Farmers’ selection cues in cowpea for vegetable use in eastern Uganda

A participatory cowpea varietal selection was carried out in Eastern Uganda in Kumi district among farmers (n=30) in the sub-Counties of: Ongino, Kumi and Kanyum. A range of opinions were collected to identify farmers’ selection criteria based on different sensory attributes and their most preferred genotypes for vegetable use. A preference analysis was carried out to obtain quantitative preference scores of each plot. This was followed by organoleptic tests which included attributes like taste, aroma and texture of the genotypes at the vegetative and immature R4 stages. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were also held to find consensus of the independent evaluations made by individual farmers. Data for sixteen (16) cowpea genotypes were collected at the different above mentioned stages. Quantitative data were analyzed based on farmers’ scores made on the different evaluated attributes and ANOVA was used to provide mean differences between location, gender and genotype at a significant level of 5%. Preference score for each of the varieties tested was determined and presented. Data from FGDs were grouped, similarities and differences were later determined depending on their level of importance to the farmers. Significant differences (p<0.05) in farmer choices were observed for leaf taste, immature pod aroma, taste and texture; mature pod aroma, taste between farmer groups, age genotype and gender. Irrespective of age, gender, farmer group and genotype, farmers seemed to give more importance to the smooth texture, little hard leaves when chewing, sweet taste with a mild aroma (leaves) and a moderate aroma (pods). Majority (9%) of the farmers preferred Ebelat (landrace) at V4 stage; this was followed by Danila (8.7%). On the other hand, UCUCOW1 (13% at immature and 10.2% at mature cooked R4 stage) followed by Ebelat (9% and 9.8% for immature and mature R4 stage, respectively) were preferred by majority of the farmers. In terms of sensory attributes, farmers preferred genotypes with sweet taste, moderate aroma and tender texture. The information is a baseline for understanding key farmer selection criteria in utilization of cowpea as a vegetable which can be used in generating a demand-led variety design for the crop.&nbsp

Farmers’ selection cues in cowpea for vegetable use in eastern Uganda

This is a research article on participatory cowpea varietal selection was carried out in Eastern Uganda in Kumi district among farmersA participatory cowpea varietal selection was carried out in Eastern Uganda in the Kumi district among farmers (n=30) in the sub-Counties of Ongino, Kumi and Kanyum. An arange of opinions were collected to identify farmers’ selection criteria based on different sensory attributes and their most preferred genotypes for vegetable use. A Apreference analysis was carried out to obtain quantitative preference scores of each plot. This was followed by organoleptic tests which included attributes like taste, aroma and texture of the genotypes at the vegetative and immature R4 stages. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were also held to find a consensus of the independent evaluations made by individual farmers. Data for sixteen (16) cowpea genotypes were collected at the different above-mentioned stages. Quantitative data were analyzed based on farmers’ scores made on the different evaluated attributes and ANOVA was used to provide mean differences between location, gender and genotype at a significant level of 5%. The preference score for each of the varieties tested was determined and presented. Data from FGDs were grouped, similarities and differences were later determined depending on their level of importance to the farmers. Significant differences (p<0.05) in farmer choices were observed for leaf taste, immature pod aroma, taste and texture; mature pod aroma, taste between farmer groups, age genotype and gender. Irrespective of age, gender, farmer group and genotype, farmers seemed to give more importance to the smooth texture, little hard leaves when chewing, sweet taste with a mild aroma (leaves) and a moderate aroma (pods). Majority (9%) of the farmers preferred Ebelat (landrace) at V4 stage; this was followed by Danila (8.7%). On the other hand, UCUCOW1 (13% at immature and 10.2% at mature cooked R4 stage) followed by Ebelat (9% and 9.8% for immature and mature R4 stage, respectively) were preferred by the majority of the farmers. In terms of sensory attributes, farmers preferred genotypes with a sweet taste, moderate aroma and tender texture. The information is a baseline for understanding key farmer selection criteria in the utilization of cowpea as a vegetable which can be used in generating a demand-led variety design for the crop

