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Sokoine University of Agriculture Institutional Repository (SUA IR). This repository was built and is maintained by the university library (Sokoine National Agricultural Library-SNAL) , in order to collect, preserve and disseminate scholarly output generated by University research community (staff and students) members.
This repository hosts a variety of openly accessible materials including: scholarly articles and books, theses and dissertations, conference proceedings and technical reports. For assistance about depositing your research output in the repository click here. SUA IR Policy click here or any queries contact us at snal@sua.ac.tz.
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- The Agroforesty Community is a collaborative network dedicated to advancing sustainable land-use practices that integrate trees, crops, and livestock. It serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, research dissemination, and practical innovations in Agroforestry. By fostering connections among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and local communities, the Agroforestry Community promotes environmental conservation, enhanced agricultural productivity, and resilient livelihoods.
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Recent Submissions
Land evaluation using FAO framework for rainfed crops: a case study of Liti-tengeru farm
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1996) Muya, Mahenye Nyamhanga Chacha
A detailed land evaluation by using the FAO (1976) Framework and resource survey for 380 ha was carried out at Tengeru Livestock Training Institute (LITI) farm. The major objectives of this study were: (a) to test the adaptability of the FAO
(1976) Framework for land evaluation in the area for rainfed field crops, vegetables, perennial crops, and pastures; (b) to establish the land resources inventory of the LITI farm; and (c) to assess the land suitabilities and limitations of the major land units in the farm for different land uses. The concepts and principles in the FAO (1976) Framework were found to work well in this area. However, some of the methodologies and procedures outlined in the FAO (1984) guidelines had to be refined in order to match with the actual local conditions and crops performance. Different approaches from those proposed in the FAO (1984) guidelines were used for reliable assessment of moisture availability, temperature regime and soil erosion hazard. Three soil types, namely, Mollie Andosols, Eutric Fluvisols and Pellic Vertisols, were identified in the area according to the FAO-Unesco (1974, 1988) legend. These soils were mapped at a scale of 1:10 000. The land evaluation results indicated that the major limitations in all soils of the study area are: moisture availability for perennial crops and pastures; Nitrogen deficiency; and land degradation through soil erosion and /or soil compaction. The major limitations for using Mollie Andosols in land mapping unit 34B1 are: severe soil erosion hazard, and buried stones which may limit tillage by using tractors. This land unit is very fertile and highly suitable for pasture production. It is highly suitable for vegetable and other field crops considered if soil erosion is controlled. The Eutric Fluvisols represented in mapping land unit 14C1, are highly fertile and suitable for all crops and pastures considered. However, like other land units in this farm, supplementary irrigation is necessary for optimum yield of perennial crops and pastures. The Pellic Vertisols in land unit 11C2 is not suitable for banana , citrus and coffee production. It is currently not suitable for maize, sunflower, tomato, Siratro, and elephant grass. It is suitable for rhodes and buffel grass. It is marginally suitable for the rest of crops and pastures considered in this study. The major limitations in using this land unit are: unfavourable soil structure and texture; poor drainage; shallow soil depth; presence of toxic layer (CaCO3) below 75 cm; high Sodium level; and deficiency of major nutrient elements (N, P, K). Economic analysis showed that pasture seeds production gave the highest farm net income in the area. Other crops which are highly economically suitable are vegetables, banana, citrus, coffee, and pasture fodder production. Beans, sunflower, sorghum and maize are marginally suitable in terms of farm net income.
