Masters Degree Dissertations

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12504/201

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Browsing Masters Degree Dissertations by Subject "Coffee"

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    Access to information and adoption of coffee postharvest management practices among smallholder farmers in Bulambuli district in eastern Uganda
    (Kyambogo University(Unpublished work), 2025-10) Wasike, Jeremiah
    This study explored the determinants of access to post-harvest management (PHM) information and the adoption of improved PHM practices among smallholder coffee farmers in Bulambuli District, Uganda. Specifically, it examined the influence of socio-demographic characteristics and information sources on information access and adoption. A cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach was employed, focusing on 318 smallholder coffee farmers selected through stratified random sampling from Buginyanya and Namisuni sub-counties. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS Version 20. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the effects of socio-demographic factors and information sources on access to PHM information, as well as the determinants of adoption of improved PHM practices. Findings revealed that conventional information sources, including radio, fellow farmers, print media, extension agents, and Agro-input dealers, significantly influenced farmers’ access to PHM information. Socio-economic characteristics such as education, farming experience, group membership, and garden size also influenced information access. Adoption of improved PHM practices was influenced by access to PHM information, age, gender, and group membership. Recommendations include strengthening rural radio programs, expanding and professionalizing extension services, promoting farmer group participation, facilitating structured peer-to-peer learning, and targeting youth engagement in adoption initiatives.
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    Morphological characterization of Cercospora cof-fiecola on Robusta coffee berries in Uganda
    (Kyambogo University (Unpublished work), 2025-10) Anyijuka, Mark
    Coffee contributes enormously to Uganda’s economy; however, farmers cur-rently lose over 50% yield of the crop to coffee red blister disease (CRBD), a fungal infection caused by Cercospora coffeicola. Currently, the pathogen pos-es the greatest challenge to Robusta coffee production though its ecology is not fully studied. This study aimed at characterizing C. coffeicola on berries of Robusta coffee in Uganda. A total of 47 Robusta coffee farms were randomly sampled from seven (7) districts which were purposively selected from three (3) Robusta coffee growing regions. Fifty (50) coffee berries were sampled along a transect at each farm and assessed for RBD symptomatology variabil-ity. The Coffee Red Blister Disease (CRBD) was found in all the sampled re-gions and districts of Uganda with a prevalence rate of 38%. The highest CRBD prevalence (47%) was observed in central Uganda and was significant-ly different from that of Southwestern region (16%) (P <0.0001). On average, the lesion incidence on diseased Robusta coffee berries was 10.6%. The high-est lesion incidence was recorded in central region (13.1%) followed by mid-eastern region (12.0%) and least in the southwestern region (6.1%). CRBD le-sion area coverage on the coffee berry averaged at 27.3% but varied signifi-cantly across the regions (P=0.0069) and districts (P<0.0001). Berries collected from mid-eastern and central regions recorded a statistically higher lesion area coverage (30%) than southwestern region (21.8%). The average number of CRBD lesions per coffee berry ranged from 4.4 to 8.4. Luuka district with 10 lesions per berry registered the highest number of lesions and lowest Isingiro district (0.5). The pathogen, C. coffeicola, was isolated from infected berries and the isolates assessed for morphological variability. Based on the isolates’ pigmentation, radial growth, colony elevation, sporulation ability, and shape, the assessment resulted into six symptom morphotypes (SM) that were ran-domly assigned the capital letters of the alphabets ―A‖ to ―F‖. Isolated C. cof-feicola fungi grew linearly on PDA at a rate of 2.9 to 3.6 mm/day to attain a diameter of 27 to 70 mm in 5-14 days. Morphotype IV (colony radius = 44mm/day) had the highest growth rate, while morphotype V had the slowest growth rate (colony radius = 35mm. Morphologically, the morphotype colonies were peripherally flat with slightly raised front view and umbonate to radially folded centers. Pathogenicity tests that were conducted on one susceptible Ro-busta coffee variety (KR6) and two tolerant varieties (KR3 and KR10) using three distinct morphotypes, L1C (Morphotype II), M1C (Morphtype III) N1C (Morphotype IV) revealed that all the isolates were pathogenic to the three se-lected coffee varieties. L1C caused the most cercosporiosis to KR 6 (DI = 41%) while M1C caused the least disease (DI=1.3%) on KR3. N1C did not infect KR10. KR6 had the highest disease index of 41.2%, while the resistant variety, KR10 had the lowest (6.8%). In conclusion, there is variability in the C. coffeicola pathogen complex across the Robusta coffee growing regions, as exhibited through symptomatology of the disease on berries. This study pro-vides baseline information on CRBD symptomatology and pathogenicity to inform further research on the disease. This information can guide target CRBD management strategies as well as development of new CRBD resistant varieties.
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    Optimization of an ethanol-baited trap for management of the black coffee twig borer in robusta Coffee-banana systems of Uganda
    (Kyambogo University(Unpublished work), 2025-10) Nakitende, Alice
    The Black Coffee Twig Borer (BCTB), Xylosandrus compactus poses a significant threat to Uganda’s coffee industry, causing yield losses of up to 9.6% and an economic loss of about US$42.9 million. Farmers currently manage this pest using labor intensive cultural practices and costly chemicals, which can also harm humans and the environment. In response, the National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI) developed an ethanol-baited NARO-BCTB trap to assist in their management. Although farmers see promising results, the trap's effectiveness can be improved through modifications. A study was therefore conducted at NaCORI to evaluate trap design (with or without flaps as well as the number and size of windows), ethanol concentration, and trap spacing on the catch of adult. Trap design was assessed through a field experiment utilizing a split-split plot design, and trap catches were assessed weekly for six months. In addition, the ability of five (5) different ethanol concentration levels to attract adult X. compactus beetles was evaluated in a Y-tube alfactometer laboratory assay. For each concentration, 250 adult beetles were released individually in a Y-tube and observed for 10 minutes, and response towards air, ethanol sample, or no response was recorded. Furthermore, a combined effect of ethanol concentrations and trap spacing on BCTB trap catches was tested in a Robusta coffee-banana field in a split-plot design. Traps without flaps captured 8% more beetles, than those with flaps. The flapless trap with two 6x4 cm windows were the most effective. No interaction was found among trap type, window number, and size. BCTB response rose with ethanol concentration, peaking at 70% (62.8%) and declining at 96% (23.6%). A significant interaction occurred between ethanol concentration and spacing, with the highest captures (18.0 beetles) at 70% ethanol and 30 m spacing, comparable to 50% ethanol at 20 m (15.3 beetles). Thus, flapless traps with two 6 × 4 cm windows, baited with 50 and70% ethanol and spaced 20 and30 m apart are recommended to reduce X. compactus infestation and increase yields in Robusta coffee–banana systems.