Browsing by Author "Odoi, Juventine Boaz"

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    Local knowledge, identification and selection of shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) ethnovarieties for pre-breeding in Uganda
    (The Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences, 2020) Odoi, Juventine Boaz; Muchugi, Alice; Akias Okia, Clement; Gwali, Samson; Odong, Thomas L.
    Local knowledge is important in characterizing and selecting shea tree ethnovarieties since the local communities have lived with the species for quite so long. The communities have developed their classification methods based on specific phenotypic traits used to distinguish one ethnovariety from another. This has helped them select and conserve specific genotypes of their interest on farm. Variants of shea trees exist in different populations known by the local communities. This study aimed at identifying and selecting high oil yielding shea tree “ethnovarieties” in Katakwi; Otuke; Amuru; Moyo; Arua and Nakasongola districts of Uganda using local knowledge. The districts were selected because of their long historical association with shea trees which has become part of their socio-cultural and economic lifestyle, so they have broad local knowledge about shea tree variations within their areas. The study aimed at identifying and selecting superior individual shea tree ethnovarieties with high oil yield using local knowledge for seed collection to raise a half sib population. Data was collected in the months of November and December 2017 from 246 shea tree farmers through interviews, 8 focus group discussions conducted, and 6 Key informer interviews with opinion leaders, civic leaders and local leaders in the districts. List of fifteen shea butter tree ethnovarieties with their descriptive characteristics was generated per district. 53.4% of the people who were interviewed were women and 46.4% were men. Data analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20v) was run using multivariate analysis and multiple regression analysis to test for any differences in local knowledge of shea tree ethnovarietis. Differences in local knowledge in the research districts was moderately significant with P = 0.043, df = 4 and X2 =9.837.
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    Selectivity Of Forest Tree Species For Debarking By Elephants In Rabongo Forest- Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
    (Researchjournali’s Journal of Ecology, 2016) Odoi, Juventine Boaz; Babweteera, Fred; Gwali, Samson; Tweheyo, Mnason
    Selectivity of the different forest tree species for debarking by elephants in a forest ecosystem is an important phenomenon for understanding the interactions between the large herbivores and the woody community in the tropical forest ecosystem. Here we present a long term investigation on elephant preference to forest trees debarking in Rabongo Forest spanning 20 years since 1992 in seven (7) one hectare plots established in 1992 distributed over 46 hactare in Rabongo Forest which is an important habitat for most large herbivores in Murchison Falls National Park. Diospyros abyssinica; Holoptelea grandis; Trichilea prieuriana and Cynometra alexandri were the most debarked/preferred tree species and also the most abundant in the forest in Rabongo Forest although the number of the debarked trees ≥ 10cm dbh reduced by 4%. Synthesis. There should be close monitoring of the number of elephants that visit Rabongo Forest over the years to relate with the number of stems debarked over the years to guide on the need to maintain the right elephant carrying capacity for the forest. We also recommend for further investigation for what attributes make the above tree species be preferred by elephants in Rabongo Forest
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    SilicoDArT and SNP markers for genetic diversity and population structure analysis of Trema orientalis; a fodder species
    (Plos one, 2022) Ssali Nantongo, Judith; Odoi, Juventine Boaz; Agaba, Hillary; Gwali, Samson
    Establishing the genetic diversity and population structure of a species can guide the selection of appropriate conservation and sustainable utilization strategies. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches are increasingly being used to generate multi-locus data for genetic structure determination. This study presents the genetic structure of a fodder species -Trema orientalis based on two genome-wide high-throughput diversity array technology (DArT) markers; silicoDArT and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Genotyping of 119 individuals generated 40,650 silicoDArT and 4767 SNP markers. Both marker types had a high average scoring reproducibility (>99%). Genetic relationships explored by principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) showed that the first principal coordinate axis explained most of the variation in both the SilicoDArT (34.2%) and SNP (89.6%) marker data. The average polymorphic information content did not highly differ between silicoDArT (0.22) and SNPs (0.17) suggesting minimal differences in informativeness in the two groups of markers. The, mean observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosity were low and differed between the silicoDArT and SNPs respectively, estimated at Ho = 0.08 and He = 0.05 for silicoDArT and Ho = 0.23 and He = 0.19 for SNPs. The population of T. orientalis was moderately differentiated (FST = 0.20–0.53) and formed 2 distinct clusters based on maximum likelihood and principal coordinates analysis. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that clusters contributed more to the variation (46.3–60.8%) than individuals (32.9–31.2%). Overall, the results suggest a high relatedness of the individuals sampled and a threatened genetic potential of T. orientalis in the wild. Therefore, genetic management activities such as ex-situ germplasm management are required for the sustainability of the species. Ex-situ conservation efforts should involve core collection of individuals from different populations to capture efficient diversity. This study demonstrates the importance of silicoDArT and SNP makers in population structure and genetic diversity analysis of Trema orientalis, useful for future genome wide studies in the species.
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    Variability of phenolic and alkaloid content in different plant parts of Carissa edulis Vahl and Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl.
    (BMC research notes, 2018) Ssali Nantongo, Judith; Odoi, Juventine Boaz; Abigaba, Grace; Gwali, Samson
    The objective of the study was to investigate the relative abundance and effect of post-harvest treatment on total phenolics (TP) and total alkaloids in the leaves and bark of Carissa edulis and Zanthoxylum chalybeum, which would give an indication of the suitability of leaves as alternative sources of medicine in these plant species. Results: Results indicated higher levels of total phenolics than total alkaloids in both of the species under both freezing and air drying conditions. While more alkaloids were found in leaves compared to bark, there was no difference in abundance of phenols between the plant parts of both species. Air drying preserved more TPs than freezing and the opposite was true for alkaloids. For sustainability, leaves are recommended as an alternative source of medicine instead of the preferred root or stem bark. However, the choice of whether to dry or freeze will depend on the specific compound of interest. Assessment of spatial variability of medicinal properties is highly recommended.