Browsing by Author "Mamiro, D. P."

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Assessment of awareness of mycotoxins infections in stored maize (Zea mays L.) and groundnut (arachis hypogea L.) in Kilosa District, Tanzania
(2016) Magembe, K. S.; Mwatawala, M. W.; Mamiro, D. P.; Chingonikaya, E. E.
Background: Surveys were conducted to determine awareness of mould infection in maize and groundnut in Kilosa District, Eastern Central Tanzania, between August and October 2010. Four villages of Msingisi, Rudewa-Batini, Mamoyo and Mkalama were surveyed. We sampled maize from each household for mycotoxins contamination after nine months of storage. A questionnaire was administered to heads of 72 selected households in the study area. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to check factor dimensionality. The differences in mean total score of knowledge and awareness between the demographic and socio-economic factors were determined by t-test. Measurements of association were carried by Chi-square test (χ2), while ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to examine the correlations between social variables and awareness of mould infection. Results: We found high levels of fumonisins in maize that ranged from 70.46 to 213.15. Aflatoxin levels in groundnuts ranged from 72.97 to 195.17. Result showed that 97 % of respondents were not aware of mould infection in stored maize and groundnuts. The mean score of mould infections awareness of females (1.7273±0. 45055) was significantly higher than that of males (1.5714±13.7). Awareness of mould infection was high among educated (mean score 1.9231.3±0.31470) than the less educated people (mean score 1.8913±0.27175). Results revealed significant association between awareness of mould infection with age (p=0.006), education (p=0.039), marital status (p=0.012), gender (0.037) and income (p=0.044). Conclusion: Campaigns are needed to improve awareness of mould infection in Kilosa District, Tanzania.
Climate change and its variability on crop production in semiarid areas of Iramba and Meatu Districts, Tanzania
(African Developmen, 2016) Urassa, J. K.; Nombo, C. I.; Kabote, S. J.; Mamiro, D. P.; Mbwambo, J. S.; Mattee, A. Z.; Matata, L. M.; Synneåg, G.
Climate change and its variability are increasingly threatening livelihoods of Tanzania’s predominantly rural population and in particular those households with low incomes. Based on the above reality, a study was conducted in two semi-arid areas of central Tanzania. The overall objective was to determine how climate change and its variability have affected rural households’ crop production over time. Specifically, the paper aims at; assessing farmers’ preferred food and cash crops, determining the impact of rainfall variability on crop production in the semi-arid areas of central Tanzania and determining communities’ perception of climate change. The study on which the paper is based used a mixed method approach whereby both quantitative and qualitative data were collected to complement each other thus improving quality of the results regarding the impact of climate change and its variability on rural households’ crop production. Primary data was collected using a pre-structured questionnaire and focus group discussions’ checklist. Whereas quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Software for Social Scientists, qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Findings generally show that climate change and climate variability have occurred in the study area and consequently crop production has adversely been affected leading to households’ vulnerability to food insecurity. In addition, food shortages have become frequent threatening households livelihood security. Based on the findings, rural households’ capacity to respond to the challenges of climate change and climate variability is a matter of urgency. Therefore, the government, in addition to the efforts already undertaken, should put in place institutional and policy framework to support rural households’ efforts to minimize the impacts of the phenomena.
Contribution of minerals from fresh kidney bean leaves and grains in meals consumed in East, South and Central Africa
(African Scholary Science Communications Trust, 2012-08) Mamiro, P. M.; Nyagaya, M.; Mamiro, D. P.; Jumbe, T.; Ntwenya, J.; Bundara, N.
