, starch components, selected minerals and their bioavailability in bambara groundnut accessions. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 115: 104991. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2022.104991.
17. Matova, P.M., Kamutando, C., Warburton, M., Williams, P., Magorokosho, C., Shimelis, H., Labuschagne, M., Day, R., Gowda, M., 2023. New techniques for breeding maize (Zea mays) varieties with fall armyworm resistance and market-preferred traits for sub-Saharan Africa. Plant Breeding 142: 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1111/pbr.13063
18. Masemola, B.M., Mbuma, N.W., Labuschagne, M., Gerrano, A.S., Minnaar-Ontong, A., 2023. Phenotypic, genotypic and nutritional divergence in cowpea and implications for drought tolerance breeding: a review. Crop and Pasture Science 74(12): 1105-1115. https://doi.org/10.1071/CP22295
19. Matongera, N., Ndhlela, T., van Biljon, A., Kamutando, C.N., Cairns, J.E., Baudron, F., Labuschagne, M., 2023. Genotype x environment interaction and yield stability of normal and biofortified maize inbred lines in stress and non-stress environments. Cogent Food and Agriculture 9: 2163868. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2022.2163868
20. Matongera, N., Ndhlela, T., van Biljon, A., Kamutando, C.N., Cairns, J.E., Baudron, F., Labuschagne, M., 2023. Combining ability and testcross performance of multi-nutrient maize under stress and non-stress environments. Frontiers in Plant Science 14:1070302. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1070302
21. Matongera, N., Ndhlela, T., van Biljon, A., Labuschagne, M., 2023. Predicting zinc-enhanced maize hybrid performance under stress conditions. Food and Energy Security 12: e479. https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.479
22. Akhtar, S., Mekonnen, T.W., Mashingaidze, K., Osthoff, G., Labuschagne, M., 2023. Heterosis and combining ability of iron, zinc and their bioavailability in maize inbred lines under low nitrogen and optimal environments. Heliyon 9: e14177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14177
23. Amegbor, I.K., van Biljon, A., Shargie, N., Tarekegne, A., Labuschagne, M.T., 2023. Combining ability estimates for quality and non-quality protein maize inbred lines for grain yield, agronomic and quality traits. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 7:1123224. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1123224
24. Akhtar, S., Mekonnen, T.W., Ostho?, G., Mashingaidze, K., Labuschagne, M., 2023. Genotype by environment interaction in grain iron and zinc concentration and yield of maize hybrids under low nitrogen and optimal conditions. Plants 12: 1463. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12071463.
25. Abdi, N.; Van Biljon, A.; Steyn, C.; Labuschagne, M., 2023. Zn fertilizer and mycorrhizal inoculation effect on bread wheat cultivar grown under water deficit. Life 13: 1078. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13051078
26. Ntswane, M.E., Labuschagne, M.T. Mbuma, N.W., 2023. Phenotypic diversity among cowpea mutants and accessions for grain yield and yield components. South African Journal of Botany 161: 798-808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2023.09.026
27. Labuschagne, M.T., Guzman, C., Crossa, J., van Biljon, A., 2023. Determining factors of durum wheat bread loaf volume and alveograph characteristics under optimal, drought and heat stress conditions. Journal of Cereal Science 114: 103791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcs.2023.103791
28. Mekonnen, T.W., Ceronio, G.M., Labuschagne, M.T., 2023. The influence of planting window on yield stability of maize hybrids in semi-arid areas. South African Journal of Botany163: 511-522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2023.11.007
29. Mekonnen, T.W., van Biljon, A., Ceronio, G.M., Labuschagne, M.T., 2023. Effects of planting date on grain yield and quality traits of maize hybrids. Heliyon 9: e21660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21660
30. Labuschagne, M.T., 2023. Biofortification to improve food security. Emerging Topics in Life Sciences 7(2): 219-227. doi: 10.1042/ETLS20230066
31. 1.271. Ntswane, M., Labuschagne, M.T., Shandu, S.F., Mbuma, N.W., 2024. Variation in seed protein, selected minerals, phytic acid and potential mineral bioavailability of cowpea mutants and normal genotypes. Crop Science 64: 571-585. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21163
