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Fall army worm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda is a new insect pest in Africa causing severe damage to maize (Zea mays). The pest is native to America with a wide host range of about 80 plant species that makes it difficult to manage. This study was conducted at Mikese village and Horticulture Entomology laboratory at Sokoine University of Agriculture. In Morogoro region. This study aimed to optimize the use of Palm oil, Neem and Tobacco leaves (PALNETO) biopesticide. formulation in controlling FAW on maize through establishing its shelf life. The first objective was to evaluate the effect of storage time on efficacy of PALNETO biopesticide to control FAW and the second objective was to evaluate the impact of storage container types on PALNETO biopesticide kept under refrigerated condition for controlling FAW. The material used to prepare the biopesticide were Palm Oil, Neem and Tobacco leaves. The dosage rate was 2,600 ml, where by Neem extract was 250 ml, Tobacco extract was 250 ml, Palm Oil 100 ml and diluted with 2,000 ml of water. for both experiments. STUKA maize variety was planted at spacing of 60 cm * 40 cm, the first experiment had 12 maize plots and the second experiment had 9 plots. The experiment followed one-way ANOVA, and data analysis and interpretation were done by using GenStat. For the first experiment, biopesticide were prepared and kept into plastic containers for 1, 7 and 14 Days at room temperature. The results revealed that there were significant differences in the effectiveness of PALNETO Biopesticides on the FAW populations when comparing biopesticides stored for Day 1, Day 7, and Day 14, with a p-value of less than 0.001. This indicates a highly statistically significant outcome, demonstrating that the biopesticides were particularly effective as time progressed. However, there were no significant differences observed between the biopesticide stored for Day 7 and Day 14, suggesting that the biopesticides maintained a consistent level of effectiveness. On the second experiment, PALNETO biopesticides were prepared and kept into three different containers which were plastic, glass and steel containers under refrigerated condition for 14 days. The results of this evaluation indicated that, there were least significant differences in the performance of the biopesticides with the p-value 0.79. This experiment proved that all three types of containers plastic, glass, and steel exhibited good storage properties, effectively conserving the efficacy and shelf life of the biopesticides. Generally, the farmer can prepare the biopesticide early before planting of maize for about 7 to 14 and more. Also, according to his or her time can store it either at room temperature or refrigerated condition by using plastic, Glass and Steel container due to availability and affordability of storage containers to conserve the shelf life of biopesticide.
Ticks pose a significant threat to cattle health and productivity, particularly among pastoralist communities in Tanzania. Conventional acaricides are often associated with high costs, environmental impacts, and the development of tick resistance. This participatory research evaluated the effectiveness of different doses of shade-dried neem (Azadirachta indica) and moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf extracts on tick control in cattle at Mingo Village, Morogoro. The study employed both in vitro and field trials, actively engaging local farmers in sample collection, processing, application, and data collection. In the laboratory trials, the combined neem and moringa extracts achieved 100% tick mortality within seven days, demonstrating a synergistic effect that surpassed the efficacy of each extract used individually—neem alone resulted in 70% mortality, and moringa 50%, while the control group treated with water showed only a 20% mortality rate. These lab results were reflected in the field trials, where two consecutive treatments with neem and moringa resulted in 100% tick elimination, with no recurrence observed in subsequent counts. The initial treatment with neem alone led to a 67% reduction in tick count within seven days, followed by complete elimination by day 14. Moringa showed even better initial efficacy, with a 75% reduction after the first treatment and complete elimination by day 14. The combination of neem and moringa extracts demonstrated the highest efficacy, achieving 100% tick elimination after just one treatment. In contrast, the control group treated with water saw an initial reduction in ticks, followed by a resurgence, highlighting the effectiveness of the botanical extracts compared to untreated cattle. The study concluded that shade-dried neem and moringa leaf extracts offer a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for tick control, addressing the challenges associated with synthetic acaricides. The participatory approach ensured that the research was contextually relevant and practical for local farmers, enhancing the adoption of these natural alternatives. This research provides valuable insights into sustainable livestock management practices and contributes to the development of ecological solutions for tick control in pastoralist communities.
