Plants used to manage type II diabetes mellitus in selected districts of central Uganda.

Background: Chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus are increasing in incidence in sub-Saharan Africa. African traditional medicine is part and parcel of the health care system in Uganda. Majority of the indigenous population will have visited a traditional health care practioner or self-administered herbal medicines before seeking conventional health care. However, documentation of the various medicinal plants is still lacking, necessitating a well-organized information search for such knowledge through research. Such information can lay a firm and clear foundation for scientific investigation of the purported therapeutic benefits of the said plants. The objective of this study was to collect names of medicinal plants used to manage diabetes mellitus type II in selected districts of central Uganda.Methods: In this ethnobotanical survey, names, of plants used to manage diabetes mellitus type II as well as the methods of preparation, routes of administration and the plant parts used in the districts of Mukono, Kampala, Wakiso and Masaka in the central region of Uganda were documented using a researcher administered questionnaire. Participants were recruited using a snow ball approach in which one individual directed us to another. Informant consensus was determined for each of the plants mentioned.Results: A total of 18 names of medicinal plants were recorded of which Aloe vera var, Solanum indicum and Vernonia amygydalina were the most commonly mentioned plants and thus had the highest informant consensus. Leaves were the main parts that were used to prepare the herbal medicine while water as the solvent used in all the preparations. In all the cases, only the oral route was used for administration of the medicines.Conclusion: Documentation of medicinal plants used to manage diabetes can further improve on the formalization process of the Ugandan traditional medicine system as well as lay a basis for further scientific investigation with emphasis on the plants whose informant consensus is high.Key words: Medicinal Plants, diabetes mellitus, Ugand

Spatial dynamics of malaria transmission

The Ross-Macdonald model has exerted enormous influence over the study of malaria transmission dynamics and control, but it lacked features to describe parasite dispersal, travel, and other important aspects of heterogeneous transmission. Here, we present a patch-based differential equation modeling framework that extends the Ross-Macdonald model with sufficient skill and complexity to support planning, monitoring and evaluation for Plasmodium falciparum malaria control. We designed a generic interface for building structured, spatial models of malaria transmission based on a new algorithm for mosquito blood feeding. We developed new algorithms to simulate adult mosquito demography, dispersal, and egg laying in response to resource availability. The core dynamical components describing mosquito ecology and malaria transmission were decomposed, redesigned and reassembled into a modular framework. Structural elements in the framework—human population strata, patches, and aquatic habitats—interact through a flexible design that facilitates construction of ensembles of models with scalable complexity to support robust analytics for malaria policy and adaptive malaria control. We propose updated definitions for the human biting rate and entomological inoculation rates. We present new formulas to describe parasite dispersal and spatial dynamics under steady state conditions, including the human biting rates, parasite dispersal, the “vectorial capacity matrix,” a human transmitting capacity distribution matrix, and threshold conditions. An package that implements the framework, solves the differential equations, and computes spatial metrics for models developed in this framework has been developed. Development of the model and metrics have focused on malaria, but since the framework is modular, the same ideas and software can be applied to other mosquito-borne pathogen systems

In-vivo Mathematical Modelling fo the Coinfection Dynamics of HIV-1 and HHV-8

NatuurwetenskappeWiskundePlease help us populate SUNScholar with the post print version of this article. It can be e-mailed to: [email protected]

A Treatise of Biological Models

Please help populate SUNScholar with the full text of SU research output. Also - should you need this item urgently, please snd us the details and we will try to get hold of the full text as quick possible. E-mail to [email protected]. Thank you.NatuurwetenskappeWiskund

Potential of orange and yellow fleshed sweetpotato cultivars for improving vitamin A nutrition in Central Uganda

The potential of orange and yellow fleshed sweetpotato cultivars as a dietary source of Vitamin A in Mpigi and Luwero Districts of central Uganda was evaluated. On-farm agronomic performance, acceptability and b-carotene content of two orange (SPK004 and 316) and two yellow fleshed (Tanzania and 52) sweetpotato cultivars were determined and compared to the farmer's best local cultivars. There were significant differences in yield performance between cultivars with 52 yielding highest. Yields for TZ and SPK004 were comparable to those of best yielding local checks while 316 yielded lowest. Dry matter content of all the cultivars was above 30%. Overall, 52 was the most acceptable to farmers but children prefered SPK 004. b-carotene content of orange fleshed cultivars was higher than that of yellow and white fleshed cultivars. It was concluded that orange fleshed sweetpotato have highest potential for improving Vitamin A nutrition in the study area. Key Words: b-carotene, Ipomoea batatus, sensory acceptability, Uganda, vitamin A malnutrition (African Crop Science Journal 2001 9(1): 309-316

Conventional breeding strategies to enhance the sustainability of Musa biodiversity conservation for endemic cultivars on farm

