What Is the Evidence Base for Climate-Smart Agriculture in East and Southern Africa? A Systematic Map

More than 500 million USD will soon be invested in climate-smart agriculture (CSA) programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. Improving smallholder farm management is the core of most of these programmes. However, there has been no comprehensive information available to evaluate how changing agricultural practices increases food production, improves resilience of farming systems and livelihoods, and mitigates climate change—the goals of CSA. Here, we present a systematic map—an overview of the availability of scientific evidence—for CSA in five African countries: Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia. We conducted a systematic literature search of the effects of 102 technologies, including farm management practices (e.g., leguminous intercropped agroforestry, increased protein content of livestock diets, etc.), on 57 indicators consistent with CSA goals (e.g., yield, water use efficiency, carbon sequestration, etc.) as part of an effort called the "CSA Compendium". Our search of peer-reviewed articles in Web of Science and Scopus produced 150,567 candidate papers across developing countries in the global tropics. We screened titles, abstracts and full texts against predetermined inclusion criteria, for example that the investigation took place in a tropical developing country and contains primary data on how both a CSA practice and non-CSA control affect a preselected indicator. More than 1500 papers met these criteria from Africa, of which, 153 contained data collected in one of the five countries. Mapping the studies shows geographic and topical clustering in a few locations, around relatively few measures of CSA and for a limited number of commodities, indicating potential for skewed results and highlighting gaps in the evidence. This study sets the baseline for the availability of evidence to support CSA programming in the five countries

Effect of post-harvest Cupressus lusitanica slash management on early growth of Pinus patula at Shume, Lushoto, Tanzania

Sustainable forest productivity requires nutrient retention and protection of soil surface to ensure long-term soil fertility. This study was carried out in a second rotation forest plantation in Tanzania to provide insights on post-harvest slash and litter management practices for maintenance or increased productivity of subsequent rotations of forest crops. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Management treatments were: (a) control (litter left intact), (b) slash and litter removed, and (c) slash and litter burned. Periodic data were collected on root collar diameter (RCD), breast height diameter (DBH) and height. A final assessment was done at 36 months of age and the control treatmentwas slightly superior compared to other treatments. This could be due to the enhanced physical and chemical properties of soils from slash and litter layers. Although assessment for longer period is required, the preliminary findings revealed that after clear felling and removal of merchantable wood and branches, the remaining slash and litter should beretained on the site to induce better tree growth and maintain the nutrient capital.Keywords: Pinus patula; Cupressus lusitanica; post-harvest; slash and litter management, site productivity

Growth performance of lesser-known Leucaena species/provenances at Gairo inland plateau, Morogoro, Tanzania

Growth performance and psyllid resistance was studied among nineteen lesser- known Leucaena species/ provenances at Gairo inland plateau, Morogoro, Tanzania. Assessment was done at irregular intervals for survival, root collar diameter and diameter at 30 cm above the ground, height, diameter at breast height, multiple stems production, biomass and psyllid resistance. Final assessment of these tree attributes was done at 37 months after planting, while psyllid resistance was assessed at 9 and 37 months after planting. During the final assessment occasion, height ranged from 2.69 m for L. collinsii Ex. Chiapas to 4.87 m for L. diversifolia Ex. Veracruz. Diameter at breast height (Dbh) ranged from 2.26 cm for L. shannonnii Ex. Chiapas to 4.93 cm for L. diversifolia Ex.Veracruz, while multiple stems production ranged from 2709 stems ha-1 for L. pulverulenta Ex. Tamaulipas to 7135 stems ha-1 for L. leucocephala Ex. Morogoro and untransformed survival ranged from 43.75% for L. pulverulenta Ex. Tamaulipas to 100% for L. diversifolia Ex. Veracruz. Total wood biomass production ranged from 3.74 t/ha for L. shannonnii Ex. Chiapas to 15.61 t/ha for L. diversifolia Ex. Veracruz. The study has shown that species/ provenances differ significantly in survival, diameter, height growth, psyllid resistance, multiple stem production and biomass production. Based on these findings, provenances L. diversifolia Batch (15551), L. diversifolia Ex. Mexico, L. diversifolia Ex. Veracruz and L. pallida Ex. Oaxaca are recommended for Gairo and similar sites. Keywords: Lesser-known Leucaena, survival, growth, biomass production and psyllid resistance No Abstract. Southern African Forestry Journal Vol. 208, 2006: 53-6

