College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)

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    Grasslands: A resource for humanity (Inaugural lecture)
    ( 200-04-22) Sabiiti, E. N
    This paper is a compilation of an inaugural lecture which is a Makerere University requirement following promotion to a full Professor in ones area of specialisation. I was promoted to full Professor in December 1998 having risen through at the ranks and files since 1985. My research has focused on grassland and range sciences since 1976 and I have a record of more than 100 scientific publications, the majority falling in these areas. I have attended several conferences, symposia and workshops the World over and accumulated massive knowledge and information about the vital role of grasslands in supporting the well being/ livelihoods of humanity.
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    Assessing the effect of irrigation water management strategies on napier production
    (Makerere University, 202-12) Ntege, Ivan
    Complexity of crop responses to water has led to exploration of empirical crop production functions in yield estimations. There is paucity of information on Napier production response to different irrigation water management strategies. The main objective of the study was to assess the suitability of using biophysical models in predicting fodder yield responses to different irrigation water management strategies as a contribution to sustainable intensification on fodder production in Uganda. Specifically, this study aimed at assessing soil moisture variations due to different irrigation levels under Napier production. Secondly, to determine the response of Napier dry matter (DM) yields (ton/ha) to different irrigation regimes. Lastly, to predict Napier yield response under rainfed, full irrigation, and deficit irrigation using DSSAT-CANEGRO model. The study area was located at Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research Development Institute (MbaZARDI)). Experimental data for three growth cycles on canopy cover (%), DM yields, irrigation amounts (mm) and soil characteristics were utilized in model calibration and validation. Results indicated that nearly 80% of the sensitive parameters were observed to be related to growth and the rest to phenology. PARCEMAX which accounted for about 78% of DM yield variability had the highest sensitive index. TDELAY emerged with a sensitivity index of 0.64 on canopy height. Based on calibrated model performance, predicted and measured values were in accord with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 10.314 ton/ha, coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.76 and Wilmott agreement (d-index) of 0.764. Potential Napier DM yields at harvest were underestimated in the range of 2.33 - 5.94%. Under predicted Napier DM yields ranged between 10.97 – 38.76 ton/ha whereas canopy height ranged between 1.92 –2.86 m. Under dry conditions, it is economically viable for dairy farmers to adopt ensilage of Napier at 30% DM yields (28 days after planting). Accumulated harmful nitrates during drought are also reduced through fermentation in silage. Therefore, DSSAT illustrated it’s appropriateness in pre-season decision-making on cropping patterns and irrigation management strategies.
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    Weathering characteristics of Australian grown radiata pine
    ( 1986-01) Groves, K. W. ; Banana, Abwoli Y.
    Using scanning electron microscopy, the effect of natural weathering on the micro-structure of radiata pine was investigated. The study suggested that under the weather conditions prevailing in Canberra, Australia at the time, deterioration of the exposed surfaces was readily apparent after only four months. Complete surface degradation and erosion of some tissue was observed after only six months.
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    The Status of forestry in Uganda: a country report
    (African Forestry Research Network, 1992) Banana, Abwoli Y.
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    Persistence of an introduced bradyrhizobium japonicum and other soybean rhizobia in a soybean/maize rotation
    (African Crop Science Society, 1994) Nkwiine, Charles
    Streptomycin resistant mutant of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain IRJ 2114 was developed, tested for ability to nodulate and fix nitrogen, and introduced on seeds at the start of the field experiments. Soybean (Glycine max L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) were then grown in four cropping sequences namely soybean/soybean/soybean, soybean/soybean/maize (SSM), soybean/maize/soybean, and soybean/maize/maize. Percentage soybean nodulation by the introduced rhizobium, and seasonal changes in soybean rhizobial populations along and between crop rows were determined using the antibiotic resistance and most probable numbers methods, respectively. Results showed the number of nodules per plant and proportion of nodules due to introduced rhizobium strain varied significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) with cropping sequences. In the first season, nodule recovery due to the introduced rhizobium was low (15%). In the subsequent seasons, maize crop adversely affected soybean nodulation. As in the third season, occupancy of mutant rhizobium was 60% for continuous soybean cropping (SSS), and 42% for the soybean/maize/soybean (SMS). Populations of soil soybean rhizobia were similarly affected by the cropping sequences. Rhizobia numbers were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) higher when the first two crops were soybean (SS) than when maize followed soybean (SM). Throughout the sampling period, more rhizobia occurred along the crop rows (AR) than in the inter-row spaces (BR), indicating positive effects of rhizospheres on the rhizobial population. It was concluded therefore that for successful establishment of improved strains of B.japonicum, a second soybean crop should follow the first inoculated crop.
