Effects of Mulching, Fertilizer, Seeding and Seedling Treatments on Plant Species Recovery in Kondoa Irangi Hills, Tanzania

Fertilization, mulching, imported seed bank seeding and seedlings were applied to triplicates of 1m x1m plots at Chakwe and Gubali sites in Kondoa Irangi Hills, Tanzania. Responses tested were seedling recruitment, species turnover, species’ biomass, mortality of seedlings, total number of perennial and woody species recruited and leguminous species. There were high significant correlations of 0.85 and 0.87 between seedling recruitment and mortality in both sites, indicating that other factors, probably aridity, rather than prevailing site conditions were likely to be important determinants of mortality. Inorganic fertilization was not an efficient means of improving short-term productivity, seedling recruitment or increased number of species. In other words, fertilization was negatively correlated to the above factors mentioned. Mulching treatment had an effect of increasing mortality of non-woody species and selectively favoring the establishment of woody species. The interactions between seeding, seed bank and seedlings treatments increased the overall number of species (species turnover) in the study area. Direct sowing of seeds with desired traits into the soil to enhance seedling recruitment and species diversity is recommended over imported seed bank due to the costs involved in mobilizing large volumes of soil as well as availability of proper seed bank soil.Tanz. J. Sci. Vol 36 2010, 19-3

Strategic Management of Resources for International Business Operations in Small Consulting Firms - People, Processes and Tools in Managing International operations

Research on strategic management of resources for small consulting firms which are international or planning to operate internationally is scarce or not existing at all. It is however important to start generating the theories that will support managers in their decision making and planning. This thesis investigates how do small management consulting firms manage their internal and external resources while operating in international markets. Throughout the study, aspects related to internal and external resources management as well as management strategies in these firms have been examined in relations to firm’s internationalisation activities. A qualitative analysis was carried out whereby four small consulting firms in Export Management Consulting, Integration Services Consulting-, Software Development Consulting- and Business Solutions Consulting companies were interviewed. In order to generate the holistic understanding of the study, the thesis writer selected Value Enhanced Collaborative Working (VECW) model as an analysis framework. The model focuses on people, processes and tools as key elements that small consulting firms consider when thinking about managing their international operations. The findings of the thesis reveal that, internal and external resources in the interviewed consulting firms are viewed similarly, but managed differently depending on the nature and size of the firm. Firm’s management strategies concentrate on the adequate utilisation of the employees' motivation and experiences, effective stakeholders' management, various administrative evaluation processes and tools, the ability to realise useful networks, constant improvement through employee trainings, employees and customers’ feedbacks as well as enhanced freedom in order to support employees’ creativity. Further research to examine functional administrative tools and tools that small consulting firms could use to assess their resource capabilities when planning to become international would benefit the smaller businesses in terms of resources management and certainty in planning.siirretty Doriast

Seed longevity of dominant plant species from degraded savanna in semi-arid Tanzania

Artificially buried seeds were followed by periodic exhumation and germination during 21 months in Kondoa Irangi Hills, central Tanzania. Viable seeds from thirteen selected species were buried in polythene envelopes at a depth of 15 cm below woodland vegetation. Lethalgermination, fungal decay and insect infestation were singled out as the most important contributors to loss of viability among seeds. Hierarchical clustering based on a seed’s mean viability, seed shape and presence or absence of dispersal appendages, produced three distinct groups: (1) non-dormant seeds (2) seeds with enforced dormancy and (3) seeds with seed coat imposed dormancy. The low decay constant of some species is an indication of their abilities to form persistent seed banks. The intermittent and extended germination of seeds of the same species from the same batch shown by some species may be regarded as an ecological adaptation to prevent synchronous germination in unpredictable harsh environments, whereas prompt germination of some Acacia seeds may be viewed as a strategy to avoid seed predation in the soil. Seed dormancy, which predicts seed longevity, is strongly dependent on seed moisture content and partly on other environmental factors, notably low temperatures, light and increased carbon dioxide levels

Improving propagation success of Dalbegia melanoxylon (African blackwood) in Tanzania (I): Characterization of mycorrhizal associated with D. melanoxylon (African blackwood) in Tanzania

