Proceedings of the 4th Scientific Conference of Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST)

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Vegetation composition and productivity in reserved grazing area of Lubungo village in Mvomero district
(Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST), 2022) Tito E. Mdegela,; Ephraim J. Mtengeti; George Msalya
Most reserved grazing areas within the villages in Tanzania are continuously grazed and are heavily encroached by bushes. An inventory of 8.4ha reserved grazing land resources of Lubungo village in Mvomero District was conducted towards the end of the dry season of 2018, to assess pasture species composition, ground vegetation cover, dry mater yield, tree density and canopy cover The soil physical, chemical and plant seedbank characteristics were also assessed. Line interception method was used to assess pasture species composition and ground cover. From each line interception sampling unit of 10m tape measure, two quadrat frame each 0.25m 2 were thrown at random in left and right side of he sampling unit to sample desirable pastures and soil for determination of the pasture dry matter yield and soil physical and chemical properties. One soil sample at a depth of 5cm and 30cm x 30 cm wide was collected for soil seedbank determination in the bare soil patch around each line interception sampling unit in order to be sure if the grazing land is rested wouldn’t come back with desirable vegetation. Eight parallel lines interception sampling units were fitted in each transect line of 700 m at 70 m interval. Three transect lines 40 m apart were established in the reserved grazing land. The Point Centered Quarter (PCQ) method was used to determine tree density and their canopy caver. The ground cover of desirable pasture, undesirable pasture species, and litter was 67.7 %, 10.5% and 9.4 % respectively. The bare patches covered 12.3 % of the grazing land. The most dominant grass species was Enteropogon macrostachyus followed by Bothriocloa insculpta and Heteropogon contortus. Soil bulk density, pH, organic carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium were 1.4g/cm -3 , 6.3, 1.14%, 0.09%, 0.89 mg/kg and 0.33 g/kg, respectively. A total of 11 dicotyledonous species mainly forbs and 9 monocotyledonous species with only four perennial grasses were revealed from the soil seedbank. Dry matter yield of the desirable pasture was 806.8 kg DM per ha and tree density was 1500/ha with the total canopy cover of 63.49%. The most dominant tree species was Combretum collinum. The vegetation type of the grazing land was therefore Combretum- Enteropogon bushed grassland. From this inventory results it can be concluded that the reserved grazing area had very low pasture productivity, poor soil seedbank and high bush encroachment. In order to improve pasture productivity therefore there is a need of bush clearing and reseeding the reserved Lubungo village grazing land.
Integrated agro-aquaculture: the role of water from fish ponds on growth performance of cenchrus ciliaris
(Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST), 2022) Guranywa, V.T.; Lamtane, H.A; Selemani, I
This study assesses the contribution of water from fish ponds on growth performance of African fox grass, Cenchrus ciliaris. Twelve plots each with a dimension of 2 m by 6 m were prepared and planted with African fox grass. Six plots received water from fish ponds (Treatment one) and another six plots were irrigated using stream water (Treatment two). The distance between one plot and another was 50 centimeters while the distance between the two treatments was 3 m apart and each plot was sown with 40 cuttings of Cenchrus ciliaris. Each plot received 40 liters of water during morning and evening hours (7:00 am and 6:00 pm). The experiment lasted for 72 days when all plots were harvested. Soil samples were collected from each plot and taken to soil laboratory for further analysis. The following parameters were determined: total Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Organic Carbon. During harvesting the wet weight for above ground biomass was measured using spring balance. The nutritive values of the pasture samples were determined using the Standard Analytical Procedure. Results showed that there were slightly higher total Nitrogen and Organic Carbon from plots received water from fish ponds. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in all parameters measured between the two treatments. Although there were no significant differences between the treatments, water effluents from fish ponds can be utilized for irrigating pasture as one way or recycling nutrients. It is recommended that further study should be conducted during the dry season because the present study coincided with the onset of rainy season.
Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change; implications for policy and practice in Tanzania.
(Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST), 2022) Sangeda Anthony Zozimus
Climate change has significant socio economic impacts in Tanzania, in particular through floods, droughts and changes in rainfall pattern. Most literature on climate change impacts and vulnerability, report the idea that countries, economic sectors, social groups and individuals differ in their degree of vulnerability to climate change. This is partly true due to the fact that changes in temperature and precipitation occur unevenly and that impacts are unevenly distributed. Drivers of vulnerability inTanzania include both socio-economic (population and conflicts) and biophysical (infrastructure, water resources, soil erosion & land degradation, pest & diseases). It is assumed that many regions will be capable of adapting to climate change, but that poorer ones will face difficulties. It is therefore argued that the study of adaptation to climate change should begin with the study of social and economic vulnerability. In this case, vulnerability and adaptation are important issues in climate change debate. This is because always vulnerability is defined in terms of capacity to adapt, and capacity to respond to stress is a starting point for climate change impact analysis. Climate vulnerability and adaptation carry important lessons for assessing Tanzania’s preparedness for human induced climate change, and an understanding of climate variability provides important context for discussions in this study. Decreasing the vulnerability of socio-economic sectors and ecological systems to natural climate variability through a more informed choice of policies, practices and technologies will, in many cases, reduce the long-term vulnerability of these systems to climate change. Based on these issues, literature review was done to prepare this paper that provide an overview of vulnerability status and adaptation initiatives in order to inform policy and practice in the country.
