Effects of transplanting and AMF inoculation on the fruit yield of African eggplants (Solanum aethiopicum and Solanum anguivi) in Tanzania

The African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L., Gilo group) is one of the most common traditional vegetables in Tanzania. The yield of the African eggplant in Tanzania is far lower than the potential yield expected, which is due primarily to biotic and abiotic stresses. We conducted experiments at two locations in Tanzania to study whether or not plant growth and the fruit yield of the Gilo group of African eggplant can be significantly improved through transplanting coupled with the inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) at sowing. Many plants, particularly for the directly sown treatment, died well before harvesting, and, in addition, many surviving plants showed symptoms of wilting. The transplanting of tray seedlings and using AMF inocula at sowing led to an overall significant increase in fruit yield by 30%–40% and 20%–25%, respectively. Increased fruit yield per experimental plot resulted primarily from a greater number of plants that survived and reached the harvesting stage. The exact effect of planting method (i.e., transplanting or direct sowing) and AMF inoculation, however, varied greatly with plant accessions. Further research is needed to understand the cause(s) for plant mortality in order to develop appropriate plant management practices

Uranium uptake by selected food groups and the associated health effects to the residents of Bahi district in Tanzania

Masters DissertationAssessment of Uranium levels in selected food groups and products with the associated health effects to the residents of Bahi District was carried out. The objective was to come up with information on whether these food groups contain significant amounts of Uranium and if the community has been affected by uranium related diseases. This was done to bring the awareness to the vulnerable communities and Tanzanian Government in general on the environmental and health hazards posed by the presence of Uranium deposits in the study area. Selected food groups and products used to assess uranium levels were maize, finger millet, rice, cassava leaves, salt, soda ash, fish, flamingo meat and water. These food groups were collected from three different villages of Bahi district. The levels of uranium in the named food groups and products (in μg kg–1) were determined by using ICP–OES instrument. Maize and rice had uranium concentration below detectable limit (<10), millet was found to range 11.88 – 25.13; cassava leaves ranged 12.37 – 13.83. Fish had uranium content of 17.98 in the skin where as muscles had uranium level below detactable limit. Flamingo bird had uranium level of 31.78 in the liver , where as other tested parts had below detectable limit. Soda ash was found to have uranium content of 1910, whereas salt had uranium content below detectable limit. The results for water from different sources in three villages have shown that, in Ilindi village, Playa lake water had uranium concentration of 1233, while drinking water from one well had uranium content of 95.4, water from a well used for irrigation had uranium content below detectable limit. In Mpamantwa village, the water from one well had uranium content of 16.7 whereas other sources had uranium level below detectable limit. In Bahi village, the water from one well had uranium level below detectable limit while river water had uranium concentration of 67.6 and another well had uranium content of 16.6. Secondary data from hospitals have shown that Bahi communities have not been affected by uranium exposure throughTanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM

Uranium uptake by selected food groups and the associated health effects to the residents of Bahi district in Tanzania

Masters DissertationAssessment of Uranium levels in selected food groups and products with the associated health effects to the residents of Bahi District was carried out. The objective was to come up with information on whether these food groups contain significant amounts of Uranium and if the community has been affected by uranium related diseases. This was done to bring the awareness to the vulnerable communities and Tanzanian Government in general on the environmental and health hazards posed by the presence of Uranium deposits in the study area. Selected food groups and products used to assess uranium levels were maize, finger millet, rice, cassava leaves, salt, soda ash, fish, flamingo meat and water. These food groups were collected from three different villages of Bahi district. The levels of uranium in the named food groups and products (in μg kg–1) were determined by using ICP–OES instrument. Maize and rice had uranium concentration below detectable limit (<10), millet was found to range 11.88 – 25.13; cassava leaves ranged 12.37 – 13.83. Fish had uranium content of 17.98 in the skin where as muscles had uranium level below detactable limit. Flamingo bird had uranium level of 31.78 in the liver , where as other tested parts had below detectable limit. Soda ash was found to have uranium content of 1910, whereas salt had uranium content below detectable limit. The results for water from different sources in three villages have shown that, in Ilindi village, Playa lake water had uranium concentration of 1233, while drinking water from one well had uranium content of 95.4, water from a well used for irrigation had uranium content below detectable limit. In Mpamantwa village, the water from one well had uranium content of 16.7 whereas other sources had uranium level below detectable limit. In Bahi village, the water from one well had uranium level below detectable limit while river water had uranium concentration of 67.6 and another well had uranium content of 16.6. Secondary data from hospitals have shown that Bahi communities have not been affected by uranium exposure throughTanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM