Farmer preferred traits and genotype choices in Solanum aethiopicum L., Shum group
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine
Abstract
Solanum aethiopicum L. is a nutrient dense African indigenous vegetable. However, advancement of
its improved varieties that can increase productivity, household income, and food security has not been prioritized.
Further still, studies on some of the crops that have been worked have indicated that it is not a guarantee that the
improved varieties will be accepted by the end users and therefore there is need to identify and profile what
genotypes are of interest to farmers and their preferred traits through inclusive participatory evaluations.
Methodology: Farmer participatory evaluations were conducted to profile farmers’ traits of interest and preferred
genotypes. A total of 24 genotypes were established in three replications in 6 farms in 3 districts; Wakiso, Mukono,
and Luwero as these are the major producing districts of the vegetable in Uganda. A total of 177 sex-disaggregated
farmers were engaged in scoring the genotypes for pest, disease and drought tolerance, general appeal, leaf yield,
leaf texture, and seed yield for best 10 genotypes under each variable.
Results: Non-significant differences in trait (p > 0.05) and genotype preferences (p > 0.05) were obtained between
men and women. The most desired farmer traits were seed and leaf yield, followed by pest and disease resistance.
The overall preferred genotype in terms of disease and pest resistance, leaf yield, leaf texture, and seed yield were
E12 followed by E11.
Conclusion: Gender does not seem to influence farmer choices for the S. aethiopicum, Shum group, indicating an
opportunity for single variety prototype advancement by breeders and dissemination by seed companies.
Description
Keywords
African indigenous vegetables, Farmer trait preferences, Variety adoption
Citation
Nakyewa, B., Sseremba, G., Kabod, N. P., Rwothtimutung, M., Kyebalyenda, T., Waholi, K., ... & Kizito, E. B. (2021). Farmer preferred traits and genotype choices in Solanum aethiopicum L., Shum group. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine, 17(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-021-00455-y