Seed Management and Quality of Farmer Saved Seeds of Bambara groundnut from North Western, Northern and Eastern Uganda

   Bambara groundnut (BG) is a protein and energy-rich legume crop of African origin with the potential to contribute to food and nutrition security. There is limited information on seed man­agement and quality of farmer saved seed of BG in Uganda. This study was conducted to inves­tigate seed management practices and evaluate the quality of farmer saved seed from Uganda. Four hundred BG farmers were chosen using purposive sampling and information gathered on their seed management. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview the farm­ers. Seed colour and size determination, standard germination and electrical conductivity tests were done on seed samples collected from farmers. Results from survey revealed that farmers recycled seeds for more than 4 years (39.2%) and maintained mostly single landraces (52.5%). Seed was sun-dried on the ground (81%), stored in gunny bags (93.5%), and threshed mostly by hand (52.0%). Collected landraces had varied seed coat colours and significantly differed at p = 0.05 in their seed sizes, final germination percentage (FGP), electrical conductivity (EC), germination velocity index and seedling vigour index II (SVI-II). Local Bam landrace recorded highest SVI-II (485.3) and EC (0.52MSg-1) while TVSU 688 landrace recorded the highest FGP (96.0%) and lowest EC (0.06MSg-1)

Feasibilty of zein proteins, simple sequence repeats and phenotypic traits for background selection in quality protein maize breeding

Widespread adoption of quality protein maize (QPM), especially among tropical farming systems has been slow mainly due to the slow process of generating varieties with acceptable kernel quality and adaptability to different agroecological contexts. A molecular based foreground selection system for opaque 2 (o2), the cause of enhanced lysine content in maize exists. Background selection systems albeit, are poorly developed in spite of the mapping of putative loci associated with kernel modification and knowledge on causes of modification. The aim of this study was to develop background selection systems for o2 introgression into locally adapted genotypes. Experiments were conducted at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK), in Uganda on backcross progeny (BC1F1) and BC2F2), derived from a locally adapted line 136R and a QPM donor CML176. We tested the use of zein proteins known to influence modification as well as DNA markers and phenotypic descriptors as tools for background selection for recurrent parent genome and modifier loci in locally adapted maize genotypes. Simply inherited traits such as maize streak virus disease resistance were suitable for background selection. Other traits include plant and ear heights. The simple sequence repeats markers mapped to chromosomes 3, 5, 7, respectively and associated with quantitative trait loci (QTL) conditioning resistance in maize to grey leaf spot and anthesis to silking interval were suitable for assay of recurrent parent genome. The 27-kDa g zein protein levels was suitable for background selection for kernel modification. It should, however, be used along with other zeins such as the 22 kDa and 19 kDa zein proteins.L'adoption du ma\uefs de prot\ue9ne de qualit\ue9 (QPM), sp\ue9cialement parmi les syst\ue8mes culturaux tropicaux a \ue9t\ue9 lente principalement due au processus lent de g\ue9n\ue9ration de vari\ue9t\ue9s avec de grains acceptables de qualit\ue9 et d'adaptabilit\ue9 \ue0 diff\ue9rents contextes agro\ue9cologiques. Il existe une cause du contenu am\ue9lior\ue9 de la lysine dans le ma\uefs, un syst\ue8me bas\ue9 sur la s\ue9lection mol\ue9culaire opaque 2 (o2). Malgr\ue9 les syst\ue8mes de s\ue9lection de fond, ceux-ci sont pauvrement d\ue9velopp\ue9s en d\ue9pit du "mapping" du loci associ\ue9 avec la modification du grain et la connaissance sur les causes de modification. L'objet de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait de d\ue9velopper les syst\ue8mes de s\ue9lection de fond pour l'introgression o2 dans les g\ue9notypes localement adapt\ue9s. Des essais \ue9taient conduits sur la prog\ue9nie de "backcross" (BC1F1) et BC2F2), d\ue9riv\ue9s de lign\ue9es adapt\ue9es 136R et un QPM doneur CML176. Nous avons test\ue9 l'usage des prot\ue9ines z\ue9ines capables d'influencer de modifications des marqueurs d'ADN et descripteurs ph\ue9notypiques comme mat\ue9riel de s\ue9lection de fond pour parent de g\ue9nome recurrent et modifiant de loci dans les g\ue9notypes de ma\ubfs localement adapt\ue9s. Des traits simplement h\ue9rit\ue9s dont la r\ue9sistance \ue0 la maladie de virus de m\ue8che \ue9taient appropri\ue9s pour la s\ue9lection de fond. D'autres traits incluaient la hauteur de plants et la taille de l'\ue9pis. Les marqueurs SSR repr\ue9sent\ue9s sur les chromosomes 3,5,7, respectivement et associ\ue9s aux traits quantitatifs loci (QTL) conditionnant la r\ue9sistance dans le ma\ubfs \ue0 la maladie de t\ue2che grise de feuilles ansi que l'intervalle de l'anthesis jusqu'\ue0 la s\ue9cr\ue9tion du "silk" \ue9taient appropri\ue9s pour \ue9valuation du g\ue9nome parent recurrent. Les niveaux de prot\ue9ines z\ue9ines 27-kDa g \ue9taient appropri\ue9s pour la s\ue9lection de fond pour la modification de grains. Ceci pourra \ueatre utilis\ue9 \ue0 c\uf4t\ue9 d'autres z\ue9ines telles que les prot\ue9ines z\ue9ines 22 kDa et 19 kDa