Varieties of legumes are recognized as an important source of protein and dietary minerals by a number of ethnic groups in East, South and Central Africa. Among the legume that is preferred by most Africans are the bean varieties. Beans are consumed in many forms: the young leaves, green pods, and fresh bean grains are used as vegetables; dry bean grains are used in various food preparations, and both are used as relish or side dishes together with the staple food. Apart from alleviating food insecurity, the bean leaves, green bean pods and fresh bean grains are good sources of micronutrients especially iron and zinc. Thirty eight varieties of beans deemed to be rich in minerals iron and zinc collected from a number of locations in East and Central Africa were brought from University of Nairobi and multiplied at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro. Bean leaves and fresh beans grains were picked for analysis after the plants reached three weeks and two months, respectively. Iron and zinc content was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer after ashing the samples. Analysis showed that leaves had significantly (P<0.05) more iron than the fresh bean grains. For bean leaves, Maharagi soja had the highest level of iron (1653.9 mg/100g) followed by Nain De Kiondo (1061.1 mg/100g). Similarly, Maharagi soja had the highest level of zinc (40.8 mg/100g), followed by Kiangara (40.5 mg/100g). Variety HRS 545 fresh bean grains, had the highest level of iron (1114.0 mg/100g) followed by Ituri Matata (983.4 mg/100g) while highest zinc content was found in HRS 545 (41.1 mg/100g) followed by RWR 10 (41.1 mg/100g). These levels of minerals are significantly higher than the average amount found in dry bean grains (Fe 5.6 – 8.0 mg/100g) and (Zn 1.7 - 2.0 mg/100g). Creating more awareness and encouraging the utilization of bean leaves and fresh bean grains will contribute in alleviating micronutrient deficiencies especially among the vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant and lactating women, and resource-poor families.
Distribution of wheat stem rust disease in the northern zone and southern highlands of Tanzania: Comparative epidemiology and implications for management
(AJOL, 2017) Aloyce, A.; Mamiro, D. P.
Surveys were conducted in farmers’ fields in the northern and southern highlands of Tanzania to determine the distribution of wheat stem rust disease caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici and response of farmer selected wheat varieties to the disease under their natural habitat. Regions surveyed in the northern zone included Manyara, Arusha and Kilimanjaro, while in the southern highlands; the survey was carried out in Iringa, Njombe and Mbeya. Four quadrants from every corner of the surveyed field and one from the center, 1 m2 each were used to assess rust disease incidence (%) by counting the infected plants divided by total plants per quadrant times one hundred. Rust disease severity was assessed by using a 0-9 scale: 0=healthy plants, 1=1-10% stem area with rust pustules, 3=11-25% stem area with rust pustules, 5=26-50% stem area with rust pustules, 7=51-75% stem area with rust pustules, 9=>75% stem area with rust pustules. Both rust disease incidence and severity was log transformed before analysis of variance. A total of 17 wheat fields were found infected, 10 from the northern zone and 7 from the southern highlands. In the northern zone, 50% of the fields had disease incidence above 40% (P>0.05). In the southern highlands, varieties Sifa and Juhudi were tolerant with disease incidence of 10% in Mbeya and Njombe respectively. However, the disease incidence of 90% was recorded in Mbeya region on the same Juhudi variety. Generally, the mean disease incidence recorded were 33.5% and 35.7% from northern and southern highland zones respectively. Njombe with the same variety Juhudi had 10%, rust disease incidence, indicating presence of a variant of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici with higher virulence. The best performing variety in Mbeya was found to be Sifa whose fields had an incidence of 10%. In the northern zone the disease incidence in Manyara, Kilimanjaro and Arusha ranged from 20-60 % with the susceptible variety Mbayuwayu being preferred by most farmers instead of the variety Ngamia grown in Manyara with incidence of 10% (P>0.05). The most tolerant or resistant varieties were Ngamia and Sifa grown in northern and southern highlands zones respectively. There was a distinct difference in disease severity between the two agro-ecological zones with more severity being observed in the northern zone. Disease severity was mostly proportional to disease incidence. The study revealed wheat stem rust potential hotspots, resistant varieties and provides background information for future research and development of management strategies of wheat stem rust disease.
The effect of climate variability and change to the farming systems in Iramba and Meatu Districts, Tanzania
(2014-06) Mamiro, D. P.; Kabote, S. J.; Crassa, J. K.; Masolwa, L. W.; Nombo, C. I.; Matte, A. Z.; Synnevag, G.; Mbwambo, J. S.
