Browsing by Author "Mwatawala, M.W."

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    Agroecological farming practices against fruit flies in Central Eastern Tanzania
    (International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), 2023) Bakengesa, J.A.; Kudra, A.B.; De Meyer, M.; Virgilio, M.; Mwatawala, M.W.; Majubwa, R. O.
    Introduction – The impact of farming systems on crop production is one of the most crucial topics to concentrate on because it might affect the yield attained by farmers. Management of Tephritid flies by agroecological farming methods is becoming a preferred option. However, awareness and level of application of these methods are low in most parts of Tanzania. The objective of the current study was to establish the application status of agroecological farming practices on the management of fruit flies pests among small-holder cucurbit farmers. Materials and methods – Surveys were conducted in Central Eastern Zone, Tanzania, using a semi-structured questionnaire to determine knowledge and awareness on fruit fly pests and agroecological farming methods. Contingency chi-square tests and Generalized Linear Model was used to analyze the data. Results and discussion – A total of 138 cucurbit growers participated in the survey. We found that 63% of farmers applied synthetic insecticides, 27.5% employed agroecological farming methods while 9.4% did not control pests. Agroecological farming methods used against fruit flies were spot application of baits (26.3%), weeding (26.3%), orchard sanitation (23.7%), bio fencing (13.2%), application of biopesticides (5.3%), early harvesting (2.6%) and mulching (2.6%). Experience in cucurbit production significantly determined awareness (p=0.015) and choice (p<0.001) of the agroecological farming method. Awareness on fruit flies' infestation significantly varied with experience (p<0.0001), education (p<0.05) and cucurbit crop grown (p<0.05). Up to 82.6% of farmers were willing to switch to agroecological farming methods if they were trained. Conclusion – Raising awareness and providing training will increase the adoption of agroecological farming methods. Sustainable farming systems will provide enough healthy food for all while minimizing negative environmental effects and allowing farmers to earn a profit.
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    Effectiveness of the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) urine extracts odour against commensal rodents
    (Open University of Tanzania, 2017) Mulungu, L.S.; Ngowo, V.; Mdangi, M.E.; Magadula, A.J.J.; Kapingu, M.; Mbukwa, E.; Mgina, C.A.; Mwatawala, M.W.; Kichuki, M.; Mwakalobo, A.S.; Mgode, G.F.
    The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an extract of cat urine odour as a repellant of commensal rodents in houses. Cat urine was drawn and stored frozen in universal bottles at -200C until use. The stored cat urine was then thawed and mixed with maize starch to form a thick dough and then granulated and dried at room temperature before being packed in a hermetically closed jar. Initially, rodent foot marks on tracking soot coat tiles were used to estimate the rat population before the cat urine extracts application. Twenty households with high and low rodent activities were selected purposively in the study area. Ten houses were treated with the urine extracts and ten others were kept untreated (control). Both treated and untreated houses were categorized at two levels (i.e. low and high rodent activities) as determined by the tracking tile foot prints. One tracking tile was placed in each of the selected houses and rodent foot marks were counted. Collected data were subjected to analysis of variance and the results showed a significant difference in rodent activities which however, depended on the sex of the cat that donated the urine base. Female cat urine extract repelled significantly more commensal rodents as compared to male cat urine extract. The repellent effect was observed from day 1 to 4; but not beyond. Our findings suggest that cat urine odour has the potential to repel commensal rodent pest species; with female cat urine being more effective than male cat urine.