The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, is a major pest of cassava in Africa. Developing whitefly-resistant cassava can control both whiteflies and viral diseases. The main aim of this study was to identify cassava genotypes resistant to four B. tabaci populations, sub-Saharan Africa 1—subgroups 1, 2, and 3 (SSA1-SG1, SSA1-SG2, and SSA1-SG3) and sub-Saharan Africa 2 (SSA2) that colonize cassava, as well as understand the mechanisms of resistance. Utilizing the antixenosis and antibiosis techniques in the choice and no-choice tests, respectively, to screen for whitefly resistance, we tested 46 cassava genotypes. Of these, 11 (Njule Red, Nase 3, Nase 1, Kibandameno, Sagonja, Aladu, Kiroba, Magana, 72-TME-14, Sauti, and PER 415) exhibited antixenosis, as they were least preferred for oviposition by all four whiteflies population in choice tests. Ten genotypes exhibited antibiosis (nymph mortality) against SSA1-SG1 and SSA1-SG3 in no-choice tests, and these were, Pwani, Nase 14, Kalawe, Eyope, NGA11, CoI2246, Mkumbozi, KBH2002/0066, Yizaso, and PER 608. Eight genotypes—Tongolo, Mbundumali, Colicanana, Orera, Ofumbachai, Nam 130, Tajirika, and MECU72—exhibited both antixenosis and antibiosis mechanisms against SSA1-SG1 and SSA1-SG3. And these can be considered the best sources of resistance for the potential development of whitefly-resistant cassava varieties in African countries.

Sorghum cultivars, particularly those used for forage and biomass, present significant potential as drought-resistant crops suitable for animal feed and biofuel production. This study evaluated 59 sorghum hybrids over five years (2019–2023) across three University of California research farm locations in the Central Valley: Kearney REC (KARE), West Side REC (WSREC), and Davis. The primary aim was to identify genotypes that exhibit high yield and stability across diverse environments in California, which is crucial for meeting the state’s significant feed needs associated with dairy operations and animal production. The evaluation focused on biomass yields, forage quality traits such as Relative Feed Quality (RFQ) and milk yield per ton (milk/ton), and biofuel-relevant chemical compositions like Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and starch. A multi-trait stability index was employed to pinpoint superior genotypes that combine high yield with desirable quality traits. Results indicated significant genotypic, environmental, and genotype-by-environment (GxE) interaction effects for all traits except fat and water-soluble sugars. Eight hybrids were notable for maintaining high and stable biomass yields across different locations. Additionally, high fat and starch content were found to correlate with improved milk/ton potential, while lower fiber content (ADF, NDF) was associated with enhanced RFQ. Specifically, nine hybrids were identified as optimal for dairy forage due to their combination of high yield, RFQ, and milk/ton. Furthermore, distinct hybrids were identified for first-generation (starch-based) and second-generation (NDF-based) biofuel strategies. Three hybrids stood out as having desirable traits for both feed and biofuel applications, underscoring their versatility. This study highlights the utility of a multi-trait stability index in selecting superior sorghum genotypes for specific trait combinations. The identified candidates for forage and biofuel use, especially the multipurpose varieties, offer valuable insights that can aid growers and industry stakeholders in developing more sustainable and versatile sorghum production systems in California. Findings from this study contribute significantly to the development of more resilient sorghum production systems. By identifying hybrids that excel in both yield and quality across various environments, this research supports future cropping decisions aimed at enhancing water use efficiency and drought resilience in sorghum cultivation. These advancements are crucial for maintaining competitive dairy operations and advancing biofuel production in the face of climate change-induced challenges.

Globally, tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are recognized as a significant vegetable crop with nutritional, health, and economic importance. In Uganda, small-scale tomato farmers, obtain low yields due to biotic and abiotic conditions of pests, diseases, lack of irrigation, and insufficient knowledge of sustainable farming practices. Post-harvest losses further hinder tomato production by limiting the amount of high-quality produce reaching the market. This study used a largely qualitative approach to understand the mechanisms tomato farmers in Wakiso and Luwero districts in Central Uganda use to reduce post-harvest losses at farm level. The study reveals that the Assila F1 Hybrid is the predominant variety—chosen for its firmness, extended shelf life, and resistance to pests and diseases. Farmers adopted staggered planting to manage post-harvest losses, harvesting mature green tomatoes in the morning and evening. However, a lack of technical expertise resulted in a deficiency of deliberate post-harvest treatments, and the absence of a mandatory body for produce inspection negatively impacted quality. Individual sales by farmers without standardized measurements also contributed to exploitation by middlemen. The study recommends farmers’ capacity building in appropriate post-harvest handling practices.

This study was aimed at evaluating three eggplant varieties for response to bacterial wilt disease, to guide recommendations to farmers in central Uganda. Experiments were conducted at four sites under field conditions in 2016 and 2017 in central Uganda during three planting seasons. Two commercial eggplant varieties, namely, “Black beauty” and “Long purple”, were tested alongside one newly introduced variety, the “Thai long green”. Data was collected on disease incidence, severity and fruit yield. Analysis of variance revealed statistically significant differences in disease incidence, severity, and fruit yield across seasons, varieties and sites. The “Thai long green” variety proved to be a superior in terms of bacterial wilt resistance, showing the lowest levels of mean disease severity (1.5) and incidence (14%). The long purple variety was the most susceptible. “Thai long green” also attained highest average yields (14.86 t/ha), fruit weight per plant (1.2 kg) and fruit number per plant (9), across all locations for the three seasons. Therefore, we recommend promotion of the “Thai long green” variety in the region.