Effect of mulch and different fungicide spray regimes on yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Tanzania

In many areas in Tanzania, pests management for tomato involves weekly pesticide sprays. The practice poses a threat to the environment and health of consumers. In this study the effect of pesticide spray regimes and use of mulch were evaluated on ‘Tanya VF’ and ‘Tengeru 97’ tomato varieties. Field experiment consisting of a 2×2×4 factorial arrangement in a split-split plot design with three replications was conducted at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro (6o05’S, 35o37’E and 525m above sea level). Treatment factors comprised two varieties (main plot factor), mulching/number of mulching (subplot factor) and three fungicide spray regimes (sub subplot factor). Results showed that the spray regimes: farmers’ practice (FP), Integrated Pests Management (IPM) based on pests scouting, sprays based on manufacturers’ recommendation (MR); produced significantly more fruits per plant and higher fruit weight compared to the control. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) between FP, IPM and MR on fruit yield parameters. The results further revealed that use of mulch significantly led to higher fruit number per plant (p = 0.020). Although average fruit weight was similar (p < 0.05), other marketable fruit yield parameters were statistically different between mulched and non-mulched plots (p = 0.007). ‘Tanya VF’ had consistently higher yields compared to ‘Tengeru 97’. Fungicide sprays were statistically different to the control with respect to blossom end rot (p = 0.002), fruit rot (p < 0.001) and percentage of non-marketable yield (p = 0.001). Mulching significantly reduced American bollworm and blossom end rot (p = 0.012, p = 0.003, respectively). The major contributor to tomato fruit loss was Blossom End Rot (BER) and Fruit Rot for ‘Tengeru 97’ and ‘Tanya VF’, respectively. It is evident, therefore, that: a proper combination of tomato cultural management practices can significantly reduce the use of pesticides, and improve tomato fruit quality and marketable yield which would increase profit margin accrued by farmers.Key words: IPM, marketable yield, mulch, tomato

EFFECT OF MULCH AND DIFFERENT FUNGICIDE SPRAY REGIMES ON YIELD OF TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM L.) IN TANZANIA

ABSTRACT In many areas in Tanzania, pests management for tomato involves weekly pesticide sprays. The practice poses a threat to the environment and health of consumers. In this study the effect of pesticide spray regimes and use of mulch were evaluated on 'Tanya VF' and 'Tengeru 97' tomato varieties. Field experiment consisting of a 2×2×4 factorial arrangement in a split-split plot design with three replications was conducted at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro (6 o 05'S, 35 o 37'E and 525m above sea level). Treatment factors comprised two varieties (main plot factor), mulching/number of mulching (subplot factor) and three fungicide spray regimes (sub subplot factor). Results showed that the spray regimes: farmers' practice (FP), Integrated Pests Management (IPM) based on pests scouting, sprays based on manufacturers' recommendation (MR); produced significantly more fruits per plant and higher fruit weight compared to the control. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) between FP, IPM and MR on fruit yield parameters. The results further revealed that use of mulch significantly led to higher fruit number per plant (p = 0.020). Although average fruit weight was similar (p < 0.05), other marketable fruit yield parameters were statistically different between mulched and non-mulched plots (p = 0.007). 'Tanya VF' had consistently higher yields compared to 'Tengeru 97'. Fungicide sprays were statistically different to the control with respect to blossom end rot (p = 0.002), fruit rot (p < 0.001) and percentage of non-marketable yield (p = 0.001). Mulching significantly reduced American bollworm and blossom end rot (p = 0.012, p = 0.003, respectively). The major contributor to tomato fruit loss was Blossom End Rot (BER) and Fruit Rot for 'Tengeru 97' and 'Tanya VF', respectively. It is evident, therefore, that: a proper combination of tomato cultural management practices can significantly reduce the use of pesticides, and improve tomato fruit quality and marketable yield which would increase profit margin accrued by farmers

