Browsing by Author "Arinaitwe G."

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Coffee Berry Moth, Prophantis smaragdina (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): Another threat to Robusta coffee, Coffea canephora production in Uganda
(Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2023-09-15) Kagezi G.H.; Kyalo G.; Twesigye V.; Helerimana C.; Anyijuka M.; Musasizi J.K.; Ssenoga G.; Kobusinge J.; Sseremba G.; Arinaitwe G.; Niyibigira E.I.
A structured questionnaire eliciting farmers’ knowledge of Coffee Berry Moth (CBM) was administered to 10 coffee farmers selected in the villages surrounding Kaweri. Additionally, 10 coffee trees were assessed for CBM infestation in farmers’ gardens and at Kaweri. Half of the farmers knew CBM and >50% of them first observed it on their coffee recently. However, 42.8% of them thought CBM causes no effect on coffee yields. Furthermore, 57.2% of them could identify the pest by the characteristic silk webs and the same percentage was aware that CBM causes more damage during the dry season. Majority (71.2%) of them did not know the effect of shade on its infestation while all of them were not aware of any alternative host for it. Lastly, only 14.2% of the farmers mentioned that they were managing CBM. At plot level, CBM was observed in all the Kaweri sections and farmers’ gardens assessed and the infestation was significantly (p≤0.05) higher at Kaweri than in farmers’ gardens. Infestation decreased significantly (p≤0.05) with increase in pruning and intercropping. The results showed that CBM is gaining economic importance as a pest of Robusta coffee in Uganda. However, limited farmers’ knowledge about its management, coupled with scanty literature, points to urgent need for research towards developing integrated management strategies for it.
Coffee Berry Moth, Prophantis smaragdina (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): Another threat to Robusta coffee, Coffea canephora production in Uganda
(National Agricultural Research Organisation, 2023-09-01) Kagezi G.H.; Kyalo G.; Twesigye V.; Helerimana C.; Anyijuka M.; Musasizi J.K.; Ssenoga G.; Kobusinge J.; Sseremba G.; Arinaitwe G.; Niyibigira E.I.
A structured questionnaire eliciting farmers’ knowledge of Coffee Berry Moth (CBM) was administered to 10 coffee farmers selected in the villages surrounding Kaweri. Additionally, 10 coffee trees were assessed for CBM infestation in farmers’ gardens and at Kaweri. Half of the farmers knew CBM and >50% of them first observed it on their coffee recently. However, 42.8% of them thought CBM causes no effect on coffee yields. Furthermore, 57.2% of them could identify the pest by the characteristic silk webs and the same percentage was aware that CBM causes more damage during the dry season. Majority (71.2%) of them did not know the effect of shade on its infestation while all of them were not aware of any alternative host for it. Lastly, only 14.2% of the farmers mentioned that they were managing CBM. At plot level, CBM was observed in all the Kaweri sections and farmers’ gardens assessed and the infestation was significantly (p≤0.05) higher at Kaweri than in farmers’ gardens. Infestation decreased significantly (p≤0.05) with increase in pruning and intercropping. The results showed that CBM is gaining economic importance as a pest of Robusta coffee in Uganda. However, limited farmers’ knowledge about its management, coupled with scanty literature, points to urgent need for research towards developing integrated management strategies for it.
Distribution and Severity of Coffee Pests and Diseases in Central Uganda
(2024-11-03) Olango N.D.K.; Kagezi G.; Olal S.; Kucel P.; Ekwaru R.; Judith K.; Arinaitwe G.
This study aimed to determine the incidence and severity of coffee pests and diseases and any relationships between them. Five coffee producing districts in Uganda, namely, Masaka, Mubende, Mpigi, Kayunga and Luwero were selected. 10 coffee farms were evaluated per district. Pest and disease incidence were determined as the percentage of trees with the disease or pest. Disease severity was evaluated on a 1-5 scale while pest damage was expressed as a percentage of tissue damaged. Results showed significant differences in incidence and damage/severity among all the major pests and diseases in the region except foliage beetles. The most damaging pest was the BCTB with an incidence between 15% and 26%. The next most damaging pests were the tailed caterpillars and Skeletonisers, both lepidoptera with incidence of 20.4% and 16% respectively. The most severe disease was Red blister (Cercospora coffeicola) with a severity score 2.0 and incidence 51.6%. No novel pests or diseases were discovered. Further studies are recommended to understand factors proliferating the pests and diseases.