Browsing by Author "Mtui, H. D."

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Effect of mulch and different fungicide spray regimes on yield of tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) in Tanzania
(African Journal of food, agriculture and development, 2015-01) Mtui, H. D.; Maerere, A. P.; Bennett, M. A.; Sibuga, K. P.
In many areas in Tanzania, pests management for tomato involves weekly pesticide sprays. The practice poses a threat to the environment and health of consumers. In this study the effect of pesticide spray regimes and use of mulch were evaluated on ‘Tanya VF’ and ‘Tengeru 97’ tomato varieties. Field experiment consisting of a 2×2×4 factorial arrangement in a split-split plot design with three replications was conducted at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro (6o05’S, 35o37’E and 525m above sea level). Treatment factors comprised two varieties (main plot factor), mulching/number of mulching (subplot factor) and three fungicide spray regimes (sub subplot factor). Results showed that the spray regimes: farmers’ practice (FP), Integrated Pests Management (IPM) based on pests scouting, sprays based on manufacturers’ recommendation (MR); produced significantly more fruits per plant and higher fruit weight compared to the control. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) between FP, IPM and MR on fruit yield parameters. The results further revealed that use of mulch significantly led to higher fruit number per plant (p = 0.020). Although average fruit weight was similar (p < 0.05), other marketable fruit yield parameters were statistically different between mulched and non-mulched plots (p = 0.007). ‘Tanya VF’ had consistently higher yields compared to ‘Tengeru 97’. Fungicide sprays were statistically different to the control with respect to blossom end rot (p = 0.002), fruit rot (p < 0.001) and percentage of non-marketable yield (p = 0.001). Mulching significantly reduced American bollworm and blossom end rot (p = 0.012, p = 0.003, respectively). The major contributor to tomato fruit loss was Blossom End Rot (BER) and Fruit Rot for ‘Tengeru 97’ and ‘Tanya VF’, respectively. It is evident, therefore, that: a proper combination of tomato cultural management practices can significantly reduce the use of pesticides, and improve tomato fruit quality and marketable yield which would increase profit margin accrued by farmers.
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