Browsing by Author "Mulumba, John Wasswa"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Distribution of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. (Fabaceae) in Uganda and its relationship to climatic factors
    (Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2011) Mulumba, John Wasswa; Lwasa, James; Atieno, Frederick
    The aim of the study was to map the distribution of Acacia senegal and its infraspecific taxa in Uganda and predict its suitable range of occurrence based on climatic factors. The distribution of the infraspecific taxa was analysed for richness, diversity, turnover and reserve selection. Regression analysis was performed to understand the relationship between distribution of the species and climatic variables. Georeferenced species occurrence points were superimposed over temperature and vapour maps. Areas with highest taxa richness, diversity and turnover were mapped and found in the Lake Kyoga basin. The species shows preference for the northern region of the study area with dissimilar climatic pattern from the southern region and the superimposition supported findings. Variety kerensis exhibited narrower climatic, altitudinal and distribution range preference. Temperature seasonality, maximum temperature of warmest month, temperature annual range, mean temperatures of warmest and driest quarters had the highest coefficients of determination (r2 > 0.7) hence most important in influencing species distribution. The most appropriate locations for in situ conservation and for germplasm collection to ensure maximum diversity is secured are found in Wabisi-Wajala, Kiula, Kyalubanga, Bajo, Kasagala, Kabwika-mujwalanganda, Maruzi, Moroto and Napak Central Forest Reserves. The study recommends ecological studies to understand status of A. senegal.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Genetic and genomic resources for finger millet improvement: opportunities for advancing climate-smart agriculture
    (Taylor & Francis, 2020) Wambi, Wilber; Atieno, Gloria; Tumwesigye, Wycliffe; Mulumba, John Wasswa
    Finger millet (FM; Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) is becoming increasingly vulnerable to various climate-induced stresses, because of which the genetic and genomic resources will be important for improving the crop in the 21st century. Currently, sizable-untapped genetic resources exists that offer promise for FM improvement to biotic and abiotic stresses. Also, earlier reports elaborate on the potential FM genomic resources, such as molecular markers, genetic maps, and DNA sequence, but the data are scanty to support the efficient and accelerated delivery of the climate-smart FM varieties. This is partly attributable to the delayed availability of complete genome sequence (CGS) of FM. Following the latest developments in FM genomic research, based on the CGS, a diversity of genomic resources have been reported. The review, therefore, provided a detailed analysis on the FM genetic and genomic resources- aided interventions that could contribute to the three pillars of Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) for addressing FM production challenges under changing climate. Exceptionally, it presented enriched information on additional useful sources of variation within FM genetic resources that have been screened for improving FM tolerance to various climate-induced stresses. Also, it presents the novel opportunities for CSA that could come as a result of the recent availability of CGS data for revolutionizing the development of cutting-edge-molecular breeding tools. Specifically, emphasis was placed on genome-wide-based technologies, such as genomic selection (GS), gene pyramiding, and gene expression with the second-generation genomic biotechnologies, such as TILLING and EcoTILLING that are wanting and have received little attention.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Heterogeneity in Nutritional and Biochemical Composition of Cassava Varieties in Uganda
    (Journal of Agriculture and Sustainability, 2022) Matovu, Moses; Nankya, Rose; Lwandasa, Hannington; Isabirye, Brian E.; Santis, Paola De; Jarvis, Devra I.; Mulumba, John Wasswa
    Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has been prioritized by the New Partnership for African Development to spur development in Africa. However, the nutritional and biochemical composition of the cassava diversity has not been adequately assessed to inform the various user needs. Comparative analysis of macro, micro nutrients and biochemical composition of sixteen varieties of cassava in Uganda was undertaken following standard analytical techniques. Results showed significant differences in macro nutrients (p ≤0.000) except carbohydrate, starch and amylose contents. With the exception of Calcium and Iron, the varieties were significantly different (p ≤0.000) in micronutrient composition. The Cyanide and dry matter content were also significantly different (p ≤0.000) among the varieties. Overall, Mukibi, Juguja, Bao, Nigeria, ranked highest in dry matter, cyanide, macro and micronutrients content, respectively. Therefore varieties differ in nutritional and biochemical composition; information crucial in the development of new varieities and deployment of cassava diversity in various value chains.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Infraspecific Delimitation of Acacia senegal (Fabaceae) in Uganda
    (Scientific Research, 2011) Kakudidi, Esezah; Mulumba, John Wasswa
    The wide variation in Acacia senegal has presented taxonomic uncertainties and unresolved contradictions in previous studies. In this study numerical taxonomic principles and multivariate analysis (UPGMA PCoA and PCA) were used basing on 69 characters derived from growth form, branchlets, leaves, flowers, pods and seed. Three taxa, namely; variety senegal, leiorhachis and kerensis have been discerned and described significantly improving the delimitations of previous studies. The wide variation within var. senegal has been split into three recognizable variants and that of var. leiorhachis into two. The most important characters for differentiating the taxa include leaf breadth and length, pinna length and its ratio to pinna breadth, number of leaflet pairs, petiolar gland shape, petiolar and rachis gland size, stem and branch bark texture, stem and branchlet colour, under-bark colour for stem and branches, pod apical shape, growth form, crown shape, and prickly state of leaves. An identification key has been constructed which, for the first time, can be used to assign herbarium specimens to their respective taxa.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Realizing Farmers‟ Rights through Community Seed Banks in Uganda: Experiences and Policy Issues
    (Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2017) Atieno Otieno, Gloria; Kiwuka, Catherine; Mulumba, John Wasswa
