Nitrogen mineralization dynamics of different valuable organic amendments commonly used in agriculture

Sustainable agriculture requires the careful optimization of the use of organic amendments to improve soil fertility while minimizing any harmful environmental effects. To understand the events that occur in soil after the addition of different organic amendments, we evaluated the nitrogen (N) mineralization dynamics in soil after adding organic amendments, and evaluated changes in the microbial population. The four organic amendments were fresh dairy cattle manure, fresh white clover, vegetable, fruit, and yard waste compost, and poplar tree compost. The N mineralization potential of each organic amendment was determined by analyzing total mineral nitrogen during a 97-day laboratory incubation experiment. Soils amended with clover released 240 mu g N g(-1) soil during the 97-day incubation, more than twice as much as that released from soils amended with manure or composts (76-100 mu g N g(-1) soil). At the end of the incubation, the net N mineralization in clover-amended soils was 54%, more than five times higher than that in soils amended with composts or manure (4%-9%). Nitrogen was mineralized faster in clover-amended soil (1.056 mu g N g(-1) soil day(-1)) than in soil amended with composts (0.361-0.417 mu g N g(-1) soil day(-1)). The microbial biomass carbon content was higher in clover-amended soil than in the soils amended with manure or composts. We monitored changes in the microbial population in amended soils by a phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. On day 97, there were higher concentrations of total PLFAs in soils with organic amendments (e.g., 14.41 nmol g(-1) in clover-amended soil) than in control soil without amendments (9.84 nmol g(-1)). Bacteria (Gram-positive and Gram-negative), actinomycetes, and fungi were more abundant in clover-amended soils than soils amended with manure or composts. The N mineralization potential varied among the four organic amendments. Therefore, the timing of application and the type of organic amendment should be matched to the nutrient needs of the crop

Governance practice in English Further Education colleges: The purpose of further education governance and the changing role of standards committee governors

This article explores the purpose of governance in the further education (FE) sector in England and the increasing tasks demands that are expected from the governors of standards committees (SC) as part of their changing role. It will then examine how these task demands impact SC governors’ perceptions of FE governance. This research is done at a critical time when central government challenges the sector to strike a balance on the purpose of FE governance as: maximizing institutional performance and success; accountability and compliance; and governance for representation and democracy. A multi-case study design was used: six principals and 14 SC governors from six FE colleges in the English Midlands region were purposefully selected to participate in this study. Data were obtained from individually, digitally recorded face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Findings suggest that FE governance is very important but that the purpose(s) that it serves are ambiguous, and that the task demands expected from SC governors have greatly increased, causing detrimental effects on their perception of FE governance. In order to help improve practice, a new role conceptualization for SC governors is suggested. </jats:p

Influence of e-tax system on tax revenue collection in Tanzania large taxpayers : a prior and posterior analysis

Purpose: This paper intended to examine the influence of the e-tax system on tax revenue collection in Tanzania. -- Design/Methodology/Approach: The study made use of secondary data gathered in two groups, data from 2006-2011 (prior e-tax system) and 2012-2017 (post e-tax system) was used. An ex-post-facto research design with paired sample test compared the mean values of the pre and post-e-tax system to confirm if the observation between the two sets of mean is zero or significantly different from zero. -- Findings: The results depict that the use of the e-tax system has positive significant impact on tax revenue generation. Correspondingly, increase in number of registered large taxpayers has a positive effect on tax revenue. -- Originality/Value: This study contributes on the awareness to both large taxpayers and the government, that is, the use of the e-tax system had an impact on lessening tax compliance cost and assists the government to collect taxes in cost efficient ways.peer-reviewe

Quality of E-Tax System and its Effect on Tax Compliance (Evidence from Large Taxpayers in Tanzania)