Prevalence of viruses infecting cowpea in Uganda and their molecular detection

The main areas for cowpea cultivation in Uganda were surveyed in June and October 2006 for viruses affecting the crop. Seed and leaf samples from symptomatic and asymptomatic plants were collected from farmers’ fields and analysed for infecting viruses using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA). The viruses detected in the leaf and seed samples were: cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV), cowpea mild mottle calarvirus (CPMMV), cowpea mottle carmovirus (CPMoV), Cowpea chlorotic mottle bromovirus (CCMV), Cowpea yellow mosaic comovirus (CYMV), cowpea severe mosaic comovirus (CPSMV), cowpea aphid-borne mosaic potyvirus (CABMV) and Southern bean mosaic sobemovirus (SBMV). CPMV was detected only in leaf samples. CMV and CABMV were later confirmed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Of the viruses detected in leaf samples, 53.26% occurred as single infections, 24.46% dual and 22.28% multiple infections. Similarly, analysis of seed samples revealed infection of 40.6, 34.6 and 24.8% for single, dual and multiple infections, respectively. Multiple virus infections were associated with more disease severity and higher yield losses. The seed transmission levels of 23.0, 20.3 and 16.4% were recorded for CMV, CPMMV and CABMV, respectively. This study identified six more viruses in addition to what was previously reported in the country, of which eight were seed-borne. This necessitates the need for the production and use of virus-free seeds, development of virus resistant genotypes and adoption of efficient seed certification systems.Keywords: Vigna unguiculata, disease incidence, seed-borne viruses, ELISA, (RT-PCR

ADAPTATION OF INTRODUCED MUNGBEAN GENOTYPES IN UGANDA

Mungbean ( Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) is an important source of nutrients and income for smallholder farmers in East Africa. Mungbean production in countries like Uganda largely depends on landraces, in the absence of improved varieties. In order to enhance productivity, efforts have been underway to develop and evaluate mungbean varieties that meet farmers\u2019 needs in various parts of the country. This study was conducted at six locations in Uganda, to determine the adaptability of introduced mungbean genotypes, and identify mungbean production mega-environments in Uganda. Eleven genotypes (Filsan, Sunshine, Blackgram, Mauritius1, VC6148 (50-12), VC6173 (B-10),Yellowmungo, KPS1, VC6137(B-14),VC6372(45-60),VC6153(B-20P) and one local check were evaluated in six locations during 2013 and 2014. The locations were; National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI), Abi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (AbiZARDI),Kaberamaido variety trial center, Kumi variety trial center, Nabuin Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NabuinZARDI), and Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NgettaZARDI). G 7 E interactions were significant for grain yield. Through GGEBiplot analysis, three introduced genotypes (Filsan, Blackgram and Sunshine) were found to be stable and high yielding, and therefore, were recommended for release. The six test multi-locations were grouped into two candidate mega-environments for mungbean production (one comprising of AbiZARDI and Kaberamaido and the other comprising of NaSARRI, NabuinZARDI, Kumi, and NgettaZARDI). National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) was the most suitable environment in terms of both discriminative ability and representativeness and therefore can be used for selection of widely adaptable genotypes.La f\ue8ve ( Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) est une importante source de nutriments et de revenu pour les paysans en Afrique de l\u2019Est. La production de la f\ue8ve dans des pays comme Ouganda d\ue9pend largement des vari\ue9t\ue9s locales, \ue0 d\ue9faut des vari\ue9t\ue9s am\ue9lior\ue9es. Dans le but d\u2019accroitre la productivit\ue9, des efforts ont \ue9t\ue9 fournis pour d\ue9velopper et \ue9valuer les vari\ue9t\ue9s de f\ue8ves pouvant satisfaire les besoins des producteurs dans diff\ue9rents coins du pays. La pr\ue9sente \ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 conduite dans six emplacements en Ouganda, en vue de d\ue9terminer l\u2019adaptabilit\ue9 de vari\ue9t\ue9s introduites de f\ue8ves et identifier les zones majeures de production de f\ue8ves. Onze vari\ue9t\ue9s introduites (Filsan, Sunshine, Blackgram, Mauritius1, VC6148 (50-12), VC6173 (B-10),Yellowmungo, KPS1, VC6137(B-14),VC6372(45-60),VC6153(B-20P) et une vari\ue9t\ue9 locale utilis\ue9e ici comme t\ue9moin, ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9valu\ue9es dans six emplacements au cours des ann\ue9es 2013 et 2014. Les emplacements \ue9taient\ua0: l\u2019Institut Nationale de Recherche sur les Ressources Semi-Aride (NaSARRI), l\u2019Institut Zonale de Recherche Agricole et D\ue9veloppement de Abi (AbiZARDI), le centre d\u2019exp\ue9rimentation des vari\ue9t\ue9s de Kaberamaido, le centre d\u2019exp\ue9rimentation des vari\ue9t\ue9s de Kumi, l\u2019Institut Zonale de Recherche Agricole et D\ue9veloppement de Nabuin (NabuinZARDI) et l\u2019Institut Zonale de Recherche Agricole et D\ue9veloppement de Ngetta (NgettaZARDI). L\u2019interaction g\ue9notypes et environement G 7 E \ue9tait significatif pour le rendement en grain. Une analyse se servant de biplot, a r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 trois stables vari\ue9t\ue9es introduites (Filsan, Blackgram and Sunshine), ayant des rendements \ue9lev\ue9s. Ces trois vari\ue9t\ue9es sont donc recommend\ue9es pour \ueatre lanc\ue9es. Les six emplacements utilizes dans cette \ue9tude peuvent \ueatre group\ue9s en deux grandes zones proprices \ue0 la production de la f\ue8ve (la premi\ue8re zone est constitu\ue9e de AbiZARDI et Kaberamaido, tandis que la seconde est faite de NaSARRI, NabuinZARDI, Kumi et NgettaZARDI). NaSARRI s\u2019est r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 l\u2019emplacement le plus propice, en ce sens que cet emplacement \ue9tait le plus discriminant et le plus repr\ue9sentatif, et de ce fait peut \ueatre utilis\ue9 pour s\ue9lectionner des vari\ue9t\ue9es \ue0 large adaptation

