Browsing by Author "Mbaga, H. R."

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Pedological characterization of typical soil of Dakawa Irrigation Scheme, Mvomero District, Morogoro Region, Tanzania
(EXCELLENT PUBLISHERS, 2017) Mbaga, H. R.; Msanya, B. M.; Mrema, J. P.
This study was conducted to characterize dominant soil type at Dakawa Irrigation Scheme (DIS), Tanzania. Typical soil at DIS was identified, excavated and described using FAO (2006) Guidelines. Six disturbed samples were taken from soil profile horizons together with three undisturbed core samples for laboratory analysis. The pedon developed from Neogene alluvial parent materials under ustic moisture and isohyperthermic temperature regimes. The pedon was very deep (> 150 cm), moderately well drained, with gray to very dark gray soil colours. CaCO3 concretions characteristic of calcic horizon were observed in subsoil. Soil texture was sandy clay loam throughout the pedon. pH was rated as medium (5.5 - 7.0) to very high (7.0 - 8.5) respectively for topsoil and subsoil. OC and N levels were very low; CEC and exchangeable bases were low to medium. Bulk densities were high (1.8 gcm-3) to very high (>1.9 gcm-3) for topsoil and subsoil, respectively. Study on moisture retention properties showed that subsurface (95 - 100 cm) and intermediate (45 - 50 cm) horizons retained more water than surface (0 - 5 cm) soil, congruent with increasing clay content with depth. According to Soil Taxonomy and World Reference Base for Soil Resources, pedon at DIS classified as Vertic Calciustepts and Haplic Vertic Cambisols, respectively. These taxa reflect properties that may guide use and management of soils at DIS including selection of crops and fertilizers and rates to use. Organic fertilizers were recommended to increase organic matter content in soil. Use of acidifying inorganic fertilizers and gypsum as soil amendments should also be taken onboard to correct emerging sodicity.
Response of rice to nitrogen and phosphorus applied on typical soils of Dakawa Irrigation Scheme, Morogoro, Tanzania
(Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR), 2017) Mbaga, H. R.; Mrema, J. P.; Msanya, B. M.
A screen-house pot experiment was conducted at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania to assess response of rice variety TXD 306 growth parameters to nitrogen and phosphorus applied to the dominant soil type at Dakawa Irrigation Scheme (DIS) Morogoro, Tanzania. The study was prompted by low rice yields and the need to find out the soil constraints to high rice production at the scheme. Based on physical, chemical and biological properties of composite soil sample, the soil had low total N, OC, exchangeable Ca and Mg, hence rated as marginally to moderately suitable for rice production. N and P rates adopted were 0, 50,100, 150, 200 kg N ha-1 and 0, 40, 80, 120, 160 kg P ha-1, respectively. Sources of N and P were (NH4)2SO4 and Ca(H2PO4)2, respectively applied in a 52 factorial in CRBD. Number of tillers increased significantly (p < 0.05) with N and P levels from P0N0 kg ha-1 to P80N200 kg ha-1. Biomass weight (g) increased significantly (p<0.05) from 10.99 g pot-1 to 93.04 g pot-1 at P0N0 kg ha-1 and P160N200 kg ha-1, respectively. Grain yield (g) increased significantly (p<0.05) from 2.24 g pot-1 to 33.06 g pot-1 for the absolute control and P160N200 kg ha-1, respectively. Thus, for optimum grain yield of TXD 306 on Cambisols at DIS, 80 kg P ha-1 should be applied as basal and N in two splits i.e. 100 kg N ha-1 close to tillering and 100 kg N ha-1 at panicle initiation. For appropriate N and P recommendations, field studies should be conducted to take onboard integrated soil fertility management strategies, principles and practices in rice cultivation based on soil types to allow extrapolation of the results to other similar soils and areas.