XMaster of Science in Agro-Ecology (Dissertations)

Disease prevalence and shade tree diversity in smallholder cocoa farms: case study Bundibugyo district, Western Uganda

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Disease prevalence and shade tree diversity in smallholder cocoa farms: case study Bundibugyo district, Western Uganda Bwambale, Blasio Bisereko The study aimed at assessing the impact of different cocoa Agro forestry systems on disease prevalence and yield on small holder farmers in Bundibugyo district. The specific objectives of the study were to compare the prevalence of cocoa diseases under different Agro forestry systems and to compare yield traits of cocoa beans in different cocoa Agro forestry systems The target population was 120 respondents and a sample size of 92 respondents guided by Yamanne, (1967), the sample was selected using SRS and purposive sampling as the sampling techniques. The questionnaire was pre-tested using a selected group of respondents from the target population to ensure reliability and validity of the questions and responses. All data were coded and analysis was carried using descriptive statistics where statistical package SPSS was used to obtain chi squared test values of perceptions from respondents. Data was presented in tables to help simplify analysis and analysis was mainly done using descriptive analysis to obtain chi squared values and the level of significance was at 95% Association between Black pod disease and shade diversity was non-significant. It was established that incidence of black pod rot disease was non-significantly associated with presence of all shade tree species; association between witch’s broom disease incidence with presence of Maesopsis eminiiwas highly significant (χ2= 55.41, (p<0.05); Association between witch’s broom and presence of Persea Americana (χ2=9.79), (p<0.05), Eucalyptus globulus (χ2=16.71), (p<0.05),Markhamia obtusifolia (χ2=3.95), (p<0.001), schefflera actinophylla (χ2=4.32), (p<0.001), Mangifera indica (χ2=6.46), (p<0.001) was significant though these trees were planted in small numbers. Association between frosty rot disease incidence with presence of Maesopsis eminii was highly significant(χ2= 25.90), (p<0.05). there was a significant association between frosty with presence of Eucalyptus globulus (χ2=6.76), (p<0.05);Mangifera indica (χ2=4.85), (p<0.001); though these trees were planted in small numbers. There was a highly significant association between swollen shoot virus with presence of Maesopsis eminii (χ2= 31.55), (p<0.05), and Cinnamomum tamala (χ2= 19.22), (p<0.05).Association between die back disease incidence with presence of Maesopsis eminii was highly significant (χ2= 52.73), (p<0.05). The study concluded that diseases have a significant association with shade tree diversity. This study recommended that small holder farms should adopt pruning, clearing of gardens and wedding as management strategies for controlling against pests and diseases. Further recommends that in a bid to improve the yield traits of cocoa beans, appropriate and good shade tree species should be adopted. Byalebeka John; Byalebeka John

Effect of jack bean (canavalia enformis) green manure on maize growth and yield

Sun, 01 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Effect of jack bean (canavalia enformis) green manure on maize growth and yield Akot, Jane This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of jack bean green manure on the growth and yield of maize. The experiments were set up in two locations using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments: control (CTRL), jack bean green manure grown at the experimental site (JBW), jack bean green manure grown elsewhere and imported to the experimental site (JBI) and NPK fertilizer used as a check. These treatments were replicated three times on plots that measured 5m by 5m. Data was collected on the soil fertility status of the experimental sites, maize plant height at four and eight weeks after germination, fresh plant biomass at tussling stage , root length at tasseling stage, and total dry biomass, cob weight and grain weight at harvest. This data was analyzed using SPSS and Genstat (12th edition). The results show that soils at both sites were low in organic matter, Nitrogen, available phosphorous, cation exchange capacity. Jack bean green manure application significantly increased their contents in the soil. Maize plant height, fresh biomass, root length, total dry matter, cob weight and grain weight were all significantly improved by jack bean green manure application and more especially the JBW. From the results above, it is concluded that jack bean green manure can be used to enhance maize production. Based on the above conclusion, it is recommended that extension workers and NGOs should promote jack bean as a better alternative to use of inorganic fertilizers in the production of maize Byalebeka John; Murongo Marius

