Uganda Journal of Agricultural Science (UJAS)
Not a member yet
415 research outputs found
Sort by
Quality and Price of Beans at the Market Node in Five Districts of Uganda.
Get PDFWe investigated the varieties of beans traded in five districts of Uganda and the factors affecting the quality and price of the beans at the market node. A semi-linear hedonic price model with 12 variables categorized as product and trader attributes was used to determine the factors influencing prices. Traders were found to be unmindful of the names of new bean varieties released by NARO. They used various names for both the new and local varieties. Brokers were identified as the leading suppliers of poor-quality beans. The respondents cited variations in the quality of beans received from different suppliers. Beans that were owned by traders exhibited slightly higher moisture content (17%) than is recommended. Storage insect infestation was identified as the primary cause of quality decline. Product attributes were associated with changes in the prices of beans. However, their effect was comparatively lower than the traders’ characteristics. We recommend targeted sensitization about new bean varieties, emphasizing their benefits, post-harvest handling, and quality requirements at all value chain nodes. Monitoring trader traits and societal factors associated with price fluctuations is also crucial to price stability
Incidence and Severity of Bacterial Wilt Disease on Three Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Varieties in Central Uganda.
Get PDFThis study was aimed at evaluating three eggplant varieties for response to bacterial wilt disease, to guide recommendations to farmers in central Uganda. Experiments were conducted at four sites under field conditions in 2016 and 2017 in central Uganda during three planting seasons. Two commercial eggplant varieties, namely, “Black beauty” and “Long purple”, were tested alongside one newly introduced variety, the “Thai long green”. Data was collected on disease incidence, severity and fruit yield. Analysis of variance revealed statistically significant differences in disease incidence, severity, and fruit yield across seasons, varieties and sites. The “Thai long green” variety proved to be a superior in terms of bacterial wilt resistance, showing the lowest levels of mean disease severity (1.5) and incidence (14%). The long purple variety was the most susceptible. “Thai long green” also attained highest average yields (14.86 t/ha), fruit weight per plant (1.2 kg) and fruit number per plant (9), across all locations for the three seasons. Therefore, we recommend promotion of the “Thai long green” variety in the region
Identification of a New Domestic Pig Cell Line for Growth of African Swine Fever Viruses for Vaccine Production in Uganda.
Get PDFIn this study, a basis for the feasibility of a successful ASF vaccine design program using live attenuated vaccines was sought. One of the challenges to African swine fever (ASF) vaccine development is having a cell line that will provide commercial utility for vaccine production. We set out to address this problem by innovatively identifying possible cell lines from local domestic pigs in the country. Eight tissue types from ASF-negative animals were identified for incorporation into cell line development. These were degraded, incubated, and monitored for cell growth. One cell line, the SIR2-P, grew consistently and confluently and was tested for the ability to grow and isolate field ASF viruses. We report the isolation of ASF viruses in our laboratory for the first time. The P9C virus from Namayingo district exhibited the largest plaque sizes compared to the SQ517B virus from Mukono. The innovative identification of the SIR2-P cell line is proof of concept that newer species- specific cell lines can be developed in the Infectious Animal Disease Laboratory (IADL), and utilized to study other animal viruses like Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus, Foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus, and Swine Influenza. Such cells can be used in vaccine production for other endemic diseases in Uganda. The SIR2-P cell line is currently at passage 65
Measures for Reducing Tomato Post-Harvest Losses at Farmer Level in the Lake Victoria Crescent Agro-Ecological Zone.
Get PDFGlobally, tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are recognized as a significant vegetable crop with nutritional, health, and economic importance. In Uganda, small-scale tomato farmers, obtain low yields due to biotic and abiotic conditions of pests, diseases, lack of irrigation, and insufficient knowledge of sustainable farming practices. Post-harvest losses further hinder tomato production by limiting the amount of high-quality produce reaching the market. This study used a largely qualitative approach to understand the mechanisms tomato farmers in Wakiso and Luwero districts in Central Uganda use to reduce post-harvest losses at farm level. The study reveals that the Assila F1 Hybrid is the predominant variety—chosen for its firmness, extended shelf life, and resistance to pests and diseases. Farmers adopted staggered planting to manage post-harvest losses, harvesting mature green tomatoes in the morning and evening. However, a lack of technical expertise resulted in a deficiency of deliberate post-harvest treatments, and the absence of a mandatory body for produce inspection negatively impacted quality. Individual sales by farmers without standardized measurements also contributed to exploitation by middlemen. The study recommends farmers’ capacity building in appropriate post-harvest handling practices
Impact of tree management on coffee and common bean productivity in smallholder agroforestry systems in Uganda
Get PDFIn this study, we hypothesized that tree canopy pruning would positively influence the relative growth performance and productivity of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) and common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) growing under Cordia africana and Albizia coriaria trees. The trees were subjected to a 50% pruning regime at a 6-month interval over a period of 20 months (July 2018 - February 2020), and common beans were introduced following local planting seasons. Yields of parchment coffee were highest under pruned Albizia (949 kg/ha). Unshaded coffee produced the least yield at 402 kg/ha and 422 kg/ha in the Albizia and Cordia sites respectively. While the highest common beans yields (708 kg/ha) were obtained from open field sites, beans that were planted under unpruned Cordia gave the least yield of 420 kg/ha. Unlike coffee, there was a significant variation in yield of common beans across the different management options (P<0.05). The results show that agroforestry tree canopy pruning is an important on-farm management decision for controlling competition while prolonging the period of intercropping in intensive farming systems. Farmers should deliberately prune agroforestry shade trees to minimize the negative effects of dense shading
