Uganda Journal of Agricultural Science (UJAS)
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Participatory variety selection to enhance cowpea variety development and selection in northern region of Uganda
Get PDFParticipatory variety selection trials involving farmers in northern Uganda were conducted in order to assess and select cowpea lines with desirable attributes and tolerance to virus infection. The trials were set up on-farm in farmers’ field in the districts of Apac, Lira and Pader in two seasons of 2009A and 2009B. In 2009A, with involvement of farmers, 36 cowpea lines and one local check were evaluated and selected for desirable attributes. This resulted in selection of thirteen cowpea lines that were further evaluated with one local check in 2009B season following a randomised complete block design. In this participatory approach, farmers used different criteria to assess cowpea linesat the vegetative and maturity crop growth stages. Major selection criteria included the leaf appearance, leaf texture, leaf and grain taste, yield potential, pod and seed size. In the three districts farmers provided valuable knowledge in identifying the lines of preference and therefore, indicating their competence in assessing and selecting the cowpea lines. Farmers preferred the high yielding, big pod and seed sizes, virus tolerant and tasty lines. Overall, the results showed that farmers had knowledge to make decision of the preferred lines and this resulted in selection of eight more superior cowpea lines compared to the ones currently grown by farmers. The study revealed that using participatory approach also shortened the process of identifying the lines because farmers were able to quickly select the lines with traits they preferred
Efficacy of two anthelmintics against gastrointestinal nematodes in naturally infected goats in a pastoral Karamoja region, Uganda
Get PDFA study was conducted to determine the efficacy of albendazole (ABZ) and ivermectin (IVM) against gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in naturally infected goats in the pastoral region of Karamoja, Uganda. Fifty four (54) small East African goats (female = 36, male = 18), of 4-6 months and from 18 flocks, were allocated to treatment groups (albendazole, ivermectin and untreated control), by a randomized complete block design. Each group included 18 goats and treatments were administered according to weight of each goat, with 5 Mg/Mg bw albendazole and 0.2Mg/Kg bw ivermectin. Fecal egg counts (FEC), expressed as eggs per gram and larval cultures were done on day zero before treatment and on day 13 post-treatment. Anthelmintic efficacy was determined by the Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT). ABZ and IVM reduced FEC by 81.03 and 96.55%, respectively. The results indicated that nematode resistance was present in the ABZ group. Coproculture results following albendazole treatment showed that only Haemonchus spp. survived treatment. Information from 60 pastoralists indicated that reduced efficacy of the drugs could be due to prolonged and frequent use of the same anthelmintic and under dosing. Steps should be taken to limit the spread of resistant nematodes and to restore anthelmintic efficacy
Effect of paddy drying depth using open-sun drying on drying time and mill recovery of Kaiso variety in eastern Uganda
Get PDFThe smallholder rice farmers in the Uganda dry their paddy using open-sun drying method. In most cases the paddy is badly dried and has very high fissure levels. Such paddy on milling contributes to low levels of mill recovery and whole grain in the milled rice. This study was therefore done to find a recommendable paddy-heap depth for open-sun drying of the pre-dominant local Kaiso rice variety in eastern Uganda. In each experiment, the paddy was open-sun dried on cemented floor at ten different depths: control, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, 60 mm, 70 mm, 80 mm, 90 mm, 100 mm and 110 mm. Drying time showed a linear relationship with paddy drying depth. Mill recovery increased from 57.4 % at control to a maximum average value of 66.3 % and thereafter declined progressively to 63.5 % at 110mm depth. The maximum increment of 14.1 % in whole grain level over control occurred at 70mm depth. Findings from this work indicate that the best drying depths for Kaiso rice variety using open sun drying is 70 – 80mm. However at these depths, the paddy takes 7 – 8 days to dry. It is therefore recommended that more research should be done to reduce the drying time to a manageable level for farmers
The decline of Alestes baremose Boulenger, 1901 and Hydrocynus forskahlii (Cuvier, 1819) stocks in Lake Albert: Implications for sustainable management of their fisheries
Get PDFThe fish stocks of Lake Albert face immense exploitation pressure which has led to “fishing- down” of their fisheries, with some larger species having been driven to near-extinction, while others such as Citharinus citharus have almost disappeared. Both A. baremose (Angara) and H. forskahlii (Ngassia) historically formed the most important commercial species in Lake Albert until the early 2000s but recent Catch Assessment Surveys (2007-2013) revealed a sweeping decline in their contribution to the commercial catch from 72.7% in 1971 to less than 6% in 2013. The catch per unit effort also registered a two-fold decline from 45.6 and 36.1 kg/boat/day to 22.6 and 18.1 kg/boat/day for A. baremose and H. forskahlii respective between 1971 and 2007. Over 50% of illegal gillnets, below the legal minimum limit of four inches (101.6 mm) used on Lake Albert target the two species. Gillnet experiments found the three inch (76.2 mm) gill net mesh size suitable for sustained harvest of the two species. The study concludes that optimal utilization of the two species and probably other non target fish species is achievable through species specific management strategies, coupling species specific licensing, and controlling harvest of juvenile individuals, overall fishing effort and fish catch on Lake Albert and protecting the vulnerable fish habitats
