Browsing by Author "Ishengoma, R. C."

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Basic density and strength properties of Pines in Uganda
(African Journals Online (AJOL), 2008-02-21) Ishengoma, R. C.; Odokonyero, G.; Makonda, F. B.; Hamza, K. F.
Basic density and strength properties and their variations in 25 year - old Pinus caribaea, P. oocarpa and P. kesiya grown in Katugo, Uganda were investigated. Six trees for each species were selected representing three diameter classes. The trees were felled after measuring their diameter at breast height. Three disks were cut from each tree at 1.3 m, 45% and 75% of total tree height for growth ring width and basic density assessment. For strength properties determination, a central plank measuring 65 mm thick was extracted from each sample tree starting at breast height upwards. Basic density was determined using water displacement. Tests of various strength properties were done in accordance with standard procedures. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System. Results for the studied properties of Pinus caribaea, P. kesiya and P. oocarpa respectively were as follows: Basic density: 424, 431,and 444 kg/m3; Modulus of rupture: 54.51, 56.31 and 60.69 N/mm2; Modulus of elasticity: 8590,8752 and 8825 N/mm2; Work to maximum load: 0.088. 0.099 and 0.101 mmN/mm3; Maximum compression strength: 33.38, 33.83and 34.66 N/mm2; Maximum shear strength: 9.43, 9.80 and 10.37 N/mm2 and cleavage: 11.79,12.15 and 12.48 n/mm. There were no significant differences in all wood properties between the three species. Between tree variations in wood properties were statistically insignificant (p<0.05) in all the species, indicating a low potential of improving wood quality through selection. Growth rate had no significant influence on wood properties. Wood properties studied decreased significantly from stump upwards the stem and increased from pith outwards in the three species. Strength properties of the three pine species were strongly correlated to basic density with regression coefficients (R2) of above 0.88. Wood strength property values obtained in this study were within the range of pines grown in Kenya and Tanzania. These findings indicate that there are possibilities of expanding the use of these species through promotion. Butt end logs and inner wood can be used for non-structural applications and the outer wood for structural purposes.
Medicinal plant parts and practices used by communities around the Miombo woodlands of Urumwa, Tanzania
(2014-04-17) Hall, J. B.; Makonda, F. B. S.; Ishengoma, R. C.
A study to document medicinal plants parts and practices in relation to sustainable use was performed in communities around the Miombo woodland of Urumwa in Tanzania. Data collection was based on semi-structured interviews and discussion with key stakeholders. G-tests were used to ascertain differences in medicinal plants practices between women and men. Roots were the commonly used parts for medicine followed by barks. In practice, boiling and grinding were the preferred methods for preparing remedies. Remedies are admistered orally in decoctions form with lack of standardized dosages. Medicinal plants are collected from the reserve using both root digging and bark stripping methods. Local communities need sensitization through trainings on various aspects of medicinal plants practices especially issues of sustainable harvesting methods, simple processing, domestication and the importance of standardized dosages so as to improve work performance, ensure resource sustainability and contribute to development of the primary health care system in Tanzania.
Medicinal resources of the Miombo woodlands of Urumwa, Tanzania: Plants and its uses
(Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 2011) Augustino, S.; Hall, J. B.; Makonda, F. B. S.; Ishengoma, R. C.
A study was done to document different plants and their use for primary health care by communities around the Miombo woodland of Urumwa, Tanzania. Data collection was based on semi-structured interviews and discussion with key stakeholders. G-tests were carried out to seek differences in ethnobotanical knowledge between women and men. 110 plant species were documented to have 74 medicinal uses. Men were found to be ethnobotanically knowledgeable than women. The ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plant resources at Urumwa need to be recognized and preserved to ensure future effectiveness of the primary health care system. Due to the global interest in medicinal plants, there is a need to carry out phytochemical and pharmacological studies for most unstudied but potential documented species to validate usage, find new pharmaceuticals, increase confidence among users and contribute to the developlent of the traditional medicine sector in Tanzania and other areas in Africa within the Miombo ecoregion.
Potentials of lesser known and lesser utilized indigenous agroforestry timbers in Kilosa District, Morogoro Tanzania
(International Journal of Education and Research, 2015-11-12) Makonda, F. B. S.; Augustino, S.; Gillah, P. R.; Ishengoma, R. C.; Kitojo, D. H.; Ruffo, C.; Eriksen, S.; Msanga, H. P.
