Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Dorothy Nagitta
Published on 2024-02-02 05:14:39
Dr Fred Bwayo Masika, with a PhD in Botany, conducted a study on the molecular characterisation and incidence of viruses affecting watermelon and pumpkin production in Uganda.
The study revealed that Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus and Pepo aphid borne-yellows virus were the most prevalent in both crops. Additionally, the genome of the Tobacco streak virus was assembled from pumpkin for the first time in Africa.
Dr Masika also documented the production constraints and management practices for pumpkins and watermelons, highlighting pests, diseases, and drought as serious constraints, while ash and hand hoes were important management strategies for pests and weeds. Screening for resistance to Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus showed that two pumpkin and one watermelon cultivars were resistant to the virus based on symptom expression.
Dr Gladys Kisekka Nakibuule, with a Doctorate of Laws, investigated plea-bargained cases and processes of eleven High Court’s circuits and two divisions from 2014–2021.
Her study highlights the tension between plea-bargaining as a judicial innovation aimed at reducing court caseloads and the accused’s speedy trial right alongside other fair trial guarantees.
Dr Nakibuule recommended legal, administrative, and institutional reforms towards the potential of achieving speedy trials without the accused’s inadvertent self-incriminations.
Dr Abdul Walusansa, with a PhD in Microbiology, investigated the role herbal medicines play in the escalation of antibiotic-resistance in Kampala City. The study revealed that some medicinal plants in Uganda, such as Citrus limon (commonly called LEMONI), can cure bacterial diseases that have become incurable with modern drugs.
However, the study also found that 32 percent of herbal medicines were contaminated with multidrug-resistant bacteria, with 14 percent of these bacteria possessing genes that facilitate resistance to last-resort clinical drugs.
The study concluded that Ugandan herbal medicines can support antibiotic-resistance mitigation, but there is a need to revitalize hygiene and product safety to attain international standards and tap into the global market.
Dr Emmanuel Amponsah Adjei, with a PhD in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, conducted a study on the diversity and genome-wide mapping of farmers’ useful traits in Ugandan yams using 1000Minds and breeding approaches.
His findings suggest that yam improvement in sub-regions is possible and will serve as a foundation for the genetic improvement of yams in Uganda.
Dr Hellen Wairimu Gitonga, with a PhD in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, evaluated a total of 220 cowpea genotypes for resistance to flower bud thrips pest in three locations in Uganda.
Her study indicated that three genotypes were resistant to flower bud thrips and a total of 29 genes were significantly associated with the resistance.
The study also highlighted the influence of the environment on the production of secondary metabolites, which in turn affected cowpea resistance to flower bud thrips.
Dr Gitonga’s findings will speed up the breeding process for the improvement of cowpea resistance to flower bud thrips.
Dr Anthony Raphael Ijala, with a PhD in Agriculture, investigated the effect of altitude and farming system on the occurrence of the parasitoid complex of Hypothenemus hampei in the Mount Elgon region in Uganda.
His study revealed the most suitable farming system for high coffee foliage and bean yields at different altitudes in the MER and the crucial role of soil moisture, pH, and EC in determining Carabidae specificity and niche preferences.
Dr Katono Kasifa, with a PhD in Agriculture, investigated the factors that influence Bemisia tabaci population dynamics and fitness on cassava in Uganda.
His study revealed the negative effects of high temperature, high rainfall, low RH, and high plant height on B. tabaci abundance on cassava.
Additionally, the study identified key mortality factors acting on all immature stages of B. tabaci on cassava in the field, which will aid in the design of effective and sustainable management strategies of this devastating global pest.
Dr Willard Mbewe, with a PhD in Agriculture, investigated the diversity and evolution of cassava brown streak ipomoviruses in East and Southern Africa.
His study unraveled novel findings on the phylogeny of cassava brown streak ipomoviruses, presenting evidence that East Africa is the center of CBSV diversity and highlighting the need for enhanced phytosanitation and strengthening regional surveillance in cassava virus management.
Dr Joab Tugume Katarimpika, with a PhD in Plant Pathology, studied the distribution of common bacterial blight disease of beans (CBB) in different agroecologies of Uganda and characterised causal pathogens for virulence on local varieties and breeding lines.
His study identified areas of low CBB pressure in Northwest and Southwest farmland agroecologies, as well as a more adapted, virulent, and endemic isolate of common bacterial blight pathogen, Xanthomonas citri pv fuscans.
Dr Allan Waniale, with a PhD in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, studied factors that limit seed set in bananas and explored flower manipulation techniques that can overcome female sterility to improve breeding efficiency.
His findings shed light on the use of glucose for germinating banana pollen and the influence of weather on seed set before, during, and after pollination, as well as the use of auxin inhibitors to overcome sterility.
In conclusion, the research conducted by these scholars has contributed significantly to the advancement of knowledge in various fields, ranging from agriculture to microbiology, and has provided valuable insights into the challenges and potential solutions in agricultural production and disease management in Uganda.
These studies have the potential to inform policies and practices that will benefit agricultural production and public health in the country.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
