Browsing by Author "Meya, Akida"

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Better nitrogen fertilizer management improved Mchare banana productivity and profitability in northern highlands, Tanzania
(MDPI, 2023-05-20) Meya, Akida; Swennen, Rony; Ndakidemi, Patrick; Mtei, Kelvin; Merckx, Roel
Declining land productivity is a major problem constraining banana (Musa spp.) production in Tanzania. Banana fruit yield consequently reaches only 15% of the potential, primarily due to inadequate soil nutrient replenishment. Improving farmers’ soil nutrient replenishment strategy in banana home gardens, which relies on applications of cattle manure only, by mixing with inorganic fertilizer resources can increase land productivity and can improve the overall profitability of banana production in the country. Experiments were conducted at Tarakea, Lyamungo, and Tengeru to determine the effects of organic fertilizer resources (animal manure and crop residue) and their combination with inorganic fertilizer resources on the productivity and profitability of Mchare banana production. Banana fruit yield differed significantly among the experimental sites, with drier areas of Tengeru recording, on average, 19.6 t ha−1 year−1 , while the more humid areas of Lyamungo recorded, on average, 39.3 ha−1 year−1 . Mchare banana plants grown under sole inorganic fertilizer produced significantly low yields (33.0 t ha−1 year−1 ) compared with those fertilized with cattle manure only, which lifted the yields to 38.8 t ha−1 year−1 , but the latter required more labor input. Soil nitrogen (N) fertilization via cattle manure + mineral fertilizer gave the highest average banana fruit yield (43.0 t ha−1 year−1 ) across the sites, and reduced fertilization costs by 32%. Subsequently, this integrated fertilization technique generated the highest average net benefits in all sites and both cropping cycles. Thus, the findings of this study form a basis to improve land productivity and profitability in banana-based home gardens in the study area by directing more labor input to good soil N management
Efficacy of plant-based fungicide formulations on tomato late blight disease management in Tanzania
(Springer Nature, 2025-08-20) Mng’ong’o, Wilson; Mashamba Philipo,; Agatha Aloyce,; Meya, Akida
This study evaluated the effectiveness of plant-based fungicide formulations in managing tomato late blight (TLB), caused by Phytophthora infestans. Infected tomato leaves were collected from farmers’ fields in Karangai Village, Arumeru District, and used for pathogen isolation at the NM-AIST laboratory. In vitro trials identified two promising formulations: garlic extract combined with sunflower oil (GaSu₃) and sunflower oil combined with ginger extract (SuGi₃), which inhibited fungal colony growth to 2.8 ± 0.05% and 4.5 ± 0.07%, respectively, compared to the untreated control. These formulations were further evaluated in a screen house trial involving 10 treatments, including plant-based fungicides, synthetic fungicides applied at different intervals, and an untreated control. A completely randomized design (CRD) was employed with three replications, resulting in a total of 30 plots and 60 plants. The results revealed that all treatments experienced a 100% disease incidence; however, disease severity differed significantly (p ≤ 0.001). The highest proportion of uninfected fruits was observed in the synthetic fungicide treatments (96.3–99.3%), followed by the plant-based treatments (55.6–67.9%). The untreated control recorded the lowest proportion of uninfected fruits (48.4%). These findings indicate that although plant-based fungicides are less effective than synthetic fungicides, they significantly reduce disease severity and offer a viable, environmentally sustainable option for managing tomato late blight (TLB) in tomato production.
Farmers’ insights and practices on sustainable soil nutrient and pest management in semi-arid Eastern Africa
(MDPI, 2025-03-12) Ojuu, David; Mkindi, Angela; Meya, Akida; Giliba, Richard; Vanek, Steven; Belmain, Steven
The need to increase agricultural production for food, fiber, and feed for a growing population is a global call. Sub-Saharan Africa currently experiences declining soil fertility and increasing pest pressures affecting agricultural production. Soil fertility and pest management practices tend to vary greatly among smallholder farmers due to farm-based limitations, attitudes, and perceptions. Using focus group discussions and individual farmer interviews, we evaluated the socio-economic factors influencing the production and utilization of nutrient resources by smallholder farmers. We also assessed factors for pest prevalence and management by smallholder farmers. We observed that the major organic nutrient fertilizer resources used by farmers are farmyard manure and crop residue recycling. The production and utilization of organic nutrient fertilizer resources vary according to agroecological zone, influenced by livestock ownership, grazing management, and farmer organization; Farmer Research Network farmers show optimal use of nutrient resources compared to non-Farmer Research Network farmers. Pest problems varied across agroecologies and were influenced by field management gradients. We noted that FRN farmers used ecologically relevant pest management approaches more frequently than non-FRN farmers. Our findings on nutrient resources and pest management highlight context-specific issues to leverage to promote agroecological approaches for agricultural productivity and resilient semi-arid landscapes.
