Maissa Ben Jabeur | Biostiumulants | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Maissa Ben Jabeur | Biostiumulants | Research Excellence Award

National Institute of Agronomy of Tunisia | Tunisia

Dr. Maissa Ben Jabeur is a plant production and biotechnology researcher whose work focuses on biostimulants, seed coating technologies, stress physiology, and sustainable crop protection strategies. Her research explores beneficial microbes, plant extracts, and natural bioactive compounds as innovative tools to enhance crop resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses, with strong emphasis on wheat, maize, potato, strawberry, and tomato. She has developed and evaluated microbial consortia, essential-oil-based treatments, and plant growth-promoting bacteria for applications in seed priming, biocontrol, and yield improvement. Her expertise spans microbial genotyping, morphophysiological and biochemical trait analysis, metabolic physiology techniques, and greenhouse and laboratory experimentation. She has contributed to multidisciplinary projects on stress tolerant maize germplasm, microbiome-based agroecosystem restoration, PGPR applications, mycorrhizal symbioses, and biostimulant formulation for cereal improvement. Dr. Ben Jabeur has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, with studies covering drought and heat stress mitigation, systemic resistance induction, biofungicidal properties of essential oils, biopriming effects on seed physiology, and performance of natural biostimulants across diverse crop systems. She is also actively involved in supervising undergraduate and graduate students in topics such as beneficial microbes, plant defense mechanisms, biocontrol strategies, PGPR-mediated stress tolerance, and valorization of aromatic plant extracts. Alongside her research, she has extensive teaching experience in plant biology, botany, plant physiology, cellular biology, and metabolic physiology techniques, contributing to academic training and capacity building. Her profile reflects a strong commitment to sustainable agriculture through nature-based solutions, international collaboration, and impactful scientific dissemination.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publication

Kthiri, Z., Ben Jabeur, M., Karmous, C., & Hamada, W. (2025). Yeast to the rescue: Meyerozyma guilliermondii primes tomato vigor and resistance to Fusarium crown and root rot. Plant Signaling & Behavior.

Ben-Jabeur, M., Kthiri, Z., Djébali, N., Karmous, C., & Hamada, W. (2023). A case study of seed biopriming and chemical priming: Seed coating with two types of bioactive compounds improves the physiological state of germinating seeds in durum wheat. Cereal Research Communications.

Chaouch, R., Kthiri, Z., Soufi, S., Ben Jabeur, M., & Bettaieb, T. (2023). Assessing the biostimulant effect of micro-algae and thyme essential oil during in-vitro and ex-vitro rooting of strawberry. South African Journal of Botany.

Ben-Jabeur, M., Kthiri, Z., Essid, M. F., Moussa, C., & Hamada, W. (2023). The potential of coating half-cut tubers with natural biostimulants in improving yield components and inducing resistance against grey mold and black scurf in potato. Potato Research.

Ben-Jabeur, M., Chamekh, Z., Jallouli, S., Ayadi, S., Serret, M. D., Araus, J. L., Trifa, Y., & Hamada, W. (2022). Comparative effect of seed treatment with thyme essential oil and Paraburkholderia phytofirmans on growth, photosynthetic capacity, grain yield, δ15N and δ13C of durum wheat under drought and heat stress. Annals of Applied Biology.

 

Tadele Buraka | Agricultural science | Editorial Board Member

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Tadele Buraka | Agricultural science | Editorial Board Member

Researcher | Addis Ababa University | Ethiopia

Assist. Prof. Dr. Tadele Buraka is an emerging scholar in environmental science with a focus on soil degradation, watershed dynamics, and land-use change impacts in Ethiopia’s vulnerable landscapes. His research advances the understanding of how shifting land-cover patterns influence soil erosion risks, hydrological processes, and ecological sustainability, particularly within highland watershed systems. Through the integration of GIS, remote sensing, geospatial modelling, and field-based assessments, he develops practical, data-driven insights that support sustainable land management and erosion mitigation strategies. His notable contribution includes examining soil erosion susceptibility in complex terrains, offering evidence-based recommendations for conserving natural resources and guiding policy interventions. His scientific work appears in recognized international journals and has received growing academic attention, reflected in citations from interdisciplinary research communities. In addition to his publication record, he collaborates with researchers across environmental geology, landscape ecology, and natural resource management, strengthening the multidisciplinary relevance of his work. He is committed to generating impactful knowledge that informs decision-making for climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable watershed planning, and environmental protection. His professional experience includes academic roles in teaching and research, where he mentors students, contributes to departmental research initiatives, and engages in community-focused environmental problem solving. Through his applied research, he aims to address pressing environmental challenges by linking scientific evidence with practical land management solutions, positioning his work as a valuable resource for scholars, practitioners, and policy developers working toward the sustainable use of Ethiopia’s natural resources.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publication

Buraka, T,. (2024). Assessment of soil erosion risks in response to land-use and land-cover changes in Coka watershed, Southern Ethiopia. Geology, Ecology and Landscapes.