Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (FAES)
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Item Restricted Effects of Agrochemicals on Soil Bio-Physico-Chemical Properties in Potato Production Systems in the Highlands of South Western Uganda.(Kabale University, 2024) Twebaze, JenifferThe ardent use of agrochemicals is on the rise to increase the production and productivity of various crops in Uganda. The increased agrochemical usage could probably pose undesirable impacts on the soil environment that could outweigh the yield benefits. This study was conducted in Kabale District to investigate the effects of the frequent use of agrochemicals on soil macrofauna (earthworms, termites, millipedes, and beetles) diversity and abundance in a potato production system where chemicals are used almost throughout the year. The study also assessed the effects of the agrochemicals on the soil chemical properties (pH, Electrical Conductivity - EC, Soil Organic Matter - SOM, total nitrogen - N, Extractable phosphorus - P, Exchangeable potassium - K) as well as the concentration of heavy metals (lead - Pb and cadmium - Cd). Commonly used agrochemicals by farmers were determined by using a structured questionnaire administered to 150 potato farmers in Kabale District. A complete randomized block (CRB) design with three blocks, three treatments, and three replicates was used to assess the effects of frequently used agrochemicals on soil bio-physical-chemical properties. Soil samples were collected and analysed for the soil's physical and chemical properties and heavy metals Cd and Pb. Soil macrofauna samples were collected three times per season, and the observed organisms were counted and recorded to determine their abundance, evenness, and richness. It was observed that the majority of the macrofauna existed in the topsoil layer at a depth of 0-10 cm other than the 10-30 cm. Termites were significantly higher than other macro-organisms (p<0.05), but for the rest of the organisms (earthworms, beetles, and millipedes), there were no significant differences in individual populations (p>0.05). The findings of the study further revealed that the majority of potato farmers (>90%) rely on the use of agrochemicals. The soil samples collected showed that potato-grown fields were low in significant soil macronutrients N, P, and K and had low EC and Organic matter. Lead (Pb) was recorded in the range of 0.05-113 mg kg-1 and Cd between 0.05-32 mg kg-1 with most fields having higher concentrations beyond the recommended levels of <40 mg kg-1 and <1.0, mg kg-1 respectively. A strong significant positive correlation was observed between N and Organic Matter (r =0.992** p<0.01), but a strong significant negative correlation between Pb and the Millipedes population (r = -0.667* p<0.05) was recorded. The study recommends further monitoring of the presence of heavy metals in soils of potato-grown fields and a reduction in the use of agrochemicals to conserve soil health.Item Restricted Influence of Land-Use and Landcover on the Nest Distribution and Breeding Success of Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica Regulorum) In Kiyanja- Kaku Wetland Ecosystem.(Kabale University, 2024) Tayebwa, GilbertThe Kiyanja-Kaku wetland ecosystem in central Uganda is home to a valuable population of endangered Grey-crowned cranes (Balearica regulorum). The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize current land use/cover patterns, as well as to assess their relationships with crane breeding success. Data was collected between June 2022 and April 2023, extending breeding and non-breeding seasons. To collect data, we used a combination of satellite imagery, GPS ground truthing, and field observations. Sentinel-2 imagery with a resolution of 10m was classified using supervised image classification methods in ArcGIS software for land use/cover characterization. Survey123 application was used to collect data on crane nesting, and non-probability sampling was used to search for nests. 38 nests/breeding pairs were monitored, with data on breeding attempts, hatching success, fledgling numbers, and potential threats related to land use/cover patterns collected. Within the wetland, the results revealed a diverse mosaic of land use/cover, including agriculture (48.2%), papyrus swamp (27.6%), open water (10.2%), settlements (8.5%), and other categories (5.5%). Grey-crowned cranes laid clutch sizes ranging from 0 to 4 eggs, with an average of 2.42 eggs per pair. A total of 38 nests were monitored, and breeding success was calculated by counting the number of chicks that fledged from each nest. The overall breeding success rate was 0.84, with 47.4% of nests successfully hatching all chicks. The most common clutch size (47.4%) was two eggs, with an average of 2.42 eggs per clutch. It was discovered that land use/cover activities significantly impacted breeding success. Breeding success was highest in permanent wetlands (1.00), followed by agriculturally transformed wetlands (0.53) and unaltered seasonal wetlands. As did crop agriculture (odds ratio = 174.784, p = 0.056), animal dairy farming had a positive relationship with breeding success (odds ratio = 25.338, p 0.001). According to the findings, human activities harm crane breeding in the Kiyanja-kaku wetland. Nests closer to settlements and agricultural areas had lower success rates, indicating the negative impact of human encroachment and associated disturbances.Item Restricted Effects of Eucalyptus Tree Plantations and Croplands on Selected Soil Physicochemical Properties in Lake Bunyonyi Sub-Catchment of South-Western Uganda.(Kabale University, 2024) Byamukama, SimonIn the Lake Bunyonyi sub-catchment located in the highlands of southwestern Uganda, considerable cropland has been converted to Eucalyptus Plantations (EP) for household income diversification. Nevertheless, no studies have investigated the effects of eucalyptus plantations on soil physicochemical properties in the study area. This study, therefore, investigated the effect of Eucalyptus spp. on soil physicochemical properties in the Lake Bunyonyi sub-catchment. Two land use types (EPs and cropland) were used for comparison in the study area. Soil samples were collected from six locations (Kyevu, Murandi, Katooma, Muko, Heisesero, and Butenga) in Bufundi Sub County. Landsat TM/ETM images for spatial temporal variations of EP alongside other land uses, and a field survey design accompanied by laboratory analysis of soil samples were used to determine the effect of EP on selected soil physicochemical properties. The study findings on the spatial coverage of eucalyptus in the study area showed an increase of 10.3% and 26.5% between 1988 to 2005 and 2005 to 2022 in EP cover, respectively. Paired samples t-test revealed no significant differences in the soil physical properties (soil texture, moisture, and bulk density) between Cropland (CP) and EP (p<0.05). However, the study findings indicated soil pH under EP was significantly lower than that of Cropland (CP) (p<0.05). Further, there was no significant difference in soil organic matter content between EP and CP. Similarly, there were no significant differences in available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, and total nitrogen. It was, therefore, revealed that EP did not significantly affect the physical and chemical parameters of the soil, except for soil pH. Further research is necessary to fully comprehend the effects of EP on soil properties, taking into account picking at different distances from eucalyptus, successive stand ages, and management practices that were not addressed in the present study.Item Open Access Spatio‑temporal variations in physicochemical water quality parameters of Lake Bunyonyi, Southwestern Uganda(SN Applied Sciences, 2021-06-03) Saturday,Alex; Lyimo,Thomas J.; Machiwa, John; Pamba,SiajaliThe current study was carried out to examine the spatial and temporal variations of physicochemical water quality parameters of Lake Bunyonyi. The observations were made on the surface water of Lake Bunyonyi for 1 year to deter mine the water quality. The basic 12 variables used to determine the quality of water were measured monthly at nine stations. