Browsing by Author "Njau, Paul"

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Fungi intercepted in seeds of pigeon pea ( (cajanus cajan (l.) grown in Northern Tanzania and relation to quality attributes of the seeds
(International Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 2019) Tarmo, Theophili; Msuya, Dunstan; Njau, Paul
Fungi associated with Pigeon pea seed were studied using 80 seeds samples of pigeon pea collected from Babati and Karatu districts in northern Tanzania. The standard moist blotter test was used to detect fungi on seeds. The tested pigeon pea samples yielded d more than 12 different fungal species. Fusarium udum which is a pathogen of seed health certification significance was detected in 33 samples from Babati (equivalent to 82.5%) and 36 samples from Karatu districts (equivalent to 90%) of the samples. Eleven n other seed infesting fungi were also intercepted, with Rhizopus spp appearing in all samples and having the highest incidence of 23.2% for Karatu and 16.1% for Babati district followed by Aspergillus flavus having the incidence of 20.3% and 15.7% for Karatu atu and Babati districts, respectively. The other species ranged between 1.1% and 10.1% for Babati and 0.7% and 13.7% for Karatu. Significant correlation existed between seed purity and incidence of Cladosporium spp and between seed moisture content and in incidence cidence of Fusarium moniliforme; but the correlation with purity was positive against expectation. Even though farm farm-saved saved seeds may be localized with the practicing farmer or within a restricted locality, generally it is suggested that in those areas where seed borne pathogens are endemic and farm-saved farm seeds is predominant farmers’ awareness on Fusarium wilt disease should be created. It is also suggested that farmers should be trained on how to reduce seed transmission of the diseases at least by rouging the infected plants in the field and selective harvesting of the crop to be used as seed.
Viruses infecting common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Tanzania: a review on molecular characterization, detection and disease management options
(African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2017) Mwaipopo, Beatrice; Nchimbi-Msolla, Susan; Njau, Paul; Tairo, Fred; William, Magdalena; Binagwa, Papias; Kweka, Elisiana; Mbanzibwa, Deusdedith
Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a major legume crop, serving as a main source of dietary protein and calories and generating income for many Tanzanians. It is produced in nearly all agro ecological zones of Tanzania. However, the average yields are low (<1000 kg/ha), which is attributed to many factors including virus diseases. The most important viruses of common bean in Tanzania are Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV) but other viruses have also been reported. There has never been a review of common bean virus diseases in the country, and the lack of collated information makes their management difficult. Therefore, this review focuses on (1) occurrence of different viruses of common bean in Tanzania, (2) molecular characterization of these viruses, (3) detection tools for common bean viruses in Tanzania and (4) available options for managing virus diseases in the country. Literature and nucleotide sequence database searches revealed that common bean diseases are inadequately studied and that their causal viruses have not been adequately characterized at the molecular level in Tanzania. Increased awareness on common bean virus diseases in Tanzania is expected to result into informed development of strategies for management of the same and thus increased production, which in turn has implication on nutrition and income