Browsing by Author "Okello, Samuel"

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    Diatomaceous Earth Usage in The Agriculture Sector in Uganda And Its Characterization: Current Status and Anticipated Developments
    (Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology, 2019) Isabirye, Robert Alex; Waiswa, Charles; Kabi, Fred; Nanyeenya, William N.; Biryomumaisho, Savino; Acai-Okwee, James; Okello, Samuel; Omonuk Akello, Beatrice; Mwesigwa, Moses; Lumu, Richard; Nasinyama, George William
    The study was conducted in the districts of Nebbi, Wakiso and Gomba in Uganda to characterize Diatomaceous Earth (DE) from the 3 major deposits in Uganda; explore status of exploitation and usage in agriculture, and anticipate associated effects. DE aka diatomite originated from fossilized remains of diatom shells. In agriculture, it’s used in controlling livestock internal and external parasites; post-harvest crop insect pests; and aflatoxins in stored feeds. DE has silica, Ca, Na, Mg, Fe, and other trace minerals making it valuable. Unlike synthetic drugs, DE is safer to consumers. Data collection employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Most respondents (94.6%) didn’t know of any agricultural DE usage, and the remaining (5.4%) knew it as a remedy against post-harvest weevils in stored grains. Residents in the mining area used DE in painting houses; craved by pregnant women; and relieving diarrhea in humans. Characterization revealed that Ugandan DE deposits were premium for various purposes. No commercial DE exploitation had started however when it’s due, the government would guide regulatory framework. Additionally, the socio-economic transformation was anticipated through employment creation; and foreign exchange. Since DE’s availability in Uganda is confirmed, more research and programs to promote its exploitation are needed.
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    Efficacy of Diatomaceous Earth on Ascaridia galli, Blood Parameters: And on Ectoparasites In Chicken
    (Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology, 2019) Isabirye, Robert Alex; Waiswa, Charles; Kabi, Fred; Nanyeenya, William N.; Biryomumaisho, Savino; Acai-Okwee, James; Okello, Samuel; Omonuk Akello, Beatrice; Mwesigwa, Moses; Lumu, Richard; Nasinyama, George William
    The efficacy of diatomaceous earth (DE) in the treatment of chicken against Ascaridia galli and ectoparasites; and its effect on blood parameters in chicken was investigated. Four hundred hens were divided into 5 treatment groups, A, B, C, D and E (n = 80 per group). Groups C, D and E were orally infected with 250 embryonated A. galli eggs while groups A and B were not. Meanwhile, groups A and C fed diets with 2% DE and group D was fed with piperazine; and groups B and E was neither fed with DE nor piperazine. Fecal samples and blood samples were analyzed at week 16 to 22 and; 16 and 36, respectively for fecal egg counts (FEC) and blood parameters (erythrocyte count, hemoglobin content and hematocrit value), respectively. In another experiment, to assess efficacy of DE in treating poultry ectoparasites (fleas, mites and lice) DE was topically applied. Results from biweekly fecal analyses showed significant differences in FEC (P<0.05); and treatment by group (P<0.05) implying that DE had a significant effect in treating A. galli. No significant effects on hematological values were noted (P>0.05). Findings from ectoparasite trials indicated that at certain time points DE eliminated all targeted parasites (efficacy =100%). This study concludes that DE has the potential to control A. galli; and ectoparasites in chicken. Further studies should target effect of DE on internal parasite dynamics for longer periods in chicken. Additionally, to quicken the action of DE against ectoparasites, organic approaches should be studied.
