Improvement of soil fertility by improved fallows of Cajanus cajan, Sesbania sesban and Tephrosia vogelii at Gairo in Morogoro, Tanzania

Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences 2001, Vol. 4(2) : 45-54This study was carried out at Gairo in Morogoro Tanzania to evaluate the effects, of fallow periods and fallow types on soil fertility improvement. A split-plot experimental design with three replications was adopted. Three fallow periods (i.e. 1, 2 and 3 years) were involved in this study. Soil pH, EC, OC, total N available P and total P were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by fallow periods and fallow types. Greater improvement in soil fertility was achieved by the improved fallows of S. sesban, T. vogelii and C cajan than the natural fallow. Soil fertility was found to increase with increasing fallow period from 1 to 3 years. Continuous cropping for 3 years resulted in greater decline in soil fertility. It is therefore concluded that improved fallows of S.sesban, T. vogelii, and C. cajan have the potential of improving soil fortility and so reduce the problems associated with a decline in soil fertility Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that the species be tested on farm and further investigations be carried to examine nutrient dynamics and sustainability of maize crop yield after fallow

Perfonnance ,of Provenances of Sesbania macrontha at Gairo, Morogoro,Tanzania

Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences 1999, Vol.2(1) : 27-36Performance evaluation was 'conducted among 21 provenances of Sesbania macrantha from 9 regions of Tanzania and one region of Rwanda. The trial was established in February, 1996 at Gairo, Morogoro, Tanzania. Assessments were carried out at 6, 12 and 15 months for survival, root-collar diameter and height. Biomass production was ass(!ssed during the last assessment occasion. Significant variation among the provenances for survival, root-collar diameter, height and biomass production was observed. The Andago (Arusha) provenance achieved greatest survival (83.3%) followed by the Biharamulo (Kage ra) and Kisabya (Kigoma) provenances (80.0%), while Miabeze (Mbeya) provenance had least survival 0/20.0%. No significant differences were observed in mean root-collar diameter and height from the (jh to 15th monih after planting. Biharamulo(Kagera) provenance was found to be outstanding in respect ofJotal biomass production (12.2 t ha .1), followed by Chala (Rukwa) provenance (10.3 t ha .1). Kangamo (Mbeya) provenance had the least total biomass production of 2. 3 t ha .1. Overall, the Andago, Biharamulo, Chala, Kikomakoma, Kisabya and Banda provenances were the best perfonners while the Lundamoto, Miabeze, Kibondo, Kishoju, Kidiama, Wondo and Kangamo failed to put on promising growth. It is recommended that Sesbania macrantha provenances from Andago, Biharamulo and Chala be used in improvedfallow/relay cropping systems in Gairo and other areas with similar environmental conditions in that order of priority

Improvement of soil fertility by improved fallows of Cajanus cajan, Sesbania sesban and Tephrosia vogelii at Gairo in Morogoro, Tanzania

Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences 2001, Vol. 4(2) : 45-54This study was carried out at Gairo in Morogoro Tanzania to evaluate the effects, of fallow periods and fallow types on soil fertility improvement. A split-plot experimental design with three replications was adopted. Three fallow periods (i.e. 1, 2 and 3 years) were involved in this study. Soil pH, EC, OC, total N available P and total P were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by fallow periods and fallow types. Greater improvement in soil fertility was achieved by the improved fallows of S. sesban, T. vogelii and C cajan than the natural fallow. Soil fertility was found to increase with increasing fallow period from 1 to 3 years. Continuous cropping for 3 years resulted in greater decline in soil fertility. It is therefore concluded that improved fallows of S.sesban, T. vogelii, and C. cajan have the potential of improving soil fortility and so reduce the problems associated with a decline in soil fertility Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that the species be tested on farm and further investigations be carried to examine nutrient dynamics and sustainability of maize crop yield after fallow

Perfonnance ,of Provenances of Sesbania macrontha at Gairo, Morogoro,Tanzania

Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences 1999, Vol.2(1) : 27-36Performance evaluation was 'conducted among 21 provenances of Sesbania macrantha from 9 regions of Tanzania and one region of Rwanda. The trial was established in February, 1996 at Gairo, Morogoro, Tanzania. Assessments were carried out at 6, 12 and 15 months for survival, root-collar diameter and height. Biomass production was ass(!ssed during the last assessment occasion. Significant variation among the provenances for survival, root-collar diameter, height and biomass production was observed. The Andago (Arusha) provenance achieved greatest survival (83.3%) followed by the Biharamulo (Kage ra) and Kisabya (Kigoma) provenances (80.0%), while Miabeze (Mbeya) provenance had least survival 0/20.0%. No significant differences were observed in mean root-collar diameter and height from the (jh to 15th monih after planting. Biharamulo(Kagera) provenance was found to be outstanding in respect ofJotal biomass production (12.2 t ha .1), followed by Chala (Rukwa) provenance (10.3 t ha .1). Kangamo (Mbeya) provenance had the least total biomass production of 2. 3 t ha .1. Overall, the Andago, Biharamulo, Chala, Kikomakoma, Kisabya and Banda provenances were the best perfonners while the Lundamoto, Miabeze, Kibondo, Kishoju, Kidiama, Wondo and Kangamo failed to put on promising growth. It is recommended that Sesbania macrantha provenances from Andago, Biharamulo and Chala be used in improvedfallow/relay cropping systems in Gairo and other areas with similar environmental conditions in that order of priority

Early performance of Casuarina junghuhniana provenances / land races at Lushoto, Tanzania: scientific paper

A trial involving 21 provenances form Indonesia and 7 ";local"; seed sources of Casuarina junghuhniana was established at Lushoto, Tanzania in March 1997. At 22 and 48 months of age, the following characteristics were assessed: survival, root collar diameter (RCD), breast height diameter (DBH) and height. The following were only assessed at 48 months of age: stem volume, biomass production and foliar nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrient concentration and content. At all assessment occasions except for height (22 months of age), N and P concentration and P content (48 months of age), significant provenance/land race variation was observed for the rest of the characteristics studied. At 48 months of age, the four best performing seed sources were: Mt. Bromo, East Java; Mt. Pohen, Bali; KARI, Muguga, Kenya and Mt. Brumo, East Java while the four worst performing ones were: Kapan, Kumpang, Timor; 25 km S.W.Soe, Timor; Noelmina River, Timor and Buat, Soe, Timor. Although these results are based on early performance of the seed sources, the promising seed sources are recommended for pilot planting at Lushoto and similar sites. Further evaluation is however, necessary to confirm the best provenances/land races. Southern African Forestry Journal No.194 2002: 7-1