Browsing by Author "Rweyemamu, C. L."

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Analysis of the agricultural science, Technology and Innovation System: banana (Musa spp.) case study in Tanzania
(ResearchGate, 2010-11) Maerere, A. P.; Rweyemamu, C. L.; Sibuga, K. P.; Mgembe, E. R.; Rwambali, E. G.; Nchimbi-Msolla, S.
This study was conducted to collect information on the agricultural science, technology and innovation (ASTI) system in the banana (Musa spp.) subsector in Tanzania. Major policies were reviewed with respect to their impact on the subsector. Linkages among key actors were identified and analyzed. Surveys were conducted in four agro-ecological zones that are major banana producers. The information was collected using two structured questionnaires: one for farmers and another for organizations. Generally, Tanzania was found to have well established agricultural and science and technology policies. However, implementation was hampered by low investment that did not match with government commitments. Main key actors, identified in the subsector, included smallholder farmers, private enterprises and various organizations that played major roles in creation, diffusion and utilization of knowledge. Research and training were found to be mainly under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Cooperatives and the Sokoine University of Agriculture. Results indicate that 60% of smallholder banana farmers had received primary education. Land is under family ownership, with an average 1.5 ha of which 25–53% was devoted to banana production. Most banana producers were found to operate on an individual basis, with collaboration mainly amongst themselves rather than with other actors. They lacked specialized training and operated at traditional level with very low use of innovations. It is recommended that all major areas of action require strengthening of existing information diffusion system, incentives for innovations, infrastructure, credit schemes, and recognition of banana as an important food and cash crop.
Banana (Musa spp. Colla) cropping systems, production constraints and cultivar preferences in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
(Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 2009) Dowiya, N. B.; Rweyemamu, C. L.; Maerere, A. P.
Banana and plantain (Musa spp.) are important crops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for food security and household income. However, yield has been decreasing to an average of 4.6 tons/ha currently, and the factors leading to the decline have not been fully determined. In the present study a diagnostic survey was conducted in the South Kivu (SK) and North Kivu (NK) regions of the country to determine the existing banana production constraints. Soil was sampled for analysis from 240 fields (30 samples/site) from 8 sites. The results indicated that apart from one site (Maboya, NK), soil fertility is not a limiting factor for banana production in the area. Planting materials used by farmers are exclusively suckers from existing crops and there is no institution producing clean planting materials in the area. Tillage using hand hoes for the purpose of growing common bean causes destruction of banana roots leading to poor nutrient uptake which contribute to low yield (3kg/bunch). Weed control is done by hand using hoes. Inadequate weeding and inappropriate desuckering practices increases competition between plants, leading to production of small bunches. In order of importance, the most important criteria for cultivar selection were flavour/taste, juice quality, resistance to disease and bunch size. Diseases including black Sigatoka, Fusarium wilt, Xanthomonas wilt, bunchy top virus, nematodes and weevils were identified as among the main causes of cultivar disappearance in eastern DRC. Although farmers have generally little knowledge on banana plantation management, they have good understanding on value addition through beer brewing. Hence farmers allocate an average of 50% of banana fields to wine producing cultivars. Cultivars from subgroup like AAA-Cavendish, AAA-Gros Michel, AAA-Ibota, AB-Ney poovan, AABKamaramasengi and ABB are well adopted for wine making. A total of twenty nine and thirty two banana accessions were found to be grown by farmers in SK and in NK, respectively. Based on similarity among these accessions using farmers’ criteria two clusters were identified consisting of wine/beer banana, and a combination of cooking, roasting and dessert types. The good market demand for plantains have motivated farmers in North-Kivu to allocate the largest part of their farms (25%) to French plantain Nguma (AAB) while in South Kivu the largest area (64.5%) is allocated to Nshikazi (AAA-EAHB) for beer production. Farmers’ mixed cropping system includes legumes, cereals, and multipurpose trees in the banana plantation or as hedgerows. Banana production can be improved in the study area using participatory research and development approach where smallholder farmers could evaluate appropriate technology introduced in the form of research. The key intervention measures are introduction of improved varieties with high yield and/or resistant to disease and sensitization on integrated pest management which could contribute into food security and poverty reduction.
