Browsing by Author "Maerere, A."

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The alarming spread of banana Xanthomonas wilt in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and its impact on food security and income
(Global Science Books, Ltd, 2010) Dowiya, N. B.; Blomme, G.; Dheda, D. B.; Rweyemamu, C.; Velly, D.; Vigheri, N; Milambo, A.; Eden-Green, S.; Karamura, E.; Maerere, A.
Xanthomonas wilt of banana (caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum) is an unforgiving disease. Rather than merely reducing yield, as do many diseases, it causes the fruit to ripen prematurely and rot. Since 2001, the disease has spread to several countries in east and central Africa. It was first observed in the territory of Masisi, 72 km northwest from Goma in North Kivu Province, DR-Congo in 2001. During a survey conducted in May 2006 in the framework of the USAID-funded Crop Crisis Control Project (C3P), Xanthomonas wilt was also observed in the Mahagi and Irumu territories, Oriental province (north-eastern DR-Congo close to the border with Uganda) and in the region between Beni (north Kivu, DR-Congo) and Bundibugyo (western Uganda). Here the disease had most likely spread from infected areas across the border in Uganda. It had also spread over an area with a 50 km radius in Kitchanga, Masisi, North Kivu. A survey conducted in May 2008 in the framework of the Belgian-funded project CIALCA, reported that Xanthomonas wilt had entered South Kivu (Minova, Kalehe territory). In north Kivu the disease is currently present in the districts of Masisi, Rutshuru, Beni, Nyiragongo and Walikale and in Oriental province the disease is currently present in the Mahagi and Irumu districts. The disease has thus spread over an area more than 600 km long (north-south axis). At least two million people in eastern DR-Congo are impacted by this disease which threatens food security and farm income. The most important means of dissemination are infected planting materials, contaminated farm tools and insect vector transmission. Extension efforts to contain the spread of Xanthomonas wilt are hampered by insecurity and inaccessibility of large parts of eastern DR-Congo.
Antifungal effect of a local bacillus subtilis, isolate TM07, on Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Lycopersici in Morogoro, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2021) Machang’u, R; Maerere, A.; Mwinuka, B; Nashon, J; Makingi, G
Fusarium oxyporum f.sp. lycopersici causes tomato wilt, a severe disease that leads to extensive yield and quality loss of tomatoes in Tanzania. Management of Fusarium infection is particularly challenging given the health and environmental concerns over continued use of chemical pesticides on horticultural food crops. However, there is an increasing focus towards the use of biocontrol agents to combat phytopathogens worldwide. In this study, bacterial isolates from tomato rhizosphere were screened for their antagonistic activity in vitro on F. oxysporum. Based on its superior effectiveness, one isolate, designated TM07, was selected and characterized as Bacillus subtilis by morphological, biochemical and molecular procedures. On potato dextrose agar (PDA) the isolate showed an appreciable degree of radial growth inhibition (RGI) of 40.5% of the Fusarium, compared to control (55.9%). Further investigations are recommended to elucidate on the mechanism behind the inhibitory effect of isolate TM07. In vivo studies are also recommended to assess the possibility of applying the B. subtilis, isolate TM07, as a local biocontrol agent of Fusarium wilt of tomato and other susceptible crops.
Characterisation of botanical starches as potential substitutes of agar in tissue culture media
(Africa Journal of Biotechnology, 2015) Madege, R.; Mneney, E.; Misangu, R.; Maerere, A.
