Papers by Balthazar Msanya
The reform process initiated in the banking sector in the country has brought in the New Age priv... more The reform process initiated in the banking sector in the country has brought in the New Age private banks, which are quite aggressive in their operation. They are now playing a crucial role in attracting deposits from the customers, providing advances to various sections of society and thereby giving a tough competition to the public sector banks (PSBs) not only in terms of quantity, but also in terms of quality. The private sector banks have brought in many new products like credit cards, debit cards. ATMs, internet banking etc. The PSBs have been forced to extend these facilities, which they are struggling to do, since decision making takes time. Private sector banks have also extending facilities like share trading, commodity trading, saving and current accounts and term deposits with new features. This has led to the situation, where the customers now opine that the private sector banks are aggressive and more tech savvy in their operations in attracting customers and in providing more and newer products to them, while the PSBs are less efficient and not quite forthcoming in extending new facilities to their customers. However, there is also a general opinion that the public sector banks are more secured compared to the private sector banks, since the former are backed directly by the Government, which provides a lot of satisfaction to their customers. The PSBs score over the private sector banks on one count, while the later score over the former on another count. This calls for a close scrutiny from the view point of customers regarding their preferences for the saving and investment products provided by the banks that belong to the two sectors with the help of primary data, which is the basic thrust of the present study.
The study was conducted to evaluate effects of conservational tillage on vegetable production on ... more The study was conducted to evaluate effects of conservational tillage on vegetable production on the north-eastern part of Uluguru Mountains in Tanzania. Six treatments such as control conservational tillage; conservational tillage with manure; conservational tillage with insitu composting; control traditional tillage; traditional terrace with manure and traditional tillage with in situ composting were examined. Nutrient levels were determined from soil before and after harvest and from plant samples after harvest. Soil losses were assessed by collecting runoff using polyethylene troughs for each treatment. Analysis of variance and Multiple range test (P=0.05) was done to test the effect of the treatments. The differences (P=0.05) on soil loss, plant nutrient status and vegetable yield were observed. All conservational treatments gave high fresh yield (4.3 - 44.7 ton/ha), high nutrient retention (N% 0.11 - 0.14, P% 5.17 - 16.33, K% 0.33 - 0.36) and experienced low soil losses (0.49,...
American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, Jan 24, 2017
Tidal characteristics, land altitude, level of groundwater, and rainfall patterns are among the m... more Tidal characteristics, land altitude, level of groundwater, and rainfall patterns are among the main factors determining seawater intrusions in coastal areas. As Jozani Groundwater Forest (JGWF) is a coastal forest of low altitude found between Chwaka and Uzi bays, it was assumed the forest is increasingly being intruded by seawater. This study was therefore intended to discern conditions of tidal trends and magnitude in relation to seawater intrusion into JGWF. Tidal data and rainfall patterns were collected from Tanzania Meteorological Agency, Kisauni Zanzibar. Two sets of three observation wells (OWs) were opened at two forest ends towards Chwaka and Uzi bays. The OWs were used as data collection points while Height of Instrument method with the help of SOKKIA C.3.2 level and benchmarks number 205 and 210 were used to determine elevation of ground surfaces of the OWs. GPS receiver model GARMIN etrex 10 was used for geo-referencing the OWs. Water level recorders were installed above the wells to record changes in water level (WL) around the wells. Total dissolved solids (TDS) in water samples from the OWs were measured in situ using Hanna Combo tester HI 98129. Results showed that WL in South-end OWs rises during rains and falls during dry seasons, and occasionally also rises during high water of spring tide (HWST) associated with South Easterly monsoon winds. Similar results were obtained at North-end OWs, but more frequently even during HWST that were not associated with Monsoon winds. Values of water TDS fell to a minimum of 0.7 x 10 3 and 4.9 x 10 3 ppm during rainfall and rose to a maximum of 25.5 x 10 3 and 34.1 x 10 3 ppm during dry season at South-end and North-end, respectively. It was concluded that intrusion takes place during dry seasons when seawater of HWST from Chwaka and Uzi bays through creeks reached the soil surfaces at North-end and South-end of JGWF. The water accumulated salts which were then diluted and drained off the areas by rain water.
