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Progress and Outputs during January –
August 2005 |
1.Breeder and foundation
seeds multiplied on-station: Breeder and
foundation seeds of bush and climbing bean varieties continued to be
multiplied at Namulonge Agricultural and Animal production Research
Institute (NAARI) and at Kachwekano Agricultural Research and
Development Center (ARDC) in south western Uganda. (Plate 1), during
March – July, 2005. Multiplication of foundation seed was concentrated
on varieties NABE 4 (red mottled, NABE 5 (sugar type), NABE 11 (sugar
type), RWR 1946 (large dark red), RWR 2075 (large light red) and NABE
12C, a mid altitude climber of sugar seed type; while for breeders’ seed
all the 14 released varieties were included. During the above period, a
total of 1,791.5 kgs of breeders and foundation seed were produced. Part
of it was redistributed to farmers under the loan scheme (see 2 below)
for the 2005 second growing season, which started in September 2005.
Breeder seed was targeting private seed companies in the country.
2.Multiplication of seed
through a farmer-to-farmer seed loan scheme:
In addition to seed increase, there were three major reasons for using
the loan scheme namely: i) to create awareness among farmers and other
end users on the available improved bean varieties, ii) secondly for the
climbing bean varieties, there are no private producers currently
involved in their seed production, so the loan scheme was one of the
available uptake pathways to accelerate seed access to farmers, iii) it
was also an indirect way of attaching a cost value to the bean seeds,
in such a way trying to reduce the thinking of direct free seed hand
outs. A total of about 1,750 farmers including both men and women
directly received seed under the loan scheme of the varieties NABE 4,
RWR 2075, RWR 1946, NABE 11, NABE 12C in the four districts, each with
two sub counties. Small quantities ranging between ¼ kg and 5 kg each
were given out for individual multiplication between the period February
– March, 2005. In addition to these, 7 local areas leaders were
provided with ¼ kg packets of seed for 242 farmers; they were to
identify them and distribute the seeds. At the end of the season, the
farmers in the loan scheme retuned to the project the quantities of seed
equivalent to what they had received and this was distributed for
further multiplication to more new farmers. The loan scheme resulted
into more seed increase among farmers (Plates 3c and 4d). For example in
Sironko district 20 kg of seed of genotype RWR 1946 was loaned to 34
farmers in quantitities between ½ to 1½ kg, and the total harvest among
all the farmers was 272.5 kg of seed. Out of this, farmers gave back
collectively the 20 kg and the remaining seed was theirs for subsequent
multiplication.
3.Multiplication of seed through
contract seed growers established: In order to take seed
multiplication closer to the districts, four farmers were contracted to
grow bean seed mainly of variety NABE 4, each was provided with 40 kg of
seed which they grew and were monitored throughout the season to ensure
the seed quality. The resulting clean seed (1, 200 kg) was bought from
the farmers by the project and then given out to more other new farmers,
within the district at the start of the second crop growing season in
September.
4.On farm field
demonstration of the available improved bean varieties, recommended
agronomic practices and other management technologies conducted: The
demonstrations were aimed at creating awareness and also to serve as
training ground for farmers. A total of 40 demonstrations were planted
on farmers’ fields in the four districts. Field days and trainings were
organized at the demonstration fields to enable farmers, their opinion
leaders and other end users to see and learn. Through the demonstration
fields, farmers also accessed seed (Plates 3a and 3d).
5.Farmers, the local area
opinion leaders and extension agents sensitized and trained about the
available improved bean technologies. Using
the above demonstration fields, the project managed to train 808
individual, comprising of the farmers, local area opinion leaders and
extension agents in the four districts during the period March – August
2005. Training components emphasized the following: i) the use of
quality improved bean seed available at NAARI and with the private
seed companies in the country such as harvest farm, FICA and Victoria
seeds, ii) how farmers can maintain the genetic purity of their bean
seed, iii) recommended agronomic practices, iv), Intergraded management
options for field diseases, field and storage insects pests, and v) post
harvest handling. All these practices are important to enhance increased
bean production at the farm level. Improved bean utilization in form of
the diverse bean recipes to enhance the contribution of beans to food
security, nutrition and house hold income was demonstrated in Kabale, to
only two farmer groups (about 79 farmers).
6.Variety descriptors
developed and promoted: In order to facilitate
the promotion and dissemination process, descriptors in form of
brochures for specific varieties were developed.
7.Participatory variety
evaluation and selection of both bush and climbing bean genotypes
involving mainly farmers and grain traders continued to be conducted:
In order to increase the acceptance and also
accelerate the adoption of promising bean genotypes, a number of
participatory variety evaluation and selection trials were conducted as
mentioned below;
7.1 Evaluation and selection
for tolerance to root rots and low soil fertility in Kitumba sub county,
Kabale district: Follow-up activities
indicated that at least each of the 53 participating farmers and 4
grain traders had selected and adopted between 1 and 4 most preferred
genotypes, out of the 89 initial number of different bush bean genotypes
that were first grown in the participatory variety evaluation and
selection trials in 2002/2003. Most selected genotypes were RWR 1946 and
RWR 2075. Further more, each of the two genotypes had also been adopted
by other non- participating farmers within the subcounty, either through
buying seed from a farmer or traders who participated in the trials or
as free seed. The four grain traders, who participated in the
participatory variety selection trials in 2002, have also played a
significant role in spreading genotypes RWR 1946 and RWR 2075 within the
sub county. The two genotypes are selections from the Bean Improvement
for Low soil Fertility in Africa (BILFA III) nursery. Through these
participatory trial on farm , they have been further tested and verified
to be tolerant o the prevailing low soil fertility conditions in the sub
county. In addition, they show tolerance reaction to the bean root rot
disease. Their large seed sizes and acceptable red colours similar to a
popular land race (Rushare) in Kabale district makes them also
particularly suitable for the market.
