Nutritional quality, fruit shape and relationships among exotic and local Capsicum pepper genotypes in Uganda.

Twenty-one hot pepper genotypes comprising of local (15) and exotic (6) types (C. annuum, C. frutescens and C. chinense) were characterized for selected fruit traits after propagation in a glasshouse at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo in Central Uganda using a completely randomized design with three replicates. Ripe fruits were harvested and analyzed; traits evaluated were all significantly different at P<0.05 with variations in quality attributes. The genotype OHA-B305-10 had the highest ascorbic acid content (128.86 mg/100 g) and is recommended for improvement of both local and exotic genotypes targeting the fresh market. Genotypes CAP0408-12 and UG2 WE0511-22, with highest total soluble solids (16.17 ºBrix) and dry matter content (28.59%), respectively should be used in improvements for industrial use or processing to products such as chilli powder or flakes. BRS-M205-04 with highest titratable acidity (1.04%) can be used in enhancing shelf life of genotypes with low titratable acids as well as for the fresh market. In spite of the intraspecific relationships among genotypes, significant differences were observed in their quantitative traits. These genotypes will, therefore, be useful in improving the quality of hot pepper fruit in Ugand

Molecular characteristics of Tomato mosaic virus infecting tomato in Uganda

Viral diseases are part of the limiting factors to tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivation worldwide, reducing both the quality and quantity of yield. Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) is one of the damaging viruses of tomato. This paper describes molecular characteristics of the full length genome of ToMV isolated from tomato in Uganda (ToMV-Ug). The genomic, ribonucleic acid (RNA), of this isolate is 6383 nucleotides (nts) in length, encoding four open reading frames (ORFs). Based on the homology with other ToMV strains, the 5\u2019 proximal 130 kilo dalton (kDa) ORF and its read-through product (180 kDa) are expected to encode two proteins required for viral genome replication; while the 30 kDa middle ORF and the 17.5 kDa 3\u2019 proximal ORF are expected to encode the movement protein (MP) and coat protein (CP), respectively. The 5\u2019- and 3\u2019- untranslated regions (UTRs) are 71 and 201 nts, respectively. Comparison with previously published ToMV sequences showed that ToMV-Ug is 99% identical to ToMV strains from Africa (Egypt and Zimbabwe), as well as diverse locations such as China, Australia, Germany and Japan; suggesting high levels of sequence conservation within this virus. This is the first report detailing molecular analysis of a ToMV isolate from Uganda and the Eastern and Central Africa regions.Les maladies virales font partie des facteurs limitant la production mondiale de la tomate ( Solanum lycopersicum L.), r\ue9duisant \ue0 la fois la quantit\ue9 et la qualit\ue9 du rendement. Le virus de la mosa\uefque de la tomate (ToMV) est l\u2019un des virus endommageant la tomate. Ce papier d\ue9crit les caract\ue9ristiques mol\ue9culaires de la longueur du g\ue9nome de l\u2019isolat ToMV de la tomate en Ouganda (ToMV-Ug). L\u2019acide g\ue9nomique, ribonucl\ue9ique (ARN), de l\u2019isolat a une longueur de 6383 nucl\ue9otides (nts), codant quatre cadres de lecture ouverts (ORFs). Sur la base de l\u2019homologie avec les autres souches de ToMV, le proximal 5\u2019 de 130 kilo dalton (kDa) de l\u2019ORF et sa lecture \ue0 travers le produit (180 kDa) sont esp\ue9r\ue9s coder pour deux prot\ue9ines n\ue9cessaires \ue0 la r\ue9plication du g\ue9nome viral\ua0; alors que les 30 kDa du ORF moyen et les 17,5 kDa du proximal 3\u2019 du ORF sont esp\ue9r\ue9s coder pour le mouvement de la prot\ue9ine (MP) et la prot\ue9ine de l\u2019enveloppe (CP), respectivement. Les r\ue9gions non traduites du 5\u2019 et 3\u2019 (UTRs) sont de 71 et 201 nts, respectivement. La comparaison avec les s\ue9quences (ToMV) pr\ue9c\ue9demment publi\ue9es a montr\ue9 que ToMV-Ug est \ue0 99% identique aux souches ToM de l\u2019Afrique (Egypte et Zimbabw\ue9), ainsi que diverses localit\ue9s telles que la Chine, l\u2019Australie, la Germanie et le Japon\ua0; sugg\ue9rant de hauts niveaux de s\ue9quence de conservation dans ce virus. Ceci est le premier rapport d\ue9taillant l\u2019analyse mol\ue9culaire d\u2019un isolat ToMV d\u2019Ouganda et les r\ue9gions Est et Centre de l\u2019Afrique