This study was carried out in South-Eastern Tanzania to establish representative experimental sit... more This study was carried out in South-Eastern Tanzania to establish representative experimental sites on the basis of agroecological settings and soils. Three pedons were characterized namely NWJ-P1 in Nawaje village, MKG-P1 in Mikangaula village and NNL-P1 in Nannala village. Soil moisture and temperature regimes in the study areas were, respectively, ustic and isohyperthermic. Fifteen soil samples from genetic soil horizons were analyzed for physico-chemical properties. Pedons NNL-P1 and MKG-P1 had loamy sand topsoils overlying sandy loam to sand clay loam subsoils. Pedon NWJ-P1 had sandy clay loam topsoil overlying clay subsoil with indications of eluviation-illuviation as dominant pedogenic process. Whereas pedons NWJ-P1 and MKG-P1 were medium acid to slightly acid (pH 5.91 6.35), pedon NNL-P1 was extremely to very strongly acid (pH 4.36 4.57). Topsoil OC contents of the soils were very low to medium (0.49 to 1.28%) while subsoil values were very low to low (0.16 0.66%). Total nitrogen in the pedons were very low (0.02 0.07%) while C/N ratios generally ranged from 7 to 18 indicating good to moderate quality of soil organic matter. All studied soils were low in available P (< 7 mg kg) except topsoil of pedon NNL-P1 which had medium values (P range 720 mg kg). CEC values ranged from very low (< 6.0 cmol(c) kg) to low (6.0 12.0 cmol(c) kg). % base saturation of pedon NNL-P1 was medium (21 60) while pedons NWJ-P1 and MKG-P1 had high values (> 60%). Nutrient ratios Ca/TEB, Mg/K and %( K/TEB) indicated some degree of nutrient imbalance in the soils likely to impair nutrient availability to plants. According to USDA Soil Taxonomy the pedons classified as Typic Dystrustepts (pedon NNLP1), Typic Argiustolls (pedon NWJ-P1) and Typic Haplustepts (pedon MKG-P1) which, according to WRB for Soil Resources, translated into Dystric Cambisols, Luvic Phaeozems, and Eutric Chromic Cambisols, respectively. In view of the study results, the studied pedons differed markedly in terms of pedological and physico-chemical properties, emphasizing the need to characterize soils before embarking on strategies and practices on soil fertility management for enhanced sustainable agriculture production. Sustainable cropping on the studied soils could be achieved with introduction of technologies suitable for rejuvenating soil fertility such as manuring, crop rotation, proper management of crop residues, fallow periods, introduction of leguminous cover crops in the farming system and use of fertilizers, particularly non-acidifying types of fertilizers.
