Characterization of Vertisols Fertility Status and Their Implications on Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Farming in Semi-Arid Areas of Itigi District in Tanzania

The study was conducted to assess biophysical and chemical properties of vertisols of Itigi District and examine their suitability for chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) farming. Six soil composite samples were collected from top and subsoil of three selected farms used for growing chickpea and named as ITG-P1, ITG-P2 and ITG-P3. All profiles had a depth of 144 cm with heavy clay texture. pH levels varied from slight acidic to moderate alkaline, thus, favoring chickpea production. Exch. bases including Mg, K, and Na ranged from low to medium while Exch. Ca and CEC were high in all profiles, thereby, providing supportive environment for growth of chickpea. Available P was low and ranged from 0.54 to 2.10 mg/kg which was crucial for chickpea production necessitating fertilization with 30 to 80 kg of P2O5 /ha depending on the P available. The level of K varied as in ITG-P2 was adequate (>15 cmol(+)/kg) while in ITG-P1 and ITG-P3 was very low (<2 cmol(+)/kg) necessitating application of 30 kg of K2O/ha for chickpea production. Studied profiles had a slight difference in assessed characteristics, hence, the need to understand fertilizer demand for chickpea production was important.  Understanding fertility status of soils is important before investing in crop production where such information is not known

Relationships between on-farm tree stocks and soil organic carbon along an altitudinal gradient, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Understanding above-ground tree biomass carbon (AGC) and relationships to soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks across a landscape provide opportunities for better management of the carbon pools. This study determined relationships between on-farm AGC and SOC stocks along an altitudinal gradient on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Fifty plots (100 × 100 m) were established, whereby all trees ≥5 cm dbh, were recorded. Soil samples from top (0–20 cm) and subsoils (21–50 cm) were collected at the centre of the plots using four subplots. Tree inventory and soil analyses were performed and statistical tests were conducted to understand relationships between AGC and SOC stocks. Results indicated that stem density increased with altitude, however the upland and the midland did not differ significantly while the lowland differs with both the midland and the upland. A similar pattern was observed for basal area and above-ground tree biomass (AGB), with no significant difference between the midland and upland whereas the lowland differed significantly from both the upland and the midland. SOC stocks varied significantly, being the largest in the upland, amounting to almost twice the size recorded in the midland or the lowland. SOC stocks indicated poor correlation (Pearson’s: r = 0.327, df = 47, p = 0.023) and poor interaction (Wald = 0.0008, df = 1, p = 0.977) with AGC. This study concludes that the relationship between AGC and SOC stocks was masked by other factors including soil types, precipitation and land management. The protocol used to test the relationships might also have contributed further to current observation. Overall, the lowland area, having low AGC and SOC stocks, requires management interventions aimed at increasing SOC stocks

Relationships between on-farm tree stocks and soil organic carbon along an altitudinal gradient, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Understanding above-ground tree biomass carbon (AGC) and relationships to soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks across a landscape provide opportunities for better management of the carbon pools. This study determined relationships between on-farm AGC and SOC stocks along an altitudinal gradient on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Fifty plots (100 × 100 m) were established, whereby all trees ≥5 cm dbh, were recorded. Soil samples from top (0–20 cm) and subsoils (21–50 cm) were collected at the centre of the plots using four subplots. Tree inventory and soil analyses were performed and statistical tests were conducted to understand relationships between AGC and SOC stocks. Results indicated that stem density increased with altitude, however the upland and the midland did not differ significantly while the lowland differs with both the midland and the upland. A similar pattern was observed for basal area and above-ground tree biomass (AGB), with no significant difference between the midland and upland whereas the lowland differed significantly from both the upland and the midland. SOC stocks varied significantly, being the largest in the upland, amounting to almost twice the size recorded in the midland or the lowland. SOC stocks indicated poor correlation (Pearson’s: r = 0.327, df = 47, p = 0.023) and poor interaction (Wald = 0.0008, df = 1, p = 0.977) with AGC. This study concludes that the relationship between AGC and SOC stocks was masked by other factors including soil types, precipitation and land management. The protocol used to test the relationships might also have contributed further to current observation. Overall, the lowland area, having low AGC and SOC stocks, requires management interventions aimed at increasing SOC stocks

A Hidden Pitfall for REDD: Analysis of Power Relation in Participatory Forest Management on Whether It Is an Obstacle or a Reliever on REDD Pathway

Power relation among stakeholders is a key concept in collaborative approaches. This study aims to examine the reality of the acclaimed power sharing in Participatory Forest Management (PFM) and implication of existing power relation to the national REDD+ programme in Tanzania. The study involved a review of PFM policy and legal supporting documents; meta-analysis of previous studies done at two sites known to have succeeded in PFM; and empirical study at Kolo-Hills forests. Methods used include the meta-analysis of existing literature; Household Questionnaire Survey; Focused Group Discussion; and key person unstructured interviews. Results revealed that a large part of the PFM processes involved power struggle instead of power sharing. REDD+ pilot was perceived to have succeeded in improving PFM only in villages where the majority of the community about 70% experienced higher levels of inclusiveness and power balance with other PFM stakeholders in PFM processes. Power imbalance and power struggle were also noted in the REDD+ project adoption processes. Thus power relations exercised under PFM fall under potential obstacle rather than a reliever to the REDD+ programme. The study recommends reviewing of PFM legal frameworks to strengthen community empowerment for effectiveness of REDD+ on PFM platform

Strengthening local agricultural innovation systems in Tanzania and Malawi to adapt to the challenges and opportunities arising from climate change and variability : draft final technical report

The project collectively identified information, training and products to be shared and used to develop agricultural innovation systems better able to adapt to climate change and variability. Major research themes included soil and water management, crop and varietal biodiversity, and local weather data. In general, findings revealed that deep tillage for in-situ harvesting of rain water, early maturing and drought resistant varieties and crops, new cash crops, training on community seed production, improved irrigation arrangements, and climate change and climate variability awareness raising, all contributed to strengthening adaptation capacity as indicated by increased crop yields