This study examined changes in farming systems in response to climate variability and change. Specifically, the study aimed to;(i) assess /armors' perceptions of climate variability and change and (ii) examine changes in the Jai-ming systems in response to climate variability and change. The study adopted qualitative (fOcus group discussions) and quantitative (household survey) techniques using a sample sire of 150 respondents for the survey. The results demonstrated that smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists perceived the occurrence of climate variability and change manifested through drought, rainfall variability and increased day time surface temperature. Awareness regarding climate variability and change were associated with the middle age group (18-45 years old), which perceived increased drought since the 2000s relative to other age groups. Frequent JOod shortage and increasing .shortage of pasture were on the increase. Contract. to their expectations, smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists were unable to adjust fully their .J arming systems to minimize the negative effects 01 climate variability and change. This means, they had little capacity to change their Jarming systems or simply, they -were vulnerable to the effects of climate variability and change. It is therefore recommended that, through integrated effort by the government and Nongovernmental Organi=ations (Ar(;0s) should support smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists to adjust their farming systems in response to climate variability and change so as to 1111171.111ire the negative effects.
Effect of sources and storage conditions on quality of sorghum seeds
(2014) Mamiro, D. P.; Clement, G.
A study was conducted in three agro-ecological zones of Tanzania to investigate sources, status, quality and storage conditions of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) seeds. Sorghum seed samples were collected from Kwimba (Lake zone), Chamwino (Central zone) and Kilosa (Eastern zone) districts. In surveyed districts 83.3 % of farmers were using farmer saved seeds while 16.7 % were using improved sorghum seeds. In surveyed areas, 85 % of seed samples were obtained from small scale farmers as farmer saved seeds, 1.7% from seed stockists and 13.3% from agriculture research institutions. Seeds were found stored in the households (86.7%) and in go-down in case of seeds stockists (13.3%). The laboratory purity analysis test results indicated that Kwimba had pure seeds of 94.4%, Chamwino 96.5% and Kilosa 99.0%. Inert matters; Kwimba 5.3%, Chamwino 1.8% and Kilosa 1.0%. The non-sorghum seeds observed were Kwimba 0.2%, Chamwino 1.8% and Kilosa 0%. The results were significantly different at P<0.001 from one agro-ecological zones to another. The germination test of sorghum seeds varied highly significantly (P<0.001) from Kwimba 74%, Chamwino 88% and Kilosa 85%. Seed-borne fungal species found in the samples from the study areas were Fusarium moniliforme, Bipolaris sorghicola, Curvularia lunata, Colletotrichum graminicola and Phoma sorghina. Samples collected from Eastern zone had the highest infection by fungi. Other pathogens Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Penicillium spp., Claviceps spp. and Rhizopus spp. were found infecting seeds. Central agro-ecological zone is proposed to be better for sorghum seeds production for healthier seeds due to non-fungal infection observed in this study
A gendered analysis of climate variability and change impacts and adaptations in semi arid area farming systems and natural resources management
(Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation (CCIAM) Programme, 2013) Ombol, C.; Urassa, J. K.; Mbwambo, J. J. S.; Mattee, A. Z.; Mamiro, D. P.; Kabotc, S. J.; Matata, L. M.; Synneag, G.
Climate change and climate variability is increasingly threatening the livelihoods of many Tanzanians especially those living in semi-arid rural areas. The most affected are those; with low incomes, less food, poor access to health services, unstable energy supplies, and living in fragile natural ecosystems. Generally, women and men contribute differently to climate change; likewise, they are affected differently and react differently to its impact. The overall objective of the study was to assess the impact of climate change on rural livelihoods' and how households in semi-arid areas of Tanzania adapt based on gender. The study was conducted in Iramba and Meatu Districts. The study adopted a Sustainable livelihood Approach (SLA) developed by DFID (1992) in the analysis of climate change impacts and households' adaptation. Data was collected using qualitative methods such as focus group discussions and key informant interviews, informal interviews and observations. Findings from the study show that, climate change impacts affect almost everybody in the studied communities; however, differences by gender exist. These findings thus suggest that adaptation to climate change impacts vary across genders due to differences in roles and responsibilities, power relations and access to and control over resources.
