Browsing by Author "Kisetu, Eliakira"

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Determination of land productivity under maize-cowpea intercropping system in agro-ecological zone of mount Uluguru in Morogoro, Tanzania.
(Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2014) Nyasasi, Beatrice Thomas; Kisetu, Eliakira
The present study assessed the response of maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) under sole and intercropping systems. It also determined potential of intercropping system with respect to the proportion of land used for cultivation and the area of land saved. Results indicated that the above-ground total biological yield in sole maize (31.8 t ha-1 ) was insignificantly (p=0.055) larger than in maize (26.7 t ha-1 ) intercropped with cowpea. The yield in sole maize (6.53 t ha-1 ) was significantly (p=0.003) higher than in maize (6.47 t ha-1 ) intercropped with cowpea. The mean number of pods per plant in sole cowpea (7.7) was significantly (p=0.039) higher than in cowpea (6.8) intercropped with maize. In addition, the mean number of seeds per pod in cowpea intercropped with maize (15.0) was significantly (p=0.009) lower than in sole cowpea (15.43). Furthermore, cowpea seed yield in sole cowpea (6.7 t ha-1 ) was significantly (p=0.022) higher than in intercrop (6.25 t ha-1 ). Further to that, the land equivalent coefficient between maize and cowpea was 0.92 and the competitive ratio between the two crops when intercropped was 1.07. The land saved when the two crops were intercropped was 47.9%.
Distribution and incidence of cylas puncticollis in sweet potato and their economic losses in small holder farming systems of Gairo district, Tanzania
(Ecronicon, 2016-07-01) Mapesa, Jofrey Andy; Kisetu, Eliakira
This study assessed the incidences, distributions and yield losses in sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) associated with Cylas puncticollis in small holder farming systems of Gairo District, Tanzania. This was accelerated by the fact that small holder farm ers produce sweet potatoes in areas with high risks of sweet potato weevils. At the farmer’s fields, plots measured 5m × 5m in each replicate, sweet potatoes were harvested and assessments were done on the variables such as number of weevils, species, roots infested by Cylas and areas infested (above-below ground). Two sweet potato varieties namely Morogoro and Shangazi in Mtumbatu village were involved. Results indicated that the number of weevils and their species were more in vines than in roots but serious damage was observed in roots. These were also more prevalent in variety Morogoro compared to variety Shangazi. The mean number of undamaged sweet potato was significantly (P<0.001) higher in Shangazi variety (54.7) compared to Morogoro variety (43.3). In addition, economic losses of marketable roots were highly caused by Cylas infestations (USD 306) in variety Morogoro and breaking (USD 425), cutting (282.5) and rotting (USD 67.5) in variety Shangazi. It was concluded that variety Morogoro is more susceptible to economic losses caused by Cylas infestations compared to variety Shangazi. Therefore, variety Morogoro should be harvested as early as it reaches maximum maturity and where possible farmers in Gairo District and similar areas should invest more on variety Shangazi.
Effect of NPK and Minjingu mazao fertilizers on the performance of Sweetpepper in Morogoro, Tanzania
(Direct Research Journals Publisher, 2014) Rwiza, Alex Audax; Kisetu, Eliakira
This study assessed the effect of NPK (23:10:5) and Minjingu mazao (10:20:15) fertilizers on the performance of sweetpepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. California Wonder. The plant growth parameters collected were: plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem girth, and number of branches per plant. The parameters related to yield were fruit grade, fruit shape index (FSI), number of fruits per plant, weight of fruits per plant, and fruit yield. The NPK fertilizer resulted into significantly (P=0.03) highest average fruit yield (25 t ha-1). Minjingu mazao fertilizer recorded fruit yield (15.6 t ha-1) which was also significantly higher (P= 0.03) than the corresponding control. Fruit yields increase due to NPK fertilizer as opposed to the control and Minjingu mazao fertilizer were 166% and 66%, respectively. This was the same as 66% increase in fruit yield when Minjingu mazao fertilizer was used compared with the control. The Pearson matrix correlation indicated that the fruits length, fruits grade, weight of individual fruits and fruit yield had the strongest relationship (r ≥ 0.90***; P<0.001).
Incorporating pigeon pea compost with minjingu fertilizer brands to determine their effects on maize production in Morogoro, Tanzania
(World Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2013-10-24) Kisetu, Eliakira; Mtakimwa, Ziada Salum
This study intended to find alternative ways of increasing phosphorus (P) in soils using Minjingu fertilizer brands since maize yield in Tanzania has been retarded by low soil fertility. Maize (Zea mays L.) var. TMV-1 was used as a test crop. The treatments used (g per 2.16 m2 plot) were: absolute control (C), Pigeon pea compost (PP) (100), M-Mazao (MM) (420), Hyper (MH) (160), MM + PP (520) and MH + PP (260). The results showed that Agronomic Efficiency (AE) varied significantly (p <0.001) among treatments. Harvest index (HI) also differed significantly (p ≤0.05). This study revealed that exclusive application of Minjingu Hyper fertilizer to maize proves to be superior to Minjingu Mazao fertilizer by having the highest harvest index (24.7%) with relatively high maize yield (2.94 t ha 1 ). The former fertilizer brand compares better with the latter, which produced yield of 1.65 t ha-1 and harvest index of 6.94%. Furthermore, upon incorporation of pigeon pea compost, Minjingu Mazao fertilizer recorded the highest yield (3.85 t ha 1). This differed slightly numerically but was statistically similar with yield obtained when compost was incorporated with Minjingu Hyper fertilizer (3.64 t ha 1).
