Mpigi District Research Articles

The incidence of sweet potato virus disease and virus resistance of sweet potato grown in Uganda

SummarySweet potato virus disease (SPVD) was common (25–30% average incidences), and farmers recognised it as an important disease, in sweet potato crops in southern Mpigi, Masaka and Rakai Districts in Uganda, but SPVD was rare in Soroti and Tororo Districts. Whiteflies, which are the vector of sweet potato chlorotic stunt crinivirus (SPCSV) a component cause of SPVD, were correspondingly common on sweet potato crops in Mpigi and rare on crops in Tororo. However, aphids, which are the vectors of sweet potato feathery mottle potyvirus (SPFMV), the other component cause of SPVD, were not found colonising sweet potato crops, and itinerant alate aphids may be the means of transmission. Different sweet potato cultivars were predominant in the different districts surveyed and four local cultivars obtained from Kanoni in S. Mpigi, where whiteflies and SPVD were common, were more resistant to SPVD than four cultivars from Busia in Tororo District, where whiteflies and SPVD were rare. However, nationally released cultivars were even more resistant than the local cultivars from Kanoni. Yield results and interviews with farmers indicated that farmers in S. Mpigi were making compromises in their choice of cultivars to grow, some key factors being SPVD susceptibility, and the yield, taste, and marketability, duration of harvest and in‐ground storability of the storage roots. These compromises need to be included in an assessment of yield losses attributable to SPVD.

Comparative performance of seventeen upperstorey tree species associated with crops in the highlands of Uganda

Trials were established at three sites in Uganda to test the suitability of multipurpose trees (MPTs) as upperstorey in crop lands to provide poles, small timber and fuelwood. The three sites were Kachwekano District Farm Institute (1°16′ S, 29°57′ E, 2000 m.a.s.l.) in Kabale District, Kabanyolo University Farm (0°28′ N, 32°27′ E, 1250 m.a.s.l.) in Mpigi District and Bushenyi District Farm Institute (0°34′ S, 30°13′ E, 1610 m.a.s.l.) in Bushenyi District. The MPTs were planted in single rows at intra spacing of 2 m and each plot contained seven or nine trees. On both sides of the tree row, crops were raised. Data on crop yields were collected every season, while data on the growth of the trees were collected four times each year. In terms of tree growth,Grevillea robusta, Casuarina cunninghamiana andAlnus acuminata performed well with height growth of 1.8–2.4 m per year at Kachwekano, while at BushenyiGrevillea robusta, Casuarina junghuhniana, Cupressus lusitanica andCedrela serrulata averaged 1.6–2.0 m height per year. At Kabanyolo,Melia azedarach, Cassia siamea, Jacaranda mimosifolia, Grevillea robusta andMaesopsis eminii had height increments ranging from 1.8–2.7 m annually. Crop yields were affected by the presence of the MPTs, withMaesopsis eminii being the most competitive (averaging 60% reduction, over five seasons). The crop rows nearest to the tree line were the most affected. OnlyAlnus acuminata seems to have had a positive effect on crop yields. The installation of a root mesh to reduce tree root competition for nutrients and water in four species increased yields in plots with MPTs by 5% (Melia azedarach) to 152% (Maesopsis eminii), but the control plot still had significantly higher bean yields, suggesting that shading could also be important. In the case of maize, suppression seems to be due mainly to root competition because after its elimination yields obtained thereafter did not differ significantly from those of the control except for the Maesopsis plots. The negative influence of the MPTs could, therefore, be minimized by periodically pruning the tree crowns and roots.