Browsing by Author "Christine Kalembe Mwanja"

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E ect of nodal cutting position and plant growth regulator on bud sprouting of Dendrocalamus giganteus Wall. Ex Munro in Uganda
(Advances in Bamboo Science, 2023-01-06) Fred Kalanzi; Christine Kalembe Mwanja
Dendrocalamus giganteus Wall. Ex Munro (giant bamboo) is one of the most economically important bamboo species globally. However, propagation of Dendrocalamus giganteus from seed is hampered by the duration it takes to flower – making the large-scale production of planting stock for this valuable species untenable. This study was conducted under greenhouse conditions to determine the optimal doses of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and culm cutting position to propagate D. giganteus. Cuttings from the top, middle and basal culm positions were treated with different concentrations of Indole-3-Butyric Acid (0.6 %, 0.8 % and 1.0 %) and a control with distilled water. A mixture of top forest soil and sand in a ratio of 2:1 was used as a growth medium. The experiment was set up in a Complete Randomized Factorial Design (CRFD). Cuttings were monitored for the number of bud sprouts over 18 weeks. Results indicated that cuttings’ position and concentration of IBA greatly influenced the sprouting of D. giganteus. The highest bud sprouts were obtained for 0.6 % IBA and cuttings from the basal position. Bud sprouting was lowest in the control and cuttings from the top position. We conclude that while propagating D. giganteus by culm cuttings, basal cuttings and 0.6 % IBA should be encouraged.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Performance of Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. Ex J. C. Wendl in Selected Agro-Ecologies of Uganda
(East African Journal of Forestry & Agroforestry, 2024-03-08) Fred Kalanzi; Isaac Kiyingi; Christine Kalembe Mwanja; Hillary Agaba; Michael Malinga; Selim Reza; Durai Jayaraman
Bamboo is a versatile and valuable resource that has been shown to have social, ecological, and economic benefits in many countries worldwide. Even though Uganda has a suitable environment for bamboo growth, it remains underutilized. One of the key challenges in promoting bamboo farming is the need for more information about the growth performance of different bamboo species in various site conditions. Therefore, this study determined the morphological characteristics and growth performance of Bambusa vulgaris in Uganda. A total of 24 bamboo farms were selected from a list of bamboo farmers provided by key informants using stratified sampling. These farms had relatively uniform B. vulgaris stands and were drawn from Uganda's three agro-ecological zones (AEZs): the Southwestern, West Nile, and Lake Victoria crescent agro-ecological zones. Eight temporary sample plots were established in each zone, and various growth parameters were measured. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Sidak post-hoc test was used to compare the performance of B. vulgaris across the different agro- ecological zones based on growth parameters. The results of the study showed that the total above-ground biomass was highest in the Lake Victoria crescent (24.773 kg/ha), followed by the West Nile (17.141 kg/ha) and the Southwestern (15.125 kg/ha) agro-ecological zones. The growth rate of B. vulgaris after three years was found to be similar to the outstanding growth rate mentioned in the literature. The growth performance of B. vulgaris was notably better in the L. Victoria crescent compared to the West Nile and Southwestern highlands – suggesting that efforts to promote the growing of B. vulgaris should prioritize the L. Victoria crescent agro-ecological zone. Overall, this study provides valuable information on the growth performance of B. vulgaris in different agro-ecological zones in Uganda. This information can be used to guide the promotion and development of bamboo farming in the country, which has the potential to improve livelihoods and contribute to sustainable development.