32. Abdi, N., van Biljon, A., Steyn, C., Labuschagne, M, 2024. Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on yield attributes, and protein quantity and quality in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown under drought stress. Arid Land Research and Management 38(4) 591-605. https://doi.org/10.1080/15324982.2024.2331125
33. Van der Merwe, R., Labuschagne, M.T., Smit, A., 2024. Cultivar variability and stability of vegetable-type soybean for seed yield and pod shattering. South African Journal of Botany 166: 106-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2024.01.034
34. Afram, Y., Amenorpe, G., Bediako, E.A., Darkwa, A.A., Shandu, F.S., Labuschagne, M.T., Amegbor, I.K., 2024. Induction of genetic variability of maize genotypes through radiation revealed mutants resistant to maize streak disease. Applied Radiation and Isotopes 207: 111279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2024.111279
35. Engida, B.T., Tarekegne, A., Wegary, D., Van Biljon, A., Labuschagne, M.T., 2024. Genotype × environment interaction and grain yield stability of quality protein maize hybrids under stress and non-stress environments. Cogent Food and Agriculture 10(1): 2324537. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2024.2324537
36. Nginamau, D., Kamutando, C.N., Magorokosho, C., Saraiva, J.C., van Biljon, A., Labuschagne, M., 2024. Low pH adaptation of tropical exotic acid tolerance yellow maize donor lines in sub-tropical breeding programs. Euphytica 220: 101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-024-03367-6.
37. Siwale, J., Gerrano, A.S., Mbuma, N., Labuschagne, M., 2024 Bambara groundnut as a food, nutritional and income security crop in Sub-Saharan Africa. Food Research 8(5): 70-86. https://doi.org/10.26656/fr.2017.8(5).191
38. Anani, P.Y., Nyarko, N., Bayor, H., Karikari, B., Amegbor, K.I., Labuschagne, M., 2024. Exploring morphological variation and stability in hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) germplasm collection from the northern region of Ghana. Scientia Horticulturae 337: 113509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2024.113509
39. Reveglia, P., Blanco, M., Cobos, M.J., Labuschagne, M., Joy, M., Rubiales, D., 2025. Metabolic profiling of pea (Pisum sativum) varieties in changing environments: Implications for nutritional quality in animal feed. Food Chemistry 462: 140972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140972
40. Sivhada, R., Boshoff, W., van Biljon, A., Labuschagne, M.T., 2025. The impact of wheat stripe rust in the presence of resistance genes Yr9, Yr10, and Yr15 on gluten proteins: Insights from size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Applied Food Research 5: 100684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afres.2024.100684
41. Hilukwa, R., Wanga, M.A., Hukununa, R.K., Hangula, M.N., Franke, A., Labuschagne, M., Zorrilla, C., Hasheela, E.B.S., Sarsu, F., 2025. Radio-Sensitivity of selected Namibian landrace groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes to gamma radiation. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 282: 107618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107618
42. Endalamaw, C., Nida, H., Tsegaye, D., van Biljon, A., Herselman, L., Labuschagne, M., 2025. Genetics of sorghum: grain quality, molecular aspects, and drought responses. Planta 261(3): 47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-025-04628-x
43. Endalamaw, C., Tsegaye, D., van Biljon, A., Herselman, L., Labuschagne, M., 2025. Kernel composition in sorghum landraces revealed via analyses of genotype-by-environment interactions. PLoS ONE 20(4): e0320513. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320513.
44. Hamadziripi, E., Collinson, S., Voss, R.C., Baudron, F., Labuschagne, M.T., Franke, A.C., Zaman-Allah, M., Olsen, M.S., Burgueño, J., Cairns, J.E., 2025. Validating a novel genetic technology for hybrid maize seed production under management practices associated with resource-poor farmers in Zimbabwe. Plants, People, Planet 7(3): 487-886. https://doi.org/10.1002/PPP3.10590
45. Matjeke, M.B., Labuschagne, M., Gerrano, A.S., Minnaar-Ontong, A., Mbuma, N.W., 2025. Heritability and expression of yield and yield related components in cowpea, an underutilized crop in Africa. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 9: 1588245. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1588245.