Dalbergia melanoxylon is a plant with valuable wood in the world and therefore is over harvested for timber while its regeneration is very low. The propagation efforts by techniques such as tissue culture or mycorrhiza have not been investigated which instigated conduction of this study. Soil and cuttings were collected from Kilwa, Kilosa and Babati for rooting test, potting media and soil characterization. The results showed that fresh soil improved rooting characteristics while sterilized soil did not due to the presence of mycorrhiza in fresh soil compared to none in sterilized media. The overall rooting in fresh soil in non-mist propagator was higher, 100% for softwood and 37% for root cuttings while none rooted in the open nursery. The results revealed that there was no significant correlation between rooting and collection sites while cutting type and the soil type used significantly influenced rooting. Softwood cuttings that weighed less than 15g significantly increased rooting at (P < 0.05) compared to cuttings that weighed above 15g. It was recommended to propagate Dalbergia melanoxylon using softwood cuttings placed in a non-mist propagator and using fresh soil infected with mycorrhiza.Key words: Dalbergia melanoxylon, non-mist propagator, rooting

Agro-morphological Characterization of the Wild Rice (Oryza longistaminata) Populations From Selected Areas of Tanzania

The study assessed the variations in ten agro-morphological characters among and within the wild rice (O. longistaminata) populations from four selected areas, namely Bagamoyo, Kibaha, Kilombero and Mbarali in Tanzania. The study was carried out through measurement of ten quantitative agro-morphological characters, based on morphological descriptors for wild and cultivated rice species developed by Bioversity International and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Measurement of morphological characters of O. longistaminata plants was done soon after heading. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the variations in quantitative characters between O. longistaminata populations from the four study areas. The results showed existence of high genetic variations in the study areas, both within populations and among populations. In addition, the results showed significant differences between populations for all quantitative agro-morphological characters, except grain length. Moreover, some agro-morphological characters showed positive correlations to each other. The dendogram generated from the agro-morphological data grouped the O. longistaminata from the four study areas into four groups irrespective of their geographic origins, implying that there was gene flow between populations. Generally, the four O. longistaminata populations assessed exhibited a wide range of variations in morphological characters, both within the population and among populations.Keywords: Morphological character; Oryza longistaminata; Quantitative character; Wild rice

Improving propagation success of D. Melanoxylon (African blackwood) in Tanzania (II): Rooting ability of stem and root cuttings of Dalbergia melanoxylon (African blackwood) in response to rooting media sterilization in Tanzania

Dalbergia melanoxylon is a plant with valuable wood in the world and therefore is over harvested for timber while its regeneration is very low. The propagation efforts by techniques such as tissue culture or mycorrhiza have not been investigated which instigated conduction of this study. Soil and cuttings were collected from Kilwa, Kilosa and Babati for rooting test, potting media and soil characterization. The results showed that fresh soil improved rooting characteristics while sterilized soil did not due to the presence of mycorrhiza in fresh soil compared to none in sterilized media. The overall rooting in fresh soil in non-mist propagator was higher, 100% for softwood and 37% for root cuttings while none rooted in the open nursery. The results revealed that there was no significant correlation between rooting and collection sites while cutting type and the soil type used significantly influenced rooting. Softwood cuttings that weighed less than 15g significantly increased rooting at (P < 0.05) compared to cuttings that weighed above 15g. It was recommended to propagate Dalbergia melanoxylon using softwood cuttings placed in a non-mist propagator and using fresh soil infected with mycorrhiza.Key words: Dalbergia melanoxylon, non-mist propagator, rooting

Internationalization : A Resource for Successful Regional Development : Laurea University of Applied Sciences International Students’ role in the Triple Helix of University, Industry, and Government

This study was prepared as a part of the bachelor thesis at Laurea University of Applied Sciences. The main aim of the thesis was to examine qualities necessary for international students and graduates to be able to participate in the Finnish labour market. The emphasis was kept on the integration of international students in accomplishing different projects with Finnish companies in the region and also for the possibilities for international graduates who have decided to stay in Finland to be integrated in the Finnish labour market. Triple Helix of University, Industry and Government was the main consideration of this thesis. A total of seven people being directors, senior advisors and pioneers of some international project or companies, from the university-, company- and the government sectors, were interviewed. The qualitative analysis was accomplished. Internationalization as a gateway to regional success, international students as the potentials for Finland, and university as a company, were the three categories selected to give a clear understanding of respondents’ perspectives on the research problem. From different perspectives that arouse from respondents, it was realised that, demands for improving qualities needed for the successful internationalization were considered to be the responsibility of the universities. Companies portrayed the need for high quality skills and experiences from university graduates. The government’s position was to support the development concerning internationalization as well as developing the internationalization strategies. The implications of this thesis emphasizes the need for universities to work hard to reveal the potential knowledge that can assist the region: international students to be included in the university level functions, companies to define their role in the internationalization activities in the region, as well as the need for the inter-ministerial collaboration in revealing all the needed qualities from all different sectors in developing effective strategies that can enhance a profitable internationalization

