Joseph Ssekandi

National Agricultural Research Organization | NARO · Department of Biotechnology

The excessive application of mineral fertilizers in maize cultivation leads to progressive soil contamination in the long term and increases the cost of production. An alternative to reduce over-fertilization is to perform a partial replacement with microbes that promote nutrition and growth, such as Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF). A pot experi...

The current challenges facing agriculture and food systems demand innovations in system design that potentially empower the weakest component in social, economic, and environmental contexts. Recognizing women’s importance in agriculture and food systems, the agroecological business model is one solution for women to gain access to resources (land,...

The present study was conducted at Mpanga Research Forest located in Mpigi District, Uganda, during the months of March, April, May and Jun 2020 (for the first rainy season) then in September, October, November, and December 2020 (for the second rainy season) to determine the diversity and distribution of macrofungi as well as their influence by se...

This study focused on the documentation of wild macrofungi species used by village communities living around Mpanga Forest in Mpigi District, Central Uganda. In order to determine the variability of knowledge and the modes of use of macrofungi by the local communities, a total of 100 people, distributed in 4 villages (Kalagala, Nakigudde, Mpambire,...

The Covid 19 pandemic has not yet yielded enough documentations on food security in Africa. This article aims to take stock of the situation of food systems, based on information relayed by international institutions and official authorities in two countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Senegal and Uganda. The information from articles and reports of int...

Home gardens are reservoirs of biological diversity. This study assessed plant diversity conservation in home gardens of Thies region (Senegal) with the aim of documenting species composition and diversity in the home gardens. A sample of 30 home gardens was selected from the three main departments of the region and was used to collect plant specie...

Many of the world's soils are experiencing degradation at an alarming rate. Climate change and some agricultural management practices, such as tillage and excessive use of chemicals, have all contributed to the degradation of soil fertility. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMFs) contribute to the improvement of soil fertility. Here, a short review fo...

Senegal is subjected to climate change and unstable weather conditions of the Sahel zone causing adverse negative effects on the agricultural sector and biodiversity. Weather and climate information is one of the requirements for effective adoption of climate-smart agriculture in Senegal, where Agriculture employs approximately 65% of the total pop...

A single paragraph Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) establish symbiotic relationships with many crops. These soil microbiotas improve the soil fertility through the soil physical, chemical and biological properties. extending the root absorbing area. In return, the symbiont receives plant carbohydrates for the completion of its life cycle. AMF al...

Biochar has shown a positive impact on degraded soils. However, the effect of co-applied biochar with farmyard manure and inorganic fertiliser on soil chemical characteristics, yield, nutrient constituent and economic analysis of cucumber did not receive adequate research attention in sub-Saharan Africa. A field experiment was conducted on sandy cl...

Home gardens are the first source of immediate contact between people and plants since the gardens are within homesteads. Most home garden studies in Senegal concentrate on food security and economic benefits; no research has been carried out on the social and ecological contexts of home gardening in Senegal. It is therefore necessary to evaluate t...

Background: Groundnut pre- and post-harvest contamination is commonly caused by fungi from the Genus Aspergillus. Aspergillus flavus is the most important of these fungi. It belongs to section Flavi; a group consisting of aflatoxigenic (A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius) and non-aflatoxigenic (A. oryzae, A. sojae and A. tamarii) fungi. Aflat...

Food insecurity, poverty, environmental degradation and climatic change are some of the major challenges facing the world. The urban poor are among Ugandans facing food insecurity and malnutrition due to several causes such as job insecurity, low wages and limited farming opportunities. Agriculture has been reported as the biggest contributor to po...

This study investigated the extent of pesticide use and poor handling practices which characterize intensive vegetable farming, among smallholder vegetable farmers in south western Uganda. 100% of respondents were using pesticides for control of pest and diseases, and over 78% applied pesticides on a twice-a-week basis. Majority of farmers used pes...

Background Aspergillus is the main fungal genus causing pre- and post-harvest contamination of groundnuts. Aspergillus flavus belongs to section Flavi, a group consisting of both the aflatoxigenic species (A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius) and non-aflatoxigenic species (A. oryzae, A. sojae and A. tamarii). Aflatoxins are food-borne toxic sec...