Browsing by Author "Tugume, Arthur K."

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    High-throughput sequencing analysis reveals Moroccan Watermelon Mosaic Virus and Tobacco Streak Virus isolates infecting pumpkins in Uganda
    (CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, 2025-08-01) Masika, Fred Bwayo; Tugume, Arthur K.; Kesawat, Mahipal S.; Shimelis, Hussein; Ddamulira, Gabriel; Athman, Shahasi Y.; Ipulet, Perpetua; Alicai, Titus
    Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a globally cultivated, economically significant cucurbit species, yet viral diseases pose a major threat to its yield and quality, especially in key production areas such as Uganda. To investigate and document viruses affecting pumpkins in Uganda, we assessed the sub-regional severity of virus-like diseases and identified pumpkin-infecting viruses using RNA sequencing. A total of 75 pumpkin leaf samples displaying typical viral symptoms were collected from 66 fields across Uganda. These samples were then pooled into five bulk groups, each consisting of 15 different plant leaves. Our analysis identified two viruses and detected six viruses, which were, however, not confirmed by another method. The two identified viruses were Moroccan Watermelon Mosaic Virus (MWMV) and Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV). This is the first report of MWMV and TSV infecting pumpkins in Uganda. The virus-like disease symptoms exhibited variations in sub-regional severity and incidence. These findings highlight the current viral diversity in pumpkins in Uganda, providing critical information for developing integrated disease management strategies to enhance crop yield and productivity.
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    Unlocking Ugandan pumpkin landrace diversity: integrated morphological and nutritional profiling for food security and breeding innovation
    (Taylor & Francis, 2026-04-13) Masika, Fred Bwayo; Anywar, Godwin; Kesawate, Mahipal Singh; Ddamulira, Gabriel; Kawuma, Caro; Andama, Morgan; Ajoma, Charity; Ramathan, Iddi; Amugoli, Otuba Moses; Caku, Jimmy; Alicai, Titus; Nuwamanya, Ephraim; Tugume, Arthur K.
    Pumpkins (Cucurbita spp.) are vital for food and nutritional security in Uganda, yet their full potential remains underexploited due to the limited characterization of traits. To address this, 91 landraces, 21 Cucurbita pepo and 70 Cucurbita moschata were collected from 19 districts across major agroecological zones, evaluated for morpholological and nutritional diversity. Results revealed wide phenotypic variation with fruit weights ranging from 0.5 to 10.0 kg and shapes varying from discoid (L/D 0.44) to highly elongated (L/D 4.00). Fruit size and shape were independent axes of variation. Regionally, Buganda and Bunyoro landraces produced larger fruits, averaging 3.84 kg and 4.07 kg, while West Nile landraces formed a distinct nutrient-rich cluster, with high dry matter (22.8%), lipids (3.75% fresh weight (FW), fiber (3.34% FW), and carbohydrates (4.07% FW). District-specific differences were also observed, with Mpigi landraces rich in phenolics content (0.062 ± 0.0023 g GAE/100 g), and Mukono landraces rich in proteins (0.000887 g/100 g). Importantly, external morphology poorly predicted internal nutritional quality, highlighting the need for direct biochemical profiling in breeding programs. This study provides Uganda’s first nationally structured dataset on pumpkin diversity, offering a scientific foundation for targeted germplasm conservation, nutrient-enriched cultivar development and policy interventions to strengthen food systems across diverse agroecological zones in Uganda.