The paper presents baseline results of gathered important information for inference in establishing optimal production and utilization of Lesser-known (LK) and Lesser-utilized (LU) indigenous agroforestry timber species (IAGTS) in improving incomes of rural communities in Kilosa District. The main key questions were: what are the characteristics of the sites for establishing LK and LU IAGTS; who are the main actors in establishing LK and LU IAGTS; what are LK and LU IAGTS and other species for establishment in the study area and what are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for establishing LK and LU IAGTS in the study area. Data collection was participatory, involving key stakeholders, participants’ observations and literature surveys. A total of eight villages were identified as potential sites for nursery establishment with seven main actors’ mostly local communities engaged in tree planting activities under associations. Five priority LK and LU IAGTS were identified and selected for nursery establishment. These were: Lonchocarpus capassa (Mfumbili), Sclerocarya birrea (Mng’ongo), Vitex doniana (Mfudu), Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia (Msolo) and Combretum zeyheri (Mlama mweupe). The strengths and opportunities favouring the establishment of LK and LU IAGTS nurseries were identified, with a few weaknesses and threats which needed to be worked upon.
Properties of celtiz zenkeri engel: a lesser-known timber species from Kilindi District, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2009) Gillah, P. R.; Makonda, F. B. S; Kitojo, D. H.; Ishengoma, R. C.; Khalid, S.
This study was conducted to provide some of the basic physical and strength properties of wood of Celtis zenkeri Engel. which is among the lesser-known and lesser-utilized timber species from Tanzania. Celtis zenkeri belonging to the family Ulmaceae is currently being harvested for wood fuel and building poles thus being under-valued and placed in class V timbers since the basic properties of its wood are not yet known. The objective of this study was therefore, to determine and assess some of the basic physical and mechanical properties of C. zenkeri specifically colour, texture, basic density, Static bending (Modulus of Flasticity, Modulus of Rupture, Work to maximum Load and Total work), Compression parallel to grain, Shear and Cleavage stress. Relationships between basic density and the mechanical properties were also assessed. Data for this study were collected from three mature and defect free sample trees objectively selected from Kilindi district in Tanga region. Each sample tree produced three logs; from bottom, middle and upper part of the bole. Test specimens were extracted from the samples and by using standard methods, the physical and mechanical properties were determined. The following are the wood strength properties obtained for C. zenkeri. Basic density (655 kg m-3) and Total Work (21,916 N mm-2), Modules of rapture (198 N mm-2), Work to maximum load (0.360 N mm-3) and Total Work (0.598 N mm-2). Others are; Cleavage strength (24.56 N mm-width), compression strength (97.1 N mm-2) and Shear strength (28.7 N mm-1) Celtis zenkeri wood was found to have desirable values to be used for hand tools, joinery, building, plywood, artificial limbs and flooring furniture.
Properties of nesogordonia holtzh subsp hotzii (Moss) capuron: a lesser known timber species from Kilindi District, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2009) Gillah, P. R.; Makonda, F. B. S.; Kitojo, D. H.; Ishengoma, R. C.
Nesogordonia holtzii subsp holtzii (Moss) Capuron is a lesser-known timber species belonging to the family Sterculiaceae. The species is distributed in the eastern tropical Africa in association with other tree species as Newtonia buchananii, Albizia versicolor, Allanblackia stuhlmanii, Antiaris toxicaria and Sterculia appendiculata. Currently it is harvested for fuelwood and building poles thus being under-valued, Due to its wood technical properties not known to users it is placed in royalty fee class V timbers. The objective of this study was therefore to determine and assess some basic physical and mechanical properties of N. holtzii. Compare the determined strength properties of N. holtzii with those from well known tree species. Use different combinations of the properties of N. holtzii obtained to assign suitable end uses and promote it for its utilization. Three mature sample trees free from visible defects were selected randomly. Each tree was sampled to produced three logs. Test specimens were extracted from the sample logs using the method by Larvers (1969). Physical and strength properties determination was carried out according to the procedure described in ISO 3131(1975) ISO3133 (1975) BS 373(1957, 1976) Larvers (1969) and Panshin and de Zeeuw (1970). The results showed that N. holtzii was found to have yellow timber that turns reddish brown on seasoning and the wood is fine textured. The average basic density is 593 kg m-3 Modulus of Elasticity 7,606 N/mm-3, Modulus of Rupture 81 N/mm-2, Work to Maximum Load 0.098 N mm-3, Total Work 0.196 N mm-3, Compression Stress 48.83 N mm- 2, Shear Stress 11.40 N mm-2 and Cleavage Strength 24.98 N mm-1. These properties are within the acceptable range for the building and furniture industry. As many traditional timbers become scarcer, the timber of Nesogordonia holtzii should be promoted and is recommended as a substitute for Afzelia quanzensis, Pterocarpus angolensis and Newtonia buchananii. The resemblance in colour allows these timber species to be sold in one group.