Knowledge of vegetable insect pests, diseases and control measures in Morogoro and Iringa regions in Tanzania: a call for integrated pest management
(Academic Journals, 2021) Kabote, S. J.; Mamiro, D. P.; Maerere, A. P.; Sibuga, K. P.; Mtui, H. D.; Mgembe, E. R.; Erbaugh, M.; Cardina J.
This study investigates vegetable growers’ knowledge about insect pests, diseases and control methods. The study adopted cross-sectional research design, employing survey method and involving 400 randomly selected vegetable growers. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to summarize raw data. Colored cards of important pests coupled with field visits were used for pest identification. The results show that 87.1% of the tomato growers reported tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) as one of the important insect pests. Cucurbit growers reported mainly cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) and cucumber moth (Diaphania indica). Cabbage and onion growers reported cabbage aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae) and onion thrips (Thrips tabaci), respectively. Diseases reported were mainly early (Alternaria solani) and late (Phytophthora infestans) blights in tomato and onion respectively, purple blotch in onion, cucumber blight in cucurbits and cabbage blight in cabbages. Insect pest and diseases control was mainly through synthetic pesticides. Frequency of spray was highest in tomato and cucurbits followed by onion. However, the knowledge on tank mixing, record keeping and Integrated Pest Management was limited. It is critical to have a common understanding about insect pests, diseases and control methods that are environmental friendly. Therefore, farmers should be trained on different issues regarding vegetable production and safe use of pesticides. The key training areas should include tank mixing, pest identification and thresholds, and record keeping.
Local community’s knowledge on onion production, pests and pests management in Kilosa and Kilolo Districts, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2014) Mamiro, D. P.; Maerere, A. P.; Sibuga, K. P.; Ebaugh, M. J.; Miller, S. A; Mtui, H. D.; Mgembe, E.; Msuya-Bengesi, C. P.; Aloyce, A.
To assess local community’s knowledge on onion production, pests and pests management a baseline survey was carried out in Kilosa and Kilolo Districts. The results indicated that more than 36% of onion producers were middle aged (34-49 years) and were literate at least with secondary education (80%). Onion production was the major source of livelihood to more than 80% of hundred onion farmers (40 females, 60 males) interviewed. Up to three onion crops per year from different fields were realized due to availability of means for irrigation mainly by flooding and the main production season was from March-July under monoculture or in the intercropping. Eighty four per cent of onion farmers own land and production was on small scale holders. Fifty per cent of small scale farmers produced onion on land size of 0.25-2.0 acres.Onion varieties grown were Red Bombay, Red Creole and Khaki with preference to Red Bombay (72%) for its high yield, marketability and bulb size while Khaki (21%) was chosen for its storability. Onion seed sources were from other farmers (40%) and were expensive, which means the cost for seeds were beyond a prospective farmer’s affordability. The most prevalent pests reported by interviewees were thrips (Thrips tabaci) (73%), weeds led by Mexican poppy (Argemone mexicana) (55%) and fungal diseases led by purple blotch (55%).Onion production was found to be the major source of livelihood to more than 80% of farmer respondents. The challenges observed were such as source of improved seeds, means to combat pests and lack of higher yielding varieties which can resist insect pests and diseases. The IPM package on management of the most prevalent pestsis required to reduce onion yield losses.