Insecticide use and practices among cotton farmers in northern Uganda
No full textAngular leaf spot (ALS) and rust are important diseases of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the tropics, causing yield losses of up to 100%. ALS and rust have occurred in farmers’ fields in the tropics for years, but the significance of the two diseases in Uganda is still unknown. In 2010, the incidence and severity of ALS in five bean agro-ecologies within Uganda was between 40-99 and 21-80%, respectively; and that of rust was between 37-69 and 24-44%, respectively. To determine the impact of ALS and rust diseases on the yield of common beans, yield loss trials were established in farmers’ fields in Wakiso and Mpigi districts in central Uganda. Bush bean varieties K132 and ‘Kanyebwa’ were used. Two treatments were applied to each variety; namely: (i) where ALS and rust diseases were controlled through the application the fungicide Orius® (Tebuconazole 250 g L-1), and (ii) control treatment with no disease control. Fungicide treated ‘Kanyebwa’ plants showed the lowest ALS and rust severities in Mpigi district and this was significantly different from all the other treatments. In Wakiso, ALS and rust severities for all fungicide treated plots of both ‘Kanyebwa’ and K132 were significantly lower than that for untreated plots for both varieties. In both districts, the highest disease severities were observed for untreated K132. Marketable yield was significantly influenced by disease severity, with up to 54% yield losses observed in non-treated plots of K132 in the 2012B season where ALS and rust disease severities were 6.9 and 5.3, respectively
The effect of bleeding on the quality of farmed African catfish in Uganda
Get PDFDespite the wide use of bleeding to improve product appearance and probable shelf-life extension, it has not been practiced in Uganda. Most local fish consumers dislike African cat fish (Clarias gariepinus) because of its redflesh colouration in spite of the decliningper capita fish consumption. The present study tested the bleeding effect and keeping quality of catfish. Farmed catfish, 60 in number were divided into four batches, consisting of 15 fish each. Two batches, one bled and the other unbled were kept on ice while the other two batches similarly treated were held at ambient temperature (28°C). The results indicated that fish that was bled had extended shelf-life compared to fish that was not bled, regardless of the holding temperature. Bled fish kept at ambient temperature remained acceptabletaste wise for 19.5 hrs compared to 14 hrs for fish that were not bled.Under chilled conditions the shelf-life of bled fish was 29 dayscompared to 17 days for unbled. It was concluded that bleeding and chilling intervention measures extended the shelf-life of C. gariepinus substantially
Breeding for bean anthracnose resistance: Matching breeding interventions with people’s livelihoods through participatory variety selection
Get PDFThe common dry bean is the main source of protein, food and income for the majority of rural smallholder farmers in Uganda especially the women and children, and any constraints hindering its production directly affects these vulnerable groups. Despite its importance, there has been an unmerited decline in bean production over the last few decades as a result of bean anthracnose disease. Breeding for genetic resistance to bean anthracnose and the use of participatory variety selection which aims primarily at accelerating the transfer of new lines to farmers’ fields, are the most practical and economical options for controlling anthracnose and popularising the new varieties to smallholders farmers.The objectives of this study were to introgress anthracnose resistance into existing susceptible market class varieties, generate segregating populations, make selections and conduct farmer participatory evaluation trials to identify new bean lines having characteristics that are preferred by both farmers and the market for release as new varieties.A total of 365 new bean lines were generated and 54 of these were introduced to 10 farming communities in four different ecological zones for evaluation using the participatory variety selection approach. Farmers were able to select eight promising lines, which were ear- marked for new variety release. Out of the eight lines, two have already been released.It can thus be concluded that the participatory variety selection acts as an entry point into the farming communities where new varieties are introduced to farmers. Furthermore, participatory variety selection is reliant on farmer preferences and rural livelihood dynamics
Preferences of Ugandan consumers for rice varieties and brands on the local market
