Browsing by Author "Alfred Kumakech"

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Cassava Brown Streak Disease Prevalence in Smallholder Cassava Cropping Systems in Northern Uganda: The Case of Acholi Sub-region
(East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology, 2024-05-08) Alfred Kumakech; Allan Tekkara; Laban F. Turyagyenda
Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is a devastating disease of cassava in Uganda. Limited information exists on the incidence and severity of CBSD in Northern Uganda. The prevalence of CBSD in the eight (8) districts in the Acholi sub-region is also unknown. Therefore, the current study intended to: a) determine the prevalence and severity of CBSD in the Acholi sub-region, and b) identify the drivers of CBSD epidemics in smallholder cassava cropping systems in Acholi. An assessment of 120 cassava fields was conducted in the 2018b season. CBSD field incidence was highest in Nwoya District (51.3%) and lowest in Kitgum (6.4%), with severity ranging from 2.1 to 3.4 in the sub-region. CBSD prevalence was also highest in Nwoya (76.2%) and lowest in Kitgum and Pader Districts (30.8%). The use of CBSD-susceptible varieties (TME 14, TME 204, and NASE 12) was identified as the main driver of the epidemic. The result of the current study highlights the need for a wide-scale CBSD awareness creation and community-based cassava seed multiplication and distribution system in the Acholi sub-region to promote the up-take of CBSD-tolerant cassava varieties.
Effect of plant spacing on pigeonpea grain yield in Northern Uganda
(Brazilian Journal of Science, 2024-05-13) Alfred Kumakech; Tonny Opio; Frank Laban Turyagyenda
The aim of crop production is to achieve the highest possible yield per unit area. One way of increasing productivity per unit area is through plant spacing optimization. The effect of plant spacing (90 cm x 60 cm, 150 cm x 120 cm and 150 cm x 180 cm) on yield of three pigeonpea genotypes (KAT 60/8, ICEAP 00540 and ICEAP 00554) was investigated on-station in a small-plot field experiments in 2018. Significant differences were recorded in grain yield of all the three genotypes. The highest yield for all the three genotypes was recorded for row spacing of 90 cm and inter plant spacing of 60 cm, and the lowest for row spacing of 150 cm and inter plant spacing of 180 cm. Plant spacing effect on other yield parameters (number of pods per plant and 100 seed weight) were not significant. Similar effects were recorded for plant growth parameters (plant height and number of primary branches). Thus, it can be concluded that row spacing of 90 cm and interplant spacing of 60cm is appropriate for pigeonpea grain production in Uganda.
Reaction of Selected Citrus Cultivars to Pseudocercospora Leaf and Fruit Spot Disease Under Natural Infection in Northern Uganda
(Journal of Agricultural Science, 2024-03-15) Alfred Kumakech; Allan Tekkara Obonyom; Alexandrina Acipa; Laban Frank Turyagyenda
Citrus is an important crop among many resource constrained subsistence farmers living in rural areas of Uganda. Citrus production is affected mainly by drought, declining soil fertility, pests and diseases. Among diseases, citrus leaf and fruit spot disease caused by fungus Pseudocercospora angolensis is currently one of the major constraints to the production of citrus in Uganda where millions of people rely on the crop for nutritional security and household income. The disease can lead to 50-100% fruit yield loss depending on environmental conditions, disease management and weather conditions. In order to identify resistance to P. angolensis, a study was conducted to identify variability for citrus leaf and fruit spot resistance from adapted commercial cultivars as an initial step in developing integrated disease management strategy. Six cultivars were assessed. The screening was under natural infection conditions in disease hot spots in northern Uganda in 2014a and 2014b seasons. The results showed significance difference (p < 0.01) for Area Under Disease Progressive Curve (AUDPC) for number of leaves with P. angolesnis symptoms and number of lesions. Subsequently, the study identified Kuno as resistant and Tangelo as less susceptible to Pseudocercospora leaf and fruit spot infection, and they could be recommended for citrus leaf and fruit spot disease control.