Feeding Preferences of the Bean Leaf Beetle spp.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Insights for Targeted Pest Control Strategies in Uganda.

The bean leaf beetle (BLB) ( spp.) is a polyphagous pest causing significant yield losses in Uganda, particularly in the Northern and Eastern regions on various hosts plants. Despite its polyphagous behaviour, the BLB exhibits preferential feeding, offering an opportunity for targeted pest management.

Redesigning crop varieties to win the race between climate change and food security.

Climate change poses daunting challenges to agricultural production and food security. Rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and more frequent extreme events have already demonstrated their effects on local, regional, and global agricultural systems. Crop varieties that withstand climate-related stresses and are suitable for cultivation in innovative cropping systems will be crucial to maximize risk avoidance, productivity, and profitability under climate-changed environments.

Phenotype based clustering, and diversity of common bean genotypes in seed iron concentration and cooking time.

Common bean is the world's most important directly consumed legume food crop that is popular for calories, protein and micronutrients. It is a staple food in sub-Saharan Africa, and a significant source of iron for anemic people. However, several pests, soil and weather challenges still impede its production.

Host and Seasonal Effects on the Abundance of Bean Leaf Beetles ( spp.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Northern Uganda.

Bean leaf beetles (BLBs) ( spp.) are serious legume pests in Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa, but their ecology is not well understood. We planted host plants, viz.

Bean Leaf Beetle ( spp.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Management via Planting Timing and Insecticides.

Bean leaf beetles ( spp.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are one of Africa's most important pests of the common bean ( L.).

Population Genetic Structure of the Bean Leaf Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Uganda.

Bean leaf beetle (BLB) () has emerged as an important bean pest in Uganda, leading to devastating crop losses. There is limited information on the population genetic structure of BLB despite its importance. In this study, novel microsatellite DNA markers and the partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mt) gene sequences were used to analyze the spatial population genetic structure, genetic differentiation and haplotype diversity of 86 samples from 16 (districts) populations.

Distribution and Relative Abundance of Bean Leaf Beetles ( spp.) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Uganda.

Bean leaf beetles ( spp.) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are one of Africa's most destructive pests of common bean and other leguminous crops. The beetles are widely distributed in Africa where they are estimated to cause annual crop yield losses of 116,400 tons of crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa.

Investigation of Genotype by Environment Interactions for Seed Zinc and Iron Concentration and Iron Bioavailability in Common Bean.

Iron and zinc malnutrition are global public health concerns afflicting mostly infants, children, and women in low- and middle-income countries with widespread consumption of plant-based diets. Common bean is a widely consumed staple crop around the world and is an excellent source of protein, fiber, and minerals including iron and zinc. The development of nutrient-dense common bean varieties that deliver more bioavailable iron and zinc with a high level of trait stability requires a measurement of the contributions from genotype, environment, and genotype by environment interactions.

On-farm multi-location evaluation of genotype by environment interactions for seed yield and cooking time in common bean.

Common bean variety choice by farmers in Uganda is driven by seed yield plus end-use quality traits like market class and cooking time. Limited genotype by environment information is available for traits valued by consumers. This research evaluated yield, seed size, hydration properties, and cooking time of 15 common bean genotypes within market classes recognized by consumers along with three farmers' checks at nine on-farm locations in Uganda for two seasons.