Effect of seedling fibrous roots on field performance of hybrid coffee varieties
(Academic journals, 2018) Magesa, J. M.; Msogoya, T. J.; Rweyemamu, C. L.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of number of fibrous roots per seedling on plant growth and yield components of hybrid coffee varieties. A split plot experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was used. The main factor consisted of five varieties (N39-2, N39-3, N39-7, KP423-1 and KP423-2) whereas the sub-factor consisted of four types of roots (seedlings with 1-9 fibrous roots; seedlings with 10-17 fibrous roots; seedlings with ≥ 18 fibrous roots and control). Plants were evaluated for vegetative growth and yield components 14 months from the date of planting. The data were subjected to analysis of variance using CoStat software version 6.311 and treatment means were separated based on Tukey’s test at P ≤ 0.05. Results indicate that coffee varieties N39-3, KP423-1 and KP423-2 were significantly (P = 0.00) taller than varieties N39-1 and N39-7 while coffee variety N39-2 significantly produced a larger number of fruit clusters per plant (P = 0.00) and higher seed yield (P = 0.00) than the rest of coffee varieties. Results also show that seedlings with at least 18 fibrous roots per seedling highly significantly increased plant height (P = 0.00), stem internode length (P = 0.00), number of fruit bearing primaries per plant (P = 0.00), number of fruit clusters per plant (P = 0.00), number of berries per plant (P = 0.00) and total seed yield (P = 0.00) of hybrid coffee varieties. The interactions between variety N39-3 and seedlings with at least 18 fibrous roots per seedling only significantly increased (P = 0.00) the internode length compared with the interaction between variety N39-3 and seedlings with 10-17 fibrous roots per seedling, and variety KP423-2 and seedlings with 1-9 fibrous roots per seedling. It is concluded that coffee growers should use seedlings with at least 18 fibrous roots per seedling in order to increase plant growth and total seed yield of improved hybrid coffee varieties. Further studies are required to determine propagation technologies which can increase the number of fibrous roots to at least 18 per stem cutting of hybrid coffee varieties.
Effects of amending compost and green manure with phosphate rock on quality of amaranth
(African Journal of Horticultural Science (2008), 2008) Minja, R. R.; Maerere, A. P.; Rweyemamu, C. L.; Kimbi, G. G.
A study was conducted in Iringa, Tanzania to evaluate the effects of crotalaria green manure and compost applied alone or amended with Minjingu Phosphate Rock (MPR) as sources of N and P and their effects on vegetable quality attributes. The field experiment was conducted using a split plot design with three replications. Crop species formed main plots, while fertilizer treatments constituted the subplots. Two amaranth species (Amaranthus cruentus and Amaranthus hypochondriacus) were used. The treatments included crotalaria (Crotalaria ochroleuca), crotalaria + MPR, compost, compost + MPR and NPK, which was used as a standard. Results indicated that amendment of compost or crotalaria with MPR enhanced P supply by 22% and 100%, respectively. The tested materials significantly increased vitamin C, vitamin A and crude protein content of amaranth. Plants from plots treated with crotalaria had significantly higher levels of protein, calcium, vitamins C and A contents, compared to those fertilized with compost. There were significant and positive correlations between soil available N, P, and uptake with protein, calcium, iron, vitamin C and A content of amaranth. Due to the role of Ca in cell wall synthesis, it probably influenced the keeping quality of amaranth. The high Ca content in MPR amended treatments increased the evaluated keeping quality attributes of amaranth. It is therefore recommended that the tested organic materials be adopted as sources of N and P in the organic production of amaranth. Application of crotalaria and compost should be supplemented with P sources such as MPR in order to increase their P contents.
Effects of fertilizer micro-dose and in situ rain water harvesting technologies on growth and yield of pearl millet in a semi-arid environment
(Springer, 2020-03) Chilagane, E. A.; Saidia, P. S.; Kahimba, F. C.; Asch, F.; Germer, J.; Graef, F.; Swai, E.; Rweyemamu, C. L.