The study was conducted to investigate the potential of cow and rabbit urine as biopesticides in combating tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) infestation in tomato production at Mayanga village, Mvomero district, Morogoro. The research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of separate and co applications of cow urine and rabbit urine with different concentration as biopesticides against tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) and assess the effect of storage time and different dilutions on the quality of cow and rabbit urine mixture as bio pesticides against leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) in Mayanga village. The study employed Randomized block design as well as split plot design respectively with the objectives mentioned. In both the objective the dilution of 25% and 50% were applied. The urine was stored at interval of 5,10 and 15 days. From the data presented in result section and discussion in this report, it is obvious that the biopesticides tested in this study were not effective against the leaf miner damage in tomato and some instances, the bio pesticides showed negative effect on plant growth. The negative effects were indicated by the increase in the number of affected leaves after each application of the bio pesticide. Also, the biopesticide was not effective on the plant growth as well as yield of the tomato plants. So, the fresh urine of Cow and rabbit urine applied separately as well as co application of cow and rabbit urine was not effective as biopesticide at dilution of 50% and 25%. As for fermented mixture urine of cow and rabbit urine, stored in 5 days, 10 days and 15 days did not show effect in the insect-pest since the number of affected leaves tended to increase after every application.
Trichoderma spp. have long been used as biological control agents against plant fungal diseases, however its effectiveness in controlling fusarium wilt disease on black pepper was not well understood. The goal of this study was to establish an effectiveness of biocontrol agent (Trichoderma asperellum) in controlling pathogenic fungus (Fusarium oxysporium) causing stem wilting on black pepper. This study investigated the efficacy of Trichoderma species in controlling growth and development of wilting disease pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum) under both laboratory and screen house conditions. Disease pathogens were isolated from diseased black pepper pieces taken from Tawa, Morogoro rural district whereas the biocontrol agent (Trichoderma asperellum) used were purchased from Real IPM Ltd. The dominant pathogen, which causes Fusarium wilt of black pepper was isolated and identified as Fusarium oxysporum. Under both laboratory and screen house conditions, the results revealed the effectiveness of Trichoderma asperellum in inhibiting the growth of the stem wilting pathogenic fungus (Fusarium oxysporium). About 41.8% and 62.9% of inhibition were recorded in the laboratory and screen house respectively. Therefore, the antagonist T. asperellum is chosen to be the most promising bio-control agent for F. oxysporum. On the base of this project, the biological control might be the best and sustainable approach for management of stem wilting at Tawa ward in Morogoro rural district. However, extensive field testing of the effectiveness of T. asperellum is recommended prior dissemination to farmers as biocontrol agent against stem wilting in black pepper.
This study investigated the effectiveness of rabbit urine as a biopesticide and biofertilizer in enhancing the productivity of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Tomatoes hold significant economic importance in Tanzania, contributing to both domestic consumption and exports. The research aimed to optimize tomato productivity by leveraging rabbit urine, which offers dual benefits as a biopesticide and biofertilizer. The nutrient profile of rabbit urine, encompassing macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca) and micronutrients (Mg), was analyzed. A study was conducted at the Crop Museum of Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), utilizing a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments, each comprising varying concentrations of rabbit urine (1꞉5, 1꞉10, 1꞉15), along with a control group. The impact of rabbit urine on tomato growth and yield was evaluated, the assessment of controlling insect pest was done by using insect traps where by the number of insects per each traps were evaluated. The results demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference in tomato production among the treatment groups. Factors such as suboptimal urine application rates and environmental variables may have contributed to these findings. Further research is recommended to refine application rates, explore soil health implications, and expand our understanding of this innovative approach to enhancing agricultural productivity.