Evaluating the potential of luring pheidole megacephala using food baits to manage xylosandrus compactus in Uganda

Wed, 01 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Evaluating the potential of luring pheidole megacephala using food baits to manage xylosandrus compactus in Uganda Ogogol, Rajab The black coffee twig borer (BCTB ) Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) is an economically important pest of Robusta coffee in Uganda. In this study, the predatory ant, Pheidole megacephala, was evaluated for potential use as a biological control agent against X. compactus. The research tested hypotheses that (1) P. megacephala feeds on all stages of X. compactus, (2) P. megacephala can enter galleries of BCTB inside coffee twigs in search for the prey and (3) presence of P. megacephala on infested twigs reduces populations of BCTB in the galleries (4) P. megacephala prefers certain food baits and (5) P. megacephala presence on infested Robusta coffee reduces incidence and abundance of BCTB in the galleries. In a petri dish feeding bioassay, between 6 th and 22nd July 2014, P. megacephala preyed upon all the stages of BCTB without any indication of preference for any stage. In a bioassay from 4th to 6th August, 2015 to determine if P. megacephala can enter galleries of X. compactus inside Robusta coffee twigs, the researcher found that the predator was unable to enter the galleries. In a field cage bioassay between 16th September and 16th October 2014, P. megacephala reduced the population of all life stages of BCTB on Robusta coffee twigs by almost 22 fold compared to untreated control. In screening baits for attractiveness between 30th and 31st July 2015, the results revealed that P. megacephala is attracted to honey, fish, beef and Royco but 25, 6.5 and 4.4 times more to honey than to Royco, fish and beef respectively. In determination if P. megacephala presence on infested Robusta coffee reduces incidence and abundance of BCTB in the galleries between 3 rd August and 3rd September 2015, the findings indicate that P. megacephala significantly reduces X. compactus incidence in the Robusta coffee field and also reduces X. compactus abundance though not significantly. In view of these findings, the study concludes that P. megacephala is an indiscriminate predator of all growth X. compactus stages, and, though unable to enter BCTB galleries, the predator reduces X. compactus population on infested twigs. Exploitation of P. megacephala in the biological control of BCTB on coffee and other crops would require additional studies on how to enhance presence of the predator on the infested crop and to establish if blending sugar and protein baits would produce synergistic attractiveness to predatory ants.

Characterization of the poultry production system among the smallholder farmers in Pader district

Sun, 01 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Characterization of the poultry production system among the smallholder farmers in Pader district Asekenye, Catherine The study set to characterize the poultry production system among smallholder farmers in Pader with focus on the management practices employed by farmers, social economic contributions enjoyed, major challenges faced and impacts of management practices on poultry production.This is because 50.1% of smallholder households in Uganda are involved in poultry keeping and 66.2% households in Pader (National Livestock Census report 2008). The study used a case study design, using questionnaires to collect both qualitative and quantitative data from 397 households which was analyzed using excel and SPSS.The findings indicated that the majority (97%) households kept indigenous chicken (p-value 0.000) under free range with 98.4% and (p-value 0.000). The average number of birds per household was 24. Common management practice were feed supplementation at 65% and (p-value0.003) using home saved grains and kitchen leftovers, few households had shelter for birds, few households paid attention to birds’ health in terms of vaccination and treatment including deworming at 95%. NCD was the major disease affecting birds. Men wielded decisions on use of poultry proceeds with 85.7% and (p-value 0.000) while women and children took care of the birds. The common problems affecting smallholder poultry farmers were; predation and limited access to Veterinary services on poultry management. In conclusion, the smallholder poultry production system in Pader basing on the above findings is characterized by indigenous chicken on free range system under the care of women and children, regular feed upplementation with limited poultry shelter and less care for poultry health due to limited access to veterinary extension services. The researcher hereby recommends that: Farmers should consider provision of housing /shelter for their birds to reduce chances of predation and losses associated with adverse weather and vulnerability of chicks and brooding mother hens. There is need to rally private veterinary service providers to rollout affordable services. Since women were found to lead in poultry care role, development actors and policy makers should factor women’s empowerment through poultry related projects Denis Rwabiita Mugizi; Denis Rwabiita Mugizi