Africa is one of the secondary centers of diversity for the genus Musa. There is a wide range of genetic diversity in the bananas found in the continent with different types dominating different ecological sub-regions. Banana production in Africa is affected by a number of diseases and pests. The development of resistant cultivars is considered to be the most effective approach to controlling diseases and pests. Banana breeding at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) involves crossing triploid (3x) landraces with diploid (2x) accessions to produce tetraploid (4x) hybrids. The 4x hybrids are crossed with improved 2x accessions to produce secondary triploids. In this study, the female fertility of 70 East African highland banana landraces was assessed. This was done through hand pollination with pollen from a wild diploid banana, Musa acuminata spp. burmannicoides Calcutta 4'. Results indicate that 50% of the landraces were female fertile and produced true seeds. Seeds were germinated by embryo rescue and the hybrids obtained were assessed to exhibit increased resistance to black sigatoka. However, bunch weights of the hybrids were generally lower than the control landrace, ‘Mbwazirume'. By crossing diverse genotypes, producing new populations and selecting improved genotypes, conventional breeding has the potential of increasing banana diversity at the farm level. It is thought that adoption of modern cultivars by farmers could lead to genetic erosion of landraces. However, studies in other crops showed that despite adopting modern cultivars farmers still maintain landraces. Both Ex-situ (off-site) and In-situ (on-site) conservation methods are important for Musa. In-situ conservation is appropriate for wild species in their natural habitats allowing the continuation of natural evolutionary processes and for landraces that were selected for important traits over many years by farmers. Wild species could also be conserved Ex-situ in field gene banks, In vitro culture and cryopreservation especially where their natural habitats are in prone to destruction. Field gene banks are more appropriate for breeders providing opportunities for continual assessment of the germplasm

Conventional breeding strategies to enhance the sustainability of Musa biodiversity conservation for endemic cultivars

Africa is one of the secondary centers of diversity for the genus Musa. There is a wide range of genetic diversity in the bananas found in the continent with different types dominating different ecological sub-regions. Banana production in Africa is affected by a number of diseases and pests. The development of resistant cultivars is considered to be the most effective approach to controlling diseases and pests. Banana breeding at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) involves crossing triploid (3x) landraces with diploid (2x) accessions to produce tetraploid (4x) hybrids. The 4x hybrids are crossed with improved 2x accessions to produce secondary triploids. In this study, the female fertility of 70 East African highland banana landraces was assessed. This was done through hand pollination with pollen from a wild diploid banana, Musa acuminata spp. burmannicoides Calcutta 4'. Results indicate that 50% of the landraces were female fertile and produced true seeds. Seeds were germinated by embryo rescue and the hybrids obtained were assessed to exhibit increased resistance to black sigatoka. However, bunch weights of the hybrids were generally lower than the control landrace, ‘Mbwazirume'. By crossing diverse genotypes, producing new populations and selecting improved genotypes, conventional breeding has the potential of increasing banana diversity at the farm level. It is thought that adoption of modern cultivars by farmers could lead to genetic erosion of landraces. However, studies in other crops showed that despite adopting modern cultivars farmers still maintain landraces. Both Ex-situ (off-site) and In-situ (on-site) conservation methods are important for Musa. In-situ conservation is appropriate for wild species in their natural habitats allowing the continuation of natural evolutionary processes and for landraces that were selected for important traits over many years by farmers. Wild species could also be conserved Ex-situ in field gene banks, In vitro culture and cryopreservation especially where their natural habitats are in prone to destruction. Field gene banks are more appropriate for breeders providing opportunities for continual assessment of the germplasm. Key Words: Accessions, black sigatoka, cryopreservation, hybrids, land races RESUME L'Afrique est un des centres secondaires de diversité pour le genre Musa. Il y a une large gamme de diversité génétique dans les bananes trouvées dans le continent avec des types différents dominant les différentes sous région écologiques. La production de banane en Afrique est affectée par un nombre des maladies et pestes. Le développement des variétés résistants est considéré être l'approche la plus effective pour contrôler les maladies et pestes. La reproduction de banane à l'Institut Internationale d'Agronomie Tropicale (IITA) implique le croisement triploïde (3x) des races de terre avec les accessions de diploïde (2x) pour produire les tétraploïdes hybrides (4x). Les hybrides 4x sont croisés avec les accessions 2x améliorés pour produire les triploïdes secondaires. Dans cette étude, la fertilité féminine des races de terre de banane de 70 régions de montagne de l'Afrique de l'est était évaluée. Ceci était faite à travers la pollination ouvrière avec le pollen d'un diploïde de banane sauvage, Musa acuminata spp. burmannicoides Calcuta 4'. Les résultats indiquent que 50% des races de terre étaient de fertilité féminine et ont produit des vraies graines. Les graines étaient germées par l'aide d'embryon et les hybrides obtenus étaient évalués pour exhiber l'augmentation de résistance au sigatoka noire. Cependant, les poids de bouquet des hybrides étaient généralement bas que les races de terre de contrôle, ‘Mbwazirume'. En croisant diverses génotypes, produisant des nouvelles populations et en sélectionnant des génotypes améliorés, la reproduction conventionnelle a le potentiel d'augmenter la diversité de banane au niveau de la ferme. Il est pensé que l'adoption des variétés modernes par les fermiers pourrait mener à l'érosion génétique de la race de terre. Cependant, les études sur les autres plantes ont montré que malgré l'adoption des variétés modernes les fermiers continuent à maintenir les races de terre. La conservation des deux méthodes Ex-situ (sur site) et In-situ (sur site) est importante pour Musa. La conservation In situ est appropriée pour les espèces sauvages dans leurs habitats naturels permettant la continuation du processus évolutionnaire naturel et pour les races de terre qui étaient sélectionnées pendant beaucoup d'années par les fermiers pour les traits importants. Les espèces sauvages pourraient aussi être conservées dans les banques des gènes sur terrain Ex-situ, en culture In vitro et en cryopréservation spécialement la où leurs habitats naturels sont en destruction prône. Les banques des gènes de terrain sont plus appropriées pour les reproducteurs pourvoyant les opportunités pour l'évaluation continuelle du germplasme. Mots Clés: Accessions, sigatoka noire, cryopréservation, hybrides, races de terre African Crop Science Journal Vol.12(1) 2004: 59-6