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    Potential for community-based forest resource management in Uganda: the case of non-gazetted forests of Hoima and Masindi districts, western Uganda
    (Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 1994) Banana, Abwoli Y. ; Turiho-Habwe, , T. G.
    Uganda's forest resources are important for the country's growth and development. Though there is in place a mechanism for controlled use of gazetted forests, lack of an organised management institution has left common pool non-gazetted communal forest resources at the helm of uncontrolled use. The study covered the districts of Hoima and Masindi where non-gazetted communal forest resources are abundant. The overall objective of this study was to identify a tenure system that can lead to sustainable use of communal forest and tree resources by the local people and seek people's attitudes towards increased involvement in the management of natural resources in their localities. The respondents in both Masindi and Hoima overwhelmingly rejected the idea of leasing the forests. Loss of access rights to the resource was cited as a major reason for rejecting this form of tenure. The communities preferred to own the resource in common, thus advocating for a common property tenure. It was therefore recommended that non-gazetted forest resources be left to the local user groups to manage through a locally composed and constituted community association with assistance from the Forest Department.
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    Persistence of an introduced bradyrhizobium japonicum and other soybean rhizobia in a soybean/maize rotation
    (African Crop Science Society, 1994) Nkwiine, Charles
    Streptomycin resistant mutant of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain IRJ 2114 was developed, tested for ability to nodulate and fix nitrogen, and introduced on seeds at the start of the field experiments. Soybean (Glycine max L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) were then grown in four cropping sequences namely soybean/soybean/soybean, soybean/soybean/maize (SSM), soybean/maize/soybean, and soybean/maize/maize. Percentage soybean nodulation by the introduced rhizobium, and seasonal changes in soybean rhizobial populations along and between crop rows were determined using the antibiotic resistance and most probable numbers methods, respectively. Results showed the number of nodules per plant and proportion of nodules due to introduced rhizobium strain varied significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) with cropping sequences. In the first season, nodule recovery due to the introduced rhizobium was low (15%). In the subsequent seasons, maize crop adversely affected soybean nodulation. As in the third season, occupancy of mutant rhizobium was 60% for continuous soybean cropping (SSS), and 42% for the soybean/maize/soybean (SMS). Populations of soil soybean rhizobia were similarly affected by the cropping sequences. Rhizobia numbers were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) higher when the first two crops were soybean (SS) than when maize followed soybean (SM). Throughout the sampling period, more rhizobia occurred along the crop rows (AR) than in the inter-row spaces (BR), indicating positive effects of rhizospheres on the rhizobial population. It was concluded therefore that for successful establishment of improved strains of B.japonicum, a second soybean crop should follow the first inoculated crop.
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    Facilitation of rhizobium inoculant use by farmers in Uganda
    (Soil Science Society of East Africa (SSSEA), 1994-11) Nkwiine, C. ; Siriri, D. ; Ajonye, M.
