I obtained my BSc Agriculture (Crop Science and Horticulture) in 2013 at the University of Fort Hare, MSc in Plant Breeding with distinction in 2019, and PhD Plant Breeding in 2023, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. My MSc in Plant Breeding and PhD in Plant Breeding were funded by the National Research Foundation and the Water Research Commission. My PhD research project was titled “Genetic Analysis for Drought Tolerance and Biomass Allocation in Newly Developed Populations of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The project established wide variability among wheat lines in terms of yield performance and root biomass. Excellent lines were selected and used as parents to develop new breeding populations which show promise for further advancement to develop new cultivars with improved drought tolerance and carbon sequestration potential.

In 2023, I was appointed as a lecturer in the Plant Breeding Division at the University of the Free State. 

1. Mutanda M, Chaplot V, Shimelis H, Shamuyarira KW, Figlan, S. 2024. Determinants of the accuracy of using carbon isotopes in estimating water use efficiency of selected cereal and legume crops: A global perspective. Food and Energy Security, 13(1): 522. https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.522

2. Shamuyarira KW, Shimelis H, Figlan S, Chaplot V. 2023. Combining ability analysis of yield and biomass allocation related traits in newly developed wheat populations. Scientific Reports. 13(1):11832. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-38961-6

3. Shamuyarira, KW, Shimelis H, Mathew I, Zengeni R and Chaplot V. A meta-analysis of combining ability effects in wheat for agronomic traits and drought adaptation: implications for optimizing biomass allocation. Crop Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20644

4. Shamuyarira KW, Shimelis H, Figlan S, and Chaplot V. 2022. Path coefficient and principal component analyses for biomass allocation, drought tolerance and carbon sequestration potential in wheat. Plants, 11(11) 1407. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11111407

5. Shamuyarira KW, Shimelis H, Mathew I, Shayanowako A, Zengeni R, Chaplot V. 2022. Comparative genetic diversity analysis for biomass allocation and drought tolerance in wheat. Agronomy. 12(6):1457.

6. Shamuyarira KW, Shimelis H, Tapera T, Mathew I and Tsilo TJ. 2019. Correlation and path coefficient analyses of yield and yield components in drought tolerant bread wheat populations. South African Journal of Plant and Soil. 36(5). 367-374. https://doi.org/10.1080/02571862.2019.1626500

7. Shamuyarira KW, Shimelis H, Tapera T and Tsilo TJ. 2019. Genetic advancement of newly developed wheat populations under drought-stressed and non-stressed conditions. Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology, 22(2), 169-176. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12892-018-0262-0

My new research focus is on development of drought tolerant genotypes with high yield potential and nutritional value. I give lectures to undergraduate and post graduate students. I also supervises postgraduate students in Plant Breeding.

• optimize conventional plant breeding through marker assisted selection and genomic selection

• wheat, sorghum and millets

• abiotic stress tolerance

1. BLGY1643 - The interdependence of plants and life on earth; NQF level 6, 12 credits, 2nd semester module

2. PLT3714 – Selection methods and quantitative genetics in plant breeding

3. PLTB4814 - Advanced quantitative genetics (4th years)

4. PLTB6814 - Advanced quantitative genetics (post-graduates)

5. PLTB 9100 – PhD students` supervision