Management of tomato late blight disease using reduced fungicide spray regimes in Morogoro, Tanzania
(2014) Meya, A. I.; Mamiro, D. P.; Kusolwa, P.M.; Maerere, A. P.; Sibuga, K. P.; Erbaugh, M.; Miller, S. A.; Mtui, H. D.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production in Tanzania is affected by late blight disease caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary. Currently, farmers spray more than 12 per crop per season to control diseases by weekly spraying. Field experiments were conducted at Morogoro to evaluate the performance of three tomato varieties subjected to different fungicide chemistries and reduced fungicide spray intervals. The treatment factors were tomato varieties Meru, Cal-J and Tanya as main plots; fungicides Ivory 72 WP, Volar MZ 690 WP and Topsin-M 70 WP as sub plots; and reduced number (4, 6, 8 and no-spray) of sprays per crop at a spray intervals of 14-, 10-, 7-days respectively as sub-sub plots. Variety Meru showed low tomato late blight incidence (1.4%) and severity (1.0) (P≤0.001) followed by Tanya (81.2%, 4.0) and Cal-J (82.6%, 4.0) respectively. Results show that plots sprayed with Topsin M-70 WP had significantly (P≤0.001) higher disease incidence and severity (66.2%, 3) compared to Ivory 72 WP (42.5%, 2) and Volar MZ 690 WP (44.5%, 2). The no-spraying regime (control) had highly significant (P≤0.001) disease incidence and severity than other spray regimes. Although there was no significant (P≤0.05) difference among the spray regimes plots sprayed 8 times had lowest disease incidence and severity (47.9%, 2) while, unsprayed plots had highest disease incidence and severity (66.3%, 4) followed by plots sprayed 6 times and 4 times (53.9%, 2) and (52.1%, 2) respectively. There were significant differences (P<0.001)) in yield among three commercial tomato varieties. Cal-J variety produced higher number of fruits per plant (27), marketable fruits (26.5 t/ha) and total yield (28.9 t/ha) followed by Tanya with 21 fruits per plant, 19.3 t/ha marketable fruits and total yield of 21.3 t/ha. Meru produced 13 fruits per plant, 13.6 t/h marketable yield and total yield of 17.6 t/ha. Tomato varieties, fungicides and spray regimes demonstrated significant influence on late blight disease incidence and severity. Results reveal that, variety Meru was resistant to tomato late blight disease while, Cal-J and Tanya varieties were highly susceptible. However, Meru had lowest yield due to production of few number of fruits per plants. Fungicides Ivory 72 WP and Volar MZ 690 WP verified higher field efficacy against P. infestans. These two fungicides significantly reduced disease intensity to lowest level than Topsin-M 70 WP. Similarly, spray regimes significantly gave appreciable reduction of tomato late blight disease intensity and consequently increased fruits yield in susceptible varieties Cal-J and Tanya when compared to no spraying regime. It was evident that the number of fungicide sprays was reduced from more than 12 (current farmers practice) to 8, 6 and 4 at intervals of 7-, 10- and 14- days respectively.
Management of tomato late blight disease using reduced fungicide spray regimes in Morogoro, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2014) Meya, A. I.; Mamiro, D. P.; Kusolwa, P. M.; Maerere, A. P.; Sibuga, K. P.; Erbaugh, M.; Miller, S. A.; Mtui, H. D.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production in Tanzania is affected by late blight disease caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary. Currently, farmers spray more than 12 per crop per season to control diseases by weekly spraying. Field experiments were conducted at Morogoro to evaluate the performance of three tomato varieties subjected to different fungicide chemistries and reduced fungicide spray intervals. The treatment factors were tomato varieties Meru, Cal-J and Tanya as main plots; fungicides Ivory 72 WP, Volar MZ 690 WP and Topsin-M 70 WP as sub plots; and reduced number (4, 6, 8 and no-spray) of sprays per crop at a spray intervals of 14-, 10-, 7-days respectively as sub-sub plots. Variety Meru showed low tomato late blight incidence (1.4%) and severity (1.0) (P≤0.001) followed by Tanya (81.2%, 4.0) and Cal-J (82.6%, 4.0) respectively. Results show that plots sprayed with Topsin M-70 WP had significantly (P≤0.001) higher disease incidence and severity (66.2%, 3) compared