This research was conducted to assess the acaricidal effect of leaf extracts from Tithonia diversifolia and Tephrosia vogeli as an alternative control of tick infestation in cattle in Lubungo village. Pastoralists reported tick-borne diseases being among commonly encountered problems. Diseases depicted included East Coast fever, Bovine anaplasmosis and Bovine Babesiosis. The village has no cattle dip, acaricides are available in town away from the village and most of the farmers cannot afford to buy acaricides. The main objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of Tephrosia vogelii and Tithonia diversifolia in controlling ticks infestation in cattle at Lubungo village. The study employed participatory approach, where the researcher and the participants work together to address the challenge identified by the participants. It involved two parts, in the first part, 40 female engorged ticks were collected from the infested cattle and taken to the laboratory. In the laboratory, the ticks were placed in petri dishes and left on the laboratory bench to lay eggs. The eggs were incubated to hatch at room temperature to obtain larvae with age between 10 – 14 days. The larvae were placed in petri dishes treated with prepared extracts and observations were made using a magnifying glass lens after incubation at 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. In another experiment, adult ticks were immersed in plant extracts for 5 minutes, and observation was made in a week to check their survival and the actual mortality recorded. Meanwhile in the field experimental group of 20 cattle was purposively selected from the study population and randomly divided into four experimental groups with different treatments (control, each extract separately and combined). The animals were inspected for tick infestation before the application of the extracts and the number of ticks on each animal recorded. The control group consisted of untreated animals and was used as a baseline for comparison of the findings. The number of ticks on the animals was then observed and recorded weekly. The results showed that tested plant extracts significantly reduced the survival rate of both larvae and adult ticks compared to the negative control group. This suggests that tested plant extracts of T. diversifolia and T. vogelii and their mixture are effective in controlling tick infestation on cattle by either repelling the ticks, preventing re-infestation or by killing the ticks and larvae.
The study was conducted in Mgudeni village, Mvomero district for the purpose of determining the causal agent(s) of maize wilting and leaves rolling associated with the use of cow dung. Top soil (0 – 20 cm ) composite samples were collected in elevated and depressed areas in maize field and were analyze for soil pH, Electical Conductivity (EC), available Phosphorus (P), total Nitrogen (N), exchangeable Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Organic Carbon (OC), and Particles Size Analysis (PSA). Two rhizospheric soils were taken from the affected maize field and the fungi were isolated using PDA media by serial dilution method. Three cow dung manures were taken from upper, middle and lower layer of heap to characterize for pH, EC, OC, total N available P exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg. A semi structured questionnaire was administered to 21 farmers who were using cow dung manure to determine the timing, amount and methods used for cow dung manure application. The results showed the deficiency of Ca, Mg, N, in cow dung manure. Manure also had high pH, EC and very high C/N ratio. The soil had low OC, high P, high C/N low Ca and low total N. Three soil borne fungi namely; Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium fungi were isolated from all three rhizospheric soils. Farmers were using low amount of cow dung manure to their fields, were using undecomposed cow dung manure, were using vehicles which caused soil compaction and they did not conduct soil and manure nutrients status analysis before planting maize. The problem of maize wilting and leaf rolling was caused by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger in association with poor quality of soil and cow dung manure. Also poor methods of cow dung use by farmers contributed to the occurrence of the problem. Laboratory and field experiments are potential to make sure the named fungi are inhibited to affect maize but also the quality of manure is improved.
Tomato is an important crop in Tanzania, profitable to most farmers but also most used horticultural crop by consumers every day in their meals hence it is of high value to both farmers and consumers. This research sought to assess the use of bio-fertilizers in improving tomato yield and reducing the problem of tomato leaf curl and yellowing in tomato production. This study was conducted in Vitonga village In Mvomero district in Morogoro. The data collected during this experiment included days to 50% flowering, the number of fruits per plant, the rate of leaf curling per plant, the rate of leaf yellowing per plant and the average weight of fruits per plant (yield). The findings showed that the use of compost manure, egg shells, wood ash and neem extract gave a significant high yield in tomato and all other organic manures have higher yield production over the control. In addition, it was also found the treatments that were applied with bio-fertilizers though they had a higher yield in production the rate of leaf curling and yellowing was higher too in these treatments over the control. This can be concluded that it was the soil salinity and the irrigation water salinity that was causing the problem of leaves curling and yellowing in tomato production in that area. The findings suggest that more research should be conducted on the soil analysis and different ways to manage the salinity in the area. There should be methods that will be easy for the farmers to practice in order to overcome the problem they are facing in tomato production.