Welcome to SUAIRE
Sokoine University of Agriculture Institutional Repository (SUA IR). This repository was built and is maintained by the university library (Sokoine National Agricultural Library-SNAL) , in order to collect, preserve and disseminate scholarly output generated by University research community (staff and students) members.
This repository hosts a variety of openly accessible materials including: scholarly articles and books, theses and dissertations, conference proceedings and technical reports. For assistance about depositing your research output in the repository click here. SUA IR Policy click here or any queries contact us at snal@sua.ac.tz.
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- The Agroforesty Community is a collaborative network dedicated to advancing sustainable land-use practices that integrate trees, crops, and livestock. It serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, research dissemination, and practical innovations in Agroforestry. By fostering connections among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and local communities, the Agroforestry Community promotes environmental conservation, enhanced agricultural productivity, and resilient livelihoods.
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Recent Submissions
Analysis of crop production in improved irrigation schemes: a case of mwega malolo scheme in Kilosa district, Morogoro
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2011) Kitoeloh, Julius Daud
About 80% of arable land in developing countries is susceptible to drought. This is mainly due to inadequate and erratic rainfall. Consequently irrigated agriculture is the only viable option to ensure food security and reduction of poverty in developing countries. Tanzania has 4.8 million ha of land with high potential for irrigation. Despite the large area with high potential for irrigation only 227 486 ha (about only 4.7%) are currently under irrigation. The low proportion of land which is currently under irrigation makes it crucial to use the irrigated land efficiently. Thus the present study is amongst others, an attempt to establish the best way to utilize the irrigated land in Mwega Malolo irrigation scheme in Kilosa District. Data for the present study were collected from 120 farmers who were randomly selected from Mgogozi, Malolo A and B villages. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed by using Microsoft Excel, LP Wye Computer programmes and Regression. The results show lower yields caused by improper resource allocation, low use of inputs, lack of credit services, storage facilities, and poor extension services. Optimal plan for Mwega Malolo irrigation scheme resulted with the maximum net revenue of Tshs 336 501 384 which is an increase of about 22% compared to total revenue of Tshs 261 210 609 of the current plan. The results of the present study make it plausible to recommend improvement in the allocation of the land in order to maximize the returns for the scheme. In addition to proper allocation of land and other resources, improving extension services using farmer to farmer extension approach (FFS) and demonstrations is also important. The use of inputs, improved equipments and tools, storage structures, and strengthening CHAUMWE for management of the scheme are also necessary for improving revenue and the living standard of the farmers in the study area and similar schemes in other parts of the country.
Soil erosion by water causes and cures with special reference to Mazimbu ANC-farm, Morogoro Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1988) Kosaka, Sukenobu; Hauken, Marit
Literature concerning general theory about soil erosion by water, and soil conservation is studied. Emphasis is laid on literature concerning tropical climates and mechanized farming. Data of importance for soil erosion are collected for the Mazimbu ANC - farm in Tanzania. The collected data are used to assess present soil erosion at the farm, and to prepare a soil conservation plan for the farm. The main forms of soil erosion are splashing erosion, interrill erosion, sheet erosion, rill erosion and gully erosion. Soil erosion is affected by the erosive forces of the rain (ero-sivity), the vulnerability of the soil to be eroded (erodibility) and topographic factors such as slope steepness, slope length and slope shape. Live plants or plant residues on the soil surface are very effective in reducing erosion. erosion, Soil erosion assessment is a study of soil erosion state, erosion rate or erosion risk in an area. The assessment of erosion is important in land use planning and soil conservation work. Soil erosion models are valuable tools in the study of erosion. The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) is an empirical model derived in USA. USLE predicts soil loss caused by rill and interrail and the equation can be used for the determination of conservation practices. There are several objections to transferring USLE to tropical climates. Another empirical model, Soil Loss Estimation Model for Southern Africa (SLEMSA) has been developed in Zimbabwe. Less input data is needed for SLEMSA thar for USLE. SLEMSA estimates soil loss by interrail erosion. Soil erosion can be controlled with soil and crop management and/or mechanical practices. The main objectives of soil and crop management in erosion control are to provide a soil surface that is resistant to erosion and to provide a protective cover of live plants or plant residues (mulch) on the soil surface. The main crop management factors in erosion control are crop rotations, the use of cover crops, multiple cropping, mulching, and strip cropping. It is also important to provide suitable nutrient conditions and growth conditions for the crops. Soil management in erosion control is mainly connected to tillage. Conservation tillage is tillage systems which reduce soil loss since crop residues are left on the soil surface and/or the surface is left rough, porous, cloddy or ridged. Several conservation tillage systems are described under the headings stubble mulch tillage, reduced tillage and no tillage.