to Ivory 72 WP (42.5%, 2) and Volar MZ 690 WP (44.5%, 2). The no-spraying regime (control) had highly significant (P≤0.001) disease incidence and severity than other spray regimes. Although there was no significant (P≤0.05) difference among the spray regimes plots sprayed 8 times had lowest disease incidence and severity (47.9%, 2) while, unsprayed plots had highest disease incidence and severity (66.3%, 4) followed by plots sprayed 6 times and 4 times (53.9%, 2) and (52.1%, 2) respectively. There were significant differences (P<0.001)) in yield among three commercial tomato varieties. Cal-J variety produced higher number of fruits per plant (27), marketable fruits (26.5 t/ha) and total yield (28.9 t/ha) followed by Tanya with 21 fruits per plant, 19.3 t/ha marketable fruits and total yield of 21.3 t/ha. Meru produced 13 fruits per plant, 13.6 t/h marketable yield and total yield of 17.6 t/ha. Tomato varieties, fungicides and spray regimes demonstrated significant influence on late blight disease incidence and severity. Results reveal that, variety Meru was resistant to tomato late blight disease while, Cal-J and Tanya varieties were highly susceptible. However, Meru had lowest yield due to production of few number of fruits per plants. Fungicides Ivory 72 WP and Volar MZ 690 WP verified higher field efficacy against P. infestans. These two fungicides significantly reduced disease intensity to lowest level than Topsin-M 70 WP. Similarly, spray regimes significantly gave appreciable reduction of tomato late blight disease intensity and consequently increased fruits yield in susceptible varieties Cal-J and Tanya when compared to no spraying regime. It was evident that the number of fungicide sprays was reduced from more than 12 (current farmers practice) to 8, 6 and 4 at intervals of 7-, 10- and 14- days respectively
Non-composted and spent mushroom substrates for production of Agaricus Bisporus
(The Pennsylvania State University, 2006) Mamiro, D. P.
Commercial production of Agaricus bisporus is dependent upon a substrate prepared by composting. Traditional composting is associated with a number of environmental problems such as the emission of offensive odors and waste water run-off during handling. In addition, after the production of a crop of mushrooms, there is the problem of disposal of spent mushroom substrate (SMS). Thus, preparation of a suitable substrate for mushroom production without the generation of offensive odors and the possible re-use of SMS for the production of a second crop of mushrooms are desirable. The goals of this research were to evaluate two substrates for the production of A. bisporus: a) non-composted substrate (NCS) consisting of red oak sawdust (28%), millet (29%), rye (8%), peat (8%), ground alfalfa (4%), ground soybean meal (4%), wheat bran (9%) and CaCO3 (10%) and b) SMS. Treatments included 1) NCS and SMS alone and in combination, 2) spawn carriers, 3) strains, 4) supplements, 5) time of supplementation, and 6) substrate moisture content. The substrates were sterilized in very high porosity filter plastic bags and then spawned and incubated. Mushrooms were harvested for two flushes and yield, biological efficiency (BE) and mushroom size were determined. The highest yield and BE (27.2 kg/m2, 144.3%) were from 1:1 NCS/SMS spawned with casing inoculum (CI) and supplemented with 10% Target® at casing. The largest mushrooms were obtained from NCS spawned with CI and supplemented at spawning with 3,000 mg/kg Micromax® (57.3 g/mushroom). Mushrooms containing the highest solids content (9.9%) were harvested from NCS spawned with CI (60% moisture content). Supplementation of NCS/SMS with Micromax®, a commercial micronutrient, iv had no significant effect on yield and BE. However, the addition of 0.9% Micromax® (d.w.) to NCS significantly increased yield by 72% (from 8.5 kg/m2 to 14.6 kg/m2). This work shows the potential to produce relatively high yields on NCS or on mixtures of NCS/SMS and that a combination of supplements that contain protein, carbohydrate and micronutrients added at spawning or at casing resulted in improved mushroom yields.
Nutritional quality and utilization of local and improved cowpea varieties in some Regions in Tanzania
(African Journal of Food Agriculuture Nutrition and Development, 2011-02) Mamiro, P. S.; Mbwaga, A. M.; Mamiro, D. P.; Mwanri, A. W.; Kinabo, J. L.