Declining soil fertility and low rainfall are key constraints to crop production and are threatening food security in semi-arid areas. Applying inorganic fertilizer at reduced amount (micro-dose) and in situ rainwater harvesting using infiltration pits (IP) or tied ridges (TR) are low-input strategies to cope with these constraints. This work investigates the effect of integrating fertilizer with in situ rainwater harvesting technologies on pearl millet growth, yield and household profitability among Tanzanian smallholder farming communities. Split plot field experiments were conducted from 2015 to 2017 cropping seasons. Flat cultivation (FC) with zero fertilizer application resulted in lowest grain yield ranging from 297 to 453 kg/ha and in a negative net profit (NP). The highest yield of 2202 kg/ha was obtained upon the use of recommended rate under IP, but it resulted in negative NP. Infiltration pits under 25% micro-dose resulted in relative higher grain yield (778–2202 kg/ha) compared to TR (887–1915 kg/ha) and FC (592–1144 kg/ha); despite higher yield, it resulted in negative NP. Tied ridges and FC with micro-dose at 25% of recommended rate had a yield advantage ranging from 537 to 959 kg/ha and 295 to 455 kg/ha, respectively, compared to farmer practices, and both resulted in positive NP. The use of micro-dose at 25% of recommended rate along with TR or FC which gave higher grain yield and NP compared to farmers practice is recommended to resource-poor farmers for improved pearl millet productivity.
Effects of growth media on rooting of stem cuttings of hybrid coffee varieties
(Academic journals, 2017) Magesa, J. M.; Msogoya, T. J.; Rweyemamu, C. L.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different growth media on rooting of stem cuttings of hybrid coffee varieties. The experiment was conducted on-station under a shade house at Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TaCRI) from October 2013 to February 2014 using a split plot experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The main factor consisted of five hybrid coffee varieties (KP423-1, KP423-2, N39-3, N39-2 and N39-7) and the sub-factor consisted of five types of rooting media (red soil, peat moss, decomposed saw dust, rice husk and forest soil + fine sand 2:1 (v/v) as a control). The stem cuttings were planted in each type of the media and four months after planting, the cuttings were evaluated based on number of rooted cuttings, total number of roots per cutting, number of lateral roots per cutting and root length. The data were subjected to analysis of variance using CoStat software and treatment means were separated based on Tukey’s test at P ≤ 0.05. Results indicate that coffee varieties N39-2 and N39-3 produced the highest rooted stem cuttings of 64.2 and 63.9% respectively. Results also show that red soil media provided the highest rooted stem cuttings of 77.9% followed by sawdust with 68.0%. It is recommended that propagators should use red soil as a rooting media for improving rooting percentage of stem cuttings from improved coffee varieties. Further studies are required to improve chemical and physical properties of red soil media.
Genetic diversity among INERA-Mulungu (DR Congo) Musa spp. germplasm and their relatedness to those in Tanzania using numerical taxonomy
(NIAB 2012, 2012) Nzawele, D. B.; Rweyemamu, C. L.; Maerere, A. P.
Bananas and plantains (Musa spp.) constitute staple food for over 20 million people in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Since 1960, DRC is considered as a secondary centre of plantain diversification with few unknown accessions kept in the INERA-Mulungu genebank. Through similarity coefficients, cluster (unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean, single, complete, sequential, agglomerative, hierarchical and nested design/clustering procedure) and/or multivariate analyses, numerical morpho-taxonomy has established that this diversity is composed of 37 different accessions. Each accession expressed 98 characters among the 401 possible character states, thus providing 39,298 feature patterns (data points). The 98 characters included 32 vegetative and 66 male and female inflorescences. The accessions were clustered into three genomic groups (AAA, AAB and AABB). Subjective classification ascertained nine subgroups: AAB-Silk, AAB-Pome, AAB-Plantain, AABB-Pisang Awak, AAA-Cavendish, AAA-Ibota, AAA-Gros Michel, AAA-Green-Red and AAA-Lujugira- Mutika. Three subgroups were further divided into nine clone sets which consisted of: Dwarf and Giant Cavendish, French and Horn Plantains, and Musakala, Nfuuka, Nakitembe, Nakabululu and Beer/Mbidde within Lujugira-Mutika. Numerical morpho-taxonomy effectively indicated a relationship between the DRC and Tanzania’s Musa diversity. For example, the accessions ‘Kamaramasengi’ and ‘Isangi’ were found to be similar to ‘Kisukari’ (AAB-Silk) and ‘Ngego I’ (AAB-French) common in the Tanzanian Southern Highland. Likewise, the accessions Kimalindi-fupi, Kimalindi-ndefu and Jamaica of Tanzania were duplicates of Bakurura (Kigurube), Cavendish of Butuza and Gros Michel in DRC, respectively. Moreover, numerical morpho-taxonomy confirmed the pedigree of AAB-Prata (Cibwalo) in FHIA 17 and FHIA 23 and the closeness of the ancestors of Yangambi Km5 and Gros Michel. Furthermore, numerical morpho-taxonomy established AA-Mshale malembo as one of the AAALujugira- Mutika parents. Molecular investigations are finally required to confirm the genomes.
