Samuel Osabutey

Research Interests

Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata is an economically important bacterial plant pathogen causing bacterial leaf spots on various plants, including those in the Amaranthaceous (table beet and Swiss Chard) and the Cucurbitaceae (watermelon, squash, and many others). Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata is a genetically diverse pathogen and member of a species of pathogens and non-pathogens that occur in similar habitats (i.e., seeds and leaves). These outbreaks pose serious challenges to food and seed growers.  I hypothesize that new lineages arise due to genetic exchange among Pseudomonas syringae strains in leaves.

I am investigating whether genetic exchange is influenced by the host environment, specifically by different cultivars and their resistance or susceptibility to the pathogen. My research examines how transfer of mobile elements between genomes and potentially from microbial communities to pathogens. I am also interested in elucidating the movement of pathogenicity islands, plasmids, copper resistance genes, and genes coding virulence factors to P. syringae pv. aptata. Furthermore, I will investigate how the phytobiome influences pathogen emergence. I aim to profile the microbiomes associated with leaves for virulence factors and other genes in P. syringae strains (pathogens and nonpathogens) that may be important to pathogen emergence. By understanding the conditions in which new pathogen lineages arise, I hope to develop strategies to delay the development of new pathogens, which can advance sustainable agriculture.

Publications 

• Honger, J. O., Ofoe, R., Osabutey, S., & Abbey, A. A. (2024). Importance, etiology and management of the bacterial black spot disease of mango. Indian Phytopathology, 77(3), 681-691.

• Joseph O. H, Osabutey, Tatu S. N, John B. L. (2021). Molecular characterization, pathogenicity, and copper sensitivity of Xanthomonas citri pv. mangiferaeindicae, the causal agent of mango bacterial black spot disease in Ghana. (Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection).

• Honger, J. O., Ofoe, R., Osabutey, S., & Abbey, A. A. (2024). Importance, etiology, and management of the bacterial black spot disease of mango. Indian Phytopathology, 77(3), 681-691.
• T. Nyaku, H. Lutuf, J.O. Honger, A. Dede, F.C. Brentu, R. Benissan, S. Osabutey, V. Larbi, E. Koranteng, C. Afun, M. Okyere, and F. K. Ablormeti. Prevalence of plant-parasitic nematodes in rice fields in Ghana. 2022- (African Crop Science Journal).

• Abdullah, K. E., Nyaku, S. T., Osabutey S., Lutuf, H., and Cornelius, E. W. “Prevalence of yam nematode in soil communities and morphometrics in the Krachi-Nchumuru district of Ghana” 2023 (African Crop Science Journal)

• Agyapong, A. F., Ofoe, R., Darkwa, E., Eleblu, S. Y, Pangariyi, B., Osabutey, S.^: Eleblu, J. S. Y. (2023). Detection, Identification and Management of Seed-borne fungal Pathogens on farmer saved Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) seeds in Ghana. Science and Development Journal, 7(2), 123-123.

Grants and Awards

• A. G. Leventis Scholarship Award for Graduate Studies, University of Ghana (2018/2019 Academic year)