Cowpeas are grown for their leaves and grains both of which are used as relish or side dishes together with the staple food. Little information is available on the nutritional quality of local and improved cowpea varieties grown in Tanzania as well as the recipes in which they are ingredients. This study was done to investigate cowpea utilization in Iringa and Dodoma regions of Tanzania. A cross-sectional survey was carried out where a total of 517 farmers were interviewed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Proximate and mineral composition of different varieties of cowpea grains and leaves were determined using standard AOAC methods. More than half of the households interviewed consumed cowpeas in one or more forms. Most cowpea recipes included them as relish being eaten with rice or stiff porridge (ugali), a mixture of dehulled maize and cowpea grains (kande) and cowpea buns (bagia). Improved cowpea varieties had relatively higher fat content ranging from 8 to 11.2% compared to local varieties (5.4%). Local cowpea grains had higher levels of calcium varying between 958.1 and 992.4 mg/kg than dehulled cowpea (360 to 364 mg/kg) and cowpea flour (303 to 311 mg/kg). Zinc ranged from 32.6 to 31.5 mg/kg, while iron content ranged from 27.6 to 28.9 mg/kg. Fresh cowpea leaves had the highest levels of minerals, with calcium varying between 1800.6 and 1809.6 mg/kg, zinc between 36.1 and 36.0 mg/kg and iron between 497.0 and 499.5 mg/kg. The improved cowpea varieties, IT99K-7212-2-1 (23.8 mg/kg) and IT96D-733 (21.2 mg/kg) had the highest iron content. IT99K-7-21-2-2-1 (32.2 mg/kg) and IT97K499-38 (28.3 mg/kg) had the highest zinc concentration. The bagia (cowpea buns), prepared in Dodoma had higher mineral composition, calcium (893mg/kg), zinc (13.7 mg/kg) and iron (16.3 mg/kg) compared to those prepared in Iringa; calcium (32.6mg/kg), zinc (4.96 mg/kg) and iron (5.2 mg/kg). The cowpea daily per capita consumption for the majority of the households surveyed ranged from 41 to 200 gm. The contribution of micro and macro nutrients is significant for both developed lines and local varieties but with leaves having greater mineral content than the grains; hence, promotion of consumption of the leaves alongside the grains would be of nutritional advantage. Additionally, farmers should be encouraged to plant the higher yielding cowpea varieties and preferred local varieties.
Perceived and measured climate variability and change in semi-arid environments in Tanzania: experiences from Iramba and Meatu Districts
(Inderscience Enterprises Ltd., 2017) Kabote, S. J.; Mamiro, D. P.; Synnevåg, G.; Urassa, J. K.; Mattee, A. Z.; Mbwambo, J. S.; Nombo, C. I.; Chingonikaya, E. E.; Masolwa, L.
This paper combines farmers’ perceptions of climate variability and change and meteorological data trends to generate empirical evidence to broaden an understanding of the phenomena. The results show an agreement on changing rainfall patterns. Bad years described by drought frequencies, temperature, and dry spell have increased since the 1970s. Crop growing period has decreased by one month in Meatu and by more than a month in Iramba. As hypothesised, the Mann-Whitney U test shows similar men and women’s perceptions at 5% level of significance (P value = 0.701). Similarly, the Kruskal-Wallis H test indicates that the poor, not so poor and the rich have the same perceptions (P value = 0.281). These results have implications on crop and livestock production systems and on livelihoods more generally. We conclude that climate variability and change manifestations overlap, making it a complex phenomena perceived equally by men, women, the poor and non-poor. This is understood holistically by combining farmers’ perceptions and meteorological data trends to inform adaptation strategies related decision making
Responses of compact coffee clones against coffee berry and coffee leaf rust diseases in Tanzania
(Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2013-05-28) Kilambo, D. L.; Rebeun, Shazia O. W. M.; Mamiro, D. P.