Molecular characterization of African swine fever virus in apparently healthy domestic pigs in Uganda

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly lethal and economically significant disease of domestic pigs in Uganda where outbreaks regularly occur. There is neither a vaccine nor treatment available for ASF control. Twenty two African swine fever virus (ASFV) genotypes (I - XXII) have been identified based on partial sequencing of the C-terminus of the major capsid protein p72 encoded by the B646L gene. The majority of previously characterized Ugandan ASFV strains belong to genotype IX. The major aim of the current study was to determine the ASFV genotypes among asymptomatic slaughter pigs at Wambizi slaughterhouse and in some parts of the country where surveillance was done. Three discrete regions of the ASFV were analysed in the genomes of viruses detected in asymptomatic domestic pigs. The analysis was conducted by genotyping based on sequence data from three single copy ASFV genes. The E183L gene encoding the structural protein P54 and part of the gene encoding the p72 protein were used to delineate genotypes, before intra-genotypic resolution of viral relationships by analysis of tetramer amino acid repeats within the hypervariable central variable region (CVR) of the B602L gene. All the ASF viruses obtained from this study clustered with previous viruses in genotype IX based on analysis of the p72 and P54 genes. Analysis of the CVR gene grouped the viruses in three different subgroups; 13, 23 and 25. Only one genotype is circulating in Uganda among asymptomatic domestic pigs and it is the same virus causing outbreaks in the country and parts of neighbouring Kenya.Keywords: African swine fever virus, asymptomatic, slaughterhouse, P54, p72, CVR gene, genotypesAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(25)2491-249

Immunodiagnostic potential of a 27 kDa protein of Fusarium xylarioides, the cause of coffee wilt disease in Robusta coffee in Uganda

Several Fusarium species infect Robusta coffee; these Fusarium xylarioides Steyaert (Gibberella xylarioides Heim and Saccas) are the most virulent and responsible for the destructive Robusta coffee wilt disease in Uganda. To date, F. xylarioides has not been isolated directly from soil, though the pathogen can persist in soil for a short time. In this study, a promising diagnostic target which can be developed into a serological test for F. xylarioides in coffee plants and soil has been identified and validated for identification. Water-soluble extracts of mycelia from six Fusaruim species were resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The different protein profiles from the other five Fusarium species were compared and contrasted with that of F. xylarioides. Protein bands that appeared peculiar to F. xylarioides were cut and injected into rabbits to produce polyclonal antibodies. Dot blot and Western blot analyses showed one immunodominant antigen (27 kDa) common to all F. xylarioides isolates analyzed. No cross-reactivity of anti-27 kDa antibodies were observed in the entire test Fusarium species. The results suggest that polyclonal antibodies raised against the endoantigens from F. xylarioides of 27 kDa, is a promising tool for the rapid, sensitive, and accurate detection of pathogen in soil and plant parts.Keywords: Gibberella xylarioides, coffee wilt disease, antigen, antibodies, Uganda.African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(29) 2922-292

Social marketing of pre-packaged treatment for men with urethral discharge (Clear Seven) in Uganda.

We implemented social marketing of pre-packaged treatment for men with urethral discharge (Clear Seven) in Uganda, and studied its feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness as a possible means to treat STDs and thereby prevent HIV. Clear Seven was distributed at private health care outlets in three rural districts and two divisions of the capital. Comparisons were made with a pre-intervention period in the same sites plus one additional rural district. There were almost universally positive attitudes to Clear Seven. Cure rate (84% versus 47%), treatment compliance (93% versus 87%), and condom use during treatment (36% versus 18%) were significantly higher among Clear Seven users (n=422) than controls (n=405). Partner referral was similar but fewer Clear Seven partners were symptomatic when seeking treatment. Distribution of socially marketed pre-packaged treatment for male urethritis should be expanded in sub-Saharan Africa. Consideration should be given to developing similar kits for women

Species Composition and Occurrence of Thrips on Tomato and Pepper as Influenced by Farmers’ Management Practices in Uganda

