Browsing by Author "Oloka, Herbert K."

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    Potential for soybean rust tolerance among elite soybean lines in Uganda
    (Crop protection, 2009) Oloka, Herbert K.; Tukamuhabwa, P.; Sengooba, T.; Adipala, E.; Kabayi, P.
    Soybean rust, (Phakopsora pachyrhizi), currently the most devastating disease of soybeans worldwide, is known to challenge single resistance genes deployed against it and therefore, disease tolerance is indisputably the most viable measure in controlling the pathogen. Studies were conducted at Namulonge in Central Uganda to assess the level of tolerance to soybean rust among selected elite soybean lines. Seven elite lines together with three local checks were tested in a split-plot design where some plots were protected with fungicide to estimate the level of tolerance to soybean rust. The experimentwas conducted for three cropping seasons beginning second rains of 2005. A rust tolerance index (RTI) was computed for each test line as the ratio of yield from unprotected plots to yield from protected plots. The study showed that high levels of tolerance to soybean rust were present in the test lines. The soybean lines that showed high levels of tolerance included MNG 10.3 and MNG 3.26 all showing RTIs higher than 0.93. These lines also out-yielded the local checks by about 400 kg ha 1 and are recommended for multi-location testing.
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    Readiness for Environmental Release of Genetically Engineered (GE) Plants in Uganda
    (Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 2018) Zawedde, Barbara Mugwanya; Kwehangana, Musa; Oloka, Herbert K.
    Research and development of genetically engineered (GE) crops in Uganda was initiated in 2003 with the launch of a national agricultural biotechnology center at Kawanda in central Uganda. The country has now approved 17 field experiments for GE plants, which were first established in 2006 with the planting of a banana confined field trial that evaluated performance of plants modified to express resistance to black sigatoka disease. Researchers leading the GE experiments have indicated that some of these GE plants are ready for environmental release that is moving beyond confined field testing toward commercialization. The government of Uganda, over the past two decades, has supported processes to put in place an effective national biosafety framework including establishment of a supportive policy environment; creation of a clear institutional framework for handling applications and issuance of permits; building critical capacity for risk analysis; and providing options for public engagement during decision-making. Uganda is ready to make a biosafety decision regarding environmental release of GE plants based on the level of capacity built, progress with priority GE crop research in the country, and the advancement in biosafety systems. Enactment of a national biosafety law that provides for a coordinated framework for implementation by the relevant regulatory agencies will strengthen the system further. In addition, product developers need to submit applications for biosafety approval for environmental release of GE crops so that mechanisms are tested and improved through practice.