EXTENDED ABSTRACT Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a main staple food crop in many African countries including Tanzania, but to other countries in Asia is a cash and industrial crop. The major cassava growing areas in Tanzania includes the Lake Zone (Mwanza, Kagera, Mara, Simiyu, Geita and Shinyanga), Southern zone (Mtwara, Ruvuma and Lindi), Eastern zone (Coast, Tanga and Morogoro) and Zanzibar (Pemba and Unguja). In Tanzania cassava is cropped continuously in the same field with no o...
ABSTRACT In an attempt to replicate the successful Japanese Satoyama watershed management model in the African agro-ecosystems, sawah rice cultivation technology has been introduced to West Africa in the last two decades. This study was conducted in inland valley at two different locations (Akaeze and Ikwo), to evaluate the effects of sawah water management systems on soil properties and rice grain yield. A split-split-plot in a randomized complete block design was used to evaluate these th...
ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to investigate the influence of some soil properties on dispersion and hydraulic conductivity of soils. Twenty soil samples collected from a depth of 0-20 cm were analyzed for their physical and chemical properties. The total clay fraction (clay) of the particle size distribution ranged from 80 to 380 g/kg with a mean of 203 g/kg and a coefficient of variation (CV %) of 47.5%. Total silt was between 20 and 400 g/kg with a mean of 129g/kg and a CV of 86...
ABSTRACT The study aimed at identifying the best varieties among the four Robusta coffee varieties in terms of N, P and K nutrients use efficiency, absorption efficiency and translocation efficiency. First, a survey was conducted to determine the fertility status of the coffee-growing areas in eight villages namely Igomba, Kiilima, Katangalala, Mishozi, Katale, Bugabo, Bulinda and Bugaruka. Then, a screen house pot experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design in a 3x4 factorial...
EXTENDED ABSTRACT Soil acidity is one of the most important soil factors affecting crop growth and ultimately yield and profitability of coffee in Mbozi District Tanzania. Soils tend to be naturally acidic in areas where rainfall is sufficient to cause substantial leaching of basic ions such as calcium and magnesium, which are replaced by hydrogen ions. Most soils in Mbozi District are acidic due to high rainfall and/or the use of soil acidifying fertilizers over a long period of time. Low s...
ABSTRACT The use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria offers an alternative to the use of chemical fertilizers. The quality and efficacy of inoculants is critical to realize the benefits of inoculation. The objectives of this study were; 1) to test the quality of 3 inoculants (Legumefix, Biofix for soybean and Biofix for common bean) and evaluate the response of soybean and common bean to inoculation; 2) to test the effect of soil fertility on inoculation response of soybean and common bea...
ABSTRACT Low soil pH and phosphorus are among the major soil constraints which limit BNF and soybean production in sub-Saharan Africa. Most Probable Number (MPN) plant infection technique and glasshouse pot experiment were conducted at SUA to estimate the population of native Bradyhizobium japonicum and determine the effect of lime and phosphorus on soil pH and BNF by soybean in an Ultisol. The pot experiment was a 33 factorial in a split plot experimental design replicated two times. The ma...
EXTENDED ABSTRACT Maize (Zea mays) is the most important food crop in Kenya. However, its productivity is greately constrained across the Kenya highlands. Soil acidity and low available phosphorus (P) are among the major hindrances to maize production in acid soils of the Kenya highlands. A survey, greenhouse experiment and field trials were carried out to assess the extent of soil acidity, soil nutrient levels and common soil management practices by farmers that contribute to the poor growt...
ABSTRACT A study was conducted in Dodoma district, Dodoma region Tanzania to assess the soil fertility status for sesame production. The study was initiated due to the continuous decline of sesame yield to alarmingly low levels. The objectives of the study were to determine the levels of N, P, K, S, Mg, Ca, Na, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn in soils and evaluate the response of sesame crop to the application of N, P, K, S and Zn. This was done by analysing soils from twenty sesame growing areas of Dodom...
EXTENDED ABSTRACT Rice (Oryza sativa L.) plays an important role in improving household food security and national economies in Sub-Saharan Africa including Tanzania. There is an increase in annual per capita consumption of rice in Tanzania from 20.5 in 2001 to about 25 - 30 kg year-1 in 2011 coupled with an increase in population. Despite the increase in rice consumption, the current rice production in Tanzania is still as low as 2.3 t ha-1 while the potential rice yields are 4 to 10 t ha-1...
ABSTRACT Declining soil fertility continues to be one of the most important challenges in Malawi’s crop production systems, with nitrogen considered as the most limiting nutrient element. However, food legume crops such as pigeon pea (PP) and cowpea (CP) are popular amongst smallholder farmers as they contribute to food security and protein nutrition, source of income to farmers and contribute to soil fertility improvement through biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). They are grown in variou...
ABSTRACT Population growth in urban areas has caused increase in demand of good quality water for domestic use. Due tohigh nitrate levels in water sources reported by District water authoritiesin Singida District, this study was carried to determine sources, levels and distribution of nitrates in water and soils for agriculture and human utilization. Firstly, a reconnaissance survey was carried to identify water sources with high, medium and low levels of nitrates and determine nitrate level...
ABSTRACT A study was carried out on soils developed from volcanic parent materials of Northern Province of Rwanda to expose the current soil conditions, aiming largely on pedological characterization but to a certain extent on assessment of potentials and limitations of soils for the production of major crops in the area. Three representative pedons namely KNG-P1, KNG-P2and GHNG-P1were identified and described. Sixteen soil samples were collected from different pedogenic horizons and analyse...
ABSTRACT Soil nitrate test of Soil Doc protocol has potential to identify optimum N fertilizer requirements for optimizing economic return, while reducing environmental impact. The purpose of this study was to develop N fertilizer requirements for maize production based on the soil nitrate test for the tropical soils in Morogoro District, Tanzania using soil Doc Protocol. Composite soil samples were collected pre-planting (PPNT) and pre-topdressing (PTNT) of N fertilizers to determine soil NO...
ABSTRACT Plastics, though widely used, have low biodegradability and hence are persistent in the environment, becoming a major source of pollution. The study herein was conducted to isolate, from soils, isolates of microorganisms capable of biodegradation of plastics. The soils were sampled from Morogoro Municipality in Tanzania. The pH of the soils ranged between 6.46 and 8.91. Organic carbon ranged from 0.20 and 1.23%, which was very low to low. Total nitrogen ranged from 0.01 and 0.09%, wh...