Residual effects of fallows on selected soil hydraulic properties in a kaolinitic soil subjected to conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT)

Improved fallows have been used to reduce time required for soil fertility regeneration after cropping in low input agricultural systems. In semi-arid areas of Southern Africa, Acacia angustissima and Sesbania sesban are among some of the more widely used improved fallow species. However the residual effects of improved fallows on soil hydraulic properties during the cropping phase is not known. The aim of this study was to quantify the residual effects of fallows and tillage imposed at fallow termination on soil hydraulic properties (infiltration rates, hydraulic conductivity and soil porosity) during the cropping phase. Treatments evaluated were planted fallows of Acacia angustissima, Sesbania sesban and natural fallow (NF) and continuous maize as a control. Steady state infiltration rates were measured using a double ring infiltrometer and porosity was calculated as the difference between saturated infiltration rates and tension infiltration measurements on an initially saturated soil. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (K-o) and mean pore sizes of water conducting pores were measured using tension infiltrometer at tensions of 5 and 10 cm of water on an initially dry soil. While there was no significant difference in steady state infiltration rates from double ring infiltrometer measurements among the fallow treatments, these were significantly higher than the control. The steady state infiltration rates were 36, 67, 59 and 68 mm h(-1) for continuous maize, A. angustissima, S. sesban and NF respectively. Tillage had no significant effect on steady state infiltration rate. Pore density at 5 cm tension was significantly higher in the three fallows than in maize and varied from 285-443 m(-2) in fallows, while in continuous maize the pore density was less than 256 m(-2). At 10 cm tension pore density remained significantly higher in fallows and ranged from 4,521-8,911 m(-2) compared to 2,689-3,938 m(-2) in continuous maize. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivities at 5 cm tension were significantly higher in fallows than in continuous maize and were 0.9, 0.7, 0.8 cm and 0.5 cm h(-1) for A. angustissima, S. sesban, NF and continuous maize, respectively. However there were no significant treatment differences at 10 cm tension. Fallows improved infiltration rates, hydraulic conductivity and soil porosity relative to continuous maize cropping. Through fallowing farmers can improve the soils hydraulic properties and porosity, this is important as it affects soil water recharge, and availability for plant growt

Soil organic carbon dynamics of improved fallow-maize rotation systems under conventional and no-tillage in Central Zimbabwe

Fallowing increases soil organic carbon (SOC) during the fallowing phase. However, this benefit is lost quickly during the cropping phase. The objective of this study was to evaluate SOC dynamics of an improved fallow-maize rotation under no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) from time of fallow termination, through the next two cropping seasons. The treatments studied were improved fallows of Acacia angustissima (A. angustissima) and Sesbania sesban (S. sesban), natural fallow and continuous maize. Our hypothesis is that fallowing maintained higher SOC and lower soil bulk densities through the cropping phase when compared with continuous maize system and that NT maintained higher SOC when compared with CT. Soil organic carbon was significantly greater under fallows than under continuous maize from fallow termination to the end of the second cropping season. Soil organic carbon for the 0¿5 cm depths was 11.0, 10.0, 9.4 and 6.6 g kg¿1 for A. angustissima, S. sesban, natural fallow and continuous maize, respectively at fallow termination. After two cropping seasons SOC for the same depth was 8.0, 7.0, 6.1, 5.9 g kg¿1 under CT and 9.1, 9.0, 8.0, 6.0 g kg¿1 under NT for A. angustissima, S. sesban, natural fallow and continuous maize, respectively. Total SOC stocks were also higher under fallows when compared with continuous maize at fallow termination and after two cropping seasons. Soil bulk densities were lower under fallows when compared with continuous maize during the period of study. We concluded that fallows maintained greater SOC and NT sequestered more SOC than CT. Acacia angustissima was the better tree legume fallow for SOC sequestration when compared with S. sesban or natural fallow because it maintained higher SOC and lower bulk densities after two seasons of maize cropping

