Browsing by Author "Semoka, J.M.R"

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Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Micro-Doses on Maize Growth and Yield in a Sub-Humid Tropical Climate
Saidia, P.S; Rweyemamu, C.L; Asch, F; Semoka, J.M.R; Kimaro, A.A; Germer, J; Graef, F; Lagweni, P; Kahimba, F; Chilagane, E.A
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Micro-doses on Maize and Its Effect on P-foriability: An evidence from Sub-humid Farming Systems, Tanzania
(ournal of Economics, Management and Trade) Saidia, P.S; Graef, F; Rweyemamu, C.L; Kahimba, F.C; Semoka, J.M.R; Kimaro, A.A; Mwinuka, L; Mutabazi, K.D; Sieber, S
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Micro-doses on Maize and Its Effect on P-foriability: An evidence from Sub-humid Farming Systems, Tanzania
(ournal of Economics, Management and Trade, 2018) Saidia, P.S; Graef, F; Rweyemamu, C.L; Kahimba, F.C; Semoka, J.M.R; Kimaro, A.A; Mwinuka, L; Mutabazi, K.D; Sieber, S
Despite a high productive potential for many best bet agricultural technologies, there is a low rate of adoption from farmers. Recommendations of improved technologies such as fertilizer use based on agronomic data without economic analysis contributes to this low adoption rate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the profitability of selected fertilizer types and rates in maize production in a sub-humid farming system. A field experiment was conducted to investigate costs and revenue of fertilizer types and rates applied on maize farms using a split-plot layout under randomized complete block design. The phosphate fertilizers trialed were local Minjingu Mazao (MM), diammonium phosphate (DAP) and triple super phosphate (TSP), urea was used to supply nitrogen. Fertilizer rates were micro-doses at 12.5%, 25%, 50% and 75% compared to control and recommended rates. Local MM at 75% micro-dosing produced the highest net benefit 3.0 – 3.5 million Tanzanian Shillings per hectare (TZS/ha) followed by 2.7 – 2.9 million TZS/ha from TSP at recommended rates and DAP at a 75% micro-dose rate under subsistence farming. Micro-dosing fertilizer at 25% and 50% produced the highest benefit-cost ratio under both commercial and subsistence farming conditions. Micro-dosing at a rate of 12.5% was more profitable than the control rate and farm profitability increased towards 25% and 50%, thereafter decreasing as application approached the recommended rate. Adoption of micro-dosing fertilizer at 12.5% could be an entry point to fertilizer use and to later be advanced to 25% and 50% micro-dosing rates which are more profitable under smallholder farming systems in sub-humid tropics.
Soil moisture management and fertilizer micro-dosing on yield and land utilization efficiency of inter-cropping maize-pigeon-pea in sub humid Tanzania
(Elsevier) Saidia, P.S; Rweyemamu, C.L; Semoka, J.M.R; Kimaro, A.A; Germer, J; Asch, F; Kahimba, F.C; Graef, F; Lagweni, P.P
Soil moisture management and fertilizer micro-dosing on yield and land utilization efficiency of inter-cropping maize-pigeon-pea in sub humid Tanzania
(Elsevier, 2019-07) Saidia, P.S; Rweyemamu, C.L; Semoka, J.M.R; Kimaro, A.A; Germer, J; Asch, F; Kahimba, F.C; Graef, F; Lagweni, P.P
Principally caused by soil water stress and declining soil fertility, low crop productivity results in both food and income insecurity. The eﬀects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer micro-dosing with inter-row rainwater harvesting practices for maize and pigeon-pea inter-cropping on yield and land use efciency are inadequately documented in sub humid tropics. A feld experiment on sandy loam soils in sub humid conditions using a splitsplit plot design was conducted. Plots used in situ rainwater harvesting practices of tied ridges, open ridges, and ﬂat cultivation. Sub-plots were sole maize, sole pigeon-pea, and 1:1 maize-pigeon pea inter-cropping. The subsub plots were control, fertilizer (N and P) application at the micro-dose level, and recommended rates. Tied ridges signifcantly (p < 0.001) conserved more soil moisture than ﬂat cultivation at 30 cm depth after ten days of rainfall. Ridges increased maize yield by 0.3 t ha−1 over ﬂat cultivation. Fertilizer application signifcantly (p < 0.001) increased maize yield by 1.12 t ha−1 with micro-dosing and by 1.60 t ha−1 with recommended rates over the control. Combining tied ridges and fertilizer signifcantly (p < 0.040) increased maize yield by 132–156% compared to ﬂat cultivation without fertilizer. Reﬂecting a land equivalent ratio, land use efciency was 67–122% higher in inter-cropping than sole crop. Tied ridges conserved more soil moisture than ﬂat cultivation, enhancing fertilizer use efciency that improved crop yields and land equivalent ratio under intercropping. This strategy could increase food availability and income generation under smallholder farming systems in sub-humid tropic areas.