    Short shelf-life and lack of locally available stickers are constraints to inoculant use by local farmers in Uganda. Therefore two investigations were conducted to identify a method of improving the shelf-life of Rhizobium inoculants and to obtain local inoculant stickers. Peat soil, a carrier was sterilized by autoclaving at 121oC for t hour and oven heating at 65oC for 4 days prior to incorporation of rhizobia. Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculants were cultured and the most probable number (MPN) of rhizobia determined at 15, 60, 90 and 180 days after peat inoculation. A collection of locally available inoculant stickers namely: banana juice (undiluted) sugar solution (10%), tap water, and local gum arabic were evaluated for efficiency in gluing and protecting rhizobial cells on seed surface. Inoculants of soybean (Glycine max), Leucaena leucocephala and common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were used. Two best stickers were further tested for their efficiency in keeping high numbers of rhizobia on seed during 24 hours. Inoculants from unsterile and oven-sterilised peat did not maintain the recommended rhizobia population (1x108 cells gm-1) after 60 days of storage. The inoculants produced using autoclaved peat still had above the recommended rhizobial population after 6 months of storage. Banana juice and local gum Arabic significantly (P=0.05) compared well with the recommended sugar solution as stickers of rhizobia on all the types of seeds used. Water was an inferior sticker of rhizobia per seed than are recommended (108) for most of the seeds used except for groundnuts. Banana juice was significantly (P 0.05) a superior protectant of inoculants compared to sugar solution. Results suggest that autoclaving peat for inoculant production increases shelf-life of the product. While neutral banana (Mbidde) juice could recommended for use as an efficient and locally available rhizobia sticker
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    Early detection of tropical forest degradation: an IFIU pilot study in Uganda.
    (Environmental conservation, 1995) Becker, Dustin C. ; Abwoli, Y. Banana ; Gombya-Ssembajjwe, William S.
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    Potential for organic and inorganic fertilization for sustainable coffee production in Uganda
    (African Crop Science Society, 1996) Nkwiine, Charles ; Bwamiki, D. ; Zake, J. Y. K.
    The economy of Uganda is heavily dependent on Agriculture. Most of the export earnings come from coffee which is produced mainly by small scale farmers. However, the productivity of this crop has declined over the years. This has been atttibuted mainly to the decline in soil fertility. Therefore, experiments were set up in various parts of the country to study the effects of inorganrc and organrc fertiIizers on robusta coffee yields. Coffee husks were the organic fertilizer and NPK, the inorganic fertilizers. Results indicated that application of coffee husks and chemical fertilizers (NPK) in the different combinatrons increased the productivity of the crop.
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    Potential for organic and inorganic fertilization for sustainable coffee production in Uganda
    (African Crop Science Society, 1996) Nkwiine, Charles ; Bwamiki, D. ; Zake, J. Y. K.
    The economy of Uganda is heavily dependent on Agriculture. Most of the export earnings come from coffee which is produced mainly by small scale farmers. However, the productivity of this crop has declined over the years. This has been atttibuted mainly to the decline in soil fertility. Therefore, experiments were set up in various parts of the country to study the effects of inorganrc and organrc fertiIizers on robusta coffee yields. Coffee husks were the organic fertilizer and NPK, the inorganic fertilizers. Results indicated that application of coffee husks and chemical fertilizers (NPK) in the different combinatrons increased the productivity of the crop.
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    Effect of crop protection management practice on yield of seven cowpea varieties in Uganda
    (Taylor & Francis, 1996) Edema, R. ; Adipala, E.
    Field experiments were conducted during the first and second rainy seasons of 1994 to evaluate the seed yield potential of two commonly grown cowpea varieties and five introduced lines under different pest and disease situations. The highest yields (4654.7 kg/ha, 2083.5 kg/ha and 974.6 kg/ha, respectively) were obtained from the lines IT82D-522-1, IT85F-1987 and Katumani-80, and the least yield was from Icirikukwai, a local line. Between 32.5% to 70.7% yield depression was obtained in plots where pests were not controlled, whereas 9.2% to 16.0% yield depression was attributed to fungal diseases. These results indicate that insect pests are the most important biotic constraint to cowpea production in Uganda.
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    Indigenous populations of rhizobia, legume response to inoculation and farmer awareness of inoculants in East and Southern Africa
    (African Crop Science Society (ACSS), 1997) Woomer, P. L. ; Karanja, N. K. ; Mekki, E. I. ; Mwakalombe, B. ; Tembo, H. ; Nkwiine, C. ; Silver, M. ; Nyika, M. ; Ndakidemi, P. ; Msumali, G.