Causes of wildland fires and factors that influence knowledge of fire management at Crofton village, Makoni district, Zimbabwe

Wildland fires are a threat to the conservation of biodiversity and human life. In Zimbabwe, the newly re-settled smallholder farmers are perceived as the major drivers of wildland fires. A survey was conducted in Crofton Village Ward 38 of Makoni District in Zimbabwe to determine farmers’ knowledge on the causes of wildland fires and factors that influence their knowledge on the management of wildland fires. Randomised purposive multistage sampling was used to select 60% of the total population in the study area. Data processing and analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 of 2012 to analyse the relationship between the dependent variable (farmers’ knowledge of wildland fire management) and independent variables (sex, age, level of education and period of stay in the village. Farmers revealed that land clearing, poor disposal of ashes, brick moulding and arson were the chief causes of wildland fires. There was a significant (p<0.05) relationship between period of stay in the village with farmer’s knowledge of management of wildland fires. Farmers’ knowledge on wildland fire management was influenced by period of stay and exposure to wildland fires in the village. Farmers with a longer period of stay in the study area were more knowledgeable than those with a shorter period. Gender and age had an effect on farmer’s knowledge about causes of wildland fires and men apparently had more knowledge and experience with wildland fire management. Human activities were responsible for most of the wildland fires. Resettled farmers, farmers with primary level and those with no formal education had limited knowledge on wildland fire management.  It was recommended that effective wildland fire awareness programmes be put in place to improve farmer knowledge and wildland fire management skills

The evolution of decentralisation policy in developing countries : a policy analysis of devolution in Zimbabwe.

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.The COPAC-driven constitution-making process in Zimbabwe was largely focused on revamping local governance and ensuring a return to democracy. The attempts were mainly focused on checking the power of the executive in a bid to institutionalise separation of powers by empowering the legislative and judicial arms of the state. However the most critical power-sharing objective was the reform of intergovernmental balance of power between the central government and subnational government structures; the provincial, urban and rural local authorities. This was captured in the ideology of devolution of power, which was set as fundamental principle of good governance repealing the erstwhile centralised system of government. The hope was that this shift of preference will be enshrined in the 2013 Constitution. However this study notes that this public optimism has not been sufficiently met in the new constitution, which is officially dubbed ‘Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, 2013’. The study argues that the provisions for devolution in the 2013 Constitution are inconsequential and betray a lack of political will by the central government to devolve authority and resources to local governments. The extensive reliance on impending Acts of Parliament to clarify and give effect to devolution, such as the administrative, political and fiscal competencies of different tiers of government, creates a weak framework for decentralisation which is tantamount to the continuation of the existing status quo, in which subnational governments are de facto deconcentrated appendages of central government. Notwithstanding this major setback in the aspirations of devolution in Zimbabwe, this study recommends that extensive civil society engagement with the central government which has been evidenced over the last couple of years can still reclaim the reforms initially agreed to by the ruling elite during the negotiations thereby ensuring the institutionalisation of devolution in Zimbabwe

Effects of Organic Enriched Basal Fertilizer on Productivity of Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) in Smallholder Farming of Hurungwe District in Zimbabwe

A field experiment was carried out in Hurungwe district to determine the effects of organic enriched basal fertilizer (Compound C) on productivity of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). The experiment was laid out using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three treatments and three replicates. There were three blocks and the blocking factor was slope. The treatments comprise of (Compound C) organic enriched fertilizer, (Compound C) chemical/inorganic enriched fertilizer and a control were no basal fertilizer was applied. Parameters evaluated include days to flowering and physiological maturity of tomatoes, number of fruits per plant, yield per hectare, shelf life of the produce and finally marketable yield. The data was analyzed using SPSS 17 and T-tests were used to compare the means. The results showed that there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in yield and shelf life from organic enriched fertilizer in comparison to chemical fertilizer. However chemical fertilizer recorded the highest yield of 37.3t ha-1, whilst organic fertilizer recorded the highest number (9.2) of days before perishability of tomatoes. Treatments with no fertilizer recorded the lowest yield of 12.9t ha-1, but there was no significant difference (P=0.068) in shelf life between no fertilizer and chemical treatments. There was also a significant difference (P<0.05) in days to 50% flowering, number of fruits per plant and marketable yield of tomatoes across the three treatments. From the results of the study, it can be concluded that organic enriched fertilizer can also be used for tomato production as there was a significant increase in yield and shelf life of tomatoes and hence are suitable for long distance markets. It can therefore be recommended that further research should be conducted to investigate the optimum rates of application of organic enriched fertilizer that produce higher yields than inorganic fertilizers. Key words: organic enriched, productivity, tomatoe

