Browsing by Author "Erima, Rockefeller"

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    Genotypic variability estimates of agronomic traits in secondary triploid banana ‘Matooke’ (Musa sp., AAAEA) hybrids
    (African Journal of Plant Science, 2016) Tendo Ssali, Reuben; Barekye, Alex; Buregeya, Henry; Erima, Rockefeller; Namanya, Priver; Kubiriba, Jerome
    Effective selection of hybrids for a trait is based on the extent of variation and heritability. This study examined yield parameters of secondary triploid ‘Matooke’ hybrids and the extent of their genetic diversity based on the traits evaluated. Eleven genotypes, including nine ‘Matooke’ hybrids and two landraces were evaluated for 12 characters in a preliminary yield trial (PYT) over three crop cycles. Plant height, bunch weight, number of standing leaves at flowering and the youngest leaf spotted with black Sigatoka symptoms showed significant interaction between genotype and crop cycle. While characters such as pseudo stem girth, number of days for fruit filling, number of hands, number of fingers on the second hand and the fruit length showed stable differences amongst these genotypes. The genotypic coefficient of variation for the characters ranged from 7.6% (finger length) to 33.5% (bunch weight); with moderate heritability estimates varying from 13.5% (pseudostem girth) to 67% (plant height). Bunch weight showed strong positive correlation with number of hands, number of fingers on the second hand, the fruit length and pseudostem girth. These results imply that breeders could select for some of these variable and ratoon stable traits in a single cycle of early evaluation trial, subsequently reducing costs, time and space in field testing.
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    ‘Kiwangaazi’ (syn ‘KABANA 6H’) Black Sigatoka Nematode and Banana Weevil Tolerant ‘Matooke’ Hybrid Banana Released in Uganda
    (HortScience, 2015) Nowakunda, Kephas; Barekye, Alex; Ssali, Reuben T.; Namaganda, Josephine; Tushemereirwe, Wilberforce K.; Nabulya, Gertrude; Erima, Rockefeller; Akankwasa, Kenneth; Hilman, Edison
    This article presents the attributes of the first East African highland banana hybrid, ‘Kiwangaazi’ (Fig. 1), which was recently selected, released, and added to the national cultivar list in Uganda. The ‘matooke’ hybrid ‘Kiwangaazi’ was conventionally bred at Kawanda by crossing the tetraploid hybrid ‘1201k-1’ (‘Nakawere’ AAA · ‘Calcutta4’ AA) with the improved diploid ‘SH3217’ AA. The main target was black Sigatoka resistance, a disease caused by the fungal pathogen Mycosphaerella fijiensis, ranked as the most important constraint to the production of the East African highland bananas, especially in the low lands (covering most of central and eastern Uganda). ‘Kiwangaazi’, together with other hybrids was evaluated for black Sigatoka response, nematode andweevil damage, yield, and consumer acceptability.
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    Management of Banana Xanthomonas Wilt: Evidence from Impact of Adoption of Cultural Control Practices in Uganda
    (Sustainability, 2019) Kikulwe, Enoch M.; Lule Kyanjo, Joseph; Kato, Edward; Ssali, Reuben T.; Erima, Rockefeller; Mpiira, Samuel; Ocimati, Walter; Tinzaara, William; Kubiriba, Jerome; Gotor, Elisabetta; Stoian, Dietmar; Karamura, Eldad
    Banana XanthomonasWilt (BXW) is an important emerging and non-curable infectious plant pathogen in sub-Saharan Africa that can cause up to 100% yield loss, negatively impacting sustainable access to food and income to more than 100 million banana farmers. This study disentangles adopters into partial and full adopters to investigate the factors that are relevant to sustain the adoption process of BXW control practices and quantifies the impact of adopting the practices. Data from a randomly selected sample of 1200 banana farmers in Uganda where the disease is endemic was used. A multinomial logit model was used to determine the factors a ecting adoption of control practices and augmented inverse probability weighting was employed to estimate the impacts of adoption on banana productivity and sales. Results show that training a woman farmer and having diverse sources of information about BXW control practices increased adoption of the control practices and reduced the disease incidences. Farmers who adopted all the recommended control practices achieved significantly the highest values of banana production and sales. We conclude that improving information access through farmers’ preferred communication channels, having women-inclusive trainings, and a combination of cultural practices are e ective ways for sustaining adoption of the control practices.
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    Strategies for rehabilitation of banana fields infested with Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacrearum
    (Journal of Crop Protection, 2014) Kubiriba, Jerome; Muthomi, James; Ndungo, Vigheri; Kwach, Johnson; Erima, Rockefeller; Rwomushana, Ivan; Tushemereirwe, Wilberforce; Opio, Fina
    Xanthomonas campestris pv.musacrearum causes Banana wilt disease (BXW disease) which occurs at different epidemic phases in East and Central Africa (ECA). In the endemic areas, there are many banana fields with over 80% BXW disease incidence. This study aimed at rehabilitating banana fields heavily infected with BXW disease in Uganda, Kenya and DR. Congo. Farmer managed trials were established in BXW disease hotspots in western Kenya and DR. Congo, while in Uganda, similar trials were established at community level i.e. clusters of at least 200 heavily infected banana fields. The control options evaluated included single stem removal, suspension of pruning in affected fields, male bud removal and disinfection of tools with fire or Sodium hypochlorite. Data was collected on the proportion of affected fields (BXW disease prevalence), BXW disease incidence and the number of banana bunches sold at 3-month intervals. BXW disease incidence was reduced by over 80% in 11 months in Kenya and DR. Congo, resulting in yield recovery by up to 70% within one year. In Uganda, the proportion of farmers that effectively controlled BXW disease increased 5% to 60% within a year in some hotspots. Consequently banana sales recovered up to 30% in some hotspots. This study demonstrates that it is possible to effectively control BXW disease within 12 months in previously severely infected fields in various areas of ECA.