Browsing by Author "Alicai, T."

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    Limits of phytosanitation and host plant resistance towards the control of cassava viruses in UgandaLimits of phytosanitation and host plant resistance towards the control of cassava viruses in Uganda
    (African Journal of Rural Development, 2017) Kawuki, R.S.; Adiga, G.; Orone, J.; Alicai, T.; Edimu, M.; Omara, T.; Pariyo, A.; Esuma, W.; Omongo, C.; Bua, A.; Kanju, E.; Baguma, Y.
    Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and the viruses that infect it, notably cassava mosaic virus and cassava brown streak viruses, have a unique history of co-evolution and co-existence. While cassava originated in South America, both viruses and the diseases they cause have largely been limited to the East African region, where they have, and continue to be key yield-robbing stresses. For sustainable control, we assume that deployment of resistant varieties when carefully combined with phytosanitation will combat these viruses. We have thus generated empirical data and tested the limits, i.e., how long this strategy can last. This entailed the comparison of elite cassava varieties, one set of virus-indexed tissue culture plantlets, and the other set, re-cycled planting materials under farmer’s cyclic propagation for 6-23 years. Trials were established at diverse sites in Uganda. We observed that both officially-released and unofficially-released cassava varieties are common in farmer’s fields; these varieties have varying susceptibility levels to viruses. Worrisome was that some officially-released varieties like NASE 3 registered cassava mosaic disease (CMD) incidences of up to 71% (virus-indexed), which was not any different from its re-cycled counterparts. Other varieties like NASE 14 have maintained high levels of CMD resistance six years after official release. Predominant re-cycled cassava varieties notably TME 204, I92/0057, TME 14, and to a limited extent NASE 14, are key reservoirs for cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) associated viruses. These findings highlight the limits of phytosanitation, i.e., in areas like Kaberamaido associated with high CMD pressure, varieties NASE 1 and NASE 3 can not be recommended; on the contrary, these varieties can be deployed in Kalangala, where they can survive with phytosanitation. And for CBSD, the findings justify the urgent need for phytosanitation (community-led) and development of varieties with higher levels of resistance and/or tolerance, as no immune variety has so far been identified.
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    Occurrence of Rice Yellow Mottle Virus resistance breaking isolates in Lowland Catchment Zones of Uganda
    (African Crop Science Journal, 2021) Ramathani, I.; Mukasa, S. B.; Alicai, T.; Nanyiti, S.; Lamo, J.
    Rice (Oryza spp; 2n=24.) production in Uganda and Africa in general, is seriously threatened by the Rice yellow mottle virus disease (RYMVD), a disease caused by Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) within the genus Sobemovirus; family Sobemoviridae. This study investigated the existence and distribution of resistance-breaking RYMV pathotype in the three major lowland rice catchment areas in Uganda. Four known rice accessions resistant to Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) namely; Gigante, Tog5672, Tog5674 and Tog5681, carrying resistant allele’s rymv1-2, rymv1-4 & RYMV3, rymv1-5 and rymv1-3, respectively, were tested for their response to different RYMV isolates. The isolates were collected from three major lowland rice catchment areas of Doho, Kibimba, and Olweny in Uganda. Out of 100 leaf samples collected from the field and assayed for RYMV and confirmed to be positive using RT-PCR, 83 isolates induced symptoms on IR64- the RYMV susceptible line. Seventyseven (92.8%) isolates were able to overcome resistance in at least one of the four differential rice accessions, as confirmed by the presence of RYMV symptoms; while 6 (7.2%) isolates were asymptomatic. Variation in time (days) for symptom development post-inoculation (dpi) and AUDPC were observed. Symptoms appeared within 5-7 days on IR64; while it took on average 11, 18, 36, and 18 days to appear on Gigante, Tog5672, Tog5674 and Tog5681, respectively. The highest AUDPC was observed on IR64 (254.7); while the lowest was observed on Tog5681 (74.1). Two major patho-groups were observed; those that broke down resistance in Gigante only (25.3%) and Gigante & Tog5672 (33.7%). Five isolates from Doho (Budaka & Bugiri districts) and Kibimba (Butaleja district) catchment areas broke down RYMV resistance in three accessions i.e. (Tog5681, Gigante & Tog5672) and (Tog5674, Gigante & Tog5672), respectively. Resistance breaking isolates were confirmed in all the three sampled catchment zones, however, Doho and Kibimba had some unique isolates that broke down resistance in accessions carrying resistance allele rymv 1-3 and rymv1-5 in addition to rymv1-2. Results from this study showed that RYMV isolates in Uganda can break down resistance conferred by the rymv1-2 resistance gene allele. However, accessions Tog5681 and Tog5674 seem to hold stable RYMV resistance and, thus are recommended for RYMV breeding.