An exploration of the perceptions of and risk and protective factors for drug use among young persons aged between 18 and 24 years in Mufakose, Harare, Zimbabwe

Background: Drug use by young people is on the increase globally, regionally and locally, in Zimbabwe. Most of what is known about the risk and protective factors for drug use has been written from studies done in high income countries. Limited studies focused on the low to medium income countries. The available literature for Zimbabwe is a few quantitative studies, done nearly two decades ago. These might not still be relevant today because of the generational changes that have taken place in the society over time. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in Mufakose, one of the low income high density suburbs of Harare, Zimbabwe. The aim of the study was to find out the reasons why young people in the community were using drugs while others within the same geographical area were not using. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit 40 young people aged between 18 and 24 years who were current drug users, past users and those who had never used drugs at all in their entire lifetime. Individual in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted at two community centres in the community to elicit data from the participants. Data collected from the in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were analysed using NVivo using themes that were derived from literature. Results: Results showed that both risk and protective factors for drug use exist at three levels of human interaction: the micro, meso and macro levels. Micro level risk factors included stressors from the home or living arrangements or workplace, stress due to loss of a loved one, boredom due to unemployment and lack of activities, a lack of commitment to work, sport or school and one's beliefs. Meso level risk factors were exposure to the drug using behaviour by peers and bullying. At family level, exposure to drug use, family conflicts were reported as risk factors. At macro level, drug availability and cost and media influence were cited as risk factors for drug use among the group. For the protective factors leading to non-use, religion was the strongest protective factor at all the three levels. A commitment to work, sport or school was also protective at micro level. Non-exposure to drug using behaviour were protective at the meso level. Conclusion: The current social environment in Zimbabwe together with a breakdown of the country's institutions such as marriage due to death, divorce or migration to other countries. The breakdown has left some children in single parent families vulnerable to a life of drug use. Early initiation into drug use was reported to be through exposure from peers, families and other members of the community as young people in Mufakose are using drugs in-order to escape from the reality of life. Evidence based psychosocial interventions could be used to reduce the impact of drug use among this population

Addressing child marriages through law reform : a case study of Zimbabwe.

Master of Law in Child care and protection. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College 2015.Abstract not available

Challenges faced in controlling wildland fires in Mazowe A1 resettlement farming areas of Zimbabwe

Wildland fires pose a big threat to both flora and fauna. In Zimbabwe an estimated 1 million hectares (ha) are burnt annually. The present study uses multiple sources of information including review of published literature, reports, field observations, questionnaires and interviews to investigate the challenges faced in controlling wildland fires in A1 resettlement farming areas of Zimbabwe. Two sites, ward 24 and 31 in Mazowe District were used as case studies to compile responses from 400 households. The results of the study indicated that issues of education, experience and lack of information in wildland fire management played a role in wildland fire management. In ward 24.6% never attended school, while 30%, 48% and 8% had reached primary education, secondary education and tertiary education respectively.  In ward 31, the highest level of education of the respondents was 8%, 58% and 34% for primary level, secondary level, and tertiary education respectively. The predominant challenge was lack of experience in fire control as 52% of the respondents had never been involved in fire suppression. In addition, lack of information was highlighted as a major cause of wildland fires, as only 35% of respondents had attended fire awareness campaigns. The other challenges included; lack of proper fire fighting equipment, poor volunteerism and poor implementation of policies and regulations. It was concluded that multiple challenges exist in managing wildland fires, and hence more emphasis should be placed in training and equipping communities with fire management skills and provision of fire fighting equipment. A multi-sectoral approach is also recommended for implementation and enforcement of fire management regulations in the resettlement farming areas