Farming systems and soil fertility management practices in smallholdings on the southern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
(Frontiers, 2024-02-16) Mhoro, Lydia; Meya, Akida; Amuri, Nyambilila; Ndakidemi, Patrick; Mtei, Kelvin; Njau, Karoli
In the northern part of Tanzania, the slopes of Mount (Mt.) Kilimanjaro are the most important areas, both in terms of socio-economic development and ecological succession. The main agricultural systems in the area are banana- based (in the highlands) and maize-based (in the lowlands), with strong interlinkage between them via residual transfer from the lowlands to the mountains. This study assessed the soil fertility status between the two contrasting farming areas of highland and lowland farms in Hai district along the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. To achieve this, smallholder farmers along the slope [from above 1000 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l) banana-based down to maize- based, i.e., less than 1000 m.a.s.l] who practice crop residual transfer from maize- based to banana-based farming systems were selected. Qualitative information regarding the demographics, farming practices, and soil fertility management in the two areas were gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire. Soils from both areas (highland and lowland farms) were collected and analyzed in the laboratory for the key soil properties. The demographic results show that agriculture is mostly done by adults and elders (>40 years old). Manure was most commonly reported to be used in the highlands, while inorganic fertilizers were mainly used in lowland areas. The major challenges for soil fertility management are a shortage of manure and high cost of inorganic fertilizers. The results of soil nutrients revealed that lowland zones (>1000 m.a.s.l) had significantly (p< 0.01) lower levels of nitrogen (0.14%) and organic carbon (OC) (1.22%) compared with highland zones. Extractable phosphorus (P) was significantly lower in both the highland and lowland zones, at 9.3 mg kg-1 and 8.2 mg kg-1, respectively, compared with other nutrients. However, potassium (K+) was significantly (p<0.01) lower [0.34 cmol (+) kg-1] in the highland zone compared to lowland areas. The data show that there is a severe depletion of soil nutrients in the lowland area of Hai district. Notwithstanding the efforts of the small-holder farmers; the study comes to the conclusion that increasing agricultural yield and the sustainability of farming systems require replenishing the nutrients in the soil along the slope of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Influence of farmers’ socio- economic characteristics on nutrient flow and implications for system sustainability in smallholdings: a review
(Frontiers in social science, 2023-04-14) Mhoro, Lydia; Meya, Akida; Amuri, Nyambilila; Ndakidemi, Patrick; Mtei, Kelvin; Njau, Karoli
The rise in global human population, coupled with the effects of climate change, has increased the demand for arable land. Soil fertility has been the most affected, among other things. Many approaches to soil fertility management have been proposed by studies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA); however, the question of sustainability remains. Nutrient monitoring (NUTMON), which combines biophysical and socio-economic features for soil fertility management, gives an in-situ soil fertility status of a given land use system, which ultimately provides guidance in proposing appropriate soil management techniques in a given land use system. In this review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) approach was deployed for a systematic search of the literature materials. The review evaluated various studies on nutrient monitoring in SSA soils in order to understand the socioeconomic attributes and their influence on farming systems, as well as nutrient flow and balances. The review identified two dominant smallholder farming systems in SSA: mixed crop-livestock and mixed crop farming systems. Also, this review revealed that most nutrient balance studies in SSA have been done in mixed crop and livestock farming systems. However, regardless of the farming systems, the overall mean nutrient balances in all studies, particularly those of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), were negative, indicating significant nutrient mining. The review further revealed a vast range of biophysical soil fertility management technologies; however, their adoption has been limited by socio-economic aspects including land ownership, gender, financial position, literacy level, and access to inputs. Therefore, in view of this situation, integrating biophysical and socioeconomic disciplines could address the problem of soil nutrient depletion holistically, thus decreasing the existing negative nutrient balances in the SSA region.
