Browsing by Author "Mulungu, Loth S"
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Item Effect of Seedbed Type on Yield and Yield Components of Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Commercial Cultivars(Asia Network for Scientific Information, 2006) Mulungu, Loth S; Tarimo, A. J. P.; Reuben, O.W.M.; Lema, D. N.; Makundi, Rhodes H.; Massawe, A. W.Two experiments were conducted, one in 1997 during the long rain season (April-July) and another in 2004 during dry season (September - December) at Sokoine University of Agriculture plots, Morogoro, Tanzania to evaluate the effect of seedbed types on crop performance of beans of different growth types. Treatments were laid out in a split plot arrangement in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. In 1997, the main plots consisted of four common bean cultivars namely SUA 90, Canadian wonder, Kablanketi and Glory. Three seedbed types constituted the sub-plots namely ridge cultivation, flat cultivation and ngolo cultivation. In 2004, the main plots consisted of two bean cultivars namely SUA 90 and Kablanketi. Four seedbed types constituted the sub-plots viz., ridge cultivation, flat cultivation, ngolo cultivation and fipa mound seedbed. The data recorded included number of harvested plants m-2, number of branches plant-1, pods plant-1, pod length, seeds pod-1, grain yield plant-1, yield ha-1 and 100 seed weight. Results showed that bean cultivars differed in yield components and determinate cultivars showed consistently higher seed yield per plant while indeterminate showed consistely higher 100 seed weight. Ridge seedbed showed superiority on number of pods per plant, pod length and yield per plant only during dry season. However, flat seedbeds showed consistently good performance for many variables investigated. Increased grain yield in flat seedbeds, therefore, at both cropping seasons was reflected in increased production of pods per plant, longer pods and yield per plant. Therefore, flat seedbed type is recommended for bean production in the studied location.Item Population dynamics and breeding patterns of multimammatemouse, Mastomys natalensis (Smith 1834), in irrigated rice fields in Eastern Tanzania(Wily online library, 2013) Mulungu, Loth S; Ngowo, Victoria; Mdangi, Mashaka; Katakweba, Abdul S; Tesha, Protas; Mrosso, Furaha P; Mchomvu, Mary; Sheyo, Paul M; Kilonzo, Bukhet SBACKGROUND: Multimammate mice are the most important vertebrate pests in Sub-Saharan Africa and are also reservoirs of many zoonotic diseases, including sylvan plague. This study investigated the population dynamics and breeding patterns of this mouse in irrigated rice cropping systems in eastern Tanzania. RESULTS: The multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis, population varied with habitat and months. Fallow land had a more abundant population than rice fields. The highest population peak was observed during the dry season from July to October. Mastomys natalensis is sexually active throughout the year in the study area, although it reaches the highest level in June and December when rice is at the maturity stage. This suggests that breeding is highly influenced by the presence of a rice crop in both seasons. More juvenile individuals were recorded in August and September, indicating that they were produced in the previous breeding months. The sex ratio of M. natalensis was not skewed to either males or females, indicating that it was at parity. CONCLUSION: Rodent population dynamics during the study periods in all habitats indicated that high birth rates accounted for the rapid population growth and turnover. Regular control and sustainable operations are thus essential if rodent pest populations are to be kept within tolerable limits.Item Relationships between seasonal changes in diet of Multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) and its breeding patterns in semi-arid areas in Tanzania(Cogent food and agriculture, 2018-09) Makundi, Rhodes H; Isabirye, Moses; Kifumba, David; Mdangi, Mashaka E; Nakiyemba, Alice; Leirs, Herwig; Belmain, Steven R; Mulungu, Loth S; Massawe, Apia W; Tarimo, , Akwilin J. P; Kimaro, Didas N; Mariƫn, Joachim; Mlyashimbi, Emmanuel C. MThe diet and breeding patterns of Mastomys natalensis in semi-arid areas of Isimani division, Iringa region, Tanzania were investigated in maize fields and fallow land. The aim was to investigate the influence of diet on breeding patterns of M. natalensis. Removal trapping was used to capture rodents and analyse diet categories while Capture-mark-release trapping was used to investigate breeding patterns of female M. natalensis. Mastomys natalensis comprised 94% of the total capture, and the remaining 6% comprised of six other species. Statistical analysis of food preferences indicated that both vegetative materials and seeds were significantly higher in the overall diet of M. natalensis compared with other food materials. Significant differences in the proportions of vegetative materials and seeds were found between seasons (dry, wet), but not between habitats (fallow, maize). There was a clear seasonal pattern in the proportion of reproductively active females with peaks in April and troughs in October. The proportion of vegetative materials was highest during the wet season and correlated positively with reproductive activity, suggesting that vegetative materials contain certain compounds (e.g. 6-MBOA) that trigger reproductive activity in M. natalensis. The breeding activity of M. natalensis in semi-arid areas might, thus, be reduced by limiting access to fresh vegetative food (e.g. young sprouting grass).