MSUIR Collection:

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.

Investigating the effects of two cowpea (Vignaunguiculata L Walp) leaf harvesting intervals on grain yield

2022-06-27T13:49:05Z

Title: Investigating the effects of two cowpea (Vignaunguiculata L Walp) leaf harvesting intervals on grain yield Authors: Onisimo, Mhlanga Abstract: Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L ) has a variety of uses in Zimbabwe. The crop can be used as food, leaves as vegetable for human and stems as fodder for livestock. Maximising both leaf, grain and the above ground biomass yield of the dual purpose cowpea is one of the ways to improve food security in the country as well as nutritious hay in winter for livestock thus ensuring sustainability in agriculture which is being threatened by climate change. A research was carried out to find out the effects of three leaf harvesting intervals on the dual purpose use of cowpea.The trial was carried out at Drawcard Farm, Harare, Zimbabwe on plots of 6m2gross and 2.6m2 net. The plots were laid down in RCBD with three treatments (no harvesting, 7-days and 14-days leaf harvesting intervals) replicated three times. The cowpea variety used was CBC2. Data collection was carried out two weeks after crop emergence (three leaf stage) up to six weeks (early reproductive stage). Overall, the results showed that leaf yield was higher in 7-day than 14-day interval. However grain and above ground biomass yields were highest (400.1kg/ha and 907.4kg/ha respectively) in control treatments followed by 14-day (101.3kg/ha and 696.1kg/ha respectively) and lastly 7-day (79.1kg/ha and 598.5kg/ha respectively) harvesting intervals. The conclusion drawn from the trial is that 7-day leaf harvesting interval increases cowpea leaf yield and 14-day interval increases grain and above ground biomass yield.

Evaluation of composted tea (melaleuca alternifolia) tree and sand media mixes in tobacco (nicotiana tabucum l) seedling production

2022-06-27T13:49:05Z

Title: Evaluation of composted tea (melaleuca alternifolia) tree and sand media mixes in tobacco (nicotiana tabucum l) seedling production Authors: Chimwanda, Noel Abstract: Zimbabwe is preparing itself for 2015 dead line for the elimination of methyl bromide through adoption of floating tray system, metham sodium, basamid and other related tobacco nursery chemicals. In an effort to complement this government initiative to fulfil Montreal protocol, a research was carried out at Kushinga Phikelela National Farmer Training College, in Marondera during the 2014-2015 tobacco farming season with intention to evaluate the effect of an on farm composted tea tree and sand media mixes on performance of tobacco (Nicotiana tabucum) seedlings in a float bed system. This was being compared to the traditional pine bark media (control). A completely randomized design (CRD) with six treatments and three replications was used. The treatments were; 100% Pine bark, 100% Tea tree substrate, and tea tree growing mixes of 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50 of composted tea tree to sand respectively. Composted tea tree was taken for full chemistry analysis before mixing with sand at Zimlab, Harare Zimbabwe. Results showed that composted tea tree substrate had a pH of 6.4. The sample results also showed presence of nitrogen 5.62 ppm, phosphorous (P2O5) 207.16, potassium 4.20 (% of CEC)/ppm and total exchangeable bases at 35.99 CEC. During the experiment, the following parameters were measured; seed emergence percentage, seedling height, stems thickness, spiral root development and leaf number. In was concluded that the treatments 70:30, 80:20 and 100% composted tea tree and sand media mixes were not significantly different to pine bark statistically on emergence percentage, stem height, spiral roots, and leaf numbers. A high fall out percentage of media from trays was experienced in 50:50 and 60:40 composted tea tree and sand media. 100% Pine bark recorded significantly (P<0.05) highest emergence percentage. There was no significance (P<0.05) difference on all other parameters between pine bark and 70:30, 80:20 and 100% composted tea tree and sand media mixes. There was no statistical difference between 50:50 and 60:40 composted tea tree and sand media mixes on emergence percentage, spiral root development, stem height, stem thickness, and leaf numbers; and these two recorded least results on all parameters. It was recommended that tobacco seedling production may be done using tea tree substrate at treatments 70:30, 80:20 and 100% composted tea tree and sand media mixes as alternative growing media to pine bark and may be economic if used at 70:30 composted tea tree and sand media mix.

Effects of retention period on field emergence, seed vigour and genetic purity of soybeans (glycine max. l).

2022-06-27T13:49:05Z

Title: Effects of retention period on field emergence, seed vigour and genetic purity of soybeans (glycine max. l). Authors: Mazviro, Crynos Abstract: Access to high quality certified soybeans seeds by most small scale commercial farmers is a major constraint and this result in most farmers to retain their seed obtained from the previous harvests. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of retention period on field emergence, vigor and genetic purity of soybean seeds under the smallholder farmers in semi arid regions of Zimbabwe. A survey was first conducted to assess the agronomic and storage practices done by smallholder farmers on soybeans. Questionnaires were used to gather data and it was during this time when seeds were collected from farmers for field experimentation. The experimental treatments were as follows: certified soybean seeds, retained seeds with one year, retained soybeans seeds with two years and retained soybean seeds with three or more years. The experiment was laid in a Randomised Complete Block Design with four treatments replicated three times. The blocking factor was slope. Laboratory test were then conducted to determine seed vigor and genetic purity. Accelerated Aging Test was used to determine seed vigor. The number of seedling emerged under vigor test were counted and then classified into strong, weak and abnormal seedlings. Genetic purity was determined by looking on the physical components of the sample. From the results gathered from a survey it was seen that most famers retain seeds obtained from their previous harvest and most of them produced an average yield of 0.6 tonnes per hectare. From the results obtained it was seen that retention period of soybeans significantly (p<0.001) affect seed emergence, vigor and genetic purity. It was also observed that germination percentage, germination uniformity, seed vigor and genetic purity decreases as retention period increases while mean germination time and days to 50 % emergence increases as retention period increases. A positive relationship was observed between seed viability and seed vigor on correlation analysis done. Farmers should not retain seeds stored for more than one year and also where retained seeds are used, higher seed rates should be used to compensate the low viability of retained seeds