Browsing by Author "Kabasa, John David"

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    Ameliorative effects of Ficus and Harrisonia diets on Small East African goat meat yield
    (Small Ruminant Research, 2017) Kalule Nampanzira, Dorothy; Kabasa, John David; Bakyusa Katongole, Constantine; Okello, Sam; Tabuti, John Robert Stephen
    The effect of supplements based on Ficus natalensis and Harrisonia abyssinica foliages on intake, growth and carcass yield of tethered goats was assessed on-farm using fourty growing intact male indigenous goats. Five diets were tested, which included the control (tethering on natural pastures), tethering supplemented with molasses (CM) and the three diets whereby tethering was supplemented with molasses as well as F. natalensis and H. abyssinica as follows: Harrisonia⁄ molasses (HM), Ficus⁄molasses (FM) and Ficus⁄Harrisonia⁄molasses (FHM). The supplements were formulated to supply crude protein (CP) and energy levels required for an average daily gain of about 50 g/day. Four farms in the same geographical location were used. Each farm had all the five diets with two goats per diet. The goats were tethered during the day (10:00–18:00 h) and the supplements offered overnight (after tethering). The dry matter (DM) intake from tethering ranged between 124 and 162 g/day, and was not affected (P > 0.05) the basal DM intake. However, the total DM and CP intakes were increased (P < 0.05) by supplementation with the browse foliages. The total DM and CP intakes were highest (P < 0.05) for FM (572 and 91 g/day, respectively) and FHM (638 and 102 g/day, respectively). Compared with the control, supplementation with browse foliages increased (P < 0.05) the average daily gain, hot carcass weight and dressing percentage by up to 37.2, 2.3 and 6%, respectively. Average daily gain was 17, 34, 45, 52 and 54 g/ day for control, CM, FM, HM and FHM, respectively. The hot carcass weight was 6.9, 8.2, 8.8, 9.1 and 9.2 kg for control, CM, FM, HM and FHM, respectively. In conclusion, Ficus natalensis and Harrisonia abyssinica foliages have the potential to be used as low cost protein supplements in low-input goat feeding systems. However, there is need to establish best presentation methods of the browse foliages to the goats.
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    Amending Soils with Hydrogels Increases the Biomass of Nine Tree Species under Non-water Stress Conditions
    (Clean–Soil, Air, Water, 2009) Orikiriza, Lawrence J. B.; Agaba, Hillary; Tweheyo, Mnason; Eilu, Gerald; Kabasa, John David; Huttermann, Aloys
    The classical aim of the application of super absorbent polyacrylate (SAPs) hydrogels is the prolonging of plant survival under water stress. Their effect on plant growth during non-water stress conditions is not known. This study examined the root and shoot biomass of seedlings of nine tree species; Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus citriodora, Pinus caribaea, Araucaria cunninghamii, Melia volkensii, Grevillea robusta, Azadirachta indica, Maesopsis eminii and Terminalia superba. The seedlings were potted in five soil types; sand, sandy loam, loam, silt loam and clay. These were amended at two hydrogel levels: 0.2 and 0.4% w/w and grown under controlled conditions in a green house. Root and shoot growth responses of the seedlings were determined by measuring the dry weight of the roots, stems, leaves and twigs. The addition of either 0.2 or 0.4% hydrogel to the five soil types resulted in a significant increase of the root dry weight (p a 0.001) in eight tree species compared to the controls after 8 wk of routine watering. Also, the dry weight of stems and leaves and twigs were significantly (p a 0.001) higher in the nine tree species potted in hydrogel amended soil types than in the hydrogel free controls. These results suggested that hydrogel amendment enhances the efficiency of water uptake and utilization of photosynthates of plants grown in soils which have water contents close to field capacity.
