Welcome to SUAIRE
Sokoine University of Agriculture Institutional Repository (SUA IR). This repository was built and is maintained by the university library (Sokoine National Agricultural Library-SNAL) , in order to collect, preserve and disseminate scholarly output generated by University research community (staff and students) members.
This repository hosts a variety of openly accessible materials including: scholarly articles and books, theses and dissertations, conference proceedings and technical reports. For assistance about depositing your research output in the repository click here. SUA IR Policy click here or any queries contact us at snal@sua.ac.tz.
Communities in SUAIRE
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- The Agroforesty Community is a collaborative network dedicated to advancing sustainable land-use practices that integrate trees, crops, and livestock. It serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, research dissemination, and practical innovations in Agroforestry. By fostering connections among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and local communities, the Agroforestry Community promotes environmental conservation, enhanced agricultural productivity, and resilient livelihoods.
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Recent Submissions
Exploring the preferences of developed value-added pigeon peas-based noodles and instant porridge among different consumer segments in rural Tanzania
(African Journal of Food Science and Technology, 2024) Majili, Zahra; Nyaruhucha, Cornelio N.; Rybak, Constance
Quantitative descriptive analyses for developed pigeon peas-based noodles (PPBN) and instant porridge (PPIP)
has been done to quantify the perceived intensities of the sensory attributes. This does not inform about
consumers’ preferences of the product that is fundamental for sustainable consumption. Therefore, this study
aimed at assessing the preferences of developed PPBN and PPIP products. A total of 162 consumers residing
in Mitumbati and Mibure villages in Nachingwea and Ruangwa districts respectively, were involved. Data were
analysed using SPSS, R software and Consumer checker software. About 46% of consumers were aged 25 - 49
years, 73% were female, married (70%), farmers (86%) and 77% had primary school education. The highest
mean preference scores for colour, aroma and mouthfeel were observed in sample PPBN 718 and PPIPofspr. The
correlation loadings indicated the overall liking of sample PPBN718 was related to colour and aroma whereas
for sample PPIPofspr was related with mouthfeel, sweetness, colour and aroma attributes. Study revealed that
colour, aroma and mouthfeel the key attributes for product preferences. It is recommended that consumers’
preferences test should be considered during product development in order to come up with the best choice of
product that will be acceptable among the intended consumers
Development and profiling of affordable and nutritionally optimal pigeon pea- based products for improved recipes diversification in rural communities in Tanzania
(East African Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation, 2023) Majili, S. Z.; Nyaruhucha, C.; Kulwa, K.; Rybak, C.
Pigeon pea is an affordable source of protein, vitamins and minerals. Despite its nutritional importance,
the legume has not been adequately utilized for human consumption in Tanzania due to limited recipes.
Therefore, the study aimed to develop and profile quantitative attributes of value-added pigeon pea-based
noodles (PPBN) and instant porridge (PPIP) flour for diversification of recipes in rural Tanzania
communities. The computation on the amount of ingredients, the cost of the product mix and optimization
was done using Linear programming, simplex method. PPBN and PPIP were developed and Quantitative
Descriptive Analysis (QDA) was done by trained panelists. Data were analysed using R and XLSTAT
software. Eight and four samples of PPBN and PPIP respectively were formulated and developed. Major
ingredients for PPBN was pigeon pea, wheat and orange flesh sweet potatoes flour and for PPIP was pigeon
pea, maize, orange flesh sweet potatoes flour (or pumpkin flour). The protein content for PPBN ranged
from 41.0 to 58.2 g. The highest amount of iron content was observed in sample PPBN193 (26.4 mg),
followed by PPBN1718 (21.0 mg), PPBN267 (19.3 mg) and PPBN136 (18.3mg). The highest value of zinc
and pro-vitamin A was observed in sample PPBN136. For instant porridge the highest value of protein
(17.1 g), iron (7.9 g), zinc (5.4 mg) and pro-vitamin A (308.5 μg) was observed in sample PPIPofspr
. The
highest mean intensity score for colour, aroma and mouthfeel was observed in samples PPBN718, PPBN193
and PPBN136. For sample PPIPofspr
, colour (8.7) Aroma (7.7), mouthfeel (7.8), sweetness (7.1) and viscosity
(7.9) had the highest mean intensity score. There was a significant increase in protein, iron, zinc and pro-
vitamin A with an increase in the amount of pigeon pea and/or orange flesh sweet potato flour. Sample
PPBN718, PPBN193, PPBN136 and PPIPofspr had better nutritional and sensory qualities that make them
suitable for consumption.
Optimizing wheat gluten levels to improve textural integrity and sensory appeal in pigeon pea enriched noodles
(Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences, 13(5): 224-236, 2025) Dotto, Shakira Rashid; Majili, Zahra; Chaula, Davis; Alamu, Emmanuel Oladeji; Baijukya, Frederick
Noodles made exclusively from pigeon pea flour often display undesirable textural characteristics, such as brittleness, poor
mouthfeel and a lack of the chewiness typically associated with traditional wheat-based noodles. These shortcomings can
significantly impact consumer acceptability and overall eating quality. Incorporating vital wheat gluten, a protein known for its
viscoelastic properties, offers a promising strategy to improve the structural integrity, elasticity and sensory appeal of pigeon
pea-based noodle formulations. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of varying levels of vital wheat gluten (VWG) on
the textural and sensory qualities of pigeon pea-based noodles (PPBN). Two optimized experimental samples PPBN 718 and
PPBN 193 designed to meet adult dietary protein and mineral requirements were prepared with three concentrations of VWG
(2%, 4% and 6%). Texture Profile Analysis (TPA), Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA), Consumer Preference Analysis
(n=75) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were conducted to assess product quality. Results indicated that formulation
B193 consistently outperformed formulation A718 across all quality parameters, exhibiting significantly higher hardness,
elasticity and overall consumer acceptability (P <0.05). Notably, PPBN193-2 achieved the highest overall acceptability score
(7.41±0.59). In contrast, formulation PPBN 718-3 showed diminished performance. PCA results revealed that color was a
dominant driver of sensory variation, while aroma, taste and mouthfeel clustered together, suggesting a potential trade-off
between visual appeal and other sensory attributes. The superior performance of PPBN193-2 was attributed to the synergistic
interaction between its unique flour composition including orange-fleshed sweet potato flour and VWG, which together,
formed a more cohesive protein-starch matrix. These findings suggest that incorporating VWG at an optimal concentration
of 4% can significantly enhance the textural integrity and sensory quality of legume-based noodles, particularly when used in
well-optimized formulations like PPBN 193. This research supports the development of nutritionally enriched and consumer
acceptable legume-based noodle products for broader market adoption.
