Uganda Journal of Agricultural Science (UJAS)
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The effect of intercropping maize with lablab on grain and fodder production in small holder dairy farming systems in Masaka district, Uganda
Get PDFIn a farmer participatory process, farmers in Masaka district, Uganda, identified intensive dairy farming characterized by improved cattle breeds as potentially viable enterprise to enhance income of resource poor households . Inadequate feeds during the dry season is however a major constraint leading to low animal productivity. To alleviate this concern, a study on maize/lablab intercropping was done with the objective to evaluate the effects of intercropping forage legumes with maize on grain and fodder production. Results showed that maize/lablab intercropping increased (p<0.05) fodder , grain yields and cob size by 32; 7 ; and 6% compared to monocrops . Fodder and grain yields were 11 and 2% lower (p>0.05) in the short rain season than in long rain season. Crude protein (CP) content and CPY increased (p<0.05) 1.2 and 2.2 times in intercrops than monocrops (4% CP and 175 kg/ha). Overall, this study revealed that lablab could be introduced as a component crop in maize cropping systems to improve fodder and food availability
Information communication technology use pattern by women tree farmers in Buzaya county, Kamuli district, Uganda
Get PDFThe roles ofwomen in community forestry in Uganda are well documented. However, the socio-cultural restrictions of women and poor access to conventional information media undermine optimization of their potentials. This study investigated Information-Communication Technology (lCT) use pattern of women tree farmers. Questionnaires were administered to 376 women tree farmers who were randomly sampled from the parishes of Bugulumbya, Kasambira and Nawandhyo, Buzaya County, Kamuli district. The findings revealed that 31% of the women own functional radio sets and prefer listening to the evening broadcast (8.00 - lO.OOp.m) for agricultural programmes. Readership of newspapers and extension publications were the other information media. About 42% of the women prefer to read the Lusoga language version of the Newspapers and extension publications because many of them could only read in vernacular,particularlyposters(52%). Most of the women enjoy traditional forms of communication particularly local music (67%). Therefore, the usc of print media or extension publications for information dissemination to women tree farmers in Uganda sbould be in their native languages. Local programmes particularly, music should be integrated into conventional agricultural communication channels for the benefit of rural women, many of whom often have low education levels
Differences in basic density and strength properties of Milicia excelsa, Maesopsis eminii, Cynometra alexandri and Celtis gomphophylla from Budongo forest, Uganda
Get PDFStrength properties of four species comprising two that were less desirable (Cynometra alexandri and Celtis gomphophylla) and two desirable species (Maesopsis eminii and Milicia excelsa) from Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda were studied. Three trees of each species were sampled in the diameter size classes: 60-69 cm, 70-79 cm and 80-89 cm, respectively. The preparation of samples and determination of basic density and strength properties followed the standard procedures of wood strength testing. The less desirable species had higher strength properties than the desirable species. The mean basic density for C. alexandri and C. gomphophylla categorised as less desirable were: 738 and 519 kg/m3 compared to the preferred M. eminii and M. excelsa (BD: 359 and 463 kg/m3). High values of basic density and strength properties of wood for species considered less desirable for timber shows that utilisation of these species should be promoted to save tile desirable species
Effects of carbamate and pyrethroid insecticides on cowpea bradyrhizobial population assessed in sand culture and on nitrogen fixation in soil
Get PDFThe effects of two insecticides, Lannate (a carbamate) and karate (a pyrethoid) on nitrogen fixation by cowpeas (vigna unguiculata) were evaluated after establishing the toxic effects of these insecticides on the microsymbiont bradyrihobia in vitro. In this (in vitro) experiment conducted in modified Leonard jars (LJ), seedlings from pre-germinated, surface sterilised cowpea seeds were inoculated with 1 ml each of five - fold (s-1- 5-6) dilute soil suspensions. Aqueous solutions of lannate or karate, each at a final concentration of 0.5 µg ml-1 were incorporated into the N-free solution in the LJ nutrient reservoirs. After 28 days, the plants were examined for nodulation on the basis of which, the most probable Number technique was used to estimate the cowpea bradyrhizobial count in the original soil from which the inoculant soil suspensions were prepared. Then, the effects of these insecticides each at 0.5 and 1.5 ppm were assessed on tbe cowpea Bradyrhizobium symbiotic relationship in potted soil. Cowpeas were grown and harvested after 35 days. Nodule numbers and dry weight as well as shoot dry weight and nitrogen content were determined. Results ofthe Leonard jar investigations revealed that bradyrhizobial counts were reduced by the application of these insecticides, the effect being more pronounced with lannate than with karate. However, nodulation and nitrogen fixation by cowpeas grown in soil, were not significantiy affected by any of these insecticides at any of the concentrations tested. It was concluded from this study that while these two insecticides appear to have no profound effects on the cowpea-Bradyrhizobium symbiotic association in the experimental soil, the very severe depressive effect of lannate on the microsymbiont population in vitro, may warrant further investigations into the effects of these insecticides on the Bradyrllizobittm - cowpea symbiosis in other soils
Plant species diversity in a changing agricultural landscape: the case of Kaweri Coffee Plantation, Central Uganda