Potato yield response to tillage practices and inorganic potassium application in South Western Uganda
Get PDFThis study examined the effects of minimum and conventional tillage practices and potassium levels on potato yield in South Western Uganda. Researcher and farmer managed trials were set at KaZARDI and Kariko for three seasons. Varying rates of potassium fertilizer (100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 kg ha-1) were applied in a split plot arrangement with tillage practices as main plots and K rates as the subplots of a randomized complete block design with three replications. Potato growth and yield data was analysed using R-studio version 4.2.0. The findings were that application of 200 kg K ha−1 significantly (P <0.001) increased plant height, the number of tubers per plant, and overall yield per hectare by 12.5%, 27.5% and 21.7%%, respectively. The highest marketable tuber yield achieved was 26.4 t/ha under conventional tillage, compared to 23.3 t/ha under minimum tillage. The interaction between tillage practices and potassium levels was statistically significant, with traditional tillage showing a stronger response to fertilizer application than minimum tillage. Although minimum tillage resulted in a lower yield, it is cost-effective, with a benefit-cost ratio of 3.1
Efficacy of BioNiKPhos Bio-Fertilizer (NARO BHL BF) on Maize Growth and Yield
Get PDFThis study evaluated the effects of BioNiKPhos Bio-fertilizer (NARO BHL BF) on maize growth and yield, with a focus on determining optimal application rates and economic benefits. The research was conducted at NARL Kawanda and AbiZARDI in Arua, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Seven treatment levels were applied (T1: control, T2: 5ml, T3: 10ml, T4: 15ml, T5: 20ml, T6: 25ml, T7: 30ml) per 20L of water, across three replications, over two seasons at NARL and one season at AbiZARDI. BioNiKPhos was applied five days before planting to promote bacterial colonization in the soil. The results revealed that application of BioNiKPhos at 20ml per 20L of water significantly improved maize height, leaf length, dry biomass, grain yield, and 1000- seed weight compared to the control, with a remarkable 32% increase in grain yield. Thus, pre- planting application of BioNiKPhos at 20ml per 20L of water was found to be effective in enhancing maize yield by improving soil conditions. Highest value cost ratio (VCR) was obtained from BioNiKPhos at 20ml per 20L of water (2.58). The study recommended application of BioNiKPhos at 20ml per 20L of water as the most agronomically and economically optimum for maize compared to the control
Impact of Improved Maize and Bean Varieties on Household Income and Food Security in Uganda.
Get PDFThe National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and development partners have invested substantial resources in breeding maize and bean varieties over the years. However, the impact of the varieties on productivity, household income and food security is not well documented. This paper evaluated the ex-post impact of adopting NARO released bean and maize varieties over the last five years on the productivity, household income and food security in Uganda. Data were collected from 30 districts in Uganda through a cross-sectional household survey of 1445 households, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Using propensity score matching and endogenous switching regression models, the results showed that adoption of improved bean and maize varieties significantly increased crop productivity, household income and food security. This evidence suggests that there were tangible benefits from funding the development of bean and maize varieties in Uganda. The results indicate that although adoption of the improved bean and maize varieties increased productivity, it was still far below the research production output. This suggests that in addition to developing and disseminating the appropriate varieties, emphasis should be put on training farmers to use the complimentary inputs and practices to get the full benefit of the improved varieties
Agriculture Sector Policy Frameworks and Performance Indicators for Poverty Reduction among Youths in Tanzania
Get PDFThis paper reviews the agriculture policy frameworks and their performance indicators for poverty reduction among youths in Tanzania. A systematic literature review and a multivariate analytical approach was applied using principal component analysis. A total of 31 out of 320 articles were selected through a systematic selection process. The findings reveal that the frameworks promised to allocate land, finance and training to youths; provide access to agricultural inputs, improved seeds, fertilizers, knowledge, and mechanization; provision of infrastructures, enhancing market access, promoting technical and entrepreneurship skills; and facilitate linkage between youths and other support initiatives, improvement of social services, and promotion of rural development. The study urges the government and other stakeholders to guarantee youth farmers access to productive resources, subsidized inputs, agriculture marketing, and information and extension services specifically targeting youths. It is important to involve youths in developing agricultural policy frameworks to build their sense of ownership and ensure that their matters are well articulated in the agriculture frameworks
Sustainability of Fish-Hydropower Dam Interaction: A Case Study of River Nyamugasani ecosystem, Albertine Graben
Get PDFThis study examined the River Nyamugasani ecosystem in western Uganda, evaluating fish diversity status before and after construction of a hydropower dam between 2018 and 2021. Using both electro fisher and minnow traps as the main fishing gears at ten preselected sites within the hydropower project areas, the study sampled 1,866 fishes from twenty-four (24) species, including the endemic Varicorhinus Ruwenzori, Pellegrin 1909. Nyamu II PH areas registered higher diversity (Simpson index of 0.8862) potentially attributed by hydrological alterations from hydropower dams. The findings emphasize the need for hydropower management need to consider fish stock controls, restorations and conservation measures, especially for the endemic Varicorhinus Ruwenzori species