Stand biomass and volume estimation for Miombo woodlands at Kitulangalo, Morogoro, Tanzania : research note

Tree volume and biomass equations developed for Kitulangalo area in Morogoro, Tanzania ignored small branches and small trees. Consequently, this study was carried out to develop new individual tree volume and biomass equations, and assess current regeneration status, biodiversity and yield of miombo woodlands of the area. Volume and biomass equations based on stump diameter for the estimation of volume and biomass of felled trees were also developed. A total of 30 trees were measured for stump diameter (StD), diameter at breast height (dbh) and total height and felled for the determination of volume and biomass. Different tree stem, branch and total volume and biomass models were then fitted. For the determination of current regeneration status, biodiversity and yield, data were collected from three strata: (a) Forest Reserve managed by the Central Government, (b) Forest Reserve under Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and (c) General land (free access by the public). In each stratum, temporary concentric circular sample plots were laid out on transects at 150 m intervals for a 1% sampling intensity. Stand variables such as number of stems per ha, basal area, biomass, volume and plant diversity, were computed for each stratum. The study has revealed the presence of average volumes (m3ha-1) and basal areas (m2ha-1) of: 76.02 + 9.14 and 9.13 + 0.78 for the Government forest reserve, 76.03 + 9.34 and 8.95 + 0.73 for SUA forest reserve, and 43.9 + 7.75 and 7.78 + 1.1 for general land forest. The respective biomass values were 43.56 + 7.06, 41.40 + 4.90 and 29.31 + 6.56 t ha-1. Tree species composition and regeneration status revealed that though disturbed, the public land species composition is not different from the other two strata. More studies should be done on the nursing of the abundant regeneration in the disturbed general land. The developed volume and biomass models are recommended to be used for the miombo woodlands at Kitulangalo area especially where small trees (< 8 cm dbh) are involved. Keywords: Miombo woodlands, Volume and biomass yields, Regeneration status and biodiversity Southern African Forestry Journal No.200 2004: 59-7

Effect of Nursery practices on seedling survival and growth of selected Miombo tree species, Morogoro, Tanzania

No Abstract.Discovery and Innovation Vol. 19 (1&2) 2007: pp. 122-13

Evaluation of 19 provenances of Calliandra calothyrsus at Gairo and SUA Farm, Morogoro, Tanzania: scientific paper

Performance evaluation was conducted among nineteen provenances of Calliandra calothyrsus from meso-America, Indonesia and Tanzania. Two trials were established in February and March, 1996 at Gairo (8 provenances) and Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) Farm (17 provenances) in Morogoro, Tanzania. Assessment was carried out at 3, 6, 14, 27, and 41 months for survival, root collar diameter and height. Biomass production was assessed during the last assessment occasion at SUA Farm (27 months after planting) and for Gairo at 27 and 41 months after planting respectively. At 27 months, when final assessment was done at SUA Farm, survival ranged from 33.3% (Lushoto Arboretum and Babati provenances) to 91.7% (Gracie Rock provenance). Above ground biomass production ranged from 4.81 to 17.26 t/ha for provenances Lushoto Arboretum and San Ramon respectively. When final assessment was done at Gairo site 41 months after planting, survival ranged from 50% for Apic Apac provenance to 75.0% for Fortuna and Cofradia provenances. Above ground biomass production ranged from 12.60 to 22.35 t/ ha for Apic Apac and Fortuna provenances respectively. Analysis of leaf samples showed low variation in N and P leaf contents for the provenances studied (ranges 1.35-2.50 N% and 0.09-0.18 P%). Based on the findings from this study, provenances Union Juarez, San Ramon, Bandug, Bombana and Flores are recommended for the SUA farm site and Fortuna, Cofradia, Bandung and San Miguel for the Gairo site. Southern African Forestry Journal No.194 2002: 15-2