Influence of farmers’ socio-economic characteristics on nutrient flow and implications for system sustainability in smallholdings: a review
(Frontiers, 2023-04-14) Mhoro, Lydia; Meya, Akida; Amuri, Nyambilila; Ndakidemi, Patrick; Mtei, Kelvin; Njau, Karoli
The rise in global human population, coupled with the effects of climate change, has increased the demand for arable land. Soil fertility has been the most affected, among other things. Many approaches to soil fertility management have been proposed by studies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA); however, the question of sustainability remains. Nutrient monitoring (NUTMON), which combines biophysical and socio-economic features for soil fertility management, gives an in-situ soil fertility status of a given land use system, which ultimately provides guidance in proposing appropriate soil management techniques in a given land use system. In this review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) approach was deployed for a systematic search of the literature materials. The review evaluated various studies on nutrient monitoring in SSA soils in order to understand the socioeconomic attributes and their influence on farming systems, as well as nutrient flow and balances. The review identified two dominant smallholder farming systems in SSA: mixed crop-livestock and mixed crop farming systems. Also, this review revealed that most nutrient balance studies in SSA have been done in mixed crop and livestock farming systems. However, regardless of the farming systems, the overall mean nutrient balances in all studies, particularly those of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), were negative, indicating significant nutrient mining. The review further revealed a vast range of biophysical soil fertility management technologies; however, their adoption has been limited by socio-economic aspects including land ownership, gender, financial position, literacy level, and access to inputs. Therefore, in view of this situation, integrating biophysical and socioeconomic disciplines could address the problem of soil nutrient depletion holistically, thus decreasing the existing negative nutrient balances in the SSA region.
Influence of farmers’ socio-economic characteristics on nutrient flow and implications for system sustainability in smallholdings: a review
(Frontiers in Soil Science, 2023-04-14) Mhoro, Lydia; Meya, Akida; Amuri, Nyambilila; Ndakidemi, Patrick; Mtei, Kelvin; Njau, Karoli
The rise in global human population, coupled with the effects of climate change, has increased the demand for arable land. Soil fertility has been the most affected, among other things. Many approaches to soil fertility management have been proposed by studies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA); however, the question of sustainability remains. Nutrient monitoring (NUTMON), which combines biophysical and socio-economic features for soil fertility management, gives an in-situ soil fertility status of a given land use system, which ultimately provides guidance in proposing appropriate soil management techniques in a given land use system. In this review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) approach was deployed for a systematic search of the literature materials. The review evaluated various studies on nutrient monitoring in SSA soils in order to understand the socioeconomic attributes and their influence on farming systems, as well as nutrient flow and balances. The review identified two dominant smallholder farming systems in SSA: mixed crop-livestock and mixed crop farming systems. Also, this review revealed that most nutrient balance studies in SSA have been done in mixed crop and livestock farming systems. However, regardless of the farming systems, the overall mean nutrient balances in all studies, particularly those of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), were negative, indicating significant nutrient mining. The review further revealed a vast range of biophysical soil fertility management technologies; however, their adoption has been limited by socio-economic aspects including land ownership, gender, financial position, literacy level, and access to inputs. Therefore, in view of this situation, integrating biophysical and socioeconomic disciplines could address the problem of soil nutrient depletion holistically, thus decreasing the existing negative nutrient balances in the SSA region.
Maize stover transfers from maize fields to banana-based agroforestry homegardens and the corresponding nutrient flows in central-northern Tanzania
(Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 2023-07-13) Meya, Akida; Ndakidemi, Patrick; Mtei, Kelvin; Swennen, Rony; Merckx, Roel
Maize (Zea mays) stover produced in the drier lowland areas on the volcanic foot slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro serves as an important additional fodder for smallholder zero-grazed dairy cattle farming in the humid highland areas of the region. The obtained cattle manure is used to replenish nutrients and manage soil fertility in banana-based agroforestry homegardens of the highlands, which contributes significantly to sustaining crop production, thus food security and the livelihoods of the community. The study aims to provide a preliminary evaluation of the amounts of stover removed from smallholder maize-based fields in the lowlands and the subsequent nutrient flows to the banana-based agroforestry homegardens of the highlands. In 54 smallholder maize fields selected at random from 11 villages in the Hai and Siha districts of the Kilimanjaro region, we conducted an agronomic survey to record the types and amounts of fertilizer used, plant spacing at harvest, and maize stover biomass yield. Most of the surveyed maize-based fields received inadequate nutrient inputs, which were limited to mineral nitrogen alone if any. Of the surveyed fields, 16.7% received recommended amounts of 74 kg N ha–1 by the Ministry of Agriculture, 46.3% sub-optimal amounts and 37.0% did not receive fertilizer at all. Plant density was only 50% of the recommended population density. While this was only a preliminary study on nutrient flows between maize and banana-based agroecosystems, our findings demonstrated that potassium exports via harvested banana bunches exceeded the inputs in the homegardens. We conclude that (i) soil fertility management techniques, preferably integrated soil fertility management, suitable for small-scale maize production in the lowlands should be formulated while optimizing plant density to increase production, (ii) maize-based agroforestry farming system adapted to drier conditions to deal with windstorm and soil erosion problems in the lowlands is urgently needed, and (iii) wider and more detailed research on nutrient flows between maize and banana-based agroecosystems should be conducted to document their respective soil nutrient balances and the sustainability of such practice.