Seven botanical starches; cassava, sweet potato, Irish potato, maize, rice, wheat and sorghum were characterized to determine physicochemical properties influencing gel formation for preparation of tissue culture media. Total starch, protein, fat, amylose content, swelling power and pH were determined using acid hydrolysis, enzymic and spectrophotmetric methods. Each type of starch was tested for ability to support in vitro plant growth and 0.8% agar (w/v) was used as standard. Nodal explants cultures were initiated in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 3% sucrose and 0.5 mg/l benzylaminopurine (BAP). After 21 days, number of leaves and nodes, plant height and fresh weight were determined for each treatment. Significant (0.05) differences were observed between starch types in total starch, protein content and fats. Cassava had the highest starch content (81.5%) and irish potato had the lowest (29.3%). Highest protein content (12%) was observed in maize starch and the lowest (3.4%) in cassava. Fat content was highest (6.2%) in wheat and lowest in cassava (0.2%). Starch extract from rice had the highest amylose content (31.12%) while the cassava starch extracts had the lowest (20.75%). The starch extracted from wheat had the highest swelling power (105.1%) while irish potato starch had the lowest (52.1%). Sorghum starch had the lowest pH of 4.57 while the highest (6.92) was recorded in Irish potato starch. The growth of shoots in vitro on agar gelled media outperformed those of starch gelled media except for the number of leaves per shoot which cassava starch media recorded significantly the highest response (P = 0.05). Of all the starch gelled media, the best growth response was observed with cassava. Good performance was observed in starches with high starch content, low amylose content and high swelling powers.
Detection of the solanum fruit fly, Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) in Tanzania (Dipt., Tephritidae)
(Blackwell Verlag, Berlin, 2007) Mwatawala, M.; De Mayer, M.; White, I. M.; Maerere, A.; Makundi, Rhodes H.
The presence of the Solanum fruit fly, Bactrocera latifrons, in Africa is reported for the first time, based on trapped and reared specimens in Tanzania. Two new host records, Solanum aethiopicum and Solanum macrocarpon, are reported.
Gendered and contextual factors in the design of integrated pest management (IPM) programs for tomato growers in East Africa
(Macrothink Institute, 2015) Mwangi, E. W.; Erbaugh, J. M.; Sibuga, K.; Maerere, A.; Waiganjo, M.
The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Collaborative Research Support Program in East Africa has been using a farmer participatory IPM strategy with small-scale tomato growers at on-farm research sites in Kenya and Tanzania since 2004. Understanding local farmer knowledge of agricultural production, including both gendered and contextual factors, is a hallmark of participatory approaches, and important to the design and development of appropriate location-specific IPM technologies. The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast gender and contextual influences on tomato production farm-level decision-making and marketing practices. The results indicate that regardless of context, gender influenced access to resources and this influenced production quantity and decision-making. However, contextual differences predominated suggesting that “one-size does not fit all” and that planned interventions need to be tailored to specific contexts in which gender relations unfold. Contextual similarities in the production of higher value marketed horticultural crops, including female cash crop production and the prevalent use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, provides evidence that the gender-specific nature of traditional African farming is transitioning. That extension agents were relatively minor sources of information suggests that horticultural cash crop production is an important contextual basis for differentiating the demand for IPM programs.
Participatory involvement of farming communities and public sectors in determining malaria control strategies in Mvomero district, Tanzania
(Tanzania Health Research Bulletin, 2006) Mlozi, M. R. S.; Shayo, E. H.; Senkoro, K. P.; Mayala, B. K.; Rumisha, S. F.; Mutayoba, B.; Senkondo, E.; Maerere, A.; Mboera, L. E. G.
Addressing the malaria-agriculture linkages requires a broad inter-disciplinary and integrated approach that involves farming communities and key public sectors. In this paper, we report results of participatory involvement of farming communities in determining malaria control strategies in Mvomero District, Tanzania. A seminar involving local government leaders, health and agricultural officials comprising of a total of 27 participants was held. Public meetings in villages of Komtonga, Mbogo, Mkindo, Dihombo and Luhindo followed this. Findings from a research on the impact of agricultural practices on malaria burden in the district were shared with local communities, public sector officials and other key stakeholders as a basis for a participatory discussion. The community and key stakeholders had an opportunity to critically examine the linkages between agricultural practices and malaria in their villages and to identify problems and propose practical solutions. Several factors were identified as bottlenecks in the implementation of malaria control in the area. Lack of community participation and decision making in malaria interventions was expressed as among the major constraints. This denied the community the opportunities of determining their health priorities and accessing knowledge needed to effectively implement malaria interventions. In conclusion, this paper emphasizes the importance of participatory approach that involves community and other key stakeholders in malaria control using an ecosystem approach. An interdisciplinary and integrated approach is needed to involve farmers and more than one sector in malaria control effort.