Yield response of Bambara groundnut to plant population and seedbed type

(22 April, 2001; accepted 16 October, 2001) Abstract A field experiment to study the effect of plant population and seedbed type on yields of bambara groundnuts was conducted at Morogoro in Tanzania. The experiment was designed with three seedbed types split-plot; flat, ridge and furrow in the main plots and bambara groundnut population densities (9, 13, 22 and 66 plants m-2) in the sub plots. At 63 days after sowing (DAS), leaf area index (LAI) was highest for 66 plants m-2 and/or when planted on the ridge. In the short rain season, bambara groundnuts planted in the furrow at 13 plants m-2 had the highest (P< 0.05) grain yields (519.2 kg ha-1) and harvest index (62.5). Shelling percentage values were highest across all seedbed types (average 74.2%) at 13 plants m-2. In the long rains, LAI was also the highest (P< 0.05) for 66 plants m-2 at 63 DAS, but differences in LAI between seedbed types were not significant. Crop performance at 22 plants m-2 on a flat seedbed, earthed at weeding, was generally superior as it gave the highest (P< 0.05) pod yield (798 kg ha-1), grain yield (585.1 kg ha-1), and harvest index (75.0). In both the short and long rainy seasons, yields were significantly reduced to the lowest level at 66 plants m-2 regardless of the seedbed type. Key Words: Harvest index, leaf area index, population density, seedbed, Tanzania, Vigna subterranea Résumé Une expérience de terrain pour étudier les effets de la population des plantes et le type de semis sur le rendement de l'arachide bambara était conduite à Morogoro en Tanzanie. Les expériences étaient préparées sur trois types de semis: split-plot; plat, billons et sillons dans la parcelle principale et l'arachide bambara de densité (9, 13, 22 et 66 plantes m-2) dans les parcelles secondaires. Soixante et trois jours après la semence, l'indice de surface foliaire (LAI) était le plus élévé pour 66 plantes m-2 et / ou pour les plantes sur des stries. Durant la courte saison pluvieuse, l'arachide de bambara plantée sur les sillons à densité de 13 plantes m-2 avait le rendement le plus élévé de 519.2 kg ha-1 (

Yield Response to Type of Mulch and Time of Mulch Application in Organic Production of Tomato(SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM L.)

Mulching in organic agriculture is important for a variety of roles it performs. Mexican weeping pine (Pinus patula Schelde. ex Schltdl and Cham) and wild lemon grass (Cymbopogon spp.) were used as mulch to evaluate the effect of type of mulch, time of applying mulch and influence of seasons on yield of organically produced tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Lushoto district, north-eastern Tanzania. The experiment followed a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD). The treatments were pine mulch applied 3 days after transplanting, pine mulch applied 3 weeks after transplanting, grass mulch applied 3 days after transplanting, grass mulch applied 3 weeks after transplanting, weeded and unweeded (control). Yield data were taken at harvesting. Data analysis was done by using Genstat Statistical Package. Results showed that the time of mulch application at an interval of three days and three weeks from transplanting did not have an influence on yield but yields of tomato were significantly higher in mulched than in unmulched treatments. Tomato yields recorded in season 1 (wet and cold) were higher at both sites than yields recorded in season 2 (dry and warm).This study reveals that the type of mulch used and the time of application affect tomato yield only positively

Effect of mulch and different fungicide spray regimes on yield of tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) in Tanzania

In many areas in Tanzania, pests management for tomato involves weekly pesticide sprays. The practice poses a threat to the environment and health of consumers. In this study the effect of pesticide spray regimes and use of mulch were evaluated on ‘Tanya VF’ and ‘Tengeru 97’ tomato varieties. Field experiment consisting of a 2×2×4 factorial arrangement in a split-split plot design with three replications was conducted at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro (6o05’S, 35o37’E and 525m above sea level). Treatment factors comprised two varieties (main plot factor), mulching/number of mulching (subplot factor) and three fungicide spray regimes (sub subplot factor). Results showed that the spray regimes: farmers’ practice (FP), Integrated Pests Management (IPM) based on pests scouting, sprays based on manufacturers’ recommendation (MR); produced significantly more fruits per plant and higher fruit weight compared to the control. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) between FP, IPM and MR on fruit yield parameters. The results further revealed that use of mulch significantly led to higher fruit number per plant (p = 0.020). Although average fruit weight was similar (p < 0.05), other marketable fruit yield parameters were statistically different between mulched and non-mulched plots (p = 0.007). ‘Tanya VF’ had consistently higher yields compared to ‘Tengeru 97’. Fungicide sprays were statistically different to the control with respect to blossom end rot (p = 0.002), fruit rot (p < 0.001) and percentage of non-marketable yield (p = 0.001). Mulching significantly reduced American bollworm and blossom end rot (p = 0.012, p = 0.003, respectively). The major contributor to tomato fruit loss was Blossom End Rot (BER) and Fruit Rot for ‘Tengeru 97’ and ‘Tanya VF’, respectively. It is evident, therefore, that: a proper combination of tomato cultural management practices can significantly reduce the use of pesticides, and improve tomato fruit quality and marketable yield which would increase profit margin accrued by farmers