International journal of natural resource ecology and management, 2021
This study was done in Morogoro and Mbeya regions of Tanzania to classify and characterize their ... more This study was done in Morogoro and Mbeya regions of Tanzania to classify and characterize their respective soils. Representative pedons (SUARAT-P1 and UYOLE-P1) were dug and described using FAO guidelines clarifying morphological features, physico-chemical properties and genesis. The representative pedons were geo-referenced using Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. A total of nine (9) genetic soil horizons were identified from both sites and samples from each horizon collected for physical and chemical analyses. Soils from both sites were very deep and topsoil moist colors ranged from hue of 7.5YR to 10YR with chroma of less than 3 in SUARAT-P1 and UYOLE-P1 pedons. Soil structure ranged from strong fine crumbs in topsoils to medium coarse sub-angular blocks in subsoils of SUARAT-P1 while UYOLE-P1 had weak fine sub-angular blocks in topsoils and subsoils. The SUARAT-P1 had sandy clay (SC) texture in topsoil and clay texture in subsoil while UYOLE-P1 had sandy loam (SL) in topsoil and sand clay loam (SCL) in subsoil. Soil reaction were slightly acid to very strongly acid in SUARAT-P1 (pH 6.54-4.46) whereas UYOLE-P1 were slightly acid to neutral in subsoil horizons (pH 6.35-7.32). Organic carbon ranged from very low to low (0.12-0.95%) in SUARAT-P1 and from very low to medium (0.47-1.5%) in UYOLE-P1. Nitrogen levels were very low to low (0.05-0.12%) in both sites whereas available P ranged from low (0.30 mg kg-1) to medium (8.55 mg kg-1) in both pedons. CEC of SUARAT-P1 was medium ranging from 12.4 to 23.2 cmol(c) kg-1 , whereas UYOLE-P1 was medium to high (15-34 cmol(c) kg-1). In SUARAT-P1, topsoil BS was high (> 50%) and low (< 50%) in the subsoil while UYOLE-P1 registered high BS throughout its profile depth. As diagnostic horizons for soil classification, the SUARAT-P1 had an ochric epipedon overlying a kandic horizon and classified according to USDA Soil Taxonomy as Typic Kandiustults, while UYOLE-P1 had an ochric epipedon over a cambic horizon and was named as Andic Dystrudepts corresponding respectively to Haplic Lixisols and Eutric Andic Cambisols in the WRB for Soil Resources. The results have indicated that, studied soils are less fertile with possible reconstitution through land and crop managements which include but not limited to no-tilling or conservation tillage, manuring and proper fertilizer application; residue retention, possible fallowing, liming for potential buffering of soil pH especially at SUARAT-P1 and crop rotation and intercropping with leguminous crops.
American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 2020
A study was conducted in Bukoba, Missenyi and Biharamulo Districts, Tanzania with the objectives ... more A study was conducted in Bukoba, Missenyi and Biharamulo Districts, Tanzania with the objectives of characterizing, classifying and assessing the suitability of the study area for cassava production. A reconnaissance field survey using transect walks and auger observations was done in the study sites, which were geo-referenced in terms of international coordinates using Global Positioning System. Soil profiles representative of the study sites were excavated and named as MARU-P1, MISSE-P1 and BIHA-P1 for Bukoba, Missenyi and Biharamulo Districts, respectively. Soil profile description and data on the morphological features of the representative soils were collected according to the FAO Guidelines for Soil Description. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected from genetic soil horizons, processed and analyzed in a soil laboratory. Data on site characteristics, climate, soil morphological features and soil physical and chemical properties were used to classify the soils to the family level of the USDA Soil Taxonomy and to tier-2 of the FAO World Reference Base for Soil Resources. Soil suitability assessment of the experimental sites was done using a simple limitation method based on the FAO Framework for Land Evaluation. The results reveal that Pedons MARU-P1 and BIHA-P1 have similar morphological properties, which are different from pedon MISSE-P1. However, the studied pedons differ in their physical and chemical properties, implying differences in their use and management. The climate of the study sites is semi-humid with Udic soil moisture regime, which is generally favourable for crop production. According to the USDA Soil Taxonomy, pedons MARU-P1 and BIHA-P1 were classified as "Typic Kandiudults". In addition, according to FAO World Reference Base for Soil Resources, pedons MARU-P1 and BIHA-P1 were classified as "Haplic Ferralic Acrisols" and "Chromic Ferralic Acrisols", respectively. Pedon MISSE-P1 was classified as "Typic Endoaquolls" according to USDA Soil Taxonomy and as "Fluvic Gleyic Phaeozems" according to FAO World Reference Base for Soil Resources. Pedons MISSE-P1 and BIHA-P1 were both evaluated as marginally suitable while MARU-P1 pedon was evaluated as moderately suitable for cassava production due to soil fertility constraints. We recommended specific soil fertility management strategies in each studied site for optimum cassava yields.