Kongwa weed (astropomoea hyoscyamoides) a threat to some grazing lands in North Eastern Tanzania.
(Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST), 2022) Ephraim J. Mtengeti
A short study on the evaluation of the plant structure and seed production of Kongwa Weed (Astropomoea hyoscyamoides) was conducted in Mzeri Hill Ranch in August, 2017. Two transect lines running diagonally were fitted in the grazing field of 2.5 ha. The field was partly established with Cenchrus ciliaris, Chloris gayana and some parts was dominated by natural grasses mainly Cynodon nlemfuensis, Panicum infestum and Urochloa sp. The size of every sampling point was 2 m x 2 m and were 20 m apart along the diagonal line. A total of twelve sampling points was obtained in each diagonal line. In each sampling point only one mature tallest Kongwa weed plant was picked at random. Plant height of the main stem, total branches of the plant, and number of fruits from one of the selected branches were recorded instantly. Total number of branches per plant ranged from 4 – 26, while the height of the main branch ranged from 71 – 203 cm. The fruits per branch ranged from 3 – 275. The weed was not found in areas dominated by Cenchrus ciliaris and Cynodon nlemfuensis grasses unlike for Chloris gayana, Panicum infestum and Urochloa mosambensesis grasses. Since kongwa weed is under Convolvulaceae family whose fruit has 4 seeds, it can be concluded that with favorable environment factors a Kongwa weed plant can produce up to 28, 600 seeds per season. Despite Kongwa weed aggressiveness in terms of seed productivity, as was shown in the current study, certain pasture species such as Cenchrus ciliaris and Cynodon nlemfuensis may reduce its abundance unless they are overgrazed. Further studies on the influence of land use and plant association on the spread of Kongwa weed are recommended.
Wildlife, Livestock and Human interface in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area: A review
(Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST), 2022) Abiud L. Kaswamila
Competition for land in rangeland areas which in most cases have limited livelihood options is a major obstacle to socio-economic development of the pastoralists and agro-pastoralists. Unfortunately, at the time that there are increasing calls for agriculture-led growth in Africa, there is also increased international awareness of the importance of biodiversity conservation, both of which are land-based. The link between rural development goals, especially poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation, has for a long time been debated in the scientific literature with opposing views on whether or not the two can simultaneously be achieved. This situation is evident in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) in north east Tanzania where people co-exist with wildlife and livestock and where other livelihood options such as cultivation is not allowed and grazing is restricted in some areas (within the crater and in the Northern Highland Forest Reserve). This paper reviews the human- wildlife-livestock interface in this unique protected area with international biodiversity conservation importance which thrives to achieve three goals of conservation of biodiversity, tourism, and community development of the Maasai, Datoga and Hadzabe; the three main ethnic groups within the NCA. The findings indicate that for the past six decades since her establishment, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) has been experiencing a number of challenges and success stories. The major challenges among others have been increased human- conservation conflicts, disease outbreaks, climate change, increased alien invasive species, and increased human-wildlife- livestock population. On the other hand, the NCAA has been successful in achieving her goals of increased revenues through tourism, conservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage, continued co-existence of humans and animals, support of socio- economic development programmes, and improving the community livelihood. For NCAA to continue surviving for many years to come requires innovative ideas and strategies. Among others should include integrating ethno-modern science range management, increased involvement of community in major issues affecting their livelihoods, strengthening research, destocking, and use of participatory general management plans.
Using the rural living lab methodology (RLLM) to enhance community participation in rangeland management
(Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST), 2022) Khamis Shaban Mwinyimbegu
Community participation in rangeland management is a tricky and controversial process. Current practices of community participation in rangeland management in Africa are abound with dissatisfactions and frustrations on both sides of practitioners and local communities. This paper proposes the application of the rural living lab methodology (RLLM) as an alternative to the traditional methodology of community participation in development programmes. The rural living lab methodology is a new methodology in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is basically a user- centric approach that empowers local communities with appropriate knowledge and skills for sustainable management of rangeland resources. The methodology facilitates the integration of local and external experiences through collaborative research, innovation, and sharing of the new methods that empowers the local communities. The paper’s introduction is followed by an overview of current models of community participation in rangeland management, outline of the models’ deficiencies, and explanation of how the rural living lab methodology could be a viable alternative for sustainable rangeland management in Sub- Saharan Africa.
