Browsing by Author "Akatwijuka, R."

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    Correlations and Path Analysis of Yield Traits in Sorghum Grown in Southwestern Highlands of Uganda
    (African Crop Science Journal, 2019) Akatwijuka, R.; Rubaihayo, P.R.; Odong, T.L.
    The study of relationships among traits is essential for assessing the feasibility of joint selection for two or more traits. Path coefficient analysis partitions correlation coefficient into direct and indirect contributions of various traits towards dependent variable, thus guiding effective selection. A study was conducted to determine the correlation and path coefficients for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) grain yield and quantitative traits among 47 sorghum cultivars collected from southwestern highlands of Uganda. The study was conducted at Kachwekano Research Farm in Kabale District in southwestern Uganda, at an altitude of 2,223 metres above sea level, during the two successive sorghum growing seasons of December 2014 to August 2015 and December 2015 to August 2016. Correlations revealed strong significant trait associations (P<0.001) for grain yield with panicle weight (r=0.938), and moderately strong relationships with panicle width (r=0.619), stem girth (r= 0.674), and leaf width (r=0.576). Grain yield revealed a non-significant negative correlation with days to 50% flowering (r=-0.011). Regression analysis revealed that panicle weight and plant height had the highest direct effect on grain yield of 1.085 and 0.2097, respectively. Path coefficient analysis revealed that stem girth (0.814), leaf width (0.74901) and panicle width (0.713) had the highest indirect contributions to grain yield. The residual effect was low (R=0.11), with high adjusted R2 value (0.89).
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    Genetic Diversity among Sorghum Landraces of Southwestern Highlands of Uganda
    (African Crop Science Journal, 2016) Akatwijuka, R.; Rubaihayo, P.R.; Odong, T.L.
    Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is an economic and staple crop in sub-Saharan Africa. The genetic diversity in its germplasm is an invaluable aid for its crop improvement. The objective of this study was to assess the existing genetic diversity among sorghum landraces in the southwestern highlands of Uganda. A total of 47 sorghum landraces, collected from southwestern highlands of Uganda, were characterised using 12 qualitative and 13 quantitative traits. The study was conducted at Kachwekano Research Farm in Kabale District, at an altitude of 2,223 m above sea level, during growing season of December 2014 to August 2015. Panicle shape and compactness were the most varied qualitative traits. Grain yield (1.23 to 11.31 t ha-1) and plant height (144.7 to 351.6 cm) were among quantitative traits that showed high variability. Days to 50% flowering (115 to 130 days) showed the least variability. Results of UPGMA cluster analysis generated a dendrogram with three clusters. Panicle weight, leaf width, stem girth, exertion length, peduncle length, panicle shape and compactness, glume colour and threshability were major traits responsible for the observed clustering (P<0.001). Principal Component Analysis revealed the largest variation contributors.