Tephrosia biomass yield and soil fertility in one season relay intercropping with maize in Semiarid Gairo, Tanzania

No Abstract.Discovery and Innovation Vol. 19 (1&2) 2007: pp. 25-3

Performance of four-year-old Australian and Papua New Guinean Acacia species/provenances at Kongowe, Kibaha, Tanzania

This study to compare performance of three Australian–Papua New Guinean Acacia species/provenances (A. mangium, A. auriculiformis, A. crassicarpa) and A. julifera was conducted at Kongowe, Kibaha, Tanzania. Species/provenances were evaluated for survival, growth (diameter, height and volume), wood basic density and wood biomass. The trial was laid out using a randomised complete block design with three replications of 22 treatments (species/provenances). Data for survival, diameter at breast height and height was collected at ages 2 and 4 years from the nine inner-plot trees. Six defect-free trees from each treatment were selected at random for volume, wood basic density and biomass measurements. Results showed significant differences in survival, height and diameter growth among species/provenances at all assessment occasions. Average untransformed survival at 4 years ranged from 16.0% to 93.3%. Acacia crassicarpa from Bensbach, Papua New Guinea (PNG), had the largest diameter (13.9 cm) and A. crassicarpa from Bimadebum, PNG, had the largest height (12.6 m). Volume production and wood biomass differed significantly (p < 0.001) among species/provenances. Acacia crassicarpa from Bensbach, PNG, had the highest volume (58.7 m3 ha–1) and wood biomass (53.4 t ha–1) while A. mangium from Kongowe, Tanzania, had the lowest height (4.6 m), volume (1.92 m3 ha–1) and wood biomass (2.7 t ha–1). Acacia mangium from Claudie River, Queensland, had the highest basic density (610.6 kg m–3) while the accession from Bituri, PNG, had the lowest (375.2 kg  m–3). Ordinal ranking indicated that the three best-performing Australian–PNG Acacia species/provenances were A. crassicarpa from  Bimadebum, PNG; A. crassicarpa from Bensbach, PNG; and A. auriculiformis from south of Coen, Cape York. The three poorest  species/provenances were A. mangium from Kongowe, Kibaha, Tanzania; A. julifera subsp. julifera from Ipswich, Queensland; and A. mangium from Balimo, PNG. The best-performing species/provenances  are recommended for planting in Kongowe and other areas with similar ecological conditions. Keywords: Australian–Papua New Guinean acacias; biomass; performance; TanzaniaSouthern Forests 2010, 72(1): 13–2

Comparative growth performance of different Casuarina species and provenance at Lushoto in the West Usambara mountains, Tanzania : scientific paper

Variation in growth charactristics, coppicing ability and understory vegetation development was assessed in four Casuarina species (C. equisetifolia, C. junghuhniana, C. cunnighamiana and C. oligodon) grown in Lushoto in the West Usambara Mountains (WUM), Tanzania. The performance of the four species as well as of 12 provenances, including 5 landraces within some of the species was studied. Tree survival was assessed at 36 months; stem height, diameter at breast height (dbh), volume, biomass, coppicing ability and understorey vegetation development were assessed at 78 months. Survival was significantly lower in C. equisetifolia (79%) than in other species (>97%). There were significant differences in growth between species, with C. junghuhniana and C. oligodon outperforming the others, and C. cunnighamiana outyielding C. equisetifolia. Only C. junghuhniana and C. cunnighamiana coppiced, while understorey biomass was significantly higher under C. equisetifolia than under C. oligodon. There were significant differences in growth between provenances within species, with growth of new provenances often exceeding that of the local land races. The potential for fuel wood production and soil N - enrichment through foliage addition also exhibited inter-specific and intra-specific variation. There is great opportunity to significantly improve the productivity, and at the same time broaden the genetic base of Casuarinas through species and provenance selection for planting in the highland areas of the WUM. However, while exploiting the productive potential of Casuarinas, there is need to build sufficient information regarding their side effects on conservation of natural ecosystems, and local community's views on how to minimise the problem. Keywords: Casuarina species, Provences, West Usambara, Coppicing, Undersstorey biodiversity Southern African Forestry Journal No.200 2004: 39-4