The influence of selected cropping systems on soil properties in Kwalel Village, Lushoto, Tanzania
| dc.contributor.author | Mwinuka, Clement T.K.G. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-03-05T15:36:40Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-03-05T15:36:40Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2001 | |
| dc.description | Dissertation | |
| dc.description.abstract | A study was conducted in Kwalei village. Lushoto district to evaluate the influence of selected cropping systems on soil properties. The following cropping systems were identified through a transect walk, cropping systems on the slopes (monoculture tea. coffee/banana and maize/beans intercropping systems) and vegetable cropping systems in valley bottoms. Other cropping systems were woodlot systems (Eucalyptus. Grevillea. Wattle in a mixture of tree species) and fallows. Three soil profiles representing summits. slope and footslope areas were dug. According to World Resource Base (WR.B) (FAO. 1998) classification system three soil levels were identified namely Lixisols (summit). Fluvisols (slope) and Lixisols (footslope). The corresponding USDA-soil classification at soil order levels were Alfisols (summits). Entisols (slopes) and Mollisols (footslopes). Soil samples were taken at a depth of 0-20 cm from each identified cropping system for physical and chemical analysis. Core samples from the same cropping systems were taken for bulk density determination. The results from cropping systems on the slopes showed that soils from monoculture tea had low levels of plant nutrients compared to coffee/banana and maize/beans cropping systems. However, the soil physical properties in all three cropping systems on the slopes were suitable for crop production. Soil pH was conducive for tea production. The DTPA extractable Fe was significantly higher (P=0.05) in monoculture tea than in other cropping systems and the opposite was true for DTPA extractable Mn. DTPA extractable Zn did not differ significantly (P=0.05) between theiii cropping systems while DTPA extractable Cu was higher in coffee/banana cropping system. Most of the plant nutrients in soils from vegetable growing area were adequate for vegetable production except for available P. DTPA extractable Fe and Zn were within the acceptable range while DTPA extractable Cu and Mn were above the critical level for vegetable production. Soil properties in four woodlot systems were variable. Except for Eucalyptus, other tree species showed superiority in one or more properties. Eucalyptus had the least effect on soil properties, which suggest that the tree have low potential for amelioration of soil fertility compared to other tree species. From the study it can be concluded that fallow systems did not improve the soil fertility of degraded soils in Kwalei village. This is possibly due to the young age of the fallow systems. It takes long time to restore soil fertility. It can be recommended from this study that, for optimum crop production, farmers should control soil erosion, use cover crops and organic fertilisers like composts, crop residues and farm yard manures. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7368 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Sokoine Univesity of Agriculture | |
| dc.subject | Cropping | |
| dc.subject | Lushoto | |
| dc.subject | Tanzania | |
| dc.subject | FORESTRY, AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES and LANDSCAPE PLANNING::Soil science | |
| dc.subject | Systems | |
| dc.subject | Kwalei village | |
| dc.subject | Lushoto district | |
| dc.title | The influence of selected cropping systems on soil properties in Kwalel Village, Lushoto, Tanzania | |
| dc.type | Thesis |