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    Characterization of the goat feeding system among rural small holder farmers in the semi-arid regions of Uganda
    (Springerplus, 2015) Kalule Nampanzira, Dorothy; Kabasa, John David; Nalule, Sara Agnes; Nakalembe, Immaculate; Tabuti, John Robert Stephen
    Goats (Capra hircus) are widely distributed in Africa and Asia, and are important to the subsistence and economic livelihoods of many people in these areas. The goat feeding system among rural small holder farmers in Buyende district (Uganda) was characterised by determining the goat rearing practices, feed resources fed on by goats and availability of browse species mentioned by small holder farmers. Data was gathered using ethnobotanical and ecological approaches. Results from the ethnobotanical survey revealed that farmers were rearing indigenous goat breeds that are managed by tethering in natural pastures during the rainy season but free ranging during the dry season (i.e. when no crops are susceptible of damage). Major challenges facing goat production in the study area were diseases, shortage of land and inadequate pastures. The reduction of grazing land due to crop farming, has led to tethering of animals which in turn leads to restricted feeding. Goats were known to feed on 48 plant species distributed in 18 families and 39 genera dominated by trees and shrubs. Browse species were known to stay longer in the dry season when the grass and herbaceous species were no longer available. The most frequently mentioned browse species were Ficus natalensis, Harrisonia abyssinica, Acalypha psilostachya, Artocarpus heterophyllus and Lantana camara while Panicum maximum and Impeata cylindrica were the most mentioned herbaceous species. 31 browse species were encountered in the ecological survey. These were dominated by Combretum molle, L. camara, A. zygia, M. indica, and Albizia coriaria. In conclusion, the rearing practices of goats in Buyende district are comprised of indigenous goats tethered in natural pastures especially browses which stay longer through the dry season. However, most of the preferred browses are rare according to the computed IVI (i.e. less than 30%).
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    Effects of Hydrogel Amendment to Different Soils on Plant Available Water and Survival of Trees under Drought Conditions
    (Clean–Soil, Air, Water, 2010) Agaba, Hillary; Baguma Orikiriza, Lawrence Justus; Osoto Esegu, John Francis; Obua, Joseph; Kabasa, John David; Huttermann, Aloys
    The effect of super absorbent polyacrylate (SAP) hydrogel amendment to different soil types on plant available water (PAW), evapotranspiration and survival of Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus citriodora, Pinus caribaea, Araucaria cunninghamii, Melia volkensii, Grevillea robusta, Azadirachta indica, Maesopsis eminii and Terminalia superba was investigated. The seedlings were potted in 3 kg size polythene bags filled with sand, loam, silt loam, sandy loam and clay soils, amended at 0 (control), 0.2 and 0.4% w/w hydrogel. The tree seedlings were allowed to grow normally with routine uniform watering in a glass house set up for a period of eight weeks, after which they were subjected to drought conditions by not watering any further. The 0.4% hydrogel amendment significantly (p a 0.05) increased the PAW by a factor of about three in sand, two fold in silt loam and one fold in sandy loam, loam and clay soils compared to the control. Similarly, the addition of either 0.2 or 0.4% hydrogel to the five soil types resulted in prolonged tree survival compared to the controls. Araucaria cunninghammi survived longest at 153 days, while Maesopsis eminii survived least (95 days) in sand amended at 0.4% after subjection to desiccation. Evapotranspiration was reduced in eight of the nine tree species grown in sandy loam, loam, silt loam and clay soils amended at 0.4% hydrogel. It is probable that soil amendment with SAP decreased the hydraulic soil conductivity that might reduce plant transpiration and soil evaporation.