Feasibilty of zein proteins, simple sequence repeats and phenotypic traits for background selection in quality protein maize breeding

Widespread adoption of quality protein maize (QPM), especially among tropical farming systems has been slow mainly due to the slow process of generating varieties with acceptable kernel quality and adaptability to different agroecological contexts. A molecular based foreground selection system for opaque 2 (o2), the cause of enhanced lysine content in maize exists. Background selection systems albeit, are poorly developed in spite of the mapping of putative loci associated with kernel modification and knowledge on causes of modification. The aim of this study was to develop background selection systems for o2 introgression into locally adapted genotypes. Experiments were conducted at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK), in Uganda on backcross progeny (BC1F1) and BC2F2), derived from a locally adapted line 136R and a QPM donor CML176. We tested the use of zein proteins known to influence modification as well as DNA markers and phenotypic descriptors as tools for background selection for recurrent parent genome and modifier loci in locally adapted maize genotypes. Simply inherited traits such as maize streak virus disease resistance were suitable for background selection. Other traits include plant and ear heights. The simple sequence repeats markers mapped to chromosomes 3, 5, 7, respectively and associated with quantitative trait loci (QTL) conditioning resistance in maize to grey leaf spot and anthesis to silking interval were suitable for assay of recurrent parent genome. The 27-kDa g zein protein levels was suitable for background selection for kernel modification. It should, however, be used along with other zeins such as the 22 kDa and 19 kDa zein proteins.L'adoption du maïs de proténe de qualité (QPM), spécialement parmi les systèmes culturaux tropicaux a été lente principalement due au processus lent de génération de variétés avec de grains acceptables de qualité et d'adaptabilité à différents contextes agroécologiques. Il existe une cause du contenu amélioré de la lysine dans le maïs, un système basé sur la sélection moléculaire opaque 2 (o2). Malgré les systèmes de sélection de fond, ceux-ci sont pauvrement développés en dépit du "mapping" du loci associé avec la modification du grain et la connaissance sur les causes de modification. L'objet de cette étude était de développer les systèmes de sélection de fond pour l'introgression o2 dans les génotypes localement adaptés. Des essais étaient conduits sur la progénie de "backcross" (BC1F1) et BC2F2), dérivés de lignées adaptées 136R et un QPM doneur CML176. Nous avons testé l'usage des protéines zéines capables d'influencer de modifications des marqueurs d'ADN et descripteurs phénotypiques comme matériel de sélection de fond pour parent de génome recurrent et modifiant de loci dans les génotypes de ma¿s localement adaptés. Des traits simplement hérités dont la résistance à la maladie de virus de mèche étaient appropriés pour la sélection de fond. D'autres traits incluaient la hauteur de plants et la taille de l'épis. Les marqueurs SSR représentés sur les chromosomes 3,5,7, respectivement et associés aux traits quantitatifs loci (QTL) conditionnant la résistance dans le ma¿s à la maladie de tâche grise de feuilles ansi que l'intervalle de l'anthesis jusqu'à la sécrétion du "silk" étaient appropriés pour évaluation du génome parent recurrent. Les niveaux de protéines zéines 27-kDa g étaient appropriés pour la sélection de fond pour la modification de grains. Ceci pourra être utilisé à côté d'autres zéines telles que les protéines zéines 22 kDa et 19 kDa

