Browsing by Author "Kanahe Kagorora, John Patrick"

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Impact of integrating annual and perennial legumes under Coffea arabica on sloping land
(MDPI Company, 2023-01-30) Kahigwa Tibasiima, Thaddeo; Ekyaligonza, Deous Mary; Kanahe Kagorora, John Patrick; Friedel, Jürgen Kurt; Melcher, Andreas; Bwambale, Bosco; Akugizibwe, Edwin; Freyer, Bernhard
Above-ground biomass cover under Coffea arabica on sloping land is beneficial but difficult to sustain. Interplanting annual and perennial legumes can sustain the above-ground biomass cover, and improve soil fertility, yield, and profitability. This was tested on 26 sloping farms in a four-growing season experiment on undersowing C. arabica with new crop combinations: Mucuna pruriens var. utilis (T1); Millettia dura Dunn (T2); a combination of M. pruriens and M. dura (T3); and the control with a no-cover legume (T4). On each farm, all treatments followed a randomized single-block design. T3 produced 8.7 mt/ha/yr above-ground biomass that was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than other treatments and was increasing with the seasons. Under T3, plant-available nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) increased more than in other treatments. During the fourth season, coffee yield in T3 was 54%, 22%, and 11% higher than in T4, T2, and T1, respectively. The gross profit under T3 was 86% higher than in T4 in the fourth season. This indicates that interplanting a combination of M. pruriens and M. dura under C. arabica on sloping land can sustainably increase above-ground biomass cover, soil’s plant-available N and K, coffee yield, and profitability. Based on the results, the combination of M. pruriens and M. dura is recommended to optimize coffee production under the described conditions.
Potential of neem (azadirachta indica) extract in managing fall armyworm on maize
(Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2024-06-15) Okello, Tom Richard; Wacal, Cosmas; Wadria, Denis Peter; Obonyom Tekkara, Allan; Gumisiriya, Costa; Kanahe Kagorora, John Patrick
This research assessed the effect of neem leaf extract on the larval population of the fall armyworm and the level of damage, growth, and yield of maize. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments (Control, 50 g per L, 100 g per L and 200 g per L of neem leaf extract) applied within the two seasons of 2022A and 2022B. The findings showed that a higher concentration (200 g per L) of neem leaf extract-treated maize plants registered the least leaf damage (0.15), severity (0.15), and larvae population (0.1). This effect was most attained during the 1st season of maize production and at the earliest vegetative weeks of maize growth (3 WAP to 5 WAP, i.e., weeks after planting). The higher neem leaf extract concentration of 200 g per L produced the most significant (p < 0.001) effect on maize growth traits. A higher plant height (162.51 cm), longer leaf length (112.5 cm), wider leaf width (11.7 cm), and broader stem girth (11.91 cm) were attained under 200 g per L of neem leaf extract treated plots during the 1st season of maize production and 11 WAP. The findings of this showed that a relatively high concentration of neem leaf extract produced a higher cob weight (200 g per L = 180.1 g) followed by 100 g per L (174.1 g), 50 g per L (140.9 g) and control (139 g). The weight was optimised during the 1st season of maize production (163.8 g). The grain yield was higher under 200 g per L (153.7 g) of neem extract. The above findings demonstrated that a high concentration of neem leaf extract reduced fall armyworm infestation and increased maize plant growth and yield. Farmers should, therefore, be encouraged to apply 200 g per L of neem leaf extract in the management of fall armyworms and improve plant growth and yield because it contains antifeedant and insecticidal properties against the fall armyworm.
Re-assembling land degradation: toward a nature-society-inclusive soil erosion management strategy: a case of the Rwenzori region, Uganda
(Frontiers, 2023-05-02) Kahigwa Tibasiima, Thaddeo; Bwambale, Bosco; Ekyaligonza, Deous Mary; Dietrich, Phillipp; Jumba, Francis; Freyer, Bernard; Kanahe Kagorora, John Patrick
Tackling land degradation, particularly soil erosion, remains a challenge due to the gap between science, policy, and practice which hampers the adoption of control measures by farmers. Bridging this gap requires understanding land degradation as an assemblage of the natural/biophysical and anthropogenic aspects; but also, rethinking epistemologies that level the grounds between scientists, policymakers, and farmers whose farm livelihoods are at-risk due to soil erosion. This study aimed to clarify how these requirements can be met through the lens of the recently proposed hylomorphic framework. This framework structures, in three steps, the procedure of bridging real-life experiences of farmers at risk of soil erosion with the knowledge of scientists and policymakers through the embracement of diversity in ontological realities and values, self-critiques, and coalescing overlaps in theorizations. We selected a qualitative design as most appropriate using one of the cases—the Rwenzori region—where soil erosion is high. We conducted nine focus group discussions with participants selected purposefully from three stakeholder groups including scientists, policymakers, and farmers. Following the hylomorphic framework procedure, we carried out the content analysis. Drawing on insights from this study, we elaborate on how the hylomorphic framework supports deconstructing land degradation and soil erosion, and also further offers insights into a more nature-society-inclusive soil erosion management strategy.