Chikungunya Virus Transmission

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borneAlphavirus that causes Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) in humans. In 1952, the CHIKV was found in East Africa in a sylvatic and urban cycle between Aedes mosquitoes, and human and nonhuman primates in tropical regions. Since 2004, CHIKF has spread rapidly in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Both Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are known to be arboviral mosquito vectors of CHIKV. Ae. aegypti is mostly found within the tropics, whereby Ae. albopictus also occurs in temperate and cold temperate regions. Host-seeking female mosquitoes are infected after feeding on a viremic animal. The replication of CHIKV happens in the midgut and then enters the hemocoel before disseminating to the salivary glands of the mosquito. The disseminated virus can be transmitted by injecting infectious saliva into the host skin during blood feeding. In the naïve host body, CHIKV replicates in the dermal fibroblasts through blood circulation, and disseminates to other parts of the body such as brain cells, kidney, heart, lymphoid tissues, liver, and joints. Symptoms of CHIKV infection include high fever, rigors, headache, photophobia, and maculopapular rash. It is advised to avoid mosquito bites; also, larvae management systems should be applied in endemic environments

EVALUATION OF FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ABILITY AND ANTIRADICAL ACTIVITIES OF XIMENIA CAFFRA FRUIT EXTRACTS AT DIFFERENT RIPENING STAGES

Objective: To evaluate the free radical scavenging ability and antiradical activities of Ximenia caffra fruit extracts in their different ripening stages. Methods: Using standard procedures, Ximenia caffra fruit extracts were determined for ferrous ions chelating ability, nitric oxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability. Antiradical activities were assessed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in which the fruit extracts were evaluated for the number of antiradical units (AU515), the number of antiradical units per 1 mg of extracts (EAU515) and the total number of antiradical units per 1g of raw fruits (TAU515). Results: The fruit extracts exhibited significant higher ferrous ion chelating and free radical scavenging capacity compared to synthetic antioxidants (standard). Fruit extracts in early ripening stage (ERS) exhibited stronger ion chelation, nitric oxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability with low effective fruit extract concentration required to reduce free radicals by 50% (EC50) that were 14, 25 and 30µg/ml respectively than the late ripening stage (LRS) extracts. The fruit extracts also showed high AU515, EAU515 and TAU515. The values of AU515 ranged from 0.93 to 0.95, while EAU515 from 78.30 to 79.34 and TAU515 ranged from 19762.46 to 23821.23 of the extracts in LRS and ERS respectively. Conclusion: Based on these observations Ximenia caffra is potentially beneficial to human health due to its strong ability to scavenge free radicals. Its utilization can potentially reduce the risk of degenerative diseases to human beings

Assessment of Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Selected Natural Habitats of The Wild Rice (Oryza Longistaminata) and their Effects on the Species Morphological Characters

The aim of this study was to assess variation in some soil physical and chemical properties among four selected natural habitats of the wild rice species (Oryza longistaminata) in Tanzania, and their effects on the species morphological characters. Oryza longistaminata is a perennial wild rice species with agronomically important genes, including genes for tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses that can be used in rice breeding. In Tanzania O. longistaminata grows sympatrically with the cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) in most rice cultivating areas. The selected natural habitats assessed were located in four districts, namely Bagamoyo, Kibaha, Kilombero and Mbarali. Soil samples were collected at the depth of 0 - 20 cm from the four districts and analysed in the laboratory for soil physico-chemical properties using standard protocols. The species morphological characters were assessed based on the morphological descriptors for wild and cultivated rice species developed by Bioversity International and International Rice Research Institute. One way ANOVA was used to determine the extent of variation in soil physico-chemical properties (parameters) among the four natural habitats of O. longistaminata. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to determine the effects of assessed soil parameters on the morphological characters of O. longistaminata in the study areas. The study revealed variation in soil physico-chemical properties among the districts. Statistically there were significant differences among the habitats (districts) for most of soil physico-chemical properties investigated. In addition, the assessed soil physico-chemical properties were found to influence variation in morphological characters among O. longistaminata populations from different habitats