Options for up-scaling technology adoption by smallholder farmers for food security through irish potato production in Rungwe district, Tanzania
(Infogain Publication, 2016-05) Marenge, Upendo Victus; Kisetu, Eliakira
This study was conducted to determine the existing and feasible options for adoption of technologies that are involved or to be involved in Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production with the focus on Nzunda, Ntokela and Ndaga villages in Rungwe District. This was prompted by the unreliable production systems and the low life standards of the smallholders in the district. One-point in-time purposive survey was conducted using structured questionnaires and physical observations where 45 households were studied. The results also indicated that the effect of socio-economic and institutional factors were significant (LSD0.05 = 1.8) in determining Irish potato production in Ntokela village. In addition, the effect of institutional and socio-psychological and land tenure factors were significant (LSD0.05 = 6.6) for Irish potato production in Nzunda village. However, none of these factors were significant (LSD0.05 = 32.9) in Ndaga village. Results indicated that Irish potato produced was positively correlated with the farmer’s capital and/or access to credits (r = 0.700), farming experience (r = 0.225), extension services to impart awareness (r = 0.698), contribution of innovations (r = 0.771), sex-female (r = 0.96), and innovative agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides (r = 0.525). Female household head were mostly favoured by adoption of technologies in Irish potato production. These were the factors identified to be pertinent in adoption of Irish potato production technologies for Irish potato production in Rungwe district
Performance of maize-bean intercropping assessed through varied spatial arrangements and nutrient phosphorus levels in Tanzania
(Talenta Publisher, 2023) Masele, Wilson; Kisetu, Eliakira; Faraja, Makwinja
Erratic climatic conditions, inherent low fertility and nutrient depletion are among the most important biophysical constraints of food crops production in semi-arid African regions. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of different crop spatial arrangements associated with different levels of Phosphorus on the performance of maize-bean intercropping in Tanzania. The experiment was laid in a complete randomized design of factorial-split arrangement and three factors in different levels. Sowing patterns were randomly assigned to all experimental plots whereas Phosphorus rates were randomly assigned within a specific sowing pattern one after another. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using GenStat software of a generalized treatment structure in a randomized design. Results of the interaction between cropping pattern and the P-rates on beans and maize at a 5% level of significance indicated that grain yield, pods/plant, and biological yield did not differ significantly (P>0.05) while plant height, leaf area index, and plants per plot differed significantly (P<0.05). Intercropping affects the growth and development of component crops depending on the cropping pattern and the nutrients applied. The choice of compatible crops for an intercropping system should not exempt growth habits of the crops, land size, light, water fertilizer utilization. and other agronomic practices.
Response of Irish potato to NPK fertilizer application and its economic return when grown on an Ultisol of Morogoro, Tanzania
(Scienceweb Publishing, 2014) Shaaban, Husna; Kisetu, Eliakira
A field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different rates of NPK fertilizer on performance of Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). This experiment employed use of 150 and 300 kg ha-1 of NPK (23:10:5) fertilizer and a local cultivar Alika of Irish potato as a response crop. Results indicated that the significantly (p < 0.05) highest average marketable number of tubers per plant (3.5) and tuber yield (18.74 t ha-1 ) was recorded at an application of 300 kg NPK ha-1 . The lowest average number of tubers per plant (2.2) was recorded in the absolute control while the lowest tuber yield (14.99 t ha-1 ) was recorded at 150 kg NPK ha-1 compared with the absolute control (15.97 t ha-1 ). The coefficients of determination (R2 ) from the linear regression model showed that the variation in tuber yield was 50.7% with NPK fertilizer, 21.4% with number of tubers per plant and 23.6% with tubers per plot. Partial budget analysis indicated that the net benefit was in the decreasing order of 300 kg NPK ha-1 (5,335,500 Tshs/ha) > absolute control (4,135,000 Tshs/ha) >150 kg NPK ha-1 (3,552,000 Tshs/ha). The benefit cost ratios obtained for the absolute control, 150 and 300 kg NPK ha-1 were 2.1, 1.9 and 2.3, respectively, while the marginal rate of return for the two rates of fertilizer were -0.45 and 1.27, respectively. Based on the total variable costs and net benefit, NPK applied at 150 kg ha-1 was dominated (D) by the absolute control.