MSUIR Community:

The effect of fever tea tree (lippia javanica) in the control of maize weevil (sitophilus zeamais) in stored maize (zea mays)

2022-06-27T13:49:05Z

Title: The effect of fever tea tree (lippia javanica) in the control of maize weevil (sitophilus zeamais) in stored maize (zea mays) Authors: Majoro, Mordester Abstract: Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky is the major insect pest seen damaging stored maize in Zimbabwe. The environmental hazards of synthetic insecticides, the unreliability supply and high costs of these chemicals resulted in the search for cheaper and safer use of the naturally available plant material to control this pest. This study evaluates effective rates for L. javanica leaf powder. Bioactivity of Lippia javanica leaf extracts was evaluated under average room temperature, at three dosage levels (0. 5g, 10g and 15g),negative control of untreated grain were mixed with 1kg of disinfested Pannar 413 maize variety in plastic containers. A positive control of Actellic Gold Dust was also used at label rates and the effect on grain damage, weight loss, insect mortality; progeny production was assessed. The leaf extract showed significant difference between 0.5g and 10g on one hand and 15g and the positive control showed no statistical difference. The 15g that recorded the highest mortality inflicted 85.25%. The maize grain treated with 10g and 15g dosage levels of the leaf extract showed much promise by significantly reducing the number of damaged grains by the maize weevil, reproduction of the maize weevilas well as reducing weight loss in stored maize compared with the negative control. Grain weight loss in leaf powder treated grains was dose dependent ranging from 4% in the highest dose to 44.6% with untreated grain at 59% in untreated maize grain showing significant differences in 21 days

Performance of exotic summer wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties under wetland conditions

2022-06-27T13:49:05Z

Title: Performance of exotic summer wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties under wetland conditions Authors: Ivy, Takawira Abstract: Wheat is the second most important staple food crop in Zimbabwe after maize. However, because of lack of irrigation infrastructure and high cost of production the country is not meeting national demand and is relying on imports thereby losing a lot of foreign currency. Currently winter irrigated wheat production constitutes more than 90% of the local production. The country’s water reserves are also drying up due to low rainfall being received, meaning we cannot increase irrigated area. There is therefore need to explore other ways of increasing wheat production in the country that do not rely on irrigation. Summer wheat had been hindered by lack of suitable varieties with only one commercial variety SC Sahai on the market. With current short rainfall seasons being experienced there is a need to evaluate the performance of the summer wheat varieties under wetlands were they benefit from residual moisture. Agronomic and quality attributes of four summer wheat varieties developed by CIMMYT and are currently cultivated in Ethiopia plus one local check were evaluated under wetlands conditions in Mvuma district of Zimbabwe. The field experiment laid out in a RCBD replicated four times. Wheat varieties were evaluated for yield and its components, growth, quality and disease resistance. Exotic varieties performed significantly better (p < 0.05) than Sahai the local variety. Aguilal gave significantly (p < 0.05) the highest yield and test density and also had a high number of spikelets. The experiment showed that summer wheat can be grown successfully on wetlands giving better yield and quality and can be used to compliment winter wheat stocks.

Evaluating the effects of yeast isolates on the control of sore shin in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) seedlings

2022-06-27T13:49:05Z

Title: Evaluating the effects of yeast isolates on the control of sore shin in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) seedlings Authors: Timbe, Isaac Simbarashe Abstract: Sore shin aused by Rhizoctonia solani is responsible for remarkable economic losses of up to 10% in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) seedlings grown in float beds, thereby becoming important production limiting factor of tobacco crop. Sore shin is responsible for wiry stem formation, stem lesions, root rots, root discolouration and damping off of tobacco seedlings. Tobacco production in Zimbabwe contributes about 9% GDP and is form of employment to more than 90 000 people in the country. Currently two fungicides Shavit and Azoxystrobin are being used for controlling sore shin on tobacco but recent trends are showing element of resistance with R. solani therefore becoming a threat. In a bid to circumvent the tobacco losses due to sore shin using eco-friendly methods the researcher hereby sought to evaluate five yeasts isolates for the control of sore shin in greenhouse produced tobacco seedlings. In this study five isolates were used which are TY5, TY3, TY14, TY17 and TY18, the experiment was arranged in a completely randomised design and two controls were included with the untreated as negative control and Azoxystrobin as positive control. R. solani were isolated from the diseased tobacco plants showing sore shin symptoms. The experiment was carried out at Kutsaga Research Station located in Harare Zimbabwe during the September –November 2016 tobacco nursery period. Data was analysed using Genstat 18th edition, on parameters measured the yeast isolates proved to reduce sore shin significantly in comparison with the untreated control but TY18 was similar to the untreated control. The isolates resulted in an increase in shoot fresh weight with the highest recorded on TY3 with an average of 3.76g per seedling, also yeast isolates resulted in an increase root fresh weight, highest weight was recorded on seedlings treated TY5 but TY18 was even less than the untreated control. Significant increase in dry weight was observed on plants treated with yeast isolates seedlings plots treated with TY3 recorded the highest dry weight with an average of 0.39g per seedling. It could be suggested that such yeast isolates might be the promising as alternatives for controlling sore shin on tobacco seedlings and have the ability to be used as bio-fertilisers

Factors contributing to accident causation in the grate cooler section at Sino-Zimbabwe Cement company from January 2005 to December 2013

2022-06-27T13:49:05Z

Title: Factors contributing to accident causation in the grate cooler section at Sino-Zimbabwe Cement company from January 2005 to December 2013 Authors: Chaitezvi, Lancelot Abstract: The major aim of this research was to examine factors contributing to accident causation at Grate Cooler section from 2005 to 2013.The cross sectional design was used .A stratified random sample method was used. The study population consisted of 165 employees at Grate Cooler Section with a sample of 92 workers which included seven heads of departments. Research instruments which were used to gather data included questionnaires, observations and interviews .The major findings was that heat is the major hazard at Grate Cooler section and human factors are contributing factors of accidents causation at Grate Cooler section as such accidents are mainly caused by co-workers .Also the findings revealed that the company does not have proper risk assessment system hence accidents are high. The company is also lacking visible Felt leadership. The research recommends that the company should be certified to any standard of safety, Health and Environment systems such as ISO 14001, OHAS 18001 in order to reduce accidents and should have a comprehensive risk management system. The study recommends that further studies be undertaken by National Social Security Authority to establish the factors causing accidents at Grater Cooler Sections such that further lost time injuries and fatalities are reduced in Zimbabwe.