Effect of Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates and Seed Priming Treatments on Seed Quality of Bambara Groundnut

Bambara groundnut (BG) is one of the neglected and underutilized African legumes. Not many studies have examined the seed quality response of BG landraces grown by Ugandan farmers to seed quality enhancement treatments and application of phosphorus. This study was aimed at determining the effect of applying different rates of phosphorus on seed yield and seed quality of BG, and the effect of hydropriming and halopriming with potassium nitrate on its seed quality. Field experiment was set at Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Ngetta in Uganda using RCBD with a 3x4 factorial treatment structure (3 BG landraces and 4 phosphorus rates). A standard germination test was conducted on seeds harvested from this experiment. Landrace with the poorest germination was subjected to seed priming treatments, and a standard germination test done. Phosphorus application did not significantly affect seed yield (p>0.05) of landraces but significantly affected their germination capacity and seed vigour (p<0.05). The effect of seed priming treatments on germination capacity and vigour of AbiBam 001 landrace was not significant (p >0.05). Among the landraces evaluated, only AbiBam 001 landrace responded positively to phosphorus application with respect to seed yield and seed quality. Seed priming treatments did not improve germination capacity and vigour in AbiBam 001 landrace. Phosphorus use efficiency of Bambara groundnut landraces should be investigated to explain their responses to application of phosphorus

Perceptions of COVID-19 vaccine among different adult age group populations in Northern Uganda: a cross-sectional study

# Background At the time when COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020, its spread in the African continent was slow. However, confirmed cases of the virus have since risen steadily over the years in the African continent for many reasons. This study aimed to determine factors associated with perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines among adult age-group populations in northern Uganda. # Methods We conducted this study as part of a larger study to determine factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy/acceptance among 723 adult age-group populations selected by stratified and systematic sampling approaches from northern Uganda. We used a questionnaire with an internal validity of Cronbach's α= 0.772. A five-point Likert scale, with responses categorized as strongly agree "SA", agree "A", neutral "N", disagree "DA", and strongly disagree "SD", was used to assess participants' perceptions on COVID-19 vaccines. A multivariable regression analysis was conducted with P-value set at <0.05. # Results Overall, 723 participated in the study with a mean age of 31.4 years (standard deviation, SD, +10.1). The majority 54.5% (n=394) were males. There were no significant differences in perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines among age-group populations (adjusted odds ratio, aOR=0.99, 95% confidence interval, CI=0.98-1.01). Key finding include: (i) it was important to take a COVID-19 vaccine (aOR=1.02, 95% CI=1.00-1.04); (ii) vaccines have unlikely unforeseen side effects (aOR=0.98, 95% CI=0.97-0.99); (iii) vaccines were unlikely being promoted for commercial gains (aOR=0.98, 95% CI=0.97-0.99); and children could take COVID-19 vaccines (aOR=1.02, 95% CI=1.00-1.03). Stratified by age-groups, the 20–29-year-old perceived COVID-19 vaccines developed in Uganda as unlikely safe and effective (aOR=0.59, 95% CI=0.35-0.97), and COVID-19 vaccines have likely unforeseen side-effects (aOR=2.1, 95% CI=1.3-3.6). While the &geq;50-year-old group perceived that COVID-19 vaccines were unlikely being promoted for commercial gains (aOR=0.2, 95% CI=0.1-0.6). # Conclusions There were no substantial differences in perceptions on COVID-19 vaccines in adult age-group populations in northern Uganda. The determinants of COVID-19 vaccine perceptions were its importance against the virus; vaccines have unlikely unforeseen side-effects, and children could take it. Stratified by age-groups, some age-groups perceived COVID-19 vaccines developed in Uganda as unlikely safe and unlikely being promoted for commercial gains