    The Rhizobium Ecology Network of East and Southern Africa (RENEASA) is a participatory research affiliation of microbiologists and agronomists which seeks to better understand biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and promote the use of rhizobial inoculants. The Network was initiated in 1991 to describe the rhizobial populations in soils. In 1994, two new areas of research were included; green house testing of legume inoculation and implementation of a survey addressing farmer awareness of BNF. One or all of these topics were investigated by 13 collaborators in 10 countries. Indigenous rhizobial populations were characterised at 46 sites by plant infection counts of legumes from different cross-inoculation groups. Bradyrhizobium spp. were the most frequently observed species in the wet and semi-arid lowlands (2.37 and l.84log10 cells g soil-l, respectively), and were consistently high in the humid areas of Uganda. Rhizobia nodulating bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were greatest in highland soils (3.01 log10 cells g soil-1), particularly in the Kenyan and Rwandan Highlands. Thirty-six legume inoculant experiments were conducted in cooperators' glasshouses involving twelve soils and six hosts. Overall, legumes responded to inoculation with a 47% increase in growth and a 36% increase in the frequency of effective nodules when compared to the uninoculated controls. Farmer awareness of biological nitrogen fixation appears to be a major limitation in the use of inoculants. Overall, l16 households were surveyed in 5 counties, 98% cultivated legumes, 59% applied nitrogen fertilizers, 40% were aware of the potential benefits of root nodulation, 15% were aware of inoculants and 9% were currently using them. Different patterns of farmer awareness were noted in different counties.
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    Early screening of cassava for resistance to root-knot nematodes
    (Organization of Tropical American Nematologists, 1997) Talwana, L.A.H. ; Speijer, P.R. ; Adipala, E. ; Maslen, N.R.
    A method was developed for early screening of cassava for resistance to root-knot nematodes. One­ node cassava cuttings were planted in plastic disposable beverage cups filled with sterile 1:1 (by vol­ume) sand-soil mixture. Two weeks after planting, the plantlets were infested with a 10 ml suspension containing approximately 1000 Meloidogyne spp. eggs. One month after inoculation, the cassava root systems were evaluated for damage and rated for gall index. Densities of Meloidogyne females in the roots were established by differential staining, followed by counting of the female root-knot nema­todes under a stereomicroscope. Significant differences in gall index and number of established females, but not in reduction in fresh root weight, were observed among varieties. While some confirmatory field surveys are still required, findings from preliminary surveys carried out in two areas of Uganda suggest that the relative susceptibility of a variety in the field can adequately be predicted by using one-node cuttings.
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    A socio-economic analysis of forest foods consumption in Hoima and Masindi Districts of Uganda.
    (African Crop Science Society, 1997) Banana, Abwoli Y. ; Turiho-Habwe, G. P.
    Millions of households in the developing world depend on food from forests to supplement their diets especially as emergency food supplies during drought, famine and war periods. Forest foods, therefore, make a critical contribution to the food supply. The consumption of forest foods is, however, decreasing rapidly due to the rapid degradation of forest resources, erosion of indigenous knowledge and the influence of western culture values. This study has shown that distance from the forest, household income and education, reduced the hoousehold's dependency on forest foods while family life and, suprisingly land holding, were found to marginally increase use of forest foods.
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    Influence of season and cropping system on occurrence of cowpea diseases in Uganda.
    (American Phytopathological Society, 1997) Edema, R. ; Adipala, E. ; Florini, D.A.
    An on-farm survey was conducted for two seasons (first and second rains of 1994) to determine influence of season and cropping systems on occurrence of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) diseases in Uganda. Viral diseases were widespread in both seasons but were more severe in the intercropped than in the nonintercropped cowpea. In contrast, scab, rust, and powdery mildew were less common and less severe when cowpea was grown in intercrops. High plant populations favored scab and anthracnose, but viral diseases were more severe under low plant populations. Higher incidence and severity of viral diseases, anthracnose, and scab were recorded during the first (wetter) season than during the second (drier) season. Disease level varied considerably among the common cultivars, but these differences may have been influenced by environmental differences.
