Mdangi, Mashaka2026-08-282026-08-282009https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7928DissertationThis study examined rodent damage to maize in fields and stores and associated losses at Berega village in Kilosa district, Morogoro, Tanzania. The actual rodent damage in two experimental plots (70 x 70 m) and five farmers' fields was assessed at seedling stage and yield loss was calculated. No significant (p > 0.05) differences in seedling damage between experimental plots and among farmefs fields was observed. Damage of 13.22 and 14% at population of 4 and 6 individual rodents was observed in experimental plots, respectively and damage range of 30 to 48% at population range of 1 - 9 individual rodents in farmers' fields. The spatial pattern of maize damage distribution was estimated to be random for experimental plots and uniform in four farmers fields and random in one farmers field. There was significantly less yield loss in untreated (without rodenticide) compared to treated (with rodenticide) experimental plots (p < 0.01) (i.e. 204 kg and 187 kg9 respectively). Results showed higher yield loss in treated compare to untreated plot due to larger number of fallen plants hence more rodent infestation. Cob damage differed significantly (p < 0.001). In storage experiment, open and closed storage structures were used in the experiment. High significant differences (p <0.001) occurred between different storage structures and between individual household houses. Maize grain damage differed significantly (p < 0.001) between storage structures (sacks and cribs). Damage of 34, 8, 25 and 0% was observed in open cribs, closed cribs, open sacks and closed sacks, respectively. There was significant difference (p < 0.001) in grain weight loss and contamination level between storage structures and household houses (p < 0.05) and higher rodent infestation in open structures placed in earth floor and thatched grass houses. Results suggest that, to minimize rodent infestation in stored grains improved storage structures should be used.enRodent damageMaize (zea mays l.)Berega villageKilosa DistrictMorogoroTanzaniaThesis