A biological monitoring survey was carried out in central Uganda for two consecutive seasons to provide information on species composition and occurrence of thrips on tomato and pepper as influenced by farmers’ management practices. A total of 50 farms for each crop participated in the study. Data was collected on cropping system, crop variety, type of pesticide used, pesticide spray regime, and on thrips populations. Results indicated that a total of six thrips species: Frankliniella occidentalis, Thrips tabaci, F. schultzei, Scirtothrips dorsalis, Ceratothrips ericae and Megalurothrips sjostedti infest tomato in the region. Pepper had the same thrips profile with the exception of F. schultzei. There was a distinct seasonal effect on thrips occurrence in the case of tomato. Higher thrips populations (61%) were recorded in the first season of the study as compared to the second. The majority of the thrips were recorded in the flowering stage of crop development for both crops, and 100% in the case of pepper. Generally, for both crops, plants in intercropped arrangements had higher thrips counts than the monocropped ones. Different tomato/pepper varieties sustained variable thrips populations. All the farmers applied pesticides to manage the complex of pests on the crops, albeit to variable extents. In this region, thrips populations were reduced when an increase in the number of pesticide applications in a given week was used

Characterisation and evaluation of the efficiency of petroleum degrading bacteria isolated from soils around the oil exploration areas in western Uganda

Contamination with petroleum and its products is an environmental threat in oil producing countries. Microbes have been used to clean up petroleum contaminated environments, which has been demonstrated to be an appropriate and more practical alternative compared to the mechanical and chemical techniques. In this study, crude oil degrading indigenous bacteria were isolated from soils around the oil exploration sites in Western Uganda and their efficiency of oil biodegradation and presence of the catabolic gene xylE in the isolates to relate with their biodegradation efficiency were determined. The organisms with oil degrading activity were screened by isolating them from crude oil supplemented mineral salts medium (MSM). The isolates were tentatively identified phenotypically and confirmed genotypically by 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequencing. Hydrocarbon degradation in the culture fluids was analyzed by a gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GC/MS); and amplification of catabolic gene xylE by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done in order to relate with the degradation activity. Forty four indigenous oil degrading bacteria were isolated and categorized into eight groups based on their morphological and biochemical properties; and were identified as belonging to the genera; Corynebacterium, Pseudomonas, Moraxella, Bacillus, Enterobacteriaceae, Nocardia, Serratia and Rhodococcus. Eight isolates that exhibited a relatively higher biodegradation activity in the first five days of incubation were selected for a detailed analysis. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, the eight selected isolates were identical to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia sp., Delftia tsuruhatensis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter sp., Curtobacterium sp. and Paenibacillus agaridevorans. The selected isolates; Ngara-T1, Kig5-1, Kig5-T2, Kig3-T3, Kig3-T4, Kas2-T7, Kas2-T5  and Gat-3 degraded the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) up to:  91.9, 79.9, 89.2, 73.1, 94.2, 83.2, 77.0 and 67.2%, respectively, by the end of 21 days of incubation as compared to 29.7% degradation in the control experiment (without bacteria). The catabolic gene xylE was detected in two of the selected isolates, Ngara T-1 and Kig5-T2. It could be concluded that the oil degrading bacteria identified in this study showed diverse and varying capacities to degrade the crude oil; with some degrading up to 90% and can be exploited for cleaning up hydrocarbon contaminated sites in western Uganda.Keywords: Bacteria, bioremediation, degradation, oil, hydrocarbons, UgandaAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(48) 4458-447

Fruit traits associated with resistance to fruit pests of hot pepper.

Thirty-seven local and fourteen exotic hot pepper (Capsicum spp.) genotypes were screened under natural field conditions for resistance to two quarantine fruit pests; the fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) and the false coddling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) at Makerere University Research Institute Kabanyolo for two seasons. The genotypes were grown in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Data on pest occurrence and damage; and fruit traits (fruit weight, length, width, flesh penetrability, and fruit wall thickness) were subjected to analysis of variance. The 51 genotypes showed variation in pest infestation and fruit traits.bitstream/item/224983/1/Ribeiro-et-al-2021-pepper.pd

Haematological, biochemical and clinical changes in domestic pigs experimentally infected with african swine fever virus Isolates from Uganda