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, electric conductivity (EC), pH and Secchi depth (SD) were measured in the feld, while parameters like total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), nitrite-nitrogen (NO2-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) were determined following APHA 2017 standard guidelines for physicochemical analysis. Taking into account standard guidelines for drinking water by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the water quality index (WQI) was used to determine the water quality. Temperature, DO, pH, turbidity and EC did not difer signifcantly among the study stations (p>0.05) but showed signifcant temporal variations among the study months (p<0.05). Likewise, TN, TP, NO2-N, NO3-N and SRP did not difer signifcantly among the study stations (p>0.05) but showed signifcant temporal variations among the study months (p<0.05). The WQI values ranged from 28.36 to 49 across and from 28.2 to 56.2 between study months with an overall mean value of 36.9. The measured water quality variables did not exceed the UNBS and WHO standards for drinking water in all months and at all stations. According to these values, the water quality of Lake Bunyonyi gener ally belongs to the ‘good’ class in terms of drinking water quality based on the WQI classifcation. The study fndings are fundamentally important for policy makers in setting guidelines for efective lake management.Item Open Access Agricultural Projects and Rural Development in Rwanda: A Case Study of Urugaga Imbaraga in Musanze District(Kabale University, 2021) Joseph, MunyanzizaThe majority of communities in Rwanda are rural dwellers and agrarian by occupation. This study assesses the role of agricultural projects and rural development in Musanze district, Rwanda. The research was a survey that collected data from 214 respondents -- 139 being farmers, 35 selected from Urugaga Imbaraga project staff, 30 respondents being local leaders and 10 community development officers. Respondents were selected using purposive and random sampling methods. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. The researcher used both primary and secondary data collection tools. Data was analysed by descriptive statistics. The study findings revealed that Agricultural Projects have significantly increased food production in the locality through increased provision of pesticides and improved seeds to farmers, establishment of new infrastructure and provision of fertilizers. Though Urugaga Imbaraga in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture has significantly improved farmers` use of agricultural inputs, there is need to empower farmers by reducing the cost of fertilizers, improved seeds and even pesticides based on acreage one owns. Due to lack of adequate production capacity and insufficient stocks in the country, Rwanda still depends upon imported inputs which are too costly for farmers. There is need to loosen conditions that dictate access to, control and use of financial facilities by farmers. Being the core of the country’s economic backbone, agriculture should be given special attention in this regard whereby special financial facilities should set aside for agricultural development and be made flexible so as to be available to individual farmers.Item Open Access Agricultural innovation characteristics and their utilization: A case of National Agricultural Research Organization(Kabale University, 2021) Alex, BarekyeThe research was carried out to assess the utilization of agricultural innovations in Uganda, using a case of the National Agricultural Research Organisation, with the following objectives: to establish the factors that influence development of agricultural innovations; to determine the relationship between agricultural innovation characteristics and utilization of innovations at farm level; and to examine the effect of market attributes on utilization of innovations in agriculture. Using a cross sectional survey research design, a survey mainly using structured questionnaires was carried out among the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) staff to establish factors that influence development of agricultural innovations. A total of 91 households involved in cassava, maize and rice production were interviewed in Kihiihi Sub-county, one of the sub-counties in Kanungu District where the NARO innovations on cassava, maize and rice have been promoted. The data was collected, coded, cleaned and analysed using SPSS to generate frequency tables and STATA to generate an ordered logistic regression of innovation characteristics and market attributes on utilization of agricultural innovations. The respondents agreed that it is important to consider the cost, relevance, and end-user opinion of agricultural innovations as important determinants of developing agricultural innovations. Respondents also agreed that in order to sustain innovations, agricultural research innovators need a clear plan on how innovations should be done (88% of respondents agreed), 91% of respondents agreed that regular information sharing among stakeholders and 94% agreed that the cost of the innovation process, are important factors in sustaining agricultural research innovations. Of the three commodities considered in this study, generation of new varieties emerged as the most important agricultural innovation in the community with 56%, 48% and 54% of the innovation on cassava, maize and rice respectively. The results also indicated that that there was a positive significant relationship between the attribute/characteristics of the varieties and the extent of utilization of varieties. In addition, regression results indicated that innovation characteristics such as relative advantage, compatibility, triability and, other variables such as gender, age, education had a significant effect (p<0.05) on innovation utilization by farming communities. However, complexity had a negative significant effect. The age of respondents had a negative significant effect on the utilization of the innovations, while education had a positive significant effect on utilization of innovation.