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    The impact of population density on forest management and use in Uganda
    ( 1997) Abwoli, Y. Banana ; Kaboggoza, R. S. ; Orone, P ; Ssengendo, D. C. ; Aluma, J. R. ; Byarugaba, S. R. ; Atiku, J.
    To investigate the relationship between population density and forest management and use in Uganda, this study focuses on agricultural communities in four districts representing contrasting population levels, forest resources and relationships between forest cover and population density. The fieldwork, conducted in June - October 1996, employed a variety of data-collection methods, including interviews with local authorities and community members and a simplified version of participatory rural appraisal techniques. The majority of respondents planted trees for fuelwood, poles and fruits, mainly for subsistence use. Generating income from trees was not a major objective. Most farmers in the study communities were poor and had little education. Respondents reported having little knowledge on tree-planting practices, and they lacked planting materials. Population density was found to be negatively related to the size and number of landholdings, to long-term land acquisition and to tree-planting activity, whereas it was positively associated with land fragmentation and land disputes. Short-term access to land, and conditional access in the case of women, discourages the planting of trees, which mature slowly. Land fragmentation increases the distances that farmers must travel to reach their parcels of land, and the long distances prevent farmers from tending to planted trees effectively. Thus, Uganda's high population density, which is likely to increase, appears to be having an adverse effect on forest management.
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    Indigenous technical knowledge and forest management: A case study of sacred groves (Traditional Forest Reserves), Mpigi District, Uganda
    (UFRIC, 1997) Gombya-Ssembajjwe, William S.
    The high rate of deforestation and degradation of the environment in Uganda are dangerous obstacles to sustainable management of forests and trees in the country and therefore require urgent and consolidated effort of all concerned to address them. So a research study of indigenous knowledge and how such knowledge can be used to conserve the environment is an effort in the right direction. Indigenous knowledge was studied using the Traditional Forest Reserves (TFRs) in Mpigi District, Central Uganda. TFRs are very small forests in size as compared to the government forest reserves. They are governed by non-modern knowledge vis-a-vis modern, scientific knowledge used in management of government forest reserves. Historically, non-modern knowledge has been repressed and unrecognized despite its frequent successes in conserving natural resources. For example, indigenous knowledge can be crucial in community forestry development programs because it involves systems of institutions developed through generation, of self-management that can govern resource use. Several community forestry projects have failed because implementors have not understood the social aspects of such local institutions. As a result they have instead built new institutions that have replaced or undermined the indigenous ones. With the current rate of deforestation in Uganda, a consolidated joint effort of both systems of knowledge (non-modern and modern) for forest/tree resource use and management is essential. However, it is not the purpose of this study to define the best way of integrating indigenous knowledge into scientific knowledge and vice-versa. A total of thirteen TFRs were covered by the study, of which six (6) were not under immediate threat of deforestation, four (4) were under immediate threat, and three (3) were completely deforested. The TFRs are facing increased threat of deforestation for a number of reasons, the most important one being the replacement of non-modern institutions by modem ones. Probably, the challenge for natural resource managers of today might be the interface between local institutions and the formal state institutions.
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    The effects of differernt land clearing and soil management practices on soil productivity in the Lake Victoria crescent zone of Uganda
    (Soil Science Society of Eastern Africa, 1998) Zake, J. Y. K ; Nkwiine, C. ; Sessanga, S. ; Tumuhairwe, J. K. ; Bwamiki, D. ; Okwakol, M. ; Kasenge, V. ; Zobisch, M. A. ; Sendiwanyo
    Land clearing and the subsequent soil management practices are important steps in determining the sustainability of crop production in high rainfall areas. Soil productivity has decreased in the high rainfall zone of Uganda around Lake Victoria, known as the fertile crescent. A research was carried out at Makerere University Agriculture Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK) to determine the effect of four different land clearing and soil management practices on the productivity of a Kaudiudolf soil type. A completely randomised block design experiment was set up with three replications, involving continuous annual crops of maize and beans. The results indicated that the practices that involved intense tillage and burning of the bushes and crop residue led to faster loss of nutrients from the soil.