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    Optimizing bio-physical conditions and pre-treatment options for breaking lignin barrier of maize stover feed using white rot fungi
    (Animal Nutrition, 2016) Atuhaire, Andrew M.; Kabi, Fred; Okello, Samuel; Mugerwa, Swidiq; Ebong, Cyprian
    The greatest limitation to utilization of maize stover by ruminants as a feed is the high concentration of lignin, which limits fibre digestibility.However, ruminants can effectively utilize maize stover if its nutritive value is improved using white rot fungal species. This study was designed to determine optimal biophysical conditions for mycelial growth and select the most ideal fungal species and pre-treatment options for improving nutritive value of maize stover. Four popular edible Pleurotus fungal species (viz. Pleurotus florida, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sajor caju and Pleurotus pulmonarius) were subjected to varying temperatures, pH levels, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration and illumination to establish the extent ofmycelial growth rate. Inclusion of H2O2was used to determine optimal levels for preservation and prevention of contamination from other indigenous microbiota. Effects of pre-treatment options on chemical composition and nutritive value of maize stover were also examined. Mycelial growth rate of Pleurotus species on potato dextrose agar (PDA) varied (P < 0.05) with temperature, pH level and H2O2 concentration following a quadratic trend. Optimal temperature, pH and H2O2 concentration for mycelial growth on PDA were 25 C, 5 and 0.01 mL/L, respectively. Under the different bio-physical conditions, P. sajor caju had the highest mycelia density and growth rate. Chemical composition of solid-state fermented maize stover differed (P < 0.05) among the Pleurotus species. Maize stover fermented with P. sajor caju had the highest crude protein (CP) of 86.6 g/kg DM, in-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of 731 g/ kg DM, in-vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) of 670.4 g/kg DM and metabolizable energy (ME) of 10.0 MJ/kg DM but with the lowest lignin (sa) of 50 g/kg DM. At 25 C, P. sajor caju had the highestmycelial growth rate on PDA and highest lignin (sa) breakdown in the maize stover substrate. It was, therefore, selected as the most ideal fungal species for improving nutritive value of maize stover. Pre-treatment of maize stover with Lactobacillus plantarum and molasses under anaerobic condition for 7 days before inoculation with P. sajor caju resulted into a substratewith the highest (P < 0.05) CP (96.6 g/kg DM), IVDMD (752.3 g/kg DM), IVOMD (687.2 g/kg DM) and ME (10.2 MJ/kg DM). However, neutral detergent fiber exclusive of residual ash (NDFom) and lignin (sa) fractions decreased (P < 0.05) as a result of subjecting maize stover to pre-treatment with L. plantarum and molasses prior to fermentation with P. sajor caju.
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    Prioritization of Agro-industrial By-products for Improved Productivity on Smallholder Dairy Farms in the Lake Victoria Crescent, Uganda
    (Frontiers in Science, 2014) Atuhaire, Andrew M.; Mugerwa, Swidiq; Okello, Samuel; Lapenga, Kenneth; Kabi, Fred; Lukwago, George
    Livestock feed fluctuations in quality and quantity is a major constraint to dairy cattle production in Uganda, particularly, in smallholder dairy cattle production. Studies on prioritizing agro-industrial by-products in dairy cattle feeding are central to formulation of sustainable feed management strategies. This study was thus conducted to investigate farmers’ knowledge of agro-industrial by-product management as dairy cattle feed to build logical ideology required in development of appropriate feed management strategies. Focus group discussion and individual interviews were conducted in Lake Victoria Crescent agro-ecological zone to capture information on farmers’ knowledge of the factors enhancing agro-industrial by-products utilization, temporal and spatial variability, and limitations to utilization in smallholder dairy farming system. Chi-square test at p<0.01, df = 3 showed a significant difference among farmers rankings of utilization and factors limiting utilization (p<0.01, df = 4) of agro-industrial by-products across all the study districts. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in spatial and temporal variability of agro-industrial by-products. The study provided basic information about farmers’ knowledge on importance of agro-industrial by-products that could aid the development of sustainable and socially acceptable dairy cattle feed management strategies.
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    Prioritization of Crop Residues for Improving Productivity on Smallholder Dairy Farming Households in the Lake Victoria Crescent, Uganda
    (Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 2014) Mwebaze Atuhaire, Andrew; Mugerwa, Swidiq; Okello, Samuel; Okello Lapenga, Kenneth; Kabi, Fred; Kabirizi, Jolly Mary
    Poor nutrition has been identified as a major constraint to productivity in smallholder dairy farming households in Uganda, particularly in Lake Victoria Crescent Agro-ecological Zone (LVZ). Clarification on nutritional potential of crop residues is central to formulation of sustainable dairy cattle nutrition strategies. Data were collected from 126 randomly selected respondents using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. Farmers’ responses on crop residues utilization, handling, limitations, spatial and temporal variability were collected. Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences on utilization of available crop residues (X2 = 50.4, df = 4, p = 0.0001) among farmer’s rankings. It was established that maize stovers were major crop residues utilized and inadequate knowledge to process crop residues was ranked as a major limitation. The study provided basic information on the importance of crop residues. Further research studies should focus on improving the nutritive value of maize stover.