PARTICIPATORY SELECTION OF MUNGBEAN GENOTYPES IN UGANDA

Production and utilisation of mungbean ( Vigna radiata ) in Uganda is constrained by unavailability of improved and farmer-preferred varieties. The objective of this study was to document and assess farmers\u2019 preference for mungbean using eleven introduced genotypes. We captured twenty five traits during farmer interviews out of which six traits were identified (through group discussions) as the most often used by farmers when selecting the best mungbean genotypes. The traits were; yield, overall performance, seed size, seed colour, marketability and early maturity. Nine out of eleven introduced genotypes were selected during on-farm trials using the six traits. The selected genotypes were; Filsan, Mauritius, Sunshine, VC6137B14, VC61485012, VC6153B20, KPS1, VC6173B10 and VC63724560. The selected genotypes were early maturing (60-70 days), with large green or greenish yellow seeds. However, two late maturing (80-90 days) and small seeded genotypes; Blackgram and Yellowgram were rejected by farmers despite yielding higher (1459 and 1035 kg ha-1, respectively) than other genotypes. This study showed that farmers use a combination of traits when choosing a mungbean genotype for adoption and these should be considered in mungbean improvement. Chi square tests of independence showed that there were no significant differences in genotype choices based on gender (\u3c72 = 2.5419, P-value = 0.97). However, there were significant genotype preference differences between eastern and northern regions (\u3c72 = 22.34, P&lt; 0.01). It is possible to develop new genotypes that are acceptable to both men and women since they have no specific trait preferences.La production d\u2019haricot mungo ( Vigna radiata ) en Uganda est faible \ue0 cause du manque de vari\ue9t\ue9s am\ue9lior\ue9es. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9valuer les pr\ue9f\ue9rences des producteurs sur les g\ue9notypes introduits du haricot mungo. Vingt cinq traits \ue9taient utilis\ue9s pendant les interviews; toutefois, l\u2019\ue9valuation de l\u2019importance de ces traits n\u2019\ue9tait pas efficace puisqu\u2019il y avait une faible discrimination parmi les personnes interrog\ue9es. De plus, l\u2019implication des producteurs dans les groupes de discussion a g\ue9n\ue9r\ue9 six traits (le rendement, la performance g\ue9n\ue9rale, la taille de la graine, la couleur de la graine, le potentiel commercial et la pr\ue9cocit\ue9 de la maturit\ue9) qu\u2019ils ont souvent utilis\ue9s dans l\u2019\ue9valuation des g\ue9notypes du haricot mungo. Durant les essais dans les champs, les producteurs ont pr\ue9f\ue9r\ue9 neuf des genotypes introduits; \ue0 savoir, Filsan, Mauritius, Sunshine, VC6137B14, VC61485012, VC6153B20, KPS1, VC6173B10 et VC63724560. Les g\ue9notypes s\ue9lectionn\ue9s \ue9taient de maturit\ue9 pr\ue9coce (60 - 70 jours); avec de grosses vertes ou verd\ue2tre graines. N\ue9anmoins, deux g\ue9notypes (gramnoir et gramjaune) \ue9taient rejet\ue9s par les producteurs malgr\ue9 leur haut rendement (1459 et 1035 kgha-1; respectivement) compar\ue9s