Production of Sweet-Potato Based Indigenous Micro-Organisms (IMO) for Sustainable Agriculture.
The global agricultural sector faces immense pressure to meet the rising food demands of a growing population. Traditionally, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and acaricides have been used to boost yields and protect plants and animals from pests, parasites, and diseases. However, these chemical in...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Kabale University
2024
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2489 |
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| Summary: | The global agricultural sector faces immense pressure to meet the rising food demands of a growing population. Traditionally, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and acaricides have been used to boost yields and protect plants and animals from pests, parasites, and diseases. However, these chemical inputs pose significant risks to the environment, human health, and the sustainability of agricultural systems, which are issues that cannot be overlooked. In this context, there is an urgent need to adopt sustainable agricultural practices that improve crop and animal yields, enhance soil health, and minimize environmental harm. One such innovative approach is the use of indigenous microorganisms (IMOs) in agriculture. Rice has often been employed as a carbohydrate source for trapping and culturing IMOs from different environments. However, in the local setting of Kabale Municipality, rice is not readily accessible to marginal farmers. Other carbohydrate-rich foods, such as sweet potatoes, could serve as viable alternatives. This project investigated the role of sweet potatoes as a food security crop in Kabale Municipality and explored their potential use in trapping and culturing indigenous microorganisms. The report detailed the steps involved in producing IMO solutions, highlighting their applications across various sectors for environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture. The findings demonstrated that sweet potatoes are a suitable carbohydrate source for trapping, culturing, and multiplying indigenous microorganisms. This was evidenced by the formation of a distinct white mold within five days of trapping. The results underscore sweet potatoes' potential to support sustainable agricultural practices while addressing food security challenges in the region. |
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