Heterogeneity in Nutritional and Biochemical Composition of Cassava Varieties in Uganda

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has been prioritized by the New Partnership for African Development to spur development in Africa. However, the nutritional and biochemical composition of the cassava diversity has not been adequately assessed to inform the various user needs.  Comparative analysis of macro, micro nutrients and biochemical composition of sixteen varieties of cassava in Uganda was undertaken following standard analytical techniques. Results showed significant differences in macro nutrients (p ≤0.000)  except carbohydrate, starch and amylose contents. With the exception of Calcium and Iron, the varieties were significantly different (p ≤0.000) in micronutrient composition.  The Cyanide and dry matter content were also significantly different (p ≤0.000) among the varieties. Overall, Mukibi, Juguja, Bao, Nigeria,  ranked highest in dry matter, cyanide, macro and micronutrients content, respectively. Therefore varieties differ in nutritional and biochemical composition; information crucial in the development of new varieities and deployment of cassava diversity in various  value chains

Data from: Species composition and community structure of small pest rodents (Muridae) in cultivated and fallow fields in maize growing areas in Mayuge district, Eastern Uganda

1. Pest rodents remain key biotic constraints to cereal crops production in the East African region where they occur, especially in seasons of outbreaks. Despite that, Uganda has scant information on rodents as crop pests to guide effective management strategies. 2. A Capture-Mark-Recapture (CMR) technique was employed to establish the species composition and community structure of small rodents in a maize-based agro ecosystem. Trapping of small rodents was conducted in permanent fallow and cultivated fields, each category replicated twice making four grids. At each field, a 6060 m grid was measured and marked with permanent trapping points spaced at 1010 m, making a total of 49 trapping points/grids. Trapping was conducted monthly at 4 weeks interval for three consecutive days for two and half years using Sherman Live traps. 3. Eleven identified small rodent species and one insectivorous small mammal were recorded with Mastomys natalensis being the most dominant species (over 60.7%). Other species were Mus triton (16.1%), Aethomys hendei (6.7%), Lemniscomys zebra (5.2%), Lophuromys sikapusi (4.8%), Arvicanthis niloticus (0.9%), Gerbilliscus kempi (0.1%), Graphiurus murinus (0.1%), Steatomys parvus (0.1%), Dasymys incomtus (0.1%) and Grammomys dolichurus (0.1%). Spatially, species richness differed significantly (p = 0.0001) between the studied field habitats with significantly higher richness in fallow land compared to cultivated fields. 4. Temporally, total species richness and abundance showed a significant interaction effect over the months, years and fields of trapping with significantly (p = 0.001) higher abundances during months of wet seasons and in the first and third year of trapping. In terms of community structure, higher species diversity associated more with fallow field habitats but also with certain rare species found only in cultivated fields. 5. Synthesis and applications. Currently, management strategies can be designed to target the key pest species and the most vulnerable habitats

Population and breeding patterns of the pest rodent: Mastomys natalensis in a maize dominated agroecosystem in Lake Victoria crescent zone, Eastern Uganda

Multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis) are a key rodent pest species to cereal crop production in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at generating information on the population fluctuation and breeding patterns of M. natalensis in a maize dominated agro-ecosystem in the Mayuge district, Eastern Uganda. The area is characterised by a bimodal rainfall pattern with rains in the periods March to May and August to November. A Capture–Mark–Recapture study was established in cultivated and fallow field habitats with, in each habitat, two plots of 60 m by 60 m with 49 evenly spaced trapping points. Trapping was conducted monthly for three consecutive nights, and the study extended from January 2016 to June 2018. A Generalised Linear Mixed Model analysis showed significantly higher population density estimates (β = 0.69, p < 0.0001) in fallow land compared to cultivated fields, and also significantly higher density estimates( β = 0.75, p = 0.006) in the first wet season and lowest in the first dry season. The percentage breeding females differed significantly across months (χ2 = 27.05, df = 11, p = 0.003) and seasons (χ2 = 17.64, p = 0.0003). Breeding females occurred throughout all the months of trapping, but with significantly higher percentages in the months of March to July (i.e. first wet season extending tosecond dry season) and generally lowest in the first dry months (i.e. January and February in 2017, and February 2018). The results of this study have important consequences for the timing of control efforts, and recommends that control should be initiated during the dry seasons prior to wet seasons to counteract potential damaging population build up in later wet seasons when crop planting is expected. Keywords: habitat type, multimammate mouse, population abundance, seasons, sexual activit