Journal of experimental agriculture international, Aug 10, 2022
The resolution of using or not using a particular technology in crop production is governed by th... more The resolution of using or not using a particular technology in crop production is governed by the profitability of that technology being used. A study was conducted in Bukoba, Missenyi and Biharamulo districts in the Kagera region during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 cropping seasons to determine the economic benefit of using different rates of farmyard manure (FYM) and potassium (K) fertilizer in cassava production. One village potential for cassava production was selected in each district for establishment of cassava trials. Three tillage methods [flat tillage, tied ridging and open ridging] and eleven fertilizer rates [FYM at 4 or 8 MT ha
Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International, Jan 2, 2023
A study was conducted in Bukoba, Missenyi and Biharamulo districts, Tanzania for the objective of... more A study was conducted in Bukoba, Missenyi and Biharamulo districts, Tanzania for the objective of determining the effect of tillage methods, farmyard manure (FYM) and potassium rates on soil pH and the concentrations of N, P and K in the soils and cassava leaves. The treatments were
Agronomy, Jan 28, 2023
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
International Journal of Plant and Soil Science, Apr 12, 2022
A study was conducted in Bukoba, Missenyi and Biharamulo districts in the Kagera region Tanzania ... more A study was conducted in Bukoba, Missenyi and Biharamulo districts in the Kagera region Tanzania during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 cropping seasons to determine the effect of tillage methods, farmyard manure (FYM) and potassium (K) rates on cassava yield and root quality. Three tillage methods (flat tillage, tied ridging and open ridging), eleven fertilizer rates (FYM at 4 or 8 MT ha
Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Nov 10, 2021
Soil salinity is one of the limitations to sustainable production of rice and other crops in many... more Soil salinity is one of the limitations to sustainable production of rice and other crops in many irrigation schemes in Tanzania. Soil salinity can be assessed from electrical conductivity (EC) measurements. Most soil laboratories in Tanzania appraise soil salinity from measurements of electrical conductivity of 1:2.5 soil:water suspensions (EC 1:2.5) by virtue of their simplicity. However, the influence of soil salinity on plant growth is mainly based on electrical conductivity of saturated paste extract (EC e), so it is necessary to convert EC 1:2.5 to EC e in order to assess plant response to salinity. This study was conducted at Magozi Irrigation Scheme in Iringa Region, Tanzania to establish regression model for predicting EC e from EC 1:2.5 values. A total of 60 soil samples (45 samples for model training and 15 samples for model validation) were collected and analyzed for soil EC 1:2.5 , EC e and soil texture. Results showed that EC 1:2.5 ranged from 0.1 to 4.2 dS m-1 with a mean value of 0.71 dS m-1. EC e obtained ranged from 0.3 (non-saline) to 12 dS m-1 (very saline) with a mean of 2.4 dS m-1 (slightly saline). In order of dominance, soil textural classes were sandy clay loam, clay, sandy clay, sandy loam and clay loam. Strong linear relationships between EC e and EC 1:2.5 were observed in the developed linear regression equations. After validation, the study selected equation ECe = 3.4954*EC 1:2.5 with R 2 of 0.956 for combined soil textures to be used for prediction of EC e from EC 1:2.5 at Magozi Irrigation Scheme. This model can be tested for its applicability to other similar soils in Tanzania in further studies.