Some physical and mechanical properties of Uapaca Kirkiana, a lesser-known timber species from Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2007) Gillah, P. R.; Makonda, F. B.; Ishengoma, R. C.; Kadala, B.; Kitojo, D. H.
This study was carried out to determine some physical and mechanical properties of Uapaca kirkiana a lesser known timber species growing in public land near Iyondo Catchment Forest Reserve, Kilombero District, Morogoro, Tanzania. A total of 3 trees were used in the study. Preparation of test samples and laboratory procedure to determine some physical and mechanical properties followed standard methods. Analysis of variance was used to determine the variation between and within trees and regression analysis was used to determine relationship between wood basic density and mechanical properties. The results showed that Uapaca kirkiana has whitish sapwood and dark brown heartwood, with a mean basic density of 518.14 kg/m3. The properties of Uapaca kirkiana were as follows: modulus of elasticity (7185.69 N/mm2), modulus of rupture (59.7 N/mm2), work to maximum load (0.06 mmN/mm3), total work to failure (0.07 mmN/mm3), shear strength parallel to the grain (11.86 N/mm2), compression strength parallel to the grain (34.4 N/mm2) and cleavage strength (20.21 N/mm width). On axial direction, the modulus of elasticity, total work to failure, compression strength parallel to grain and cleavage strength were directly proportional to its basic density while modulus of rupture, work to maximum load and shear strength parallel to the grain were inversely proportional implying that Uapaca kirkiana is suitable for activities, which require high modulus of elasticity, total work to failure, compression strength parallel to the grain and cleavage strength. On radial direction modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, work to maximum load, compression parallel to the grain and cleavage strength were directly proportional to basic density while shear parallel to the grain was inversely proportional to basic density. Compared to Khaya anthotheca, the timber species found in the same location and market; it was found that the timber of Uapaca kirkiana had modulus of rupture and compression parallel to the grain far lower than those of Khaya anthotheca, while the work to maximum load, total work to failure, shear strength parallel to grain and modulus of elasticity were almost the same. Due to the similarity in some of their physical and mechanical properties, the wood of Uapaca kirkiana may berecommended to substitute Khaya anthotheca in wood works that require medium density wood like in decoration where colour is considered an important aspect for appearance and in cabinet, panel and furniture making though it is not adequate in high-class strength joinery.
Vitex doniana sweet: A potential lesser-known and lesser utilized agro-forestry timber species in Kilosa District, Morogoro Tanzania
(2016-01) Makonda, F. B. S.; Kitojo, D, H.; Augustino, S.; Ruffo, C.; Ishengoma, R. C.; Gillah, P. R.; Eriksen, E.; Msanga, H. P.
Tanzania is classified as among the 15 poorest nations in the world, with an estimated per capita income of less than US$ 190. Over 80 % of the country’s population of about 46 million lives in rural areas. Living in such a poor country, the people have few feasible alternatives to exploiting the forest resources resulting in high deforestation rate estimated at 2 % annually. Nevertheless, many timber species are still not known to users, resulting into over-exploitation of few well-known timber species. The timber stakeholders need alternatives and the national economies need better ways to derive value from the remaining forests in order to maintain their many useful but under-valued functions. One option is to optimize the production and utilization of lesser-known and lesser-utilized indigenous timber species which are potential for agro-forestry. One of such species is Vitex doniana Sweet which belongs to the family Lamiaceae. It is a deciduous tree with medium-growth rate and is widespread in tropical Africa. V. doniana is being threatened by habitat loss. This paper attempts to analyze some potentials of V. doniana as an agroforestry tree. The studied properties were: i) Physical – Tree dimension, form and quality, wood colour, texture, workability and basic density ii) Strength - Static bending, compression, shear and cleavage and iii) Anatomical - growth rings, vessels arrangement, density and size, gum deposits, parenchyma and ray tissue. The average physical properties are as follows: The sapwood is white while the heartwood is pale greyish-brown and basic density is 650 kg m-3. The strength properties are: Modulus of elasticity (11,100 N mm-2), Modulus of rapture (98.14 N mm-2), Work to maximum load before failure (0.131 mm N mm-3) and Total Work (0.239 mm N mm-3). The impact bending strength was 1.02 m, Hardness (4,580 N), Compression parallel to the grain (52.5 N mm-2), Shear parallel to the grain (15.6 N mm-2) and Cleavage (9.0 N mm-1). This species depicts well-marked growth rings and therefore ring-porous, meaning a course textured timber. The average strength properties are closely comparable to those of Tectona grandis (Teak). Also, Vitex doniana has other multiple benefits: bears edible fruits, suitable as ornamental tree and windbreak, shade and its leaves are useful as vegetable and as well as for soil improvement.