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious often fatal viral disease of pigs caused by asfivirus. The disease causes marked leucopaenia, depletion of lymphocytes in the lymphoid tissues, changes in biochemical parameters, haemorrhages and necrosis in multiple organs of the infected pigs. We studied the pathogenic effect of three different Ugandan ASF virus (ASFV) isolates on twelve infected and six uninfected pigs. Each pig in the infected group was inoculated per os with 2 mls of ASFV culture solution containing 1X 108 H.A.D.U/ml of the viral culture solution while the control group were given 2 mls of uninfected porcine alveolar macrophages culture per-os. Clinical parameters were monitored daily and blood samples collected for leucocytes count and biochemical tests. In the present study, the incubation period of the disease ranged from 7 - 15 days and in average the clinical disease lasted for 5 days. On the eighth day post infection, all test pigs had significant leucopaenia (p = 0.000) and number of lymphocytes reduced significantly (p =0.001,). Band neutrophils progressively increased in number as the disease progressed, however when the changes in mean band neutrophils in the three groups were compared it was not statistically significant (p= 0.52). There were no significant variations in the mean basophils and eosinophil counts in all experimental groups during study period (p = 0.30 and p = 0.32 respectively). Nevertheless, mean monocytes counts significantly increased in infected pigs (p = 0.01), while in uninfected group there was no significant variation in the mean monocytes counts. The majority of the pigs, 83.3% (n = 10) in the test groups had elevated levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). The Level of Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT) at 8 days post infection was elevated in all infected pigs in the three groups. In 66.7% (n = 8) infected pigs, Albumin (ALB) levels were elevated in the serum samples above the normal range of 18 – 33 g/l. The levels of other biochemicals in the serum samples such as Creatine kinase (CK), Creatinine (CREA), and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALKP) remained within the normal range (50- 3531 μ/L, 44 -186μmol/L, 92 - 294 μ/L, respectively). We concluded that ASF causes significant deviation in leucocytes counts, increased levels of GGT, ALT and ALB and clinical parameters in pigs infected with Ugandan isolates of ASF virus.Key words: African swine fever (ASF), Domestic pigs Haematological, biochemical and clinical parameter

Haematological, biochemical and clinical changes in domestic pigs experimentally infected with african swine fever virus Isolates from Uganda

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious often fatal viral disease of pigs caused by asfivirus. The disease causes marked leucopaenia, depletion of lymphocytes in the lymphoid tissues, changes in biochemical parameters, haemorrhages and necrosis in multiple organs of the infected pigs. We studied the pathogenic effect of three different Ugandan ASF virus (ASFV) isolates on twelve infected and six uninfected pigs. Each pig in the infected group was inoculated per os with 2 mls of ASFV culture solution containing 1X 108 H.A.D.U/ml of the viral culture solution while the control group were given 2 mls of uninfected porcine alveolar macrophages culture per-os. Clinical parameters were monitored daily and blood samples collected for leucocytes count and biochemical tests. In the present study, the incubation period of the disease ranged from 7 - 15 days and in average the clinical disease lasted for 5 days. On the eighth day post infection, all test pigs had significant leucopaenia (p = 0.000) and number of lymphocytes reduced significantly (p =0.001,). Band neutrophils progressively increased in number as the disease progressed, however when the changes in mean band neutrophils in the three groups were compared it was not statistically significant (p= 0.52). There were no significant variations in the mean basophils and eosinophil counts in all experimental groups during study period (p = 0.30 and p = 0.32 respectively). Nevertheless, mean monocytes counts significantly increased in infected pigs (p = 0.01), while in uninfected group there was no significant variation in the mean monocytes counts. The majority of the pigs, 83.3% (n = 10) in the test groups had elevated levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). The Level of Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT) at 8 days post infection was elevated in all infected pigs in the three groups. In 66.7% (n = 8) infected pigs, Albumin (ALB) levels were elevated in the serum samples above the normal range of 18 – 33 g/l. The levels of other biochemicals in the serum samples such as Creatine kinase (CK), Creatinine (CREA), and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALKP) remained within the normal range (50- 3531 μ/L, 44 -186μmol/L, 92 - 294 μ/L, respectively). We concluded that ASF causes significant deviation in leucocytes counts, increased levels of GGT, ALT and ALB and clinical parameters in pigs infected with Ugandan isolates of ASF virus.Key words: African swine fever (ASF), Domestic pigs Haematological, biochemical and clinical parameter