Get PDFPlant diversity in Kaweri Coffee Plantation was inventoried in January 2002. The aim was to document the species in the area before establishment of a coffee plantation and to create a database for monitoring changes in the ecosystem. International Forestry Resources and Institutions' (IFRI) method of three concentric circles was used to collect data from 64 sample plots established along transects laid in four major habitats: closed forest, swamp, grassland and farmland. All tbe plants were Identified to species level except two, which were identified to genus level. Nine hundred and ninety nine individuals were identified 215 tree species, four shrub species and 403 spedes of non-woody plants from 255 genera and 85 families. Most of the plants (98.3%) were Spermatophytes, a few (1.7%) were Pteridophyes and" only two were orchids. Some of the species identified were adapted to one or more habitats; the majority was adapted to roadsides and farmlands. A comprehensive survey of plants and establishment of a database for monitoring future changes in the landscape is recommended as part of a planned investment in plantation agriculture
Relative efficiency of sawmill types operating in Uganda's softwood plantations
Get PDFThe overall aim of this study was to determine the appropriate sawmilling technologies that should be promoted for use in Uganda's softwood plantation. Conversion efficiency ,sawing accuracy,and sawing capability of four sawmill categories were evaluated. Data were collected from sawing of 604 good-quality logs using eleven Rolling-Table Sawmills, Dimensional Swivel Sawmills, Band Sawmills, and Locally-fabricated Sawmills . Sawing accuracy data were collected from 165 boards in three timber sizes (75 mm x 50 mm, 100 mm x 50 mm, 150 mm x 50 mm). Sawing capability was assessed from saw blade parameters , merchantable timber size, and size of available logs. ANOVA was used to show differences in recovery and sawing accuracy between and within sawmills. Band sawmills exhibited the most efficient sawmill technology for converting logs into sawn timber while rolling-table sawmills were more efficient than dimensional swivel and locally manufactured sawmills. Band sawmills were more accurate than sawmills in the other categories. Therefore, band sawmills should be promoted in Uganda and mechanical modifications carried out on the swivel and locally - manufactured saw mills operating in soft wood plantations to improve their feed-work and set-work mechanisms
The cause, incidence and severity of a new gall damage on Eucalyptus species at Oruchinga refugee settlement in Mbarara district, Uganda
Get PDFA survey was conducted at Oruchinga refugee settlement in Mbarara district, Uganda in November 2003 to ditermine the cause, incidence and severity of a gall damage on Eucalyptus species in nursery and woodlots. Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a tiny black wasp commonly known as blue gum chalcid, was found to be the cause of the gall damage on Eucalyptus. The wasp attacked field planted seedlings and saplings, but not seedlings in the nursery. The incidence and severity of the wasp attacks were markedly higher on Eucalyptus grandis than E. saligna. Research is Urgently needed to develop Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies against the new Eucalyptus pest
Enhancing innovation processes through local competitive agricultural technology funds in Uganda-experiences and lessons.
Get PDFThroughout the worl, stakeholders in agriculture are demanding greater participation in the research process. The competitive allocation of public R & D resources to promote institutional pluralism and partnerships in delivering research services currently account over 12% of all agricultural research funding worldwide. the "Client-oriented Agricultural Research and Dissemination Project" was set up by the National Agricultural Research Organization in eastern Uganda, to test locally-governed competitive agricultural technology funds (CATFs) as a means of enhancing innovation processes by strengthening client-orientation in research & dissemination service delivery. Key design criteria for the CATFs included: increased stakeholder involvement in decision-making, management and the funds award process; increased pluralistic provisoin of research & dissemination services; mobilization of under-utilized capacity & infrastructur; Increased use of contractual approaches; and strengthened accountability to clients. Operational procedures are outlined; and lessons learnt, advantages and disadvantages of this approach to research management are discussed.
Experiences of packaging research outputs into extension materials
Get PDFResearch dissemination is one component of research that still faces many hindrances, which counteract the numerious impressive arrays of research technologies being constantly generated. This in turn defeats the primary objectives of research, which aim to build knowledge and raise awareness through its uptake and scaling up. It has long been realized that there are many technologies that remain under-disseminated which, if they were being fully disseminated, could be adding to the number of uptakes of technologies by end users. This paper details the experiences of the linking project during the process of packaging research outputs into extension materials. The paper also discusses several options that may reduce the bottlenecks occuring in dissemination of research. Based on the Authors' experiences in packaging extension materials, issues discussed include the accessibility of research outputs, the academic nature of reasearch papers, the relevance of messages and medium to target audiences, dissemination budgets, and skilled human resources. The Authors recommend that research projects should incorporate dissemination resources including adequate finance and skilled personnel at project conception level, and allocation of realistic time-frames for dissemination activities going beyond project phase-out in order to maximise impact of research.
Developing a methodology for sustainable production of improved animal breeds
Get PDFFor the last 44 years, Uganda has bee