Detection of latent infection by Ralstonia solanacearum in potato (Solanum tuberosum) using stems instead of tubers

The potential of using stems for the detection of latent infection caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs) was studied. Forty plants each were collected from four farms with bacterial wilt incidence below 4% intwo growing seasons (season A and season B of 2005). The tubers of all the selected plants including 10 cm of the all lower stems were collected. Samples were taken to the laboratory for indexing againstR. solanacearu (Rs) using ELISA techniques. The Rs status of each of the composite samples of all the tubers and of stems was determined and then correlation coefficients computed. There was a notabledifference in the percentage number of samples per farm with particular categories of R. solanacearum status. When stems were compared to tubers for detection of Rs, an average r – value of 0.4 wasobtained when r-values for the four different farms were averaged. The lowest r-value recorded was 0.2 while the highest was 0.5. When individual farms were considered it was only in one farm out of the fourthat r was not significant (p = 0.2). Overall the r-value was significant (p < 0.05). These results indicate that there is scope for adoption of stems as an alternative sample to tubers for indexing against R.solanacearum in potato tuber seed certification schemes more so in screening for presence of R. solanacearum in seed potato fields. However, although significant, the low r-value calls for moreinvestigations to be done prior to final recommendation on use of stems from potato fields

Variation for Agro-Morphological Traits among Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes

The objectives of this study were to evaluate genetic variation among kabuli chickpea genotypes and to determine the relationships among agronomic traits with seed yield. Field experiments were conducted during the long and short rain seasons of 2013 using alpha lattice design in triplicate. Data on agro-morphological traits were recorded using descriptors for chickpea and analysed using SAS 2013 and Genstat 2014. There were highly significant (p < 0.001) variations among genotypes and genotype by environment interactions for all studied traits. The top five high yielding genotypes were ICCV 05315, ICC 13461, ICCV 07313, ICC 13764 and ICCV 00302. Genotypes ranking for most agronomic traits varied across environments which indicated a crossover type of genotype by environment interactions. Evaluated genotypes were polymorphic for six qualitative traits. Seed yield ha-1 was positively and significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with biomass yield ha-1, pods plant-1, plant canopy width and secondary branches plant-1. These characters could be used for indirect selection of high yielding genotypes. The first principal component explained 57% of the total variation and was associated with days to 50% flowering and podding, plant canopy width, plant height, number of primary and secondary branches plant-1, days to 75% maturity, number of pods plant-1 and biomass yield ha-1 as positive contributors. The documented information on genetic variation and association of agronomic traits with seed yield can be exploited to devise suitable breeding strategies and chickpea germplasm conservation

Prosocial Spending and Well-Being: Cross-Cultural Evidence for a Psychological Universal

This research provides the first support for a possible psychological universal: human beings around the world derive emotional benefits from using their financial resources to help others (prosocial spending). Analyzing survey data from 136 countries, we show that prosocial spending is consistently associated with greater happiness. To test for causality, we conduct experiments within two very different countries (Canada and Uganda) and show that spending money on others has a consistent, causal impact on happiness. In contrast to traditional economic thought—which places self-interest as the guiding principle of human motivation—our findings suggest that the reward experienced from helping others may be deeply ingrained in human nature, emerging in diverse cultural and economic contexts.

Assessment of Interrelationship among Agronomic and Yield Characters of Chickpea

This study was conducted to analyze the association among agronomic traits and with seed yield for fifty eight chickpea genotypes including two check varieties under field conditions. Alpha lattice design with three replications was used. Data agro-morphological traits were recorded using descriptors for chickpea and analysed using Genstat 2015. The results showed there was positive and significant correlation of seed yield with biomass, pod filling period, pod plant -1, number of primary and secondary branches plant -1. These traits could be improved simultaneously and given prior emphasis for indirect selection of high yielding chickpea genotypes. Principal component analysis indicated that the existence of genetic variation among the evaluated genotypes. The first four principal components explained significant proportion of the total variations and accounted for 77.04 %. The first principal component was positively associated with days to flowering, plant spread, plant height, number of primary and secondary branches plant -1, days to maturity, pods plant -1, pod length, biomass and seed yield. The second principal component was positively related with plant spread, pod length, plant height, pod filling period, pod plant -1, seed yield and 100 seed weight. These could be a good indication for significance of both agronomic and yield traits attributed substantially to the overall variations among genotypes. The presence of substantial genetic variations, positive and highly significant correlated characters can be exploited in breeding programmes for improvement of chickpea in the regio

Lablab purpureus—A Crop Lost for Africa?

In recent years, so-called ‘lost crops’ have been appraised in a number of reviews, among them Lablab purpureus in the context of African vegetable species. This crop cannot truly be considered ‘lost’ because worldwide more than 150 common names are applied to it. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this paper aims to put forward four theses, (i) Lablab is one of the most diverse domesticated legume species and has multiple uses. Although its largest agro-morphological diversity occurs in South Asia, its origin appears to be Africa. (ii) Crop improvement in South Asia is based on limited genetic diversity. (iii) The restricted research and development performed in Africa focuses either on improving forage or soil properties mostly through one popular cultivar, Rongai, while the available diversity of lablab in Africa might be under threat of genetic erosion. (iv) Lablab is better adapted to drought than common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) or cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), both of which have been preferred to lablab in African agricultural production systems. Lablab might offer comparable opportunities for African agriculture in the view of global change. Its wide potential for adaptation throughout eastern and southern Africa is shown with a GIS (geographic information systems) approach

The terrain of urbanisation process and policy frameworks: A critical analysis of the Kampala experience

Kampala is urbanising in an unplanned manner, but without a clear picture of the underlying dynamics. The city is characterised by lack of proper zoning of economic activities and construction of physical infrastructure without regard to subsequent spatial quality and environmental conservation. Consequently, there are sharp differences in residential standards where expensive housing and luxury flats co-exist with shanty towns and informal settlements, with about 60% of the city’s population living in unplanned informal settlements and often faced with challenges of unemployment. The unprecedented increase in the urban population in Kampala and the prospects for further increases in the near future have economic and social implications concerning employment, housing, education and health, among others. Understanding the nature of the dynamics of the growth or decline of cities like Kampala helps planners to support the processes that lead to harmonious urban development and to deal with the negative consequences of urban growth. This paper reflects the urbanisation dynamics explaining Kampala’s urbanisation process with the view to analysing the implications for an alternative urban policy framework. It argues that the conditions that have allowed the situation to exist have serious policy implications which require the need for an integrated policy framework that can be used to effectively prevent or halt Kampala’s unplanned urbanisation while promoting planned urbanisation. Induced by the migration and lack of information, understanding urban dynamics is crucial to the development of urban policies that can effectively ensure that further urban changes occur in a systematic and satisfactory manner. The current urban process in developing countries like Uganda is associated with poverty, environmental degradation and population demands that outstrip service capacity