Participatory identification of farmer acceptable improved rice varieties for rain-fed 683 lowland ecologies in Uganda

Includes abstract in FrenchRain-fed lowland rice production in Uganda is associated with field expansion rather than intensification. Consequently, farmers are encroaching on vulnerable ecologies, especially the wetlands. The objective of this study is to identify farmer preferred and rain-fed lowland adapted improved rice varieties. Six varieties (IR 64, Basmat 370, Supa, Wita 9, K85, Buyu) were evaluated in four trials in the Kyoga plains agro-ecological zone in eastern Uganda. Variety K85 was preferred by 59% of the farmers, followed by Wita 9. Criteria for variety preference were grain yield, short maturity time, plant height and resistance to lodging

Conventional breeding strategies to enhance the sustainability of Musa biodiversity conservation for endemic cultivars

Africa is one of the secondary centers of diversity for the genus Musa. There is a wide range of genetic diversity in the bananas found in the continent with different types dominating different ecological sub-regions. Banana production in Africa is affected by a number of diseases and pests. The development of resistant cultivars is considered to be the most effective approach to controlling diseases and pests. Banana breeding at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) involves crossing triploid (3x) landraces with diploid (2x) accessions to produce tetraploid (4x) hybrids. The 4x hybrids are crossed with improved 2x accessions to produce secondary triploids. In this study, the female fertility of 70 East African highland banana landraces was assessed. This was done through hand pollination with pollen from a wild diploid banana, Musa acuminata spp. burmannicoides Calcutta 4'. Results indicate that 50% of the landraces were female fertile and produced true seeds. Seeds were germinated by embryo rescue and the hybrids obtained were assessed to exhibit increased resistance to black sigatoka. However, bunch weights of the hybrids were generally lower than the control landrace, ‘Mbwazirume'. By crossing diverse genotypes, producing new populations and selecting improved genotypes, conventional breeding has the potential of increasing banana diversity at the farm level. It is thought that adoption of modern cultivars by farmers could lead to genetic erosion of landraces. However, studies in other crops showed that despite adopting modern cultivars farmers still maintain landraces. Both Ex-situ (off-site) and In-situ (on-site) conservation methods are important for Musa. In-situ conservation is appropriate for wild species in their natural habitats allowing the continuation of natural evolutionary processes and for landraces that were selected for important traits over many years by farmers. Wild species could also be conserved Ex-situ in field gene banks, In vitro culture and cryopreservation especially where their natural habitats are in prone to destruction. Field gene banks are more appropriate for breeders providing opportunities for continual assessment of the germplasm.L'Afrique est un des centres secondaires de diversité pour le genre Musa. Il y a une large gamme de diversité génétique dans les bananes trouvées dans le continent avec des types différents dominant les différentes sous région écologiques. La production de banane en Afrique est affectée par un nombre des maladies et pestes. Le développement des variétés résistants est considéré être l'approche la plus effective pour contrôler les maladies et pestes. La reproduction de banane à l'Institut Internationale d'Agronomie Tropicale (IITA) implique le croisement triploïde (3x) des races de terre avec les accessions de diploïde (2x) pour produire les tétraploïdes hybrides (4x). Les hybrides 4x sont croisés avec les accessions 2x améliorés pour produire les triploïdes secondaires. Dans cette étude, la fertilité féminine des races de terre de banane de 70 régions de montagne de l'Afrique de l'est était évaluée. Ceci était faite à travers la pollination ouvrière avec le pollen d'un diploïde de banane sauvage, Musa acuminata spp. burmannicoides Calcuta 4'. Les résultats indiquent que 50% des races de terre étaient de fertilité féminine et ont produit des vraies graines. Les graines étaient germées par l'aide d'embryon et les hybrides obtenus étaient évalués pour exhiber l'augmentation de résistance au sigatoka noire. Cependant, les poids de bouquet des hybrides étaient généralement bas que les races de terre de contrôle, ‘Mbwazirume'. En croisant diverses génotypes, produisant des nouvelles populations et en sélectionnant des génotypes améliorés, la reproduction conventionnelle a le potentiel d'augmenter la diversité de banane au niveau de la ferme. Il est pensé que l'adoption des variétés modernes par les fermiers pourrait mener à l'érosion génétique de la race de terre. Cependant, les études sur les autres plantes ont montré que malgré l'adoption des variétés modernes les fermiers continuent à maintenir les races de terre. La conservation des deux méthodes Ex-situ (sur site) et In-situ (sur site) est importante pour Musa. La conservation In situ est appropriée pour les espèces sauvages dans leurs habitats naturels permettant la continuation du processus évolutionnaire naturel et pour les races de terre qui étaient sélectionnées pendant beaucoup d'années par les fermiers pour les traits importants. Les espèces sauvages pourraient aussi être conservées dans les banques des gènes sur terrain Ex-situ, en culture In vitro et en cryopréservation spécialement la où leurs habitats naturels sont en destruction prône. Les banques des gènes de terrain sont plus appropriées pour les reproducteurs pourvoyant les opportunités pour l'évaluation continuelle du germplasme

