Cowpea （Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.） and tomato （Lycopersicum esculentum L. Karst） are attacked by a wide range of insect pests worldwide. In many cases, pesticides are used to control the pests. In 2010 and 2011, ...Cowpea （Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.） and tomato （Lycopersicum esculentum L. Karst） are attacked by a wide range of insect pests worldwide. In many cases, pesticides are used to control the pests. In 2010 and 2011, we conducted field experiments to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of a biorational （Agroneem~） and conventional pesticide （imidacloprid or thiamethoxam） on insect pests of these crops. In the first year, two varieties of cowpea （Mississippi Silver and Pinkeye Purple Hull） and two of tomato （Mariana and German Johnson） were used; in the second year, the better performing of each group （Mississippi Silver and Mariana） were used for the study. A split-plot design with four replications in Year 1, and a randomized complete block design with six treatment combinations in Year 2. In the first year, both pesticide groups were applied following manufacturer＇s recommendation （10-14 d cycles）; and in the second year, the application of the pesticides was driven by economic thresholds level （ETL） of insect pests. The most prevalent species of insects recorded in both crops were in the families： Chrysomelidae, Pentatomidae, Cicadellidae, Vespidae, Sarcophagidae, Thripidae and Sphingidae. In both years, the diversity of insects on cowpea was greater than on tomato and more insects were observed in the second year compared to the first, despite the absence of significant difference （P 〉 0.05） between varieties in the treated plots. The yield of cowpea and tomato was comparable in all sprayed plots.展开更多
Using 2009/2010 cropping season survey data from 181 randomly selected smallholder tobacco farmers, this study provides baseline information on tobacco farming in Mara region. Both descriptive and inferential statisti...Using 2009/2010 cropping season survey data from 181 randomly selected smallholder tobacco farmers, this study provides baseline information on tobacco farming in Mara region. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in data analysis. Result indicates that farmers adopted tobacco farming from tobacco farmers in Kenya. Drought and inadequate supply of inputs were identified as the major production constraints. Others were incidence of pests and diseases, shortage of fire woods, poor extension services and hailstones. Low selling price and contradicting grading systems were the major tobacco marketing constraints. The study also revealed that access to extension services was similar across study districts with over 65.7% of the respondents accessing technical expertise mainly from Alliance One Tanzania employees. Given the positive and negative impacts of tobacco farming, majority of the respondents （95.6%） still were willing to proceed with tobacco farming as their main source of income. However, watermelon, maize and sunflower were ranked as first priority alternative cash crops to tobacco in Serengeti, Tarime and Rorya districts, respectively. This study concludes that tobacco farming still is the main household income source; hence, more investment is required to ensure sustainable economic develooment of rural communities in Mara reeion.展开更多
文摘Cowpea （Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.） and tomato （Lycopersicum esculentum L. Karst） are attacked by a wide range of insect pests worldwide. In many cases, pesticides are used to control the pests. In 2010 and 2011, we conducted field experiments to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of a biorational （Agroneem~） and conventional pesticide （imidacloprid or thiamethoxam） on insect pests of these crops. In the first year, two varieties of cowpea （Mississippi Silver and Pinkeye Purple Hull） and two of tomato （Mariana and German Johnson） were used; in the second year, the better performing of each group （Mississippi Silver and Mariana） were used for the study. A split-plot design with four replications in Year 1, and a randomized complete block design with six treatment combinations in Year 2. In the first year, both pesticide groups were applied following manufacturer＇s recommendation （10-14 d cycles）; and in the second year, the application of the pesticides was driven by economic thresholds level （ETL） of insect pests. The most prevalent species of insects recorded in both crops were in the families： Chrysomelidae, Pentatomidae, Cicadellidae, Vespidae, Sarcophagidae, Thripidae and Sphingidae. In both years, the diversity of insects on cowpea was greater than on tomato and more insects were observed in the second year compared to the first, despite the absence of significant difference （P 〉 0.05） between varieties in the treated plots. The yield of cowpea and tomato was comparable in all sprayed plots.
文摘Using 2009/2010 cropping season survey data from 181 randomly selected smallholder tobacco farmers, this study provides baseline information on tobacco farming in Mara region. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in data analysis. Result indicates that farmers adopted tobacco farming from tobacco farmers in Kenya. Drought and inadequate supply of inputs were identified as the major production constraints. Others were incidence of pests and diseases, shortage of fire woods, poor extension services and hailstones. Low selling price and contradicting grading systems were the major tobacco marketing constraints. The study also revealed that access to extension services was similar across study districts with over 65.7% of the respondents accessing technical expertise mainly from Alliance One Tanzania employees. Given the positive and negative impacts of tobacco farming, majority of the respondents （95.6%） still were willing to proceed with tobacco farming as their main source of income. However, watermelon, maize and sunflower were ranked as first priority alternative cash crops to tobacco in Serengeti, Tarime and Rorya districts, respectively. This study concludes that tobacco farming still is the main household income source; hence, more investment is required to ensure sustainable economic develooment of rural communities in Mara reeion.
