Effects <strong>of</strong> grafting technique, shade intensity and age <strong>of</strong> rootstocks on vegetative propagation <strong>of</strong> Mangifera indica in Central Uganda * 1 Malinga, M., 2 Okullo, J.B.L.and 2 Tumwebaze, S.B. 1 National Forestry Authority, Uganda 2 College <strong>of</strong> Agricultural and Environment Sciences, Makerere University, Uganda *Email for correspondence:malingams@yahoo.com Abstract Plant propagation studies are important to plant conservation and have led to the invention <strong>of</strong> grafting and budding methods that have enabled the improvement <strong>of</strong> commercial Mangifera indica (mango) cultivars. Although grafting techniques have led to the production <strong>of</strong> various cultivars in tree nurseries, mango fruit tree production is limited by poor grafting skills, insufficient planting material and variation in agro – ecological regions. The aim <strong>of</strong> this study was to improve on the grafting technology <strong>of</strong> M. indica in tree nurseries in Central Uganda. To that effect, two experiments were set up to evaluate the influence <strong>of</strong> shade intensities & grafting techniques and the effect <strong>of</strong> two rootstock ages on survival rate <strong>of</strong> five mango cultivars respectively. These experiments were laid out in a Completely Randomised Block Design <strong>of</strong> 5 x 3 x 3 and 5 x 2 x 3 factorial treatment structure respectively. The treatments included five mango cultivars (‘Apple’, ‘Alphonso’, ‘Bire’, ‘Ssejjembe’ and ‘Tommy atkins’), three grafting techniques (Side, Top wedge and Whip & tongue), three shading intensities (90%, 70% & 50%) and similar treatments except for two and four months rootstock ages respectively. The results showed that selected mango cultivars had significant differences in mean survival percentage (F= 3.40; p =0.011) across shade intensities. Within shade intensities, mean survival percentage differed only under the 90% (F=3.83, p=0.01), but not under the 50% and 70% shade intensities. Grafting technique significantly (F= 3.58; p= 0.033) affected the hardening-<strong>of</strong>f time <strong>of</strong> grafts with Whip and tongue being the fastest at 91 days. Considering that Mango cultivar Bire had the highest survival, it should be grafted on to two months old rather than four month old rootstocks under 50% shade intensity. The findings from this study, thus strengthens the idea that grafting techniques and shade intensities can play a central role in grafting success. Keywords: Mango tree, cultivar, grafts, shading, rootstock and grafting technology. Estimating the survival and growth rates <strong>of</strong> Allanblackia stuhlmannii for domestication and conservation strategies * 1 Mpanda, M. M., 2 Munjuga, M. R., 2 Simons A. J., 3 Sawe, C. T., 4,5 Cordeiro, N. J., 2 Coe, R., 2 Ofori, D. A., 2 Mowo, J. and 2 Jamnadass, R. 1 World Agr<strong>of</strong>orestry Centre, P O. Box 6226, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 2 World Agr<strong>of</strong>orestry Centre, P. O. Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya 3 Forestry and Beekeeping Division, P. O. Box 426, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 4 Department <strong>of</strong> Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605, U.S.A. 5 Departments <strong>of</strong> Botany and Zoology, The Field Museum, Chicago, Illinois 60605, USA *Email for correspondence: m.mpanda@cgiar.org Abstract Allanblackia stuhlmannii belonging to the family Clusiaceae has been identified as one <strong>of</strong> the valuable non-timber forest tree species in Tanzania worthy <strong>of</strong> domestication and conservation. This is due to the commercial value and demand for the seed oil for industrial purposes. In an earlier study, elite trees <strong>of</strong> the species were selected based on the superior characteristics (vigour, fruit size and quantity <strong>of</strong> fruits produced). The elite trees were conserved in a live genebank for sustainable production <strong>of</strong> adequate quantities <strong>of</strong> good quality planting stocks in the near future. The genebank was established with 20 seedlings each from 20 mother trees in single tree plots. Data were collected on tree height, root collar diameter, flowering and fruiting, pests and diseases for 59 months. During the period <strong>of</strong> observation, no pests and diseases were recorded. At the 59 th months, diameter and height growth were positively correlated. Narrow sense heritability (h 2 ) for height growth was 0.61 resulting in genetic gain <strong>of</strong> 8.42% above the mean height growth to as low as -10.7% below the population mean. It was predicted that 12 progenies with genetic gain in height above the mean performance could flower earlier than rest if growth rate <strong>of</strong> A. stuhlmannii is linked to reproductive maturity. Furthermore, it was suggested that the 12 progenies might also sequester carbon at higher rate than the rest if planted for environmental purposes. The early field performance indicates suitability <strong>of</strong> A. stuhlmannii to plant both as a plantation and scattered on-farm, hence reducing pressure from the surrounding forests due to wild harvesting. Differences exhibited by various progenies can further be studied to unveil good traits such as branching, flowering and fruiting, seed and oil quantity and quality. Keyword: Tree domestication, Eastern Arc Mountains, endemism, Tanzania <strong>TAAG</strong> First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 34
Challenges and opportunities for effective biodiversity conservation research, policy and practice
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