        Abstract        Globally, countries endeavor toward improving tax compliance behavior with the ultimate goal of increasing tax revenue collection. This study examined the quality of the e-tax system and its effect on the tax compliance behavior of large taxpayers in Tanzania. The data were gathered from 313 large taxpayers from three regions in Tanzania, namely Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Arusha. The study employed Information System Success Model (The IS model) with constructs service quality, system quality, information quality, user satisfaction, behavioral intention, and tax compliance behavior (actual behavior). A Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS3 was used to evaluate the latent variables and their indicators.  The results showed that behavioral intention to use the e-tax system has the strongest effect on tax compliance behavior. Thus, service and information quality had an incredible effect on creating eagerness to accept and utilize the e-tax system which improves tax compliance behavior. However system quality has not shown a significant effect on tax compliance behavio

Strategic plan to support interventions for Ngaramtoni street children

The problem of the street children in Ngaramtoni Kimnyaki ward is increasing. However there was no information of the overgrowing phenomenon. OSOTWA CBO working with street children and families affected by HIV/AIDS following the death of family members did not have the data of number and types of street children at Ngaramtoni Kimnyaki ward. Neither did they have a strategic plan to support intervention for the Street Children. This project participated on the preparation of short term and long term plan (strategic plan) to support interventions for Ngaramtoni street children. The strategic plan included activities like, provision of basic needs in form of food, clothing, shelter, medical services and accommodation to street children and youths so that they are able to fit in society as responsible citizens. Promoting community awareness and carrying out advocacy on matters related to street children (including rights), networking with other organizations and institutions for sharing information and experience as well as collaborating on interventions that are geared to improved performance, enhancing the institutional capacity of OSOTWA for effective and efficient achievement of its mission. The committee which comprises representatives from villages around Ngaramtoni, Osotwa CBO, religious leaders, representatives of like minded NGO's, Businessmen, representatives from street children participated in conducting the study, writing of the strategic plan, monitoring and evaluation of the project. (Author abstract)Masunga, E. W. (2007). Strategic plan to support interventions for Ngaramtoni street children. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.eduMaster of Science (M.S.)School of Community Economic Developmen

What motivates or demotivates injecting drug users to participate in hypothetical HIV vaccine efficacy trials? A qualitative study from urban Tanzania

Background:&nbsp;HIV vaccine efficacy trials require the active participation of volunteers who are committed and adherent to the study protocol. However, information about the influence of Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) to participate in HIV vaccine efficacy trials in low-income countries is inadequate. The present study explored the factors that motivate or hinder IDUs from participating in HIV vaccine efficacy trials in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Methods:&nbsp;A qualitative descriptive study design was employed among IDUs at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH). A purposeful sampling technique was used to recruit the participants. Three (3) focus group discussions (FGDs) and 10 In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) were used to collect the data. The data from participants were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using the content analysis approach.Findings:&nbsp;The participants reported that altruism and the desire to reduce risks of HIV infection were the motivators to participate in hypothetical HIV vaccine trials. In addition, participants reported to consult close relatives towards motivation to participate in the vaccine trial. In contrast, the perceived fear of vaccine side effects, lack of information about HIV vaccine studies, and HIV-related stigma towards participants were described as barriers to participate in the HIV vaccine trials.Conclusion:&nbsp;Participation in a hypothetical HIV vaccine trial among IDUs is influenced by positive and negative factors. Actual recruitment plans could be made through a better explanation of HIV vaccine trials, the expected individual and collective benefits associated with the trials. Community involvement and sensitisation is likely to enhance participation in future HIV vaccine trials in Tanzania

Combating viral mosaic disease of cassava in the Lake Zone of Tanzania by intercropping with legumes