Establishment of criteria for classification and mapping of soil erosion at farm scale level: a case study of Sokoine University of Agriculture farm, Morogoro, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2000) Kapele, William
The depth of the topsoil and estimated soil loss were used to assess the extent of past erosion and susceptibility to soil erosion of the Typic Rhodustalf and Typic Ustorthent, in the central part of the Sokoine University of Agriculture farm. The topsoil depth ranges: <15cm, 16 - 20cm and >20cm were used to categorise soils as highly eroded, moderately eroded and least eroded. Parameters of the Universal Soil Loss Equation: rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, crop cover and management, and topographic factors were used to assess the susceptibility of soils studied to erosion. The following soil erosion susceptibility ranges: < 4Mg/ha/year, 4 - 8Mg/ha/year and >8Mg/ha/year were studied and used to represent highly eroded, moderately eroded and least eroded soils. For both criteria, areas with similar erosion classes were delineated, and both soil erosion susceptibility and soil erosion severity maps were drawn at scale 1: 5 000. The impact of soil erosion on maize yield was assessed using the two criteria. Generally there was a decline in maize yield as a result of increase in erosion. For the same erosion category, the Typic Rhodustalf had a higher yield than the Typic Ustorthent. The impact of estimated soil erosion susceptibility on maize yield was more consistent than that of topsoil depth. There existed a high correlation between estimated soil erosion susceptibility and maize grain yield (r2 = 0.60) and biomass (r2 = 0.49). In case of the topsoil depth criterion, the relationship was lower with r2 = 0.20 for grain yield and r2 = 0.26 for There existed a high correlation between estimated soil erosion susceptibility and maize grain yield (r2 = 0.60) and biomass (r2 = 0.49). In case of the topsoil depth criterion, the relationship was lower with r2 = 0.20 for grain yield and r2 = 0.26 for biomass. However, in the Typic Rhodustalf the correlation was high, grain yield (r2 = 0.70) and biomass (r2 = 0.46), while in the Typic Ustorthent the relationship was extremely low; grain yield (r2 = 0.09) and biomass (r2 = 0.24). Soil erosion susceptibility was therefore found to be a better criterion for assessing soil erosion than topsoil depth. However, multiple regression analysis of maize yield and other soil parameters produced high correlation, implying that the use of the topsoil depth can be improved by including some other soil parameters like bulk density and organic carbon for estimating the extent of past erosion.
Barriers to mitigation strategies of land degradation in miombo woodlands: a case of Kasulu district, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2013) Kavumvuli, Phulumensi Revokatusi
This study aimed at finding out challenges that cause low adoption of the land degradation mitigation strategies by smallholder maize farmers in Kasulu District. It specifically aimed at: identifying the rate and effectiveness of the adopted degradation mitigation measures, assess factors that influence the adoption, and identifying the potentials and barriers of the interventions. A total of 140 respondents were involved through simple random, stratified and purposeful sampling. Household questionnaire survey and field observations were used for primary data collection. The findings revealed adoption of mitigation measures resulted into significantly higher maize productivity compared to non-adoption. Furthermore, the study indicateda significant link between social economic factors and degradation mitigation measures adoption. Binary Logistic Regression Analysis Model shows the duration a farmer has adopted the practice, the household wealth status, and awareness on land conservation, farm size, and involvement in alternative income sources influenced adoption differently. To conserve the land, peasants moderately practiced terracing, crop rotations, traditional bush fallow, and inorganic fertilizer application. This was because most farmers could not afford to pay for the extra labour cost required to pay for some mitigation measures. The key identified challenges were lack of sufficient access to extension services, increased costs of the farm inputs, increased costs in farm labour. activities, and conservatism. The study concluded that, existence of challenges have perpetuated land degradation which have as the result significantly affected the production of maize by smallholder farmers in miombo areas.
Evaluation of soil salinity problems associated with sugarcane production under irrigation at tanganyika planting company (tpc) estates, Moshi
(Sokoine Univesirty of Agriculture, 1999) Kiwale, Antery Antony
In Tanzania the problem of salinity and sodicity is common and widespread especially in
irrigation schemes, the Tanganyika Planting Company Ltd in Arusha Chini- Moshi
(TPC) being one of them. A detailed study was carried out to investigate the distribution,
origin and characteristics of salt affected soils in TPC. The objectives were to categorize
the soils in terms of the salinity problem; to investigate the sources of salt accumulation
and asses the quality of irrigation and underground waters in the study area.
A preliminary survey of the irrigated fields was done and experimental fields were
selected on the basis of the available information, crop growth performance and visual
appearance of soil and plants. Soil characterization was based on physical and chemical
properties. Detailed laboratory characterization was done on the salt affected soils,
irrigation and underground waters.
A soil morphology study revealed that the soils are young profiles, of deep alluvial
deposits.
The soils were classified according to the FAO (1988) soil classification system and
found to be Humic Cambisols; Eutric Gleysols and Calcaric Fluvisols in South, North
and West areas of TPC respectively.iii
The main categories of soils in TPC were observed to be generally: Normal soils in
north and west areas; Saline (fields 19A and 2Id) and sodic (80%) soils in South area;
Saline sodic soils in field R8 in West area.
Kikuletwa river water showed a potential to cause soil salinity with electric conductivity
values of 0.95 and 0.48 dS/m in first and second water sampling respectively. Ruvu and
Weruweru waters were found to have medium and low salinity levels, values being
0.35,0.16 and 0.07,0. IdS/m respectively. As far as sodium content of water is
concerned, all the three rivers were found to have low sodium. Values are 19.71, 11.9
and 3.33mg/kg in Kikuletwa, Ruvu and Weruweru rivers respectively.
Other causes of salts in TPC soils were found to be seepage from Kikuletwa river, hig