Participatory identification of farmer acceptable improved rice varieties for rain-fed lowland ecologies in Uganda

Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) is increasingly an important food and income generating crop in eastern Africa. Unfortunately, its production is characterised by low yields largely caused by minimal utilisation of improved varieties and poor production techniques. In response to the rising rice demand, rain-fed lowland rice production in the country is associated with field expansion rather than intensification. Consequently, farmers are encroaching on vulnerable ecologies, especially the wetlands. The objective of this study was to identify farmer preferred and rain-fed lowland adapted improved rice varieties. Six varieties (IR 64, Basmat 370, Supa, Wita 9, K85, Buyu) were evaluated in four trials in the Kyoga plains agro-ecological zone in eastern Uganda. Varieties K85 and Wita 9 yielded 6133 and 5553 kg ha-1, respectively; significantly higher (P<0.05) than Buyu, the local check. Basmat, IR64 and Supa yielded 4191, 3554 kg and 3608 kg ha-1, respectively; though not significantly different (P>0.05) from the local check. Variety K85 was preferred by 59% of the farmers; and this was followed by Wita 9. Basimat 370 and Supa were selected by 50.4% as the worst performing varieties. Gender based preference for K85 was 54.5 and 36.4% for male and female, respectively. The criteria for variety preference were level of grain yield, short maturity time, plant height and resistance to lodging.Le riz ( Oryza sativa L.) est sans cesse un important aliment et une culture de rente en Afrique de l’Est. Malheureusement, sa production est caractérisée par des rendements bas suite à l’utilisation minimale des variétés améliorées et des techniques de production pauvres. En réponse à la demande croissante du riz, la production dans les bas fonds du riz pluvial dans le pays est associée à l’expansion des champs plutôt que l’intensification. En conséquence, les fermiers se contentent des écologies vulnerables, spécialement les marais. L’objectif de cette étude était d’identifier les préférences des fermiers en variétés améliorées et adaptées de riz pluvial de bas fonds. Six variétés (IR 64, Basmat 370, Supa, Wita 9, K85, Buyu) étaient évaluées dans quatre essais dans la zone agroécologique des plaines de kyoga à l’Est de l’Uganda. Les variétés K85 et Wita 9 ont produit un rendement de 6133 et 5553 kg ha-1, respectivement; significativement élevé (P<0.05) que Buyu, le témoins local. Basmat, IR64 et Supa ont produit un rendement de 4191, 3554 kg et3608 kg ha-1, respectivement; bien que pas significativement différent (P>0.05) du témoins local. La variété K85 était préférée par 59% des fermiers, suivi de Wita 9. Basimat 370 et Supa étaient sélectionnée par 50.4% comme étant la variété la moins performantes. La préférence par le Genre pour K85 était 54.5 et 36.4% pour les homes et les femmes, repectivement. Les critères pour la preference des variétés étaient le rendement en grains, la précocité, la hauteur de plants et la résistance au lodging