RESUMO
The bean leaf beetle (BLB) (Ootheca spp.) is a polyphagous pest causing significant yield losses in Uganda, particularly in the Northern and Eastern regions on various hosts plants. Despite its polyphagous behaviour, the BLB exhibits preferential feeding, offering an opportunity for targeted pest management. This study explored its feeding preferences across seven crops: common bean, cowpea, greengram, okra, roselle (malakwang), groundnuts, and soybean. This study was conducted in Arua and Lira districts using a randomized complete block design for two rainy seasons (2018A and 2018B). The results showed significant differences in BLB abundance and foliar damage among host crops, locations, days after planting and seasons. Cowpea was the most preferred crop while groundnuts was the least preferred. Therefore, cowpea can be recommended for use as a trap for managing Ootheca spp. in gardens where it is not the main crop. There was a higher pest abundance in Arua than in Lira. There was also a higher pest abundance in 2018A than in 2018B. These findings highlight the importance of understanding BLB's feeding preferences for implementing effective IPM strategies, emphasizing the potential role of trap cropping, especially with cowpea, to minimize BLB damage in resource-constrained agricultural settings.
RESUMO
Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), fall armyworm (FAW), a polyphagous Noctuid pest, was first reported in Uganda in 2016. Farmers were trained to identify and manage the pest, but there was a lack of information on farmer knowledge, perceptions and practices deployed to control it. Therefore, we conducted a survey to assess maize farmers' knowledge, perceptions and management of the pest during the invasion. We interviewed 1,289 maize farmers from 10 maize-growing agro-ecological zones (AEZ) of Uganda using well-structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using R version 4.2.3. The respondents faced many constraints, including pests, drought, poor soils and labor constraints. Among the pests, FAW was ranked by most (85%) of the respondents as the number one pest problem in maize, and some farmers reported having noticed it way back in 2014. By 2018, more than 90% of the farmers had seen or heard about FAW, and about 80% saw FAW in their fields. The most common FAW symptoms reported by maize farmers were windowing, near tunnel damage, and holes on the cobs. The developmental stages of FAW identified by farmers included eggs (10%), young larvae (78.7%), mature larvae (73.5%) and adult moths (6.7%). Insecticides were the major control tactic, although some farmers used plant extracts, hand-picking, sand, and ash. Farmers sourced information on FAW from various sources, including fellow farmers, radio/TV, extension agents, input dealers, print media, research and NGO extension. There is a need to package clear and uniform information for the farmers and to develop and promote a sustainable solution for FAW management, including harnessing biological control and cultural practices.
RESUMO
Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), commonly known as fall armyworm, was first detected in Uganda in 2016 and has spread to all the maize-growing districts. Different methods have been deployed to control this pest. However, there is a limited understanding of the role of the environment and farmers' practices on the abundance of and damage by S. frugiperda in Uganda. This study, therefore, assessed the abundance of S. frugiperda and leaf damage levels in three different districts and explored the association between agronomic practices, crop phenology, and weather parameters on S. frugiperda damage and abundance in smallholder farmers' maize fields using a longitudinal monitoring survey in 69 farmers' fields of Kole, Kiryandongo, and Nakaseke for three seasons. The numbers of egg masses and adults were generally low. The highest numbers of adults were trapped in Kiryandongo, followed by Nakaseke, and the lowest numbers were trapped in Kole. Leaf damage and incidence of damaged plants differed significantly between districts and seasons. Leaf damage and abundance of larvae varied significantly in the districts and at different growth stages. Conservation tillage, reduced weeding frequency, increased rainfall and high maximum temperatures were associated with reduced S. frugiperda damage. No significant relationship was observed between pesticide or cropping systems with S. frugiperda leaf damage. However, the influence of fertilizer use on leaf damage was contradictory across seasons and districts. Timely and vigilant scouting, proper timing of control measures, and minimum tillage practices should be included in an IPM strategy for S. frugiperda.
RESUMO
Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). DM contributes to about 66% of CKD cases globally. CKiiiD results in increased morbidity and mortality and advanced stages often require renal replacement therapy that is unaffordable for the majority of the patients. Developing countries have scanty data regarding CKD burden in diabetic patients. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of biomarkers for CKD and associated factors among diabetic patients attending the adult diabetic clinic of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the adult diabetic clinic of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital in Eastern Uganda. 374 adult diabetic patients who consented, were recruited and interviewed. A urine sample for Urine Albumin Creatinine Ratio (UACR) determination and a venous blood sample for measurement of serum creatinine were obtained from each participant. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was determined using the CKD-EPI equation and CKD was staged according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) systems. Results: A total of 318 (85%) participants had an eGFR of ≤ 60mls/min/1.72m2, significant proteinuria, or both. 6.1% were aware. Age, Duration of DM, Hypertension, and Dyslipidemia were associated with CKD biomarkers. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of biomarkers for CKD among DM patients, the majority of them being undiagnosed. Over half of the DM patients had an eGFR consistent with advanced CKD. Strengthening routine screening for CKD biomarkers and enhancing the DM clinics with more diagnostic resources is recommended.