    The paper interrogates the role of community seed banks (CSBs) and related initiatives in the realization of farmers‟ rights in Uganda and the policy and legislative space for the functioning of CSBs. The study finds that although community seed banks are a relatively new phenomenon in Uganda, there have been community based seed banking initiatives that have been instrumental in the realization of farmers‟ rights to save and exchange seed and information; and especially providing a wide range of diversity of seed to farmers and improving access to good quality seed. Through partnerships with local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), research and government institutions, CSBs have received technical and financial support for conservation and seed production activities, thus enabling them to participate in seed value-chains through production of quality declared seed (QDS) and participate in decision making. Although the policy and legal environment for the functioning of CSBs is not well defined, various pieces of draft legislation provide positively for ways through which CSBs can be recognized and supported for the benefit of farmers. The study recommends that CSBs activities should be rolled-out to other parts of the country through a government financing mechanism that is suggested in the draft national policy on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. The development of a policy and legal environment that includes an act that has provisions for the recognition of CSBs and the protection of farmers‟ rights is important. Secondary information, interviews with key informants and Focus Group discussions (FGDs) are the primary sources of data used.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Report of the International Workshop on Registration of Farmers’ Varieties
    (Bioversity International, Rome, Oxfam Novib, The Hague, National Agricultural Research Organisation, 2019) Recha, Tobias; Muwanika, Chris; Bram de Jonge; Mulumba, John Wasswa; Nankya, Rose; Otieno, Gloria
    The registration of farmers’ varieties in national and regional seed catalogues – as objects of seed regulation -- has been the subject of considerable debate in recent years, at local, national and international levels. Farmers have contributed immensely to the development, management and conservation of a wide range of crop varieties, but national seed regulations generally only focus on crop varieties that are the products of so-called ‘formal sector’ plant breeding. Article 9 of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) recognizes the contribution farmers have made to the conservation and development of plant genetic resources and stipulates that the responsibility of protection of farmers’ rights rests with national governments in accordance with their needs and priorities. In addressing these challenges, an international workshop on registration of farmers’ varieties was held at the Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel in Entebbe, Uganda, in order to advance the understanding of farmers’ varieties and the gains from establishing mechanisms for their registration at both the global and national level. During the workshop, the participants were able to share global experiences from countries where farmers’ varieties and evolutionary populations have been registered and have an active supportive legal system. After reflecting on experiences from a range of countries and regions around the world, the participants narrowed their collective focus to the situation in Uganda, and Ugandan seed policies and laws in particular. The current legal and policy framework in Uganda comprises the National Seed Policy (2018), the Seeds and Plant Act (2006), and the Seeds and Plant Regulations (2017). However, they only focus on the so-called formal seed system, which produces only 20% of the nation’s seed on an annual basis. This legal framework does not provide policy support for the production and distribution by small-scale farmers of quality seed of farmers’ varieties. However, the National Seed Policy (2018) recognizes that the informal seed system is strategic in conserving the biodiversity of landraces and meets 80 percent of the seed requirements in Uganda. It also allows the exchange of farm-saved seeds and recognizes quality-declared seeds (QDS). This is encouraging, but the existing legislation does not have provisions that support registration and commercialization of farmers’ varieties. This lack of a supportive policy environment denies farmers the right to produce and sell varieties they have helped to create and conserve for generations. Also, the draft policy on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA), which provides a legal framework for registration of farmers’ varieties, is yet to be approved by the Cabinet. Through participatory engagement of participants from national and international agricultural research institutions, academia, the private sector, farmers’ organizations, seed regulatory authorities, politicians and civil society organizations (CSOs), a roadmap for registration of farmers’ varieties in Uganda was developed to address the gaps in the current seed laws. One of the critical actions was to push for Cabinet approval of a draft PGRFA policy that has recently been developed through a process of consultation. In addition, the participants discussed other variety registration and seed-certification standards that may hinder or help small-scale seed producers and/or participatory plant breeding. From the sessions, it was observed that most participants had varied understanding of what farmers’ varieties are. This is due to a lack of a universally recognized taxonomic or legal definition of farmers’ varieties to refer to for clarity. However, the common characteristics of a farmers’ variety were identified as the following: having a historical origin, high genetic diversity, local adaptation, recognizable identity, no formal-sector genetic improvement, and association with traditional farming systems. These characteristics were found to be key in defining farmers’ varieties. Countries that have set up systems for registering farmers’ varieties have introduced relaxed standards. The workshop participants also considered the issue of ownership of farmers’ varieties, which in many (perhaps most?) countries is dealt with through separate intellectual property laws. Participants appeared to agree that farmers who have contributed to the development and conservation of farmers’ varieties should enjoy rights of control (which could be called property rights) over those varieties, either as groups or individuals. For the case of group ownership, the participants considered the possibility of legal entities in which rights could be collectively vested (e.g. cooperatives, associations, community-based organizations, etc.). It was further noted that a range of different organizations (nongovernmental organizations, local governments, companies) could usefully offer technical support to farmers as collaborators in the variety evaluation and registration process and, subsequently, in seed production activities. Therefore, there is a need for champions and commitment from stakeholders, as well as resources to address gaps in the registration of farmers’ varieties. It is also necessary to clearly justify the key benefits of registering farmers’ varieties and, most importantly, put in place a flexible and relaxed regulatory framework for such registration.