Optimizing Soil Fertility Management Strategies to Enhance Banana Production in Volcanic Soils of the Northern Highlands, Tanzania
(MDPI, 2020-02-18) Meya, Akida; Ndakidemi, Patrick; Mtei, Kelvin; Swennen, Rony; Merckx, Roel
Banana is an important crop in high altitude areas of Tanzania, grown widely both as a food staple and as the main source of income. However, its production is constrained by low soil fertility, a result of gradual nutrient mining by the crop. Currently, soil fertility management in banana-based farming systems in the country relies mainly on applications of animal manure. However, the amount of manure produced in most farms is not enough to replenish soil fertility due to the small number of animals kept by smallholder resource-poor farmers who are the major producers in the country. Field experiments were conducted at three sites with varying soil types and contrasting weather conditions along the altitudinal gradients on the slopes of the volcanic mountains of Kilimanjaro and Meru, northern Tanzania to (1) investigate the effect of mineral nitrogen (mineral N) fertilizer applications on the growth and yield of Mchare banana (Musa spp., AA, a traditional East African highland cooking banana sub-group), at the four levels of 0, 77, 153, and 230 kg N ha−1 year−1 as a starter strategy to improve the current soil fertility management strategies, and (2) evaluate the effect of the combined use of inorganic and organic N sources on growth and banana fruit production as an alternative strategy to manage soil fertility and minimize animal manure requirements. The treatment factors were trial sites (Tarakea, Lyamungo, and Tengeru) as the main factor and N fertilization strategies (as urea alone, sole cattle manure, and in combination with urea, sole common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) haulms as well as in combination with urea) as a sub factor. Bean haulms and cattle manure were applied each year for two years. Fertilization at 153 kg N ha−1 year−1 derived solely from urea significantly (p < 0.001) resulted in high yield increment of up to 42% relative to the control. However, the increase was highest (52%) with the same N dose derived from cattle manure in combination with urea at 50% substitution. Sole bean haulms resulted in a smaller yield increment, the same as the lowest N dose from the sole urea fertilization treatment. The study concludes that soil fertility management in smallholder banana-based farming systems should not solely rely on animal manure and mineral fertilizers.
Potential of Manure and Urea Fertilizer on Maize (Zea mays L.) Productivity and Soil Quality in the Northern Highlands of Tanzania
(MDPI, 2025-01-28) Mhoro, Lydia; Meya, Akida; Amuri, Nyambilila; Ndakidemi, Patrick; Njau, Karoli; Mtei, Kelvin
Many agricultural fields are no longer sustainable due to inadequate replenishment of soil nutrients through organic and inorganic inputs, particularly in smallholder farming systems. As a result, achieving potential crop yields in these systems has proven to be difficult. Field trials were conducted in two long rainy growing seasons in 2021 and 2023 to assess the effects of urea fertilizer and cattle manure as sources of nitrogen (N) on (i) maize crop yields and (ii) soil chemical properties at two sites (Kwa Sadala and Mungushi) located in Hai district, northern Tanzania. The trials employed a randomized complete block design with three replicates, including eight treatments. The treatments were: 0 fertilizer (control), 25, 50, 75 kg N ha−1 (sole urea), 12.5 kg N (urea) + 12.5 kg N (cattle manure), 25 kg N (urea) + 25 kg N (cattle manure), and 50 and 75 kg N (sole cattle manure). Results show that the highest application rate of urea (75 kg N ha−1) produced the highest grain yields of 4.21 and 4.09 t ha−1 in the 2021 season and 4.32 and 4.04 t ha−1 in the 2023 season at Kwa Sadala and Mungushi, respectively. The application of cattle manure at the highest rates increased the soil pH by 3.15 and 2.26% at Kwa Sadala and Mungushi, respectively. Similarly, soil total N, OC, available/extractable P, and exchangeable K increased by 100%, 56.3%, 52.36%, and 19.67%, respectively, at Kwa Sadala and by 16.67%, 18.13%, 20.95%, and 6.76%, respectively, at Mungushi. The use of urea alone at the higher rates or in combination with cattle manure at 50% each resulted in the highest net benefit (NB) in all sites. The findings from this study suggest that a comprehensive approach to managing soil nutrients, such as combining inorganic and organic inputs, may improve crop yields while maintaining soil health.