Browsing by Author "Massawe, B. H."

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Effects of biodegradable mulch films in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) performance: on-station trials
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2023) Massawe, B. H.; Moisan, L.; Semu, T.; Nchimbi-Msolla, S.
Different types of mulches have varied levels of efficiency. This study compared effects of using biodegradable mulch films (BMF) in common beans production compared with selected types of dead mulches used in Tanzania. Two different experiments in four replications were conducted using completely randomized block design on-station at SUA. In the first experiment, the treatments were BMF, pimento grass, maize straw and control. In the second experiment the treatments were BMF, butterfly pea, maize husks, and control. Crop performance indicators including germination, number of leaves, plant height and number of pods were recorded weekly using 9 representative plants in each plot. Number of weeds were counted physically weekly using quadrant method. Dry grain yield was also recorded in each experiment. The data were analysed for the effects of treatments to experimental units using ANOVA at 5% significance level. Results from the first experiment showed that BMF performed significantly better than other tested mulches in yield, weed control, branching, number of leaves, and number of pods. BMF did not do well in seed germination and plant height. Results from the second experiment showed that BMF had significantly better performance in terms of number of pods, grain bean yield, weed infestation control, plant height and number of branches. These initial results on use of industrial BMF calls for further research which may lead to promotion of use of these environmentally friendlier mulch films as compared to very slowly degradable plastic mulch films currently used in some farming systems in Tanzania
Spatial distribution of heavy metals in soil with distance from Tazama pipeline through the Mikumi National Park, Tanzania
(ACADEMIC JOURNAL (AJ), 2019-07) Mrimi, D. J.; Nyahongo, J. W.; Vedeld, P. O.; Massawe, B. H.; Jjunju, C. N.
A total concentration of six studied heavy metals Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Chromium(Cr), Mercury (Hg) Cadmium (Cd) and Copper (Cu) were measured in soil across distances from TAZAMA pipeline in transects which have incidences of oil spillage and those which have no history of oil spillage. All studied heavy metals were detected in the study area. As, Pb and Cr were detected in both transects, that is, with oils spills and those with no history of oil spillage to a distance of 0-35 m from the edge of the pipeline, with higher mean concentration in transects with oil spillage compared to those with none. From 50-200 m away from the pipeline these four metals were detected in transects with oil spillage only. Hg and Cd were detected in transects with history of oil spillage only. Cu was detected in all transects and at all ranges of distance. Concentration of studied heavy metals decreased with increased distance from the edge of the pipeline in both transects to all directions. The decrease was statistically significant in transects with oil spillage and insignificant with transects of no history of oil spillage.
Texture specific regression models for predicting soil ECe values from EC1: 2.5 for effective soil salinity assessment in Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2023) Isdory, D. P.; Massawe, B. H.
Electrical conductivity of saturated soil paste extract (ECe) is a standard laboratory soil salinity measurement. However, due to difficulty of ECe measurement, electrical conductivity of soil to water suspensions (ECsoil:water) such as EC1:2.5 are used and its values converted to ECe for salinity interpretation in crop production. This study was conducted to develop texture specific regression models for predicting ECe values from EC1:2.5 for Tanzanian soils. A total of 198 composite soil samples at 0 – 30 cm depth were collected from Kiwere, Dakawa, Sakalilo and Mwamapuli irrigation schemes in Iringa, Morogoro, Rukwa and Katavi Regions respectively and analyzed for soil texture, EC1:2.5 and ECe using standard laboratory methods. The dominant soil textural classes were clay, sandy clay loam, sandy clay, and clay loam. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between mean values of EC1:2.5 and ECe (dS m-1) in all textural classes. The regression models indicated significantly strong linear relationships between values of EC1:2.5 and ECe for all textural classes with R2>0.90 and P<0.001 for both regression models with and without intercept. The regression models without intercept performed better in predicting soil ECe from EC1:2.5 than regression models with intercept by having higher P-values, slope value closer to 1.0 and lower RMSE values between measured and predicted ECe. The study recommends regression models expressed as ECe = 2.0963 EC1:2.5 for clay; ECe = 2.7714 EC1:2.5 for sandy clay loam; ECe = 2.3519 EC1:2.5 for sandy clay and ECe = 2.0811 EC1:2.5 for clay loam soils for predicting soil ECe from EC1:2.5 in Tanzania.