7.2 Evaluation of advanced
bush bean genotypes in an observational nursery.
492 bush bean genotypes possessing mainly red mottled and “Kanyebwa
like” seed types were evaluated in an observational nursery at Namulonge.
These are selections resulting from crossing released variety K 132,
two popular land races (Kahura and Kanyebwa) with several resistance
sources including RWR 719 and SCAM 80-CM/5 (for root rots), Cornell 4922
and IMUNA (selected for anthracnose resistance), FEB 190,
G 5686 and CAL 143. Out of the 492, 145 best performing genotypes were
selected for further testing at multilocation sites during the second
crop-growing season, which started in September 2005. Screening of the
selected genotypes for pythium root rot is also on going
7.3 Evaluation of angular
leaf spot (ALS) advanced progenies. Advanced
angular leaf spot progenies generated using Mexico 54 (an important
source of ALS resistance to the major races of the pathogen in Africa).
A total of 98 bush and climbing bean genotypes were selected based on
agronomic performance, morphological traits, and reaction to other
important bean diseases and seed quality attributes. Testing with the
use of molecular markers to confirm the presence/ abscence of Phg
gene in selected genotypes is underway in collaboration with
CIAT-Kawanda.
7.4 Evaluation of F6-F8
anthracnose populations: 122 single plants
were selected from F6-F8 segregating populations
generated using G2333 (a known source of resistance to anthracnose
disease) and K 132, Kanyebwa and Kahura as susceptible background. They
are to be planted as single progeny rows in the September rains for
subsequent evaluation as well as for seed increase.
7.5 Evaluation of root rot
and angular leaf spot recombinant inbred lines.
Recombinant inbred lines for root rot and angular leaf spot constraints
resulting from previous activities of the Rockefeller grant to CIAT/NARO/ISAR/KARI
continued to be evaluated. A total of 200 F6 lines of
different seed types, were planted on a community on-farm plot in Kabale
district. This trial was to be replanted before selections could be made
for any promising genotypes.
7.6 Evaluation of advanced
climbing bean genotypes on-station: Climbing
bean
genotypes consisted of 58 test
entries, which were evaluated at both Namulonge and Kachwekano ARDC.
Out of these, 13 best performing genotypes were selected for further
testing. Examples of these include; MAC 29, MAC 32, MAC 34 and RWV 1555.
8. Resistance genes for
root rot transferred into NABE 12C.
NABE12C, a climbing bean variety with acceptable seed qualities in
addition to the high yield potential has recently been observed to have
some level of susceptible reaction to the bean root rot diseases.
Therefore a backcrossing programme to incorporate the lacking resistance
to root rot into the variety NABE 12C was started. Generation of the F1
populations was completed between this reporting period. Generation of
the Second backcross populations and subsequent backcross generations is
now underway.
9.
Evaluation and characterization of local germplsam.
A total of 195 bush bean accessions of germplasm which was previously
locally collected from various districts of Uganda were evaluated and
characterized with an aim of identifying possible adaptable backgrounds
for use in the crossing programme and also those for improvement. Local
germplasm possessing especially the desirable large seed sizes with
either a red seed colour or red mottled or yellow or sugar seed types
were selected. An improvement programme is planned for some of the
selected local germplsam. For example, Masindi yellow (large kidney
shaped ) and Masindi yellow ( round shaped), were susceptible to angular
leaf spot disease and yet on the market they are so popular. So a
crossing programme using Mexico 54 was started, to incorporate the
lacking diseases resistance.
Improved
livelihoods resulting from farmers and other end users accessing
improved bean genotypes
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Mrs. Margret Rugyengye one of the
beneficiaries from the participatory variety evaluation and selection
trials in Kabale district is now able to sell bean seed and generate a
lot of income (Plate 5a).
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Genotypes RWR 2075 and RWR 1946 are
now grown by many farmers in Kabale from the initial no of 57 farmers
who participated in PVS trials. Most farmers have adopted the two
genotypes either through buying or as free seeds, and this has
resulted into increased yields under their prevailing low soil
fertility conditions (Plate 5b). A study is going
on to fully document what has been the spread of the PVS selections in
Kabale).
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A bean grain trader, Monday Patrick
says that he had never thought of generating much income through
selling of bean seed; but with the access of the improved variety RWR
2075, he is generating a lot of income for his family. Other traders
who participated are also currently selling beans of genotypes RWR
1946 and RWR 2075 to other farmers and hence generating income. They
say the prices fetched by the two genotypes are higher than their
local varieties.
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Mr. Bamwanga, beneficiary through
participating in the bean loan seed scheme and a demonstration field
has now enough beans for selling and also his household food (Plate
4d).
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M/s Mwenderehe Marble, a farmer in
Kabale district (Kitumba sub county) through multiplication and sale
of seed of genotype RWR 2075 she selected from the participatory
trials, has managed to buy iron sheets , wooden door and window
frames for her new shelter and also a hoe (Plate 6).
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M/s. Claudia, (a farmer in Kabale
district) after selling dry grains and fresh pods of NABE 12C has
managed to buy a sheep, paid school fees of her children. She says the
fresh pods as well as dry grains of NABE 12C fetch a higher price than
the local varieties she has been growing (Plate 7).
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In addition, to the improved
livelihoods, the individual farmers who participated in trials have
now formed an association, through which they intend to achieve more.
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