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    Essential oil and composition of Tagetes minuta from Uganda.Larvicidal activity on Anopheles gambiae
    (Industrial Crops and Products, 2014) Mugumya Kyarimpa, Christine; Böhmdorfer, Stefan; Wasswa, John; Kiremire, Benard T.; Omolo Ndiege, Isaiah; Kabasa, John David
    As the search for alternatives to synthetic medicine goes on, several plants have been identified as possible natural insecticides, among which is Tagetes minuta. In this study essential oil from T. minuta was obtained by hydrodistillation. It was tested against the 3rd and 4th instar Anopheles gambiae to determine the larvicidal activity. Six different concentrations of this essential oil were studied and compared with thatof methyl parathion, a synthetic organophosphorus insecticide for 24 h. GC–MS results indicated the presence trans-ocimene 15.90%, I-verbenone 15% of limonene 8.02%, tegetone 3.56%, and 2-pinen-4-one7.84% as the major compounds in the essential oil. The LC50 was 2.9 mg/l while the LC90 was 3.29 mg/l after 2 h of exposure. After 6 h of exposure, the LC50 and LC90 were 2.31 mg/l and 2.68 mg/l, respectively,while after 12 h, it was 1.49 and 1.82 mg/l, respectively. After 24 h, the LC50 and LC90 were not determined because the mortality was 100%. Therefore effectiveness of essential oil from T. minuta is comparable to that of synthetic insecticides and can be studied further in lieu of becoming a possible alternative.
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    Gastrointestinal helminths of semi-domesticated helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) under different management systems in Arua district, Uganda
    (African Journal of Poultry Farming, 2016) Sente, Celsus; Kabasa, John David; Dranzoa, Christine; Gwabali, Damba Andrew; Tushabe, Josephine
    Multi-stage and purposive sampling designs were undertaken to identify the smallest unit for extraction of samples to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths of the guinea fowls in the free-range management system (FRMS) and semi-scavenging management system (SSMS) in Arua district. Gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) were extracted from 120 guinea fowls, 60 from each management system. All the 60(100%) guinea fowls from FRMS harboured helminths, whereas only 49(81.7%) from SSMS were infected. The number of helminths Hymenolepis carioca (X2=17, p<0.001), Heterakis gallinarum (X2= 7.60, p<0.01) and Subulura brumpti (X2=4.82, p<0.05) were significantly higher in FRMS than in the SSMS. The prevalence of all species was higher in the FRMS compared to SSMS except for Hartertia gallinarum (3.3%) which was the same in both systems. Ten helminth species, namely; Hymenolepis carioca, Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, Dispharynx spiralis, Raillietina tetragona, Subulura brumpti, Prosthogonimus spp., Hartertia gallinarum, Strongyloides avium and Raillietina echinobothrida were identified. The mean worm burden of Hymenolepis carioca (FRMS, 140±21.7; SSMS, 63.4±14.7), Ascaridia galli (FRMS, 7.3±3.5; SSMS, 0.03±0.0) and Subulura brumpti (FRMS, 12.7±2.8; SSMS, 4.3±2.1) were significantly higher in FRMS than SSMS. It is important to separate guinea fowls from other poultry as well as improve hygiene measures in both management systems in order to realise a healthy flock.
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    Natural gastro properties of ficus natalensis, Rhuss natalensis and Harrisonia abyssinica in native east african goats
    (Livestock Science, 2016) Kalule Nampanzira, Dorothy; Kabasa, John David; Bakyusa Katongole, Constantine; Okello, Sam; Tabuti, John Robert Stephen
    The natural gastro properties of Ficus natalensis, Rhuss natalensis and Harrisonia abyssinica was evaluated with the objectives of determining the rumen degradation properties. Results showed that H. abyssinica presented the highest DM disappearance from the nylon bags throughout the different incubation times followed by F. natalensis and R. natalensis showed the lowest. The DM readily available soluble fraction (a), insoluble but degradable fraction (b), degradation rate (c), potential degradability (PD) and effective degradability (ED) differed significantly (P<0.05) across the three browse species. The CP a, b, PD and ED fractions differed significantly (P<0.05) across the three browse species. The CP c fraction was similar across the browse species. The NDF a, b, PD, and ED fractions differed significantly (P<0.05) across the browse species. The NDF c fraction was not different across the browse species. In conclusion, Rhuss natalensis subsp. romantica has inferior rumen degradability properties, an indication of low nutritive value for goats 30 compared to Harrisonia abyssinica subsp. abyssinica and Ficus natalensis subsp. Natalensis.