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) production is constrained by many factors, including the viral cassava mosaic disease (CMD). This study was conducted to explore the potential of intercropping cassava with legumes to reduce CMD effects on cassava production. Local (Lyongo Kwimba) and improved (Suma) cassava varieties were intercropped with three types of grain legumes (groundnut, Arachis hypogea L. var. Upendo; cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. Vuli; and green gram, Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var. Imara). Monocrops of cassava with and without NPK fertilizer were included as controls. The experiment was established using a randomized complete block design with four replications in a split-plot arrangement for three seasons. Cassava varieties intercropped with cowpeas, green gram, and groundnuts and cassava monocrops with and without NPK fertilizer constituted the main plot and sub-plots, respectively. Whitefly population counts and CMD severity and incidence were measured at regular intervals. Cropping system had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on whitefly populations and CMD severity. Small whitefly populations (0–7.5 individuals per leaf) and low CMD severity (1–2.4 on a 5-point scale) were recorded in improved and local cassava varieties intercropped with green gram. The local cassava variety intercropped with green gram showed low CMD incidences (0%–40%) in all seasons. Generally, growing cassava with green gram proved effective in reducing whitefly populations and CMD incidence and severity. Intercropping cassava with grain legumes may improve cassava production and food security in CMD-prone areas of the Lake Zone of Tanzania and areas with similar environments

Morphological and Molecular Identification of Pratylenchus goodeyi Associated with Banana in Tanzania

Banana (Musa sp. [L]) is an important staple food and cash crop for about 30 percent of the total population in Tanzania. Root lesion nematodes, particularly Pratylenchus goodeyi, are among the major pests affecting banana production in Tanzania. A combination of morphological and molecular approaches is required for accurate identification of nematodes. In this study, 80 P. goodeyi isolates affecting bananas in Tanzania were identified. Sequence analysis of part of the small subunit (SSU), large subunit (LSU) and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) confirmed the morphological identification of P. goodeyi. DNA sequences were analysed using Geneious version 11.0 software and phylogenetic relationship was constructed using Bayesian inference (BI) method. Morphological identification shows that P. goodeyi in this study resembles P. goodeyi identified from other parts of the world and their sequences clustered closely (98.6 – 99.9 % similarity) with other P. goodeyi sequences in the GenBank. The results obtained from this study will provide an insight on the presence of harmful root lesion nematodes in Tanzanian bananas, contributing to further studies aimed at developing efficient nematode management strategies in Tanzania.Keywords: Genetic variation; Morphology; Musa sp.; Root lesion nematode;

Nitrogen mineralization dynamics of different valuable organic amendments commonly used in agriculture

Published online: 27 February 2016This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND licenseSustainable agriculture requires the careful optimization of the use of organic amendments to improve soil fertility while minimizing any harmful environmental effects. To understand the events that occur in soil after the addition of different organic amendments, we evaluated the nitrogen (N) mineralization dynamics in soil after adding organic amendments, and evaluated changes in the microbial population. The four organic amendments were fresh dairy cattle manure, fresh white clover, vegetable, fruit, and yard waste compost, and poplar tree compost. The N mineralization potential of each organic amendment was determined by analyzing total mineral nitrogen during a 97-day laboratory incubation experiment. Soils amended with clover released 240 μg N g−1 soil during the 97-day incubation, more than twice as much as that released from soils amended with manure or composts (76–100 μg N g−1 soil). At the end of the incubation, the net N mineralization in clover-amended soils was 54%, more than five times higher than that in soils amended with composts or manure (4%–9%). Nitrogen was mineralized faster in clover-amended soil (1.056 μg N g−1 soil day−1) than in soil amended with composts (0.361–0.417 μg N g−1 soil day−1). The microbial biomass carbon content was higher in clover-amended soil than in the soils amended with manure or composts. We monitored changes in the microbial population in amended soils by a phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. On day 97, there were higher concentrations of total PLFAs in soils with organic amendments (e.g., 14.41 nmol g−1 in clover-amended soil) than in control soil without amendments (9.84 nmol g−1). Bacteria (Gram-positive and Gram-negative), actinomycetes, and fungi were more abundant in clover-amended soils than soils amended with manure or composts. The N mineralization potential varied among the four organic amendments. Therefore, the timing of application and the type of organic amendment should be matched to the nutrient needs of the crop