The utilization of resistant Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) varieties is considered as the most economical control for coffee berry disease (CBD) and coffee leaf rust (CLR) in Tanzania. The resistance levels of varieties at field and laboratory conditions were assessed through their phenotypic disease reaction response to CBD and CLR. In this study sixteen (16) compact hybrids of C. arabica plus four (4) standard cultivars were evaluated under a range of environmental conditions in on-station and on-farm trials in Tanzania. Also four (4) Colletotrichum kahawae strains of the pathogen responsible for CBD infection; 2010/1, 2010/2, 2006/7 and 2006/14, and Hemileia vastatrix uredospores were used to test the sixteen (16) hybrids through artificial inoculation under controlled conditions (temperatures between 19 to 22 ºC, R.H 100%). Results showed that a significant level of variability (P < 0.05) occurred between the sixteen (16) compacts, three (3) standard checks and N39 a commercial susceptible variety across trials. Compact genotype CVT14 (PNI086 x (N39 x Rume Sudan Selfed F2) showed resistance to the four strains of C. kahawae and Hemileia vastatrix. Differential reactions on compact genotypes were found to C. kahawae and H. vastatrix strains existing in different coffee growing regions in Tanzania; genotypes CVT4 (PNI088 x (SL34 x HdT) x Kent x Rume Sudan) and CVT13 (PRO127 x (Blue Mountain Jamaica x Cioccie) x Rume Sudan) showed partial resistance to C. kahawae strains 2010/1, the genotypes were susceptible to strains 2010/2 but resistant to strains 2006/7 and 2006/14. This shows that host response reaction can be used as criteria for varietal assessment when evaluated at different locations.
Role of potyviruses in synergistic interaction leading to maize lethal necrotic disease on maize
(International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 2016) Mbega, E. R.; Ndakidemi, P. A.; Mamiro, D. P.; Mushongi, A. A.; Kitenge, K. M.; Ndomba, O. A.
Synergistic interactions among pathogenic viruses are common in plants. Though not all, but a number of reported cases involving such interactions have a potyvirus partner during co-infection. The presence of the potyvirus group seems to favor its own multiplication on host and multiplication of a co-infecting partner. In this review, some characteristics favoring higher pathogenesis have been discussed using maize lethal necrosis (MLN)- causing viruses namely Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and its synergistic potyvirus, Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV). A comprehensive discussion on the role of potyvirus in the synergism has been presented to show that in MLN and similar synergisms - the machinery for induction, transmission and colonization of the host is catalysed by the potyvirus and not the co-infecting viral partner which otherwise seems to be the most virulent in the synergism-based diseases such as MLN disease in maize. Furthermore, the effect of MLN to food security and areas for future research for Africa has been discussed in this review.
Yield and mushroom size of Pleurotus ostreatus grown on rice straw basal substrate mixed and supplemented with various crop residues
(Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 2011-03-28) Mamiro, D. P.; Mamiro, P. S.
Two crops of Pleurotus ostreatus were grown on rice straw as the basal substrate. In crop I, rice straw was mixed at spawning with 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of banana leaves or Leucaena leucocephala or maize bran or maize cobs. In crop II, rice straw was supplemented at spawning with 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% of sunflower or cotton seed cake. Mushroom yield (1,040.0 g) and Biological efficiency (BE) (98.5%) were greater on a 50/50 mixture of rice straw and banana leaves. Rice straw supplemented with 2% sunflower seed hulls (yield 1,087.5 g, BE 103.3%) gave similar yield and BE to rice straw supplemented with 2% cotton seed hulls (yield 1,073.8 g, BE 101.8%), and were significantly greater than (p < 0.001) other supplement ratios. By comparison, mushroom yield on banana leaves were 786.5 g, on rice straw were 582.5 g, on Leucaena leucocephala were 534.5 g, on maize cobs were 468.5 g, on rice bran were 406.0 g and on maize bran were 305.3 g. The largest mushrooms (21.0 g) were obtained from non-supplemented rice straw.