Maize cultivar specific parameters for decision support system for agrotechnology transfer system (DSSAT) application in Tanzania
(2013) Mourice, S. K.; Rweyemamu, C. L.; Tumbo, S. D.; Amuri, N.
In order to develop basis for tactical or strategic decision making towards agricultural productivity improvement in Tanzania, a new approach in which crop models could be used is required. Since most crop models have been developed elsewhere, their adaptation, improvement and/or use outside their domain of development requires a great deal of data for estimating model parameters to allow their use. Cultivar specific parameters for maize varieties in Tanzania have not been determined before and consequently, crop modelling approaches to address biophysical resource management challenges have not been effective. An overall objective of this study was to evaluate DSSAT (v4.5) Cropping System Model (CSM) using four adapted maize cultivars namely Stuka, Staha, TMV1 and Pioneer HB3253. The specific objectives were; to determine maize crop growth and development indices under optimum conditions, to estimate maize cultivar parameters, and to evaluate DSSAT CSM for simulating maize growth under varied nitrogen fertilizer management scenarios. The results indicate that maize cultivars did not differ significantly in terms of the number of days to anthesis, maturity, or grain weight except final aboveground biomass. Also there was no difference between variables with respect to growing seasons. The cultivar specific parameters obtained were within the range of published values in the literature. Model evaluation results indicate that using the estimated cultivar coefficients, the model simulated well the effects of varying nitrogen management as indicated by the agreement index (d-statistic) closer to unity. Also, the cultivar coefficients which are difficult to measure physically were sensitive to being varied indicating that the estimated values were reasonably good. Therefore, it can be conclude that model calibration and evaluation was satisfactory within the limits of test conditions, and that the model fitted with cultivar specific parameters that can be used in simulation studies for research, farm management or decision making.
Narrowing maize yield gaps under rain-fed conditions in Tanzania: effect of small nitrogen dose
(2014) Mourice, S. K.; Rweyemamu, C. L.; Nyambilila, A.; Tumbo, S. D.
The wide gap between potential and actual yields of maize in Tanzania, due low productivity is the major constraint to improvement of food security and livelihood of farmers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of the use of small amount of nitrogen fertilizer as a measure to reduce maize yield gap under rain fed conditions. Field experiments were conducted at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro during the dry and rainy seasons of 2012/2013 using Maize cultivar PIONEER PHB 3253. The nitrogen application rateswere 0 (control), 15 (low N dose) and 80 kg N ha-1 (recommended rate). Three water application regimes were tested. Irrigation water was applied from crop establishment up to; grain filling; 50% anthesis; and between 50% anthesis and grain filling. The treatments were applied in a completely randomized block design, in factorial layout forthe dry season experiment. Nitrogen treatments were repeated during the 2012/2013 rain season under rain-fed conditions. Both experiments were replicated three times. In a dry season experiment, the water application regimes significantly (P≤0.05) increase biomass at both 50% and harvest maturity stages. Total tissue N content decreased under nonstressedwater regime relative to water-stressed treatments. The interaction between irrigation andnitrogen interaction significantly (P≤0.05) affected grain yield. Application of recommended N rate did not result into yield increase when water was limiting. In the rainy season experiment, the recommended Nrate resulted in highest biomass at end of juvenile (1 t ha-1), 50% anthesis (7.7 t ha-1) and harvest maturity stages (13.1 t ha- 1). Total tissue N content and grain yield increased significantly with increase in N application rates during the rainy season. Under water stress conditions, low N dose produced an extra 1000 kg ha-1 grain yield over absolute control treatment. Under water stress conditions, recommended N rate a 54% reduction of yield gap was observed, which could not sufficiently reduce yield gap. However, under adequate soil moisture conditions, recommended N rate attained up to 26% yield gap, suggesting that it would be beneficial to apply nitrogen fertilizer when water is not limiting to close the yield gap. Small nitrogen doses can be an effective strategy towards narrowing yield gaps for resource poor farmers especially in drought prone areas. Further study should be done to extend the results beyond experimental site to test and validate the approach under farmers’ paradigms.