Influence of seeding rate on growth performance and yield of early maturing sorghum
(Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST), 2022-12) Oliver Ngonyani Baltazar; Ismail Saidi Selemani
Heavy grazing pressure in Tanzanian semi-arid rangelands coupled with climate change and variability has resulted into severe decline in forage production and changes in vegetation composition. To increase forage biomass production in the face of climate change and variability, climate resilient fodder crops such as early maturing sorghum have been recommended in arid and semi-arid regions. However, paucity of information on the best agronomic practices especially the optimal seeding rate and row spacing fostered the need to carry out research on growth performance and yield of early maturing sorghum. The experiment was conducted at Magadu Dairy Farm to assess the influence of seeding rate on growth performance and yield of early maturing sorghum. The experiment adopted the Complete Randomized Design (CRD), where different seeding rate (such as 8kg/ha, 12kg/ha, 16kg/ha, 20kg/ha) were assigned randomly and replicated three times making a total of 12 subplots. The row spaces were also varied in reciprocal order with seeding rate (60cm in 8kg/ha, 50cm in 12kg/ha, 40cm in 16kg/ha and 30cm in 20kg/ha). Parameters measured were; number of plants germinated, circumference of the plant, Dry matter (DM) yield and height of the plants. The data were subjected to One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using SAS program of 2014 to analyze the effect of seeding rate on growth attributes and yield of early maturing sorghum. The study established the positive correlation of seeding rate stimulate and number of plant as well as plant heights. On the contrary, seeding rate was found to be inversely proportion to plant thickness and number of leaves per plant. The above ground biomass was found to increase with increasing seeding rate up to 22.20 tonnes per ha and slightly declined at the highest seeding rate. We recommend for further studies on nutritive values and palatability of fodder sorghum varieties to livestock.
Morphological characteristics and yield of three brachiaria cultivars subjected to different eco- climatic zones of Tanzania
(Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST), 2022-12) Ismail Saidi Selemani
Livestock production in Tanzania is limited by scarcity of forage resources, the situation acerbated by the effects of climate change. Replacement of high quality forages with low quality forages have resulted into low milk production in the country (4 to 5 L) which is below the potential of producing at least 15 L per cow per day. Although, high yield fodder grasses such as Brachiaria have been recommended as climate smart fodder grass, little information have been documented in Tanzania particularly the growth performance of these grasses across different eco-climatic zones. The current study tested the performance of three cultivars of Brachiaria (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piata, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes and Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk) at three different eco-climatic zones (Humid, sub-humid and semi-arid conditions). The study used the Factorial arrangement where interaction between eco- climatic zones and Brachiaria cultivars were subjected to Two Ways ANOVA. In cases where significant differences were found, the Post Hoc tests were performed using the Duncan Multiple Range Test of SAS 2014 to separate mean values. The study revealed that, sub-humid climate was superior in terms of all growth attributes and biomass yield compared to semi-arid zone which was characterized with poor growth performance. Interestingly, B. decumbens cv. Basilisk was relatively shorter grass but scored the highest values for plant number and biomass yield. Surprisingly, B. brizantha cv Xaraes exhibited relatively higher number of tillers per plant in semi-arid condition besides its relatively poor performance. However, further studies on nutritive values and palatability are recommended for these Brachiaria cultivars.
Chemical composition and physical characteristics of standing hay and foggage along the pasture field in Morogoro sub-urban, Tanzania
(Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST), 2022-12) Venance S. Tarimo; Ephraim J. Mtengeti
In-situ forage conservation in the form of standing hay is the commonest and cheapest form of natural pasture conservation by most agro-pastoral and pastoral communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Standing hay is over matured and un-harvested pasture (mainly annual grasses). On the other hands, excessively overstays standing hay in the field until the first rain a shower of the next season is referred as foggage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of the standing hay and foggage of natural pastures plot rested for entire wet (growing) and dry periods for nine months until the first rains. Standing hay samples were taken three months before the rains while those of foggage were obtained three weeks after the first rains. Ten samples were taken at random from a standing hay and foggage for determination of botanical and nutritive composition. Standing hay and foggage did not differ significantly (P ≥ 0.05) in terms of dry matter (DM) content (85.9 % vs 83.1 %), Crude protein (3.8 % vs 3.3%), in vitro dry matter digestibility (34 % vs 32 %), metabolizable energy (5.3 vs 5.2 MJ/kg DM). However, standing hay had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) less Neutral Detergent Fiber (80 vs 82 %) and more leaf:stem ratio (2:1 vs 1.4:1) than oggage. In terms of organoleptic test scores standing hay and foggage were not significantly (P ≥ 0.05) in touch and pollution but foggage had significantly ((P≤ 0.05) mouldy appearance and bad smell than standing hay. It can be concluded that tropical natural pastures standing hay and foggage have low nutritive value yet the foggage is very fibrous which can reduce the productivity of grazing animals.

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