Influence of oxidative stress and effect of topical application of α-tocopherol on wound healing in a diabetic animal model

Background: Understanding mechanisms involved in development of diabetes mellitus-associated ulcers is vital to pioneering alternative care approaches. This study aimed to establish effects of oxidative stress (OS) and α-tocopherol’s effect on diabetic wound healing.Methods: Using two animal experimental designs surgical wounds were created in 4 groups of 9-week-old diabetic and non-diabetic rats. OS was induced through antioxidant enzyme inhibition. In experiment-1 wounds were allowed to heal. In experiment-2 varying concentrations of topical α-tocopherol and/or the ointment-base were administered to diabetic animal wounds. Intermittent comparison of wound morphology, histology and local and systemic OS parameters was done.Results: Irrespective of diabetic state, OS was associated with delayed wound size reduction and poor granulation-tissue collagen deposition. Delayed and subdued local glutathione peroxidase activity in response to wounding and OS induction was more pronounced in diabetic animals. Diabetic animals also showed higher serum malondialdehyde levels regardless of OS induction. Topical application of α-tocopherol was associated with denser wound granulation tissue collagen deposition but could not affect serum malondialdehyde levels.Conclusions: OS interferes with wound healing especially collagen deposition and the effect is more pronounced in a diabetic state. Topical α-tocopherol can improve collagen deposition in diabetic wounds but cannot counteract systemic OS, therefore combining systemic and local antioxidant supplementation has potential for use in DFU care

Formulating finger millet (Eleusine coracana L) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) food blend for enhanced micronutrients for children below 5 years

Malnutrition of children under 5 years is a public health concern because it is the most vulnerable stage of child’s growth where its impact results in long term health conditions such as stunting, wasting, obesity and poor cognitive development. This study aimed at developing a Rapoko-Cowpea porridge blend to enhance dietary micronutrients among children below the age of 5 years and assess its sensory acceptability. A mixed methods research approach was adopted consisting of a quasi- experiment and a cross sectional survey. Vendors from Mbare market were clustered based on the source of their finger millet and cowpea grains (Masvingo, Murewa, Gokwe). A Completely Randomised Design (CRD) was used with three treatments (blends) replicated three times. Proximate analysis was done using standard AOAC methods. Compared to cowpea, finger millet had the highest levels of carbohydrates (78.12g/100g), iron (8.7mg/100g), zinc (3.77mg/100g). Results also show that 75:25. Rapoko-Cowpea blend ratio had the ability to meet WHO daily nutrient requirements for children under the age of 5 years. Blend ratio of Rapoko: cowpeas (75:25) had the highest carbohydrates (69.41g/100g), protein (25.64g/100g), zinc (1.74mg/100g), iron (5.14mg/100g), energy (411.37kcal), and vitamins (0.11 mcg RAE) with RaCoB1 blend having the lowest nutrient composition. Results have showed that finger millet (Rapoko), cowpeas and RaCoB (Rapoko-Cowpea blend) blends have high macro and micronutrients (iron and zinc) to support daily nutritional requirements of children below the age of 5 years and may help in addressing malnutrition. Sensory evaluation was done with 100 panellists from the University of Zimbabwe and of the three blends, a 75:25 ratio was the most preferred (90.88%). Further studies need to analyse the effects of anti-nutritional factors, bioavailability of nutrients, shelf life of the food blend and commercialization potential of RaCoB blends. The government is therefore encouraged to provide agronomic support for increased productivity of small grains and pulses through improved research and extension. There is a need to develop a policy at national level that promotes blending of cereals and pulses as well as innovative small scale food processing initiatives through private-public partnerships.http://ajfand.netAnthropology and Archaeolog