Get PDFThe demand for rice Oryza sativa in Uganda has exceeded local supply resulting into importation of several other rice varieties and brands to meet the deficit. Lack of information on consumer preferences hinders decision-making to invest in the rice sub sector. This study seeks to provide information on consumer preferences of most rice brands and varieties on the local market. A consumer survey and sensory analysis were undertaken in the study. The rice consumers’ survey was conducted among 475 households from 8 selected rice growing districts in Uganda using a structured questionnaire to establish culinary attributes of rice preferred. Sensory analysis was conducted by a 25-person controlled sensory panel that evaluated 17 boiled varieties and brands of rice using a hedonic scale of 1-7, to rank basic culinary attributes. Consumers’ survey revealed that 27 % of households consumed rice among the starchy food types. The consumption of local and imported rice varieties and brands was 77.4 % and 22.6 % respectively. Preference for local rice varieties and/or brands was influenced by affordability (63.4 %) and good aroma and freshness (47 %). Imported rice was appreciated for being full grain (82 %) and stone-free (82.7%). The consumer survey further showed that preference for local rice varieties was in order of importance as “Supa” (77.8 %), Kaiso (10.7 %) and NERICA lines (6.5 %). Sensory evaluation to obtain the mean sensory score (parentheses), indicated that the most preferred local rice variety was NERICA 10 (5.56) while the least preferred variety was NERICA 1 (3.44). Overall, the Tilda and imported rice varieties and brands were more acceptable than the local varieties on account of cleanliness although Supa also scored highly due to its aroma
Inheritance of resistance to Pyricularia grisea in GULU-E finger millet blast resistant variety
Get PDFGene action and heritability of blast resistance in GULU-E was determined from crosses between GULU-E as female parent mated to four susceptible genotypes using North Carolina 1 crossing design to determine nature of resistance. Inoculation was done using one potentially most virulent local pathogen isolate (NGR1) identified from Ngora in Odwarat parish, one of the pathogen hotspots of eastern agro-ecology of Uganda. It was identified following isolate screening trial for virulence in Makerere University during 2012 B. The F1, F2 and backcrosses were evaluated under controlled conditions and disease reaction indicated that resistance is partially dominant and additive based on mid parent values from crosses. Segregating ratios and chi-square tests of F2 populations fitted 13R:3S genetic model, indicating presence of duplicate dominant epistasis at probability level of 0.05. Broad-sense heritability estimated by variance components method was high at about 88.8% on entry mean basis. Selection for resistant progeny derived from crosses between GULU-E and DR21 would be most effective in early generations followed by modified backcrossing at F3 to the adapted recurrent resistant parent leading to diversification of a population and derivation of materials for selection for disease resistance. From the study it is possible to accumulate genes for race specific resistance in host cultivars that might reduce development of disease epidemics in some areas. The genetic control of components of resistance and mechanisms of resistance in the host which affect the rate of development of a disease epidemic need to be determined, since they are important variables for durable resistance
Maximising net returns to fertiliser use by financially constrained smallholder farmers in uganda
Get PDFFinancial constraints usually limit fertiliser use by smallholder farmers and it is important that they maximise net returns on their investment. Fifteen crop-nutrient response functions, including six crops, were derived from results of 84 trials conducted in Uganda. The benefit:cost ratio (BC) for typical fertiliser use costs and grain prices in Uganda was greatest for a small amount of N applied to dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) followed by N applied to rice (Oryza spp.). Next most profitable was P applied to groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.), followed by N applied to maize (Zea mays L.)and grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), with lower or no BC for the remaining nine response functions. The Fertiliser Optimisation Tool was developed for Uganda to maximise net returns to fertiliser use for finance-limited crop management in consideration of the area of each crop to be planted, fertiliser costs, expected grain value, and money available for investment. The tool optimises across the 15 response functions to provide the crop-nutrient-rate combinations expected to maximise net returns. The tool does not account for soil test information, expected yield, and previous crop as these did not account for significant variation in yield. In an example with 1 ha each of the above six crops and US$135 available for fertiliser use, the optimised BC was 17.4 compared 4.5 and 6.2 for N applied to maize and rice at rates to maximise net returns ha-1. The solution commonly determines low or zero rates for nutrients applied to some crop but the greatly improved returns on investment create the potential for gradually increasing future investments in fertiliser. This approach to fertiliser use of maximising net returns on investment has potential to gradually enable much increased fertiliser use because of the relatively high returns on investment compared to traditional fertiliser use recommendations