Browsing by Author "Talwana, Herbert L."

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    Grain Yield and Heterosis of Maize Hybrids under Nematode Infested and Nematicide Treated Conditions
    (Journal of nematology, 2011) Kagoda, Frank; Derera, John; Tongoona, Pangirayi; Coyne, Daniel L.; Talwana, Herbert L.
    Plant-parasitic nematodes are present on maize but resistant genotypes have not been identified in Uganda. This study was aimed at determining the level of nematode resistance among F1 hybrids, and to estimate grain yield, heterosis and yield losses associated with maize hybrids under nematode infestation. The 30 F1 hybrids and two local checks were evaluated in a split plot design with nematode treatment (nematode infested versus nematicide treated) as the whole plot factor, and the hybrids as subplot factors arranged in an 8 x 4 alpha-lattice design. The experiment was conducted simultaneously at three sites. The hybrids were also evaluated in a split plot design under greenhouse conditions at IITA-Namulonge. Results revealed 24 P. zeae susceptible hybrids compared to only six P. zeae resistant hybrids. Grain yield across sites was higher by about 400 kg ha-1 under nematicide treatment than under nematode infestation. The nematode tolerant/resistant hybrids exhibited yields ranging from 5.0 to 8.4 t ha-1 compared to 5.0 t ha-1 obtained from the best check. Grain yield loss was up to 28% among susceptible hybrids, indicating substantial economic yield losses due to nematodes. Under field conditions, desired heterosis was recorded on 18 hybrids for P. zeae, and on three hybrids for Meloidogyne spp. Under nematode infestation, only 16 hybrids had higher relative yield compared to the mean of both checks, the best check and the trial mean, whereas it was 20 hybrids under nematicide treated plots. Overall, most outstanding hybrids under nematode infestation were CML395/MP709, CML312/5057, CML312/CML206, CML312/CML444, CML395/CML312 and CML312/CML395. Therefore, grain yield loss due to nematodes is existent but can be significantly reduced by growing nematode resistant hybrids.
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    Sweetpotato weevil (Cylas spp.) resistance in African sweetpotato germplasm
    (International Journal of Pest Management, 2012) Muyinza, Harriet; Talwana, Herbert L.; Mwanga, Robert O.M.; Stevenson, Philip C.
    Host-plant resistance could be a useful tool for managing the weevils Cylas puncticollis and C. brunneus, which are major insect pests of sweetpotato in Africa. There is currently little information on existing resistance mechanisms against Cylas spp. in African cultivars, except where lower levels of weevil damage were attributed to escape due to deep rooting and reduced soil cracking, limiting the exposure of roots to weevils. Here, we evaluate weevil resistance in 134 sweetpotato cultivars and landraces over two seasons in two agroecologically diverse locations. Several sweetpotato cultivars, including New Kawogo, expressed resistance to Cylas spp. The resistance characteristics have been demonstrated in previous laboratory experiments to be quantifiable and thus potentially useful in targeted plant-breeding against Cylas spp. We showed external root and stem base damage to be an accurate quantitative indicator of internal root damage, offering rapid and accurate evaluation of resistance in field trials for screening. Moreover, weevil resistance can be assessed earlier in plant development, so saving time in the selection of the progeny from breeding programmes.