Evaluation of optimum soil moisture levels at which striga asiatica (L.) and rhamphicurpa fistulosa (hochst.) benth. can establish a relationship with a host
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2014) Hamadi, Msangi Saidi
Pot experiments were conducted in a screen house to determine the optimum moisture levels required for either of the parasitic weeds, singly and in combination, to establish a relationship with rice. Studies were conducted in Morogoro, Tanzania, (525 m.a.s.l., 6°45” S and 37°40” E) September, 2012-February, 2013. Ten-litre plastic pots capacity filled with dry 5:1 (sand: clay) soil mixture up to 2cm below the rim were used. Treatments were arranged in split- plot with plant combinations (Rhamphicarpa+r\ce, Rhamphicarpa alone, Striga+rice, rice alone) as the main plot and moisture levels (saturation, field capacity, field capacity/saturation and field capacity/wilting point; the latter two were half way in between) as subplots. Rice variety ‘Supa India’ was used and treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with five replicates including a duplicate that was used for destructive sampling. Emergences of Rhamphicarpa were not significantly affected by moisture levels, however, the significant differences were observed on emergence of Striga asiatica. At 60 and 120 DAS, there were significant differences in weed counts at different moisture levels whereby 60 DAS, the maximum Rhamphicarpa counts was 40 and at 120 DAS the maximum Rhamphicarpa counts was 7.8 plants appeared in saturation moisture level. Striga at 60 DAS, showed significant differences in number at different moisture levels whereby at field capacity/wilting point 3 plants were recorded while at 120 DAS the maximum Striga number (9) was recorded at field capacity moisture level. Weed heights at 60 DAS was significant different in moisture levels whereby the tallest Rhamphicarpa plant (16.3cm) was recorded at saturation while for Striga (13.2cm) at field capacity/wilting point. Rhamphicarpa flowering took place at 76 DAS while Striga flowered at 83DAS.The rice damage caused by weeds at different moisture levels were observed in different areas whereby there was significant different in plant heights and the tallest rice plants (86.6cm) were recorded at saturation moisture level and Striga/rice plant combinations 60 DAS while at 120 DAS the tallest plant (119.5cm) was recorded at same moisture level and plant combination. Rice chlorophyll content (SPAD), stomatai conductance (mmol/(m2-s) and in tiller numbers were significantly different however, there was no significant difference in leaf area(cm2), specific leaf area (cm2.g'*) and in chlorophyll fluorescence (fv/fm).Weeds affected rice biomass where by R. fistulosa lowered rice biomass to 2.5g compared to rice planted alone (5.2g) and (5.06g) when planted with Striga at 60 DAS at saturation moisture level while at field capacity, Rice alone produced 2.86g, Rhaniphicarpa/ncQ 1.2g and 1.6g for Striga/rice; this trend was observed at 120 DAS. The results conclude that moisture has effect to weed performance whereby Rhamphicarpa performed well in saturation moisture level while Striga preferred field capacity and field capacity/wilting point. Also Rhamphicarpa plants in field capacity/saturation caused same damage to rice plant as for Striga which tells that they can co-exist at field capacity/saturation.
Input use efficiency for maize production in Tanzania: a case of smallholder farmer in Iringa region
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2010) Jonathan Herman Mpuya
The study on input use efficiency for maize production was carried out in Iringa region specifically in Njombe and Ludewa districts. The study aims at estimating efficiency components of smallholder maize farmers and identifying socio-economic and farm specific factors influencing input use inefficiency. A purposeful sampling technique was employed to select the two districts with relatively higher potential in maize production. In each district two villages were randomly selected to make a total of four villages. Also in each village 25 farmers were randomly selected for interview. Descriptive statistics were employed to study the households’ socio-economic characteristics while, a non parametric
method of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was used to determine the relative technical, scale and allocative efficiencies of individual decision making unit. Likewise, a logistic regression model was employed to determine the factors influencing inefficiency level of smallholder maize farmers. The results of DEA scores revealed that the mean technical efficiency and scale efficiency were 0.73 and 0.95 respectively. The study further confirmed that, the present inefficiency is largely due to technical rather than scale effect. Therefore, by using the existing technology, the sample households can obtain the same level of output even if the input cost is reduced by 27%. In terms of cost minimization, the result show that the mean allocative efficiency was 0.49 implying that, inefficiency due to inappropriate input mix accounts for 51% loss of households’ income. The result of the logistic regression model provided evidence that, technical inefficiency decrease with the frequency of contact with extension agents. However, farmer’s actual age, years of schooling, farm size and distance were found to increase technical inefficiency. The empirical findings of this study indicate that, improvement of input use in the study area lies upon improving technical efficiency of the relatively inefficient smallholder farmers.