Validation of soil water balance models for crop assessment and yield prediction under Tanzanian conditions
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1998) Ntella, Pythias Mwakajila
The information gathering for early warning and crop assessment in Tanzania is still based on physical inspection of standing crops in fields. The physical inspection is based on sown area, the state of crop development towards maturity, the prevailing and anticipated weather conditions (during and after) at the time of inspection and the extent of crop attack by pests and diseases. The process is subject to human error and it is also time consuming. Developments in computer simulation models may provide an efficient method for analysis of data for early warning and crop assessment. This study was aimed at validating Irrigation Scheduling Information System (IRSIS) and Crop Growth and Irrigation Scheduling Model (CRPSMW) which are soil water balance simulation models for crop assessment and prediction of grain yields. Five stations viz. Ilonga Agricultural Research and Training Center, Msimba Foundation Seed Farm, Selian Agricultural Research Institute, Arusha Foundation Seed Farm, and Tanzania Pesticides Research Institute were selected for this study. Input data for the models comprised of weather, crop and soil data. Weather data was of a 10 year duration where as for the crop data the record length varied from 3 to 10 years. The [RSIS mode appeared to over predict grain yield of maize, sorghum, and wheat. This could be attributed to the inadequacy of the model to accurately account for the runoff, a fact that was depicted in the model output whereby a portion of the excess rainfall was utilized by the crop for evapotranspiration purposes. On the other hand, the CRPSMW model results were not significantly different (P<0.05) from the actual grain yields simulated yields of maize, sorghum, wheat, and beans. The simulated grain yields for the different planting dates falling on or after the probable date for start of the growing season during the long rains for both Morogoro and Arusha were not significantly different (P<0.05) from the actual grain yield. Although there was a good agreement between the actual and the CRPSMW model simulated grain yields, it was observed that, mean values for predicted grain
yields were consistently smaller than for actual grain yields. This could be attributed o lack of representative location specific input parameters required by the model. These results indicate that the subroutine in the ERSIS model that considers runoff is inadequate and needs to be reformulated and/or allowance should be given for calibration of the model with respect to the runoff component. From the results it can be concluded, that a subroutine which considers factors such as hill slope, rainfall, and catchment area in estimating surface runoff should be incorporated into the IRSIS model to take account of the effects of excessive water on crop yields. There is also a need to determine more representative location specific parameters required by the CRPSMW model and the influence of moisture stress on different growth stages and hence yields under tropical conditions in order to increase its accuracy in predicting grain yields.
Assessment of genotype x environment interaction on common bean (phaseolus vulgaris l.) in the southern highlands of Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2008) Ndimbo, Mary Amos
The present study is aimed at assessing genotype x environment interaction on
common bean in Southern highlands of Tanzania. The experiment was conducted
during the season of 2006/07 in different locations, (Uyole, Mbimba, and Inyala) of
Mbeya region. Lines (main plots) SARBYT, EAI L101, CAL 143, SUG 131,
NJANO, WANJA and UYOLE 96, and 4 fertilizer levels (sub plots) were laid in
split plot in randomized complete block design with tliree replications at each
location. Plot size was 1.5m x 4.0m, with four rows of plants spaced at 50cm x 10cm.
Twelve microenvironments were used viz. a combination of three locations and four
fertilizer levels 40kg/ha P, 30kg/ha N; 70kg/ha P, 20kg/ha N; 60kg/ha P5 30kg/ha N
and Okg/ha P, Okg/ha N as a check. Genotypic differences (P < 0.05) for all traits
except yield were significant. The varieties yielded most at Uyole (2056.5kg/ha)
followed by Inyala (1551.5kg/ha) and lastly Mbimba (736.25kg/ha). At Uyole and
Mbimba fertilizer levels of (60kg/ha P, 3Okg/ha N) gave the best response, while at
Inyala fertilizer levels of (40kg/ha P, 3Okg/ha N) showed best response. Hence
fertilizer rate recommendations should be location specific. SARBYT, and EAI LI 10
had above average response with small variance of deviation from regression and
high seed yield thus could be grown in high yielding environments. SUG 131 and
NJANO had average response, small variance of deviation from regression and high
seed yield hence could be grown in wide range. NJANO and WANJA were stable fbr
flowering trait and they are earliest hence could be recommended to be grown in
marginal areas.
SARBYT and EAI L110 were least attacked by diseases. Plant
height, pods/plant, 100 seed weight and days to 80% maturity were highly correlated.
These results contribute important information about the diversity and breeding values of the bean breeding lines in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania and will be
relevant to breeders interested in bean improvement