Browsing by Author "Biruma, Moses"

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    Cowpea Scab Disease (Sphaceloma sp.) in Uganda
    (Crop Protection, 2017-02-27) Afutu, Emmanuel; Agoyi, Eric E.; Amayo, Robert; Biruma, Moses; Rubaihayo, Patrick R.
    Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is the third most important legume food crop in Uganda. It is the main legume food crop in the Eastern and Northern regions of the country, however, its mean yield is less than 400 kg ha−1. Scab (Sphaceloma sp.) which is a seed-borne disease is one of the major constraints of cowpea production in the country, capable of causing yield losses of up to 100%. Cowpea scab is the anamorph of Elsinoe phaseoli in common bean (bean scab). The disease affects all the above ground parts of the cowpea plant. A study was conducted in the country to determine the incidence, severity and distribution of scab disease in 17 cowpea growing districts across three agro-ecological zones over a two year period. The results indicated that scab disease was widespread in all the districts with mean incidence ranging between 35 and 70% and mean severity 2–4. Tororo and Amuria districts had the highest incidence and severity, while Bukedea and Arua districts recorded the least disease incidence and severity. Cowpea fields located at altitudes above 1200 m.a.s.l had the highest mean disease incidence (82%) and severity (score = 3.4), while fields located on altitudes lying between 771 and 990 m.a.s.l registered the least disease incidence (64.7%) and severity (score = 2.7). The type of cultivar grown and cropping system practiced influenced the incidence and severity of the scab disease. The results of this study also showed that scab had high incidence and severity across districts and altitudes in Uganda suggesting the need to develop resistant cultivars. This indicates the need to establish the variability of the pathogen to inform the breeding programme for development of resistant varieties.
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    Genetic diversity and population structure of Peronosclerospora sorghi isolates of Sorghum in Uganda
    (International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology (IJEAB), 2018) Kumi, Frank; Agbahoungba, Symphorien; Badji, Arfang; Mwila, Natasha; Ibanda, Angele; Anokye, Michael; Odong, Thomas; Wasswa, Peter; Ochwo- Ssemakula, Mildred; Tusiime, Geoffrey; Biruma, Moses; Kassim, Sadik; Rubaihayo, Patrick
    Sorghum is the third most important staple cereal crop in Uganda after maize and millet. Downy mildew disease is one of the most devastating fungal diseases which limits the production and productivity of the crop. The disease is caused by an obligate fungus, Peronosclerospora sorghi (Weston & Uppal) with varying symptoms. Information on the genetic diversity and population structure of P.sorghi in sorghum is imperative for the screening and selection for resistant genotypes and further monitoring possible mutant(s) of the pathogen. Isolates of P. sorghi infecting sorghum are difficult to discriminate when morphological descriptors are used. The use of molecular markers is efficient, and reliably precise for characterizing P. sorghi isolates. This study was undertaken to assess the level of genetic diversity and population structure that exist in P. sorghi isolates in Uganda.
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    New sources of sorghum resistant genotypes to downy mildew disease in Uganda
    (BIODIVERSITAS, 2019) Kumi, Frank; Badji, Arfang; Mwila, Natasha; Odong, Thomas; Ochwo-Ssemakula, Mildred; Tusiime, Geoffrey; Gibson, Paul; Biruma, Moses; Prom, Louis K.; Cuevas, Hugo E.; Agbahoungba, Symphorien; Rubaihayo, Patrick
    Kumi F, Badji A, Mwila N, Odong T, Ochwo-Ssemakula M, Tusiime G, Gibson P, Biruma M, Prom KL, Cuevas HE, Agbahoungba S, Rubaihayo P. 2019. New sources of sorghum resistant genotypes to downy mildew disease in Uganda. Biodiversitas 20: 3391-3397. Sorghum downy mildew (SDM) disease is still prevalent in Uganda at varying levels of incidence and severity. In this study, a total of 100 sorghum genotypes, five (5) from (U.SA, India, and Sudan) and 95 genotypes from Uganda were evaluated for resistance to downy mildew and other agronomic traits during the second growing season of 2016 (August-December). The experiment was conducted in two locations at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute at Kabanyolo (MUARIK) and Abi-Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Abi-ZARDI) research station at Arua. The experimental design used was 10 x 10 alpha lattice design with three replicates. Data were collected on plant disease incidence (PDI), plant disease severity (PDS), area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), days to 50% flowering, plant height, 1000 seed weight, and grain yield. Results for analysis of variance showed highly significant differences (P < 0.001) in genotypes, location, and AUDPC, yield and yield components. Disease incidence varied significantly (P < 0.001) between locations, and Arua recorded highest disease incidence and severity of 80.6 and 2.8, respectively. Results from correlation analysis showed a highly significant (P < 0.001) positive association of downy mildew disease incidence with AUDPC (0.835) which suggests that the severity of SDM disease increased with disease incidence, whiles significant (P < 0.001) negative correlation was recorded for days to 50 % flowering (-0.302), 1000 seed weight (-0.471), and grain yield (-0.585), suggesting that grain yield and yield component decreased significantly with increase in SDM incidence and severity. Two resistant (PI 656061 and PI 533831) and four moderately resistant (E 40, MAKSO 8, PI 655990 and Epuripur) genotypes were identified from this study. These genotypes were recommended for sorghum breeding program against downy mildew disease.
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    Rhizome development in Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum halepense families in the tropical ecosystem of Uganda
    (African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2018) Nakasagga, Shakirah; Biruma, Moses; Tusiime, Geoffrey; Nabukalu, Pheonah; Cox, Stan
    Many landraces and improved cultivars of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) grown in Uganda have late maturity and are susceptible to several biotic and abiotic stresses. Introgression of the rhizomatous trait from perennial sorghum (Sorghum halepense) could improve stress tolerance. However, phenotypic characterization of exotic perennial sorghum germplasm under Ugandan environmental conditions is essential to select desirable genotypes. Rhizome-forming capacity of 192 S. bicolor × S. halepense backcross tetraploid families developed in a temperate North American environment was evaluated at two locations in Uganda over two consecutive growing seasons. Numbers of rhizomes and emerging shoots as well as mean distances from shoot to crown were evaluated. Forty-seven percent of families were moderately to strongly rhizomatous in the first season of growth and this value rose to 91% in the second season. Developing perennial grain sorghum for East Africa will require hybridization between exotic perennial and locally adapted germplasm. Screening for emerging rhizome-derived shoots in early generations is simple, rapid, and effective; however, more detailed selection based on both aboveground and belowground rhizome traits is recommended for later generations. Researchers and farmers should work together to find suitable ways in which perennial sorghum might fit into new types of crop and livestock systems.