West Usambara synthesized plateau dataset
CATENA, 2008
The magnitude of interrill and rill erosion was determined on the northern slopes of the Uluguru ... more The magnitude of interrill and rill erosion was determined on the northern slopes of the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania which is representative for larger areas of East African Arch Mountains, where population pressure is high and land degradation is severe. The aim of the study was to develop a database to support soil conservation in the area. The study was done on two distinct geomorphic units with respect to altitude and hence rainfall distribution pattern: mountain ridges with an altitude ranging from 1000 to 1500 masl and mean annual rainfall of 2300 mm and mountain foothills whose altitude and mean annual rainfall are 550 to 900 masl and 900 mm, respectively. Total soil loss was measured on 36 individual bounded plots measuring 1.2 m × 20 m using Gerlarch troughs on each day with rain from July 2000 to June 2001. The plots were located on six different geopedologic units, nine on mountain ridges and the rest on the mountain foothills. The slope gradient on the terrain ranged from 30% to 70%. The plots were put under maize cultivation as the main crop. Soil loss through rill erosion was estimated by volumetric measurements of rills on each soil erosion plot. The soil loss due to interrill erosion was obtained by subtracting soil loss through rill erosion from the total soil loss measured in the Gerlarch troughs. The results indicate that soil loss due to both interrill and rill erosion was very high with mean soil loss of 69 and 163 t/ha/year, respectively. Rill erosion accounted for about 58% of the total soil loss while interrill erosion contributed to the remaining 42%. Both interrill and rill erosion were higher in the mountain ridges with mean soil loss of 88 t/ha/year and 210 t/ha/year compared to 49 and 116 t/ha/year in the mountain foothills, respectively. Rill erosion was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.001) in all geopedologic units with slope gradient above 40% (mean soil loss ranged between 91 and 258 t/ha/year) compared to interrill erosion with mean soil loss varying from 41 to 115 t/ha/year. In geopedologic units with slope gradient above 60% both interrill and rill erosion were highly active while in geopedologic units with slope gradient below 40% the two processes were less active. The results demonstrate that rill erosion is more important than interrill erosion in the study area particularly where the slope gradient exceeds 40%. The results further show that the major part of the studied area has moderate interrill erosion (10-50 t/ha/year) and severe to very severe (N 100 t/ha/year) rill erosion. This study clarifies the magnitude of interrill and rill erosion which is important for designing soil conservation on agricultural fields.
UNISWA Research Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology, 2004
Open Access JournalLow soil fertility has been a major factor to low maize yields in smallholder ... more Open Access JournalLow soil fertility has been a major factor to low maize yields in smallholder farms in sub-Saharan Africa. Technologies have been proposed including inorganic, fertilizers and plant growth promoting microorganisms. A study was conducted under greenhouse and field conditions to evaluate the effects of liquid inorganic fertilizer and microbiological products on growth, nutrient uptake and yield of maize. Products evaluated were Teprosyn (nitrogen, zinc phosphorus), BioSoil Crop Booster (BSCB) (Pseudomonas fluorescens), and Bio Soil Nitro plus (BSN+) (Acetobacter sp.). Treatments were: products alone (low and high rate), product + half rate phosphorus (10 kg P ha-1), half rate P, full rate P (20 kg P ha-1) and Control. All products were analysed for quality. None of the products met the label claims in nutrient/organism concentration. An increase of biomass was observed in the greenhouse for half rate P + BSCB low rate and high rates for BSCB and BSN+ compared to Con...
EXCURSION GUIDE 30-31 August 201 3This excursion guide leads you to the case study area of the LE... more EXCURSION GUIDE 30-31 August 201 3This excursion guide leads you to the case study area of the LEPUS project. The study area is located in a 200 km2 section of the Western Usambara Mountains and within the Lushoto district (map 1 ). I t is centred over the region in which during the period 1 980 - 2004 many bubonic plague cases were registered. Within the case area, there is west-east gradient from high to low plague incidence
West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania are famous for rich biodiversity and endemic species of plants ... more West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania are famous for rich biodiversity and endemic species of plants and animals. Although there have been extensive studies on plant and animals species, little attention has been given on abiotic factors influencing their spatial distribution. Given rampant degradation of vegetation and associated consequence on biodiversity, knowledge on abiotic factors influencing distribution of species along the landscape become pertinent for conservation. A study was carried out to explore abiotic factors impacting plant and animals species distribution. Soil, landform and land use/ cover were studied using grids of 20 m × 20 m using FAO Guidelines for Soil Profile and Habitat Descriptions. Soils were described, sampled for laboratory analysis. Spatial distribution of plant species were determined in the grids, and along the transects, every time estimating the percent cover and describing the habitat. Distribution of animal species was studied using both small mam...
Japanese journal of tropical agriculture, 1995
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Papers by Balthazar Msanya