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Biography

Since 2013, the focus of Dr Anique Godjo research has been on nematodes in general and more particularly on entomopathogenic nematodes and their use for biological control of insect pests. This includes isolation and characterization of nematodes and their bacterial symbionts, and the use of entomopathogenic nematodes as biocontrol agents of insect pests. She has (co) authored eight referred publications in the fields of crop protection, biological control of insect pests, nematology, microbiology and phytopathology. Currently she was involved, in collaboration with ILVO scientists in Belgium, in the Open-door fellowship program to study the sweet potato Rhizobium bacteria transformation for virus diseases control in west Africa. A current collaboration with researchers at the SETU university, gives her the opportunity to explore how entomopathogenic nematodes can be used to detect and risk access heavy metals toxicity which represent a considerable threat to animal, human and the environmental health.

Academic and Research Experience

She started her career at post graduate level at the university of Parakou in Benin (West Africa) where she obtained her agricultural engineering degree focusing on rice fungal diseases. After that she obtained a MSc degree in Nematology at Ghent University in Belgium where she subsequently completed a PhD degree in Biology on the biological control of Fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) in mango orchards using entomopathogenic nematodes.

Her research interest also includes plant parasitic nematodes, entomopathogenic nematodes formulations for pest control in natural environment, nematodes taxonomy, molecular biology of symbiotic bacteria, Tephritids fruit fly’s management in orchards, sweet potato virus diseases, crop fungal diseases and integrated pest management.

Engagement and Collaboration

Dr. Godjo has participated in a number of competitively funded European research projects including the Special Research Fund, Ghent University (Belgium, 2013-2017); Vlir-UOs project (ESCIP, 2010-2014), Syrimao project (2021-2023). She is also a member of the European Society of Nematologists, and the Nigerian Society of Nematology (NISSON). She is currently funded by the Irish Research Council to conduct a postdoc research fellowship (2022- 2024) on the development of EPNs as sentinel organism for heavy metal toxicity with International accreditation.

Current Research Students

Lucile Ansaldi. Effect of hexavalent chromium (CrVI) on the reproduction potential of the nematode Steinernema feltiae. Bench Supervisor. MSc. SETU University

Tidjani, Alao. Effect of different entomopathogenic nematode formulations based on kaolin and clay on fruit flies (Bactrocera dorsalis) under la conditions. Member of the supervisory team. BSc. University of Parakou

Idi, Awali. Effect of the application depths of formulated nematodes in kaolin and clay and water on fruit flies. Member of the supervisory team. BSc. University of Parakou

Ibrahima Faouziath. Valorization of Galleria mellonella food residues on Salanum macrocarpon vegetable production and its infection by Meloidogyne sp. under greenhouse conditions. Member of the supervisory team. BSc. University of Parakou

Challa, Charles. Effect of kaolin, biochar and clay on the survival and reproduction of entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis and Steinernema in Galleria mellonella under laboratory conditions. BSc. University of Parakou

Mefoke Joseph. Effect of biochar and Eucalyptus globulus powder on the development of Meloidogynenematodes on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) plants in field conditions. BSc. University of Parakou

Past Research Students

  • Nadia, Chabi. Evaluation of persistence and virulence of three local isolates of entomopathogenic nematodes on mango fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) under field conditions. Supervisor. University of Parakou. MSc. 2016
  • Perrin, Dossou. Compared effect of three entomopathogenic nematode isolates on Bactrocera dorsalisfruit fly. Supervisor. University of Parakou. MSc. 2016
  • Nora, Reims. Characterization of bacterial symbionts in entomopathogenic nematodes.  Supervisor. Ghent University. MSc. 2016

Areas of interest in terms of a supervisor role

  • Entomopathogenic nematology
  • Plant parasitic nematology
  • Biogical control
  • Entomology (Tephritids)
  • Molecular biology
  • Symbiotic bacteria

Publications and Outputs

Peer-reviewed Journal Articles

Godjo A, Chabi N, Zadji L, Dossou P, Batcho O, Baimey H, Decraemer W, Willems A, Afouda L (2021) Evaluation of the ability of indigenous isolates of Heterorhabditis taysearae and Steinernema sp. to control mango fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis under laboratory, semifield and field conditions in Northern Benin. Crop Protection, 149 Novembre 2021, 105754. doi: 10.1016/j.cropro.2021.105754

Godjo A, Afouda L, Baimey H, Couvreur M, Zadji L, Houssou G, Bert W, Willems A, Decraemer W (2019) Steinernema kandii n. sp., a new Steinernema species (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) from Northern Benin. Nematology, 21: 107-128, doi: 10.1163/15685411-00003201.

Godjo A, Zadji L, Decraemer W, Willems A, Afouda L (2018) Pathogenicity of indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes from Benin against mango fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) under laboratory conditions. Biological Control 117:68-77. doi: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2017.10.009

Godjo A, Afouda L, Baimey H, Decraemer W, Willems A (2018) Molecular diversity of Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus bacteria, symbionts of Heterorhabditis and Steinernema nematodes retrieved from soil in Benin. Archives of Microbiology 200:589-601. doi: 10.1007/s00203-017-1470-2

Conference Proceedings and Papers:

Baimey H, Kotchofa R, Zadji L, Godjo A, Afouda L, Fanou A, Ahissou R, Djaouga Mamadou N, Decraemer W (2021). Entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents in Benin: A review. In: Owen P. Jenkins (ed) Advances In Animal Science And Zoology, 16:1-63.

Godjo A, Decraemer W, Willems A, Afouda L (2017) Impact of temperature on the infectivity of Heterorhabditis taysarae and Steinernema sp. isolates from Benin to late instar larvae of Bactrocera dorsalis. Proceedings 69th International Symposium on Crop Protection (ISCP), Communications in Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences, 82:245-247.

Zadji L, Baimey H, Afouda L, Houssou G, Godjo A, Waeyenberge L, De Sutter N, Moens M, Decraemer W (2013). Entomopathogenic nematodes as an alternative bio-control tool to pesticides for the management of Macrotermes bellicosus, a termite pest on citrus in Benin. In: Actes du 4ème Colloque des sciences, cultures et technologies de l’UACBenin.

Afouda L, Godjo A, Sere Y, Nouatin G, Akossou A (2010) Transmission de Pyricularia grisea (herbert) barr par les semences aux plantules de riz au Benin. Annales des Sciences Agronomiques (12) 2 spécial : 11-22, 2009 ISSN 1659-5009.