Effectiveness of Fanya Chini terraces on soil properties and crop yield in the north-wester!' part of the Uluguru mountains, Morogoro, Tanzania.
| dc.contributor.author | Mkoba, Appia Paul | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-11-20T07:52:43Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-11-20T07:52:43Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2001 | |
| dc.description | Dissertation | |
| dc.description.abstract | A field experiment was conducted in the north-western part of the Uluguru Mountains, Morogoro District, to determine the effect of Fanya chini terraces on selected soil chemical and physical properties and crop performance. Eighteen experimental plots of 12 m x 3 m were established on farmers' fields. Plots with Fanya chini terraces were compared with those with no conservation structures. Maize (Zea mays L.) was used as the test crop. No inorganic fertiliser was applied in order to reflect farmers’ practices in the area. Soil samples from the experimental plots taken at the beginning (initial) and at the end (final) of the study were analysed to assess the changes in soil physical and chemical characteristics that had occurred during the cropping period. Most of the observed soil chemical variables were slightly (but insignificantly) higher in plots that had no conservation structures (unconserved plots) and their magnitude tended to increase along the slope. Organic carbon, total nitrogen and exchangeable calcium showed a significant increase (P = 0.05) in unconserved plots in the final soil samples. There was a significant difference (P = 0.01) in PR between the Fanya chini terraced plots and unconserved plots both at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Fanya chini terraced plots had mean PR value of 0.69 and 1.81 MPa compared to unconserved plots which had mean PR values of 0.78 and 1.71 MPa at the beginning and at the end of the experiment, respectively. Maize grain yield and biomass were not significantly different between the Fanya chini terraced and unconserved plots. However, grain yield and biomass were relatively higher in the unconserved plots and they tended to increase along the slope. The exposure and spread of the subsoil from the Fanya chini channels that were about 30 to 50 cm deep may have resulted into the reduced soil fertility and the resultant lower yield observed under Fanya chini terraces. Fanya chini terraces are not the best soil conservation measure on steep slopes. Where they are already in place, Fanya chini terraces should be complemented with other soil surface management practices. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7149 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Sokoine University of Agriculture | |
| dc.subject | Soil chemical | |
| dc.subject | Soil fertilizer | |
| dc.subject | Fanya Chini terraces | |
| dc.subject | Terrace farming | |
| dc.subject | Water conservation | |
| dc.title | Effectiveness of Fanya Chini terraces on soil properties and crop yield in the north-wester!' part of the Uluguru mountains, Morogoro, Tanzania. | |
| dc.type | Thesis |