46. Mbuma, N.W., Steyn, P.J., Laurie, S.M., Labuschagne, M.T., Bairu, M.W., 2025. Phenotypic diversity of released South African bred potato varieties for tuber yield and processing quality. Potato Research 68: 1397-1417. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-024-09790-5.
47. Endalamaw, C., Nida, H., Tsegaye, D., van Biljon, A., Herselman, L., Labuschagne, M., 2025. Genetic diversity and genome-wide association study of grain quality in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) landrace collections. Plant Breeding 144: 617-640. https://doi.org/10.1111/pbr.13280.
48. Amegbor, I.K., Adu, G.B., Prasanna, B.M., Beyene, Y., Chivasa, W., Gethi, j.G., Togola, A., Jamal-Deen, A., Adogba, D.S., Nboyine, J., Kusi, F., Ribeiro, P.F., Keteku, A.K., Wandaat, E., Darkwa, K., Atosona, B., Labuschagne, M., 2025. Assessment of fall armyworm tolerant maize hybrids for sustainable maize production in sub-Saharan Africa. Phytoparasitica 53: 29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-025-01253-y
49. Matjeke, M.B., Labuschagne, M., Gerrano, A.S., Minnaar-Ontong, A., Mbuma, N.W., 2025. Cowpea genetic analysis: integrating heritability, combining ability, and heterosis for grain yield and morphological traits. Euphytica 221: 96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-025-03520-9.
50. Zabuloni, B.L., Shimelis, H., Tesfamariam, S.A, Botha, E., Labuschagne, M., 2025. Progress in sorghum improvement for early maturity, harvest index, and water use efficiency: proxy traits for integrative drought tolerance breeding. Food and Energy Security 14: e70093. https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.70093.
51. Endalamaw, C., Tsegaye, D., Nida, H., van Biljon, A., Herselman, L., Labuschagne, M., 2025. Environmental impact on grain quality in Ethiopian sorghum landraces. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research 21: 101916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2025.101916
52. Anani, P.Y., Bayor, H., Karikari, B., Amegbor, I.K., Nyarko, G., Hudu, A.R., Labuschagne, M., 2025. Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of Capsicum annuum cultivated in the Northern Region of Ghana: implications for conservation and breeding. Cogent Food & Agriculture 11(1): 2537137. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2025.2537137
53. Matjeke, B.M., Labuschagne, M., Gerrano, A.S., Minnaar-Ontong, A., Mbuma, N.W., 2025. Correlations between grain yield, its components and nutritional traits for cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) F1 progenies and their parental genotypes. South African Journal of Botany 187: 268-275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2025.10.027.  
54.  Endalamaw, C., Menamo, T.M., Girma, F., Wondimu, Z., Labuschagne, M., 2026. Genome-wide association study identifies consistent genomic loci for yield and nutritional quality in sorghum landraces. The Plant Genome 19: 270201. https://doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.70201
55. Endalamaw, C., Shamuyarira, K., Mekonnen, T.W., Labuschagne, M., 2026. Grain and biofuel production potential of sweet sorghum genotypes under variable fertilizer regimes in Ethiopian agroecologies. Cogent Food and Agriculture 12: 2635772 https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2026.2635772
56. Sefa, M.Y., Hudu, A.R., Abukari, A., Appia, A., Quansah, L., Kankam, F, Amegbor, I., Karikari, B., Labuschagne, M.T., 2026. Genotype and environmental effects on grain yield, agronomic performance, and beta-carotene content of provitamin a maize in tropical Savannah ecologies. Journal of Cereal Science 129: 104456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcs.2026.104456

• Gluten Proteins and their influence on breadmaking
• Proteomics in wheat
• Breeding for improved nutritional value in staple crops

Her area of research interest is the genetic improvement of crops for especially nutritional value. This includes protein quality in maize and wheat, beta carotene content in maize, cassava and sweet potato and protein content in cassava.