Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. is a fruit tree crop largely grown in tropical regions for its edible fruits. Though listed among underutilized crops, the demand for jackfruit in Uganda has increased. Amidst the increase in demand, the crop faces strong selective pressure and yet there is no documentation of the varieties and distribution of the crop in the country. This study therefore aimed at determining the varieties and distribution of jackfruit in Uganda using folk knowledge to provide a baseline for its production, booming market and conservation. A cross-sectional survey involving 349 participants comprising of 205 jackfruit traders and 144 jackfruit farmers from three political regions and three agro-ecological zones was conducted. Data were collected through face to face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire and direct observations. Classification of jackfruit varieties, geographical location of the source of jackfruits for traders and the time of harvest of the fruit by the farmers were investigated. Occurrence of varieties per household was determined through on-farm visits. Data analysis techniques involved descriptive, chi-square and Cramer’s V measure of association analyses. Traders mainly obtained jackfruit from Central (46.0%) and Eastern (37.6%) political regions, Lake Victoria Crescent and Mbale Farmlands (41.1%) and Southern and Eastern Lake Kyoga Basin (30.0%) agro-ecological zones. Jackfruit varieties were classified basing on fruit texture and pulp colour, revealing four ethno-varieties, soft (Serebera), firm yellow (Kanaanansi), firm red (Namusaayi) and firm white (Namata). Namata and Serebera registered the lowest occurrences political regions and agro-ecological zones. Farmers harvested jackfruit throughout the year with a peak season in December and January. Folk knowledge provided baseline information for jackfruit variety categorization. Selection pressure exerted on Serebera and Namata demands for germplasm conservation. Since jackfruit thrives in a wide range of climatic conditions, its cultivation should be encouraged to ensure food security and sustain the increasing demand.
Bio-proxies provide relevant information on ecosystem health and environmental dynamics. In this study, diatom assemblages of two cores collected from the Ugandan side of Lake Victoria at Napoleon Gulf ("NAPG1" (GPS, 00º25'44.5" N, 033º14'10.4" E)) and Sango Bay ("SAGB2" (GPS, 00º51'48.0" S, 031º42'47.8" E)) provide evidence of long term changes in the Lake Basin from ca 10,500 years to present. Diatom information was supported by phytolith data from the same cores. The period from ca 10,500-8,100 calyrBP experienced moderate precipitation, strong turbulence with reduced forest cover in the lake's catchments. During the phase ca 8,100-6,600 calyrBP, the lake basin experienced increased precipitation but with reduced mixing of the water column. This period was also characterized by increased forest vegetation cover as reflected by phytolith assemblages. The period from ca 5,900-1,400 calyrBP was characterized by regular changes in precipitation, turbulence and vegetation taxa in the catchment areas. The phase from ca. 1,800 calyrBP to present was characterized by significant increase in Fragilaria and Nitzschia species as well as increase in Nitzschia: Aulacoseira ratio which may be attributed to human involvement in the ecological functioning of Lake Victoria ecosystem.
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