Assessment of soil fertility status of selected paddy growing areas of Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1997) Mnguu, Youze Orgeness
Nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc and iron deficiency or limited availability are the main soil fertility constraints limiting rice yield worldwide. The objective of this study was diagnostic to develop criteria for assessing the fertility status of the selected rice growing areas of Tanzania in terms of the availability of the above nutrients. Soil samples were collected from 10 different areas where rice is grown for both laboratory analyses and a glasshouse experiment. The laboratory analyses included the screening of suitable indices for available N, P, Zn and Fe total N, P, Zn Nitrogen availability was assessed by in soils. OC and the alkaline-KMnO4 indices, P by Bray-1, Olsen and the filter paper strip methods while available Zn and Fe were assessed by 0 . IN HC1, 0.005M DTPA at pH 7.3 and 0.01M EDTA-(NH4) 2CO3 at pH 8.6. (Oryza sativa L). The response of rice variety Super India to these nutrients was assessed in a glasshouse experiment where plants were grown for 51 days. The results showed that all the soils used in this study were deficient in N and hence required fertilization with N while 60% of the soils responded to P application. All the soils had adequate levels of K and Zn although three of the soils appeared to be borderline cases between adequate and deficient. The extractable Fe content was very high in all soils. Of the nutrient availability indices tested, OC correlated significantly with the DM yield while Olsen extractable P was found suitable for P assessment with a critical level of 20 mg/kg soil. None of the indices tested was found for suitable Zn and Fe assessment. Basing on these results, OC and Olsen methods were recommended for use in assessing N and P availability in the soils, respectively. No reliable extractant for micronutrients Zn and Fe was obtained in this study. Field experiments are recommended to confirm these findings.
Influence of lablab purpureus cover crop and crop residues on water productivity under irrigated maize in the Usangu plains, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2008) Mlengera, Ndabhemeye
This study was conducted in the Usangu plains to investigate the influence of maize crop residues and lablab cover crop live mulch on moisture conservation in irrigated maize. Irrigated maize under bare seed bed, maize crop residue mulch, lablab live mulch and mixture of maize crop residue and live lablab mulches were evaluated with respect to 7 and 14 days irrigation intervals. Split plot design was employed, irrigation intervals of 7 and 14 assigned to main plots while mulches treatments assigned to sub plots.experiment had a total of 8 treatments replicated three times; four treatments being under 7-day irrigation interval and another four under 14 days irrigation interval. Irrigation depths of 30, 40 and 50 mm were applied at establishment, vegetative and tasselling to maturity stage of the maize crop respectively. The results show that treatments two (T2) and three (T3) which were under 7 days irrigation interval and mulched with maize crop residues and lablab live cover crop respectively had higher yield significant difference when compared to T7 treatment which was under 14 days irrigation interval and mulched which were irrigated once in every two weeks T6, T7 and T8 indicated high soil volumetric moisture content (VMC) in their respective order from 0 to 45 cm soil depths compared to T5 treatment which had no mulch. Water productivity (WP) with respect to with lablab live cover crop. All other treatments which were under 7 and 14 days irrigation irrigation water was higher for treatments which had 14 days irrigation interval (0.8 - 0.94 kg/m3) compared to those treatments which were under 7 days irrigation interval (0.61 - 0.63 kg/m3) indicating a significant difference. Most of the treatments which were irrigated once in every two weeks also showed higher WP with respect to crop water use weeks in this study has indicated to be an appropriate strategy for increased WP and water saving of about 30%, while causing insignificant maize grain yield loss.