Browsing by Author "Mpiira, S."

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    The Effect of the Prompt Removal of Inflorescence-Infected Plants and Early Debudding of Inflorescences on the Control of Xanthomonas Wilt of Banana
    (ISHS Acta Horticulturae, 2007) Blomme, G.; Turyagyenda, L.F.; Mukasa, H.; Ssekiwoko, F.; Mpiira, S.; Eden-Green, S.
    Xanthomonas wilt of banana, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum, is an important constraint to banana production in Uganda. Different strategies to control the disease were investigated in an attempt to identify those methods that could be used by small farmers in East Africa. The effect of removing pseudostems showing early and late symptoms of inflorescence infection on the spread of the disease in ‘Kayinja’ (syn. ‘Pisang Awak’, ABB genome) was studied. Suckers of ‘Kayinja’ did not become infected when pseudostems derived from the same mat were removed at an early stage of inflorescence infection. In addition, the results of experiments to determine the effectiveness of bagging and debudding inflorescences at different stages to prevent insect-borne infection are reported. This research was undertaken using ‘Kayinja’, mixed plantings of East African highland cultivars (AAA) and high-yielding exotic/improved cultivars in farmers’ fields. ‘Kayinja’ was the most susceptible cultivar to floral infection, followed by the East African highland cultivars. Exotic/improved cultivars had the lowest number of infections. Lower numbers of floral infections may be attributed to the persistence of male flowers and bracts. No flower infection was observed on plants that were debudded immediately after the formation of the last cluster and on those that were bagged until the formation of the last cluster and debudded right after. However, plants that were bagged until the formation of the last hand, but not debudded, or debudded after 2 weeks or more, showed high levels of inflorescence infection. This indicates that insect-vector transmission occurs only via the male parts of the inflorescence. Prompt removal of the whole pseudostems showing symptoms of early inflorescence infection and early debudding are simple, cheap, easily applicable and highly effective methods for controlling Xanthomonas wilt. Results of a cost-benefit analysis of control options are discussed.
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    Factors influencing households participation in the Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) programmes in Uganda
    (African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2013) Mpiira, S.; Kiiza, B.; Katungi, E.; Staver, C.; Tabuti, J. S.; Kyotalimye, M.; Muwumba, P.; Karamura, E.; Tushemereirwe, W. K.
    Uganda Cooperative Alliance established SACCO’s as a response to Governments call to provide affordable financial services to rural poor. Over the year’s membership and share capital grew. This study investigated factors influencing household’s participation in SACCO programmes. Participants were disaggregated into savers and none savers. Degree of participation was estimated, an ordered probit function was used to establish likelihood of participation. Member’s participation increased with growth in incomes, dependants in secondary schools. Earning salary, rent, salaried spouse were less likely to participate. Increase in distance from the household to SACCO reduced household’s participation due to increased transaction costs.
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    Farmers’ Preferred Trees Carbon Sequestration Capacity In Lake Victoria’s Rural Landscapes
    (African Journal of Rural Development (AFJRD), 2017) Mwanjalolo, J.G. Majaliwa; Muwanika, V.; Tabuti, J.R.S.; Luswata, C. Kizza; Nampiija, J.; Sebuliba, E.; Mpiira, S.; Nyamukuru, A.
    This study identified the carbon sequestration potential of the most valued trees species by farmers in Mayuge district, Uganda. Composite soil samples were collected 1.5 to 2 m away from the tree trunk for carbon content and bulk density at two different soil depths (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm). Soil samples were collected from eight trees of each species, 8-10 years old, on a lixic ferralsol within a radius of 5 km, occurring in different land-use types including land which had been under fallow for 8-10 years. Soil carbon stock did not significantly vary between the different trees and averaged 31.54 Mg ha-1 and 27.05 Mg ha-1 for 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm soil depth, respectively. The effect of land-use and depth on soil carbon stock varied with tree species (p<0.05). Implications of these findings to future studies in Agroforestry as well as to communities in the Lake Victoria rural landscapes are discussed in this paper.
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    Rehabilitation of Banana Farms Destroyed by Xanthomonas Wilt in Uganda
    (J. Appl. Biosci, 2008) Turyagyenda, L.F.; Blomme, G.; Ssekiwoko, F.; Karamura, E.; Mpiira, S.; Eden-Green, S.
    The measures that have been recommended for banana wilt management in Uganda include debudding, disinfection of garden tools and destruction of diseased plants. However, the adoption rate for these options has been low and the disease has reached epidemic levels. Destruction and removal of the infected plants followed by a fallow period or planting of a crop that is not a host of Xcm, and subsequent replanting with healthy banana suckers could restore banana plantations in areas affected by wilt. This study was carried out to determine the most effective method of destroying infected plants and an appropriate fallow period to ensure replanted suckers are not reinfected. Trials were carried out at three field sites with 68-76% of mats infected at the beginning of the experiment. Treatments evaluated were: (1) killing plants by injecting a herbicide (2,4-D) into the pseudo-stems; (2) plants manually cut down and their rhizomes dug out; (3) plants cut down at ground level and re-sprouting suckers continuously mechanically removed. The banana plant debris was piled on ridges between the plots. Replanting with healthy banana suckers started one month after clearing the diseased plants, using tissue culture plantlets of cultivar Pisang Awak and Mpologoma. A portion of the field was replanted each month up to eight months after the onset of the trials. An economic viability analysis of the different options of destroying infected plants was carried out. Banana suckers planted after a one-month fallow period had a 25% survival rate, while all suckers planted after seven and eight months of fallowing survived. Generally, more dead plants were recorded with cv. Mpologoma than cv. Pisang Awak. Incidence of re-infection was highest in the plots where re-sprouting suckers were being continuously removed and lowest in plots where plants had been completely uprooted. A fallow period of at least six months is required to restore health to farms after infection by Xanthomonas wilt. Complete uprooting of infected plants and removing plant debris onto ridges is the best option for managing Xanthomonas wilt. However, the economic viability analysis indicated that farmers preferred to use herbicide to kill the plants rather than uprooting which is more laborious and expensive. The use of herbicide is hence recommended followed by a 6 month fallow or crop rotation period.