aux autres g\ue9notypes. Gramnoir et gramjaune \ue9taient de maturit\ue9 tardive (80-90 jours); de plus petites graines noires et jaunes respectivement. Cette \ue9tude a montr\ue9 que, bien que le rendement soit un trait important, il ne constitute pas le seul crit\ue8re que les producteurs utilisent quand ils sont entrain de s\ue9lectionner les g\ue9notypes pour adoption. Les tests d\u2019ind\ue9pendance de Chi-carr\ue9 n\u2019ont r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 aucune diff\ue9rence significative dans le choix des g\ue9notypes bas\ue9 sur le genre (\uf72 =2,5419, P-value=0,97). N\ue9anmoins, il y avait eu de differences significatives entre les r\ue9gions de l\u2019Est et du Nord du pays sur les pr\ue9f\ue9rences des g\ue9notypes (\u3c72= 22,34, P&lt;0,01). Il est possible de d\ue9velopper de nouveaux g\ue9notypes qui sont acceptables chez les hommes et les femmes car ils n\'ont pas de pr\ue9f\ue9rences de traits sp\ue9cifiques

Genetic Variability and Evolutionary Implications of RNA Silencing Suppressor Genes in RNA1 of Sweet Potato Chlorotic Stunt Virus Isolates Infecting Sweetpotato and Related Wild Species

Peer reviewe

Evaluation of appendicitis risk prediction models in adults with suspected appendicitis

Background Appendicitis is the most common general surgical emergency worldwide, but its diagnosis remains challenging. The aim of this study was to determine whether existing risk prediction models can reliably identify patients presenting to hospital in the UK with acute right iliac fossa (RIF) pain who are at low risk of appendicitis. Methods A systematic search was completed to identify all existing appendicitis risk prediction models. Models were validated using UK data from an international prospective cohort study that captured consecutive patients aged 16–45 years presenting to hospital with acute RIF in March to June 2017. The main outcome was best achievable model specificity (proportion of patients who did not have appendicitis correctly classified as low risk) whilst maintaining a failure rate below 5 per cent (proportion of patients identified as low risk who actually had appendicitis). Results Some 5345 patients across 154 UK hospitals were identified, of which two‐thirds (3613 of 5345, 67·6 per cent) were women. Women were more than twice as likely to undergo surgery with removal of a histologically normal appendix (272 of 964, 28·2 per cent) than men (120 of 993, 12·1 per cent) (relative risk 2·33, 95 per cent c.i. 1·92 to 2·84; P < 0·001). Of 15 validated risk prediction models, the Adult Appendicitis Score performed best (cut‐off score 8 or less, specificity 63·1 per cent, failure rate 3·7 per cent). The Appendicitis Inflammatory Response Score performed best for men (cut‐off score 2 or less, specificity 24·7 per cent, failure rate 2·4 per cent). Conclusion Women in the UK had a disproportionate risk of admission without surgical intervention and had high rates of normal appendicectomy. Risk prediction models to support shared decision‐making by identifying adults in the UK at low risk of appendicitis were identified