Browsing by Author "Buteme, Ruth"

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    Farmer preferred traits and genotype choices in Solanum aethiopicum L., Shum group
    (Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine, 2021) Nakyewa, Brenda; Sseremba, Godfrey; Kabod, Nahamya Pamela; Rwothtimutung, Moses; Kyebalyenda, Tadeo; Waholi, Kenneth; Buteme, Ruth; Nakanwangi, Mildred Julian; Bishop, Gerard; Balyejusa Kizito, Elizabeth
    Solanum aethiopicum L. is a nutrient dense African indigenous vegetable. However, advancement of its improved varieties that can increase productivity, household income, and food security has not been prioritized. Further still, studies on some of the crops that have been worked have indicated that it is not a guarantee that the improved varieties will be accepted by the end users and therefore there is need to identify and profile what genotypes are of interest to farmers and their preferred traits through inclusive participatory evaluations. Methodology: Farmer participatory evaluations were conducted to profile farmers’ traits of interest and preferred genotypes. A total of 24 genotypes were established in three replications in 6 farms in 3 districts; Wakiso, Mukono, and Luwero as these are the major producing districts of the vegetable in Uganda. A total of 177 sex-disaggregated farmers were engaged in scoring the genotypes for pest, disease and drought tolerance, general appeal, leaf yield, leaf texture, and seed yield for best 10 genotypes under each variable. Results: Non-significant differences in trait (p > 0.05) and genotype preferences (p > 0.05) were obtained between men and women. The most desired farmer traits were seed and leaf yield, followed by pest and disease resistance. The overall preferred genotype in terms of disease and pest resistance, leaf yield, leaf texture, and seed yield were E12 followed by E11. Conclusion: Gender does not seem to influence farmer choices for the S. aethiopicum, Shum group, indicating an opportunity for single variety prototype advancement by breeders and dissemination by seed companies.
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    Intraspecific crossability and compatibility within Solanum aethiopicum
    (Heliyon, 2021) Buteme, Ruth; Nakajiri, Mary; Kucel, Newton; Nahamya Kabod, Pamela; Sseremba, Godfrey; Balyejusa Kizito, Elizabeth
    Understanding hybridization barriers is relevant for germplasm conservation and utilization. The prezygotic barriers to hybridization include floral morphological differences like pistil and stamen length, pollen characteristics and pollen-pistil interactions. This study sought to elucidate the reproductive biology of Solanum aethiopicum; its mating systems and compatibility barriers. Eight genotypes of Solanum aethiopicum were examined for differences in floral morphology, phenology and cross compatibility in a full diallel mating design, with assessment of fruit set, seed set and seed viability. In-vivo pollen tube growth was observed for failed crosses at 24, 48 and 72 h after pollination. All genotypes had heterostyly flowers, with predominantly small white petals. Incompatibility was observed in five out of 39 combinations. All selfed genotypes displayed compatibility implying the genotypes are self-compatible. Pollen–pistil incompatibility, which was exhibited in four out of the five failed cross combinations, occurred on the stigma, upper style and lower style, a phenomenon typical in Solanaceae. Solanum aethiopicum is self-compatible and majorly self-pollinating but has features that support cross-pollination.