Browsing by Author "Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito"

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Amplicon Sequencing Identified a Putative Pathogen, Macrophomina phaseolina, Causing Wilt in African Eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) Grown in Tanzania and Uganda
(Frontiers in Agronomy, 2024-01-03) Xiangming Xu; Ruth Minja; Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito; Fekadu Dinssa; Greg Deakin; Pamela Nahamya Kabod; Asheri Kalala; Eliciana Kweka; Omary Mbwambo; Deusdedith Mbanzibwa; Hamza Msangi; Mildred Julian Nakanwagi; Tom Passey; Stuart Sentance; Godfrey Sseremba; Eleftheria Stavridou; Gerard J. Bishop
African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) is one of the most common traditional vegetables in Tanzania and Uganda, but its productivity is severely affected by wilt diseases caused by a number of pathogens. Plant stem and root samples were collected in several fields from many neighboring diseased and healthy plants of the Gilo group in Tanzania and from the Shum group in Uganda to identify putative pathogens causing wilt on African eggplants. Through amplicon sequencing of sampled diseased and healthy tissues, we identified putative causal pathogens for the wilt symptoms. Wilting of S. aethiopicum in Uganda is most likely caused by the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum whereas, in Tanzania, wilt is most likely caused by the fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina, infecting roots. Infection of stems by Fusarium solani may also contribute to the wilt symptoms in Tanzania. Further artificial inoculation under controlled conditions confirmed that M. phaseolina can cause typical wilting symptoms on S. aethiopcium genotypes. The discovery of different putative causal agents of wilt in the crop demonstrates the need for site specific etiological analysis of wilt before developing and implementing effective control methods. Further research is needed to confirm the results and develop appropriate management measures against specific wilt pathogens.
Comparative analysis of nutrients in frequently consumed Indigenous African vegetables: implications for geriatric nutrition
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2026-01-27) Martin Mutambuka; Mildred Nakanwagi; Rosemary Bulyaba; Isaac Onziga Bramadri; Gerald Tumusiime; Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito
The promotion and consumption of african indigenous Vegetables (aiVs) offers potential to improve diet quality and reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases among older persons. however, limited information exists on the minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals that contribute to these benefits. This study assessed the nutritional composition of three genotypes of each of four commonly consumed aiVs in Uganda: Solanum aethiopicum Shum (e16, e15, and e11), Solanum aethiopicum gilo (G4, G9, and G6), Amaranthus sp. (Var. 008, Var. 025, and Var. 007), and Vigna unguiculata l. Walp (UcU cow 1, aseremoya, and acc23). The vegetables were analysed for minerals (Fe, Zn, ca, Mg, K), dietary fibre, phytochemicals (anthocyanins, tannins, catechins, polyphenols, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, ferulic acid, flavonoids), and vitamins (α-tocopherol and β-carotene) using standard procedures and means were separated using one-Way anoVa. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed across aiVs. S. aethiopicum Shum e16 exhibited the highest mineral levels, while V. unguiculata genotypes showed he lowest Mg, Fe, and K content. iron was highest in S. aethiopicum gilo g4 (8.83 mg/100 g). leafy vegetables contained greater quantities of phytochemicals, dietary fibre, β-carotene, and α-tocopherol than fruit vegetables. Principal component analysis segregated genotypes based on nutrient profiles: phytochemicals and fibre strongly influenced V. unguiculata clustering, minerals influenced Solanum spp, and tocopherol and gallic acid distinguished Amaranthus genotypes. These findings highlight distinct nutritional advantages across aiV species. V. unguiculata exhibited particularly high phytochemical and vitamin content, suggesting its value as a nutrient-dense component of diets aimed at supporting healthy ageing.
Draft genome sequence of solanum aethiopicum provides insights into disease resistance, drought tolerance, and the evolution of the genome
(Oxford, 2019-08) Bo Song; Yue Song; Yuan Fu; Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito; Sandra Ndagire Kamenya; Pamela Nahamya Kabod; Huan Liu; Samuel Muthemba; Robert Kariba; Joyce Njuguna; Solomon Maina; Francesca Stomeo; Appolinaire Djikeng; Prasad S. Hendre; Xiaoli Chen; Wenbin Chen; Xiuli Li; Wenjing Sun; Sibo Wang; Shifeng Cheng; Alice Muchugi; Ramni Jamnadass; Allen Van Deynze; Huanming Yang; Jian Wang; Xun Xu; Damaris Achieng Odeny; Xin Liu
Background: The African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) is a nutritious traditional vegetable used in many African countries, including Uganda and Nigeria. It is thought to have been domesticated in Africa from its wild relative, Solanum anguivi. S. aethiopicum has been routinely used as a source of disease resistance genes for several Solanaceae crops, including Solanum melongena. A lack of genomic resources has meant that breeding of S. aethiopicum has lagged behind other vegetable crops. Results: We assembled a 1.02-Gb draft genome of S. aethiopicum, which contained predominantly repetitive sequences (78.9%). We annotated 37,681 gene models, including 34,906 protein-coding genes. Expansion of disease resistance genes was observed via 2 rounds of amplification of long terminal repeat retrotransposons, which may have occurred ∼1.25 and 3.5 million years ago, respectively. By esequencing 65 S. aethiopicum and S. anguivi genotypes, 18,614,838 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified, of which 34,171 were located within disease resistance genes. Analysis of domestication and demographic history revealed active selection for genes involved in drought tolerance in both “Gilo” and “Shum” groups. A pan-genome of S. aethiopicum was assembled, containing 51,351 protein-coding genes; 7,069 of these genes were missing from the reference genome. Conclusions: The genome sequence of S. aethiopicum enhances our understanding of its biotic and abiotic resistance. The single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified are immediately available for use by breeders. The information provided here will accelerate selection and breeding of the African eggplant, as well as other crops within the Solanaceae family.
Intraspecific crossability and compatibility within solanum aethiopicum
(Elsevier Ltd, 2021-07) Ruth Buteme; Mary Nakajiri; Newton Kucel; Pamela Nahamya Kabod; Godfrey Sseremba; Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito
Understanding hybridization barriers is relevant for germplasm conservation and utilization. The prezygotic barriers to hybridization include floral morphological differences like pistil and stamen length, pollen characteristics and pollen-pistil interactions. This study sought to elucidate the reproductive biology of Solanum aethiopicum; its mating systems and compatibility barriers. Eight genotypes of Solanum aethiopicum were examined for differences in floral morphology, phenology and cross compatibility in a full diallel mating design, with assessment of fruit set, seed set and seed viability. In-vivo pollen tube growth was observed for failed crosses at 24, 48 and 72 h after pollination. All genotypes had heterostyly flowers, with predominantly small white petals. Incompatibility was observed in five out of 39 combinations. All selfed genotypes displayed compatibility implying the genotypes are self-compatible. Pollen–pistil incompatibility, which was exhibited in four out of the five failed cross combinations, occurred on the stigma, upper style and lower style, a phenomenon typical in Solanaceae. Solanum aethiopicum is self-compatible and majorly self-pollinating but has features that support cross-pollination.