Effect of mulch and different fungicide spray regimes on yield of tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) in Tanzania

In many areas in Tanzania, pests management for tomato involves weekly pesticide sprays. The practice poses a threat to the environment and health of consumers. In this study the effect of pesticide spray regimes and use of mulch were evaluated on ‘Tanya VF’ and ‘Tengeru 97’ tomato varieties. Field experiment consisting of a 2×2×4 factorial arrangement in a split-split plot design with three replications was conducted at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro (6o05’S, 35o37’E and 525m above sea level). Treatment factors comprised two varieties (main plot factor), mulching/number of mulching (subplot factor) and three fungicide spray regimes (sub subplot factor). Results showed that the spray regimes: farmers’ practice (FP), Integrated Pests Management (IPM) based on pests scouting, sprays based on manufacturers’ recommendation (MR); produced significantly more fruits per plant and higher fruit weight compared to the control. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) between FP, IPM and MR on fruit yield parameters. The results further revealed that use of mulch significantly led to higher fruit number per plant (p = 0.020). Although average fruit weight was similar (p < 0.05), other marketable fruit yield parameters were statistically different between mulched and non-mulched plots (p = 0.007). ‘Tanya VF’ had consistently higher yields compared to ‘Tengeru 97’. Fungicide sprays were statistically different to the control with respect to blossom end rot (p = 0.002), fruit rot (p < 0.001) and percentage of non-marketable yield (p = 0.001). Mulching significantly reduced American bollworm and blossom end rot (p = 0.012, p = 0.003, respectively). The major contributor to tomato fruit loss was Blossom End Rot (BER) and Fruit Rot for ‘Tengeru 97’ and ‘Tanya VF’, respectively. It is evident, therefore, that: a proper combination of tomato cultural management practices can significantly reduce the use of pesticides, and improve tomato fruit quality and marketable yield which would increase profit margin accrued by farmers

Pedological and soil fertility characteristics of striga infested soils under maize in Chunya and Iringa districts of Tanzania

Enhancing Dissemination of Soil and Water Research Outputs of SADC UniversitiesMaize yields in both Iringa and Chunya districts have been reported to be low due to infestation with Striga. A study was therefore conducted to characterize Striga infested soils and assess their fertility status under maize production in 6 villages of Chunya and Iringa districts. The soils of Iringa were classified as Cambisols and those of Chunya as Arenosols. The results further showed that, the majority of the soils were of sand to loamy sand texture. Such soils are well drained with low water holding capacity, conditions that favour Striga germination. The fertility status was established through physical and chemical analyses of the soils. One hundred and four composite soil samples were collected from the two districts. Laboratory analysis showed that most of the soils were acidic with pH ranging from 4.13 to 7.74 and low to medium cation exchange capacity (CEC). Organic carbon was low with a range of 0.01 to 0.07% while total N values were also low ranging from 0.028 to 0.86%. Phosphorus was low with few samples indicating medium values. Exchangeable bases were generally low with most soils having saturation values of < 50%. Overall, the soils are of low fertility status. The low fertility status and the sandy texture are possibly the cause of high Striga infestation and low maize yields in the two districts. The soils are of low productivity requiring improvement of their organic matter content and application of inorganic fertilizers if improved maize yields are to be realized. It is further recommended that tillage practices that improve the soil physical conditions be adopted, not only for greater maize yields but also as one of the strategies to control the Striga weed. Key words: fertility, maize, soil, strig