Department of Botany

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https://repository.udsm.ac.tz/handle/123456789/41

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Browsing Department of Botany by Author "Andrew, Samora Macrice"

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    Drivers, trends and management of forest plantation fires in Tanzania
    (Elsevier, 2022) Andrew, Samora Macrice
    During the last two decades there has been an increase in investments in exotic woodlots and commercial forest plantations in Tanzania. However, fire has repeatedly been singled out as number one risk to forestry plantations investments and improved management is urgently needed to reverse the trend and ensure sustainable supply of forest products. Unfortunately, little has been documented on major drivers, trends and management of exotic woodlots and forest plantation fires in Tanzania. Lack of such information has slowed down and diminished efforts to reduce the negative impacts of these fires and upscaling of commercial forestry. This paper analyses few available published information and gray literature as well as satellite imagery for 2016–2020 to put together drivers, trends and management of forest plantation fires. To effectively control fires, it is important that forest policy is enforced, education and awareness on fires is enhanced, local communities support is promoted and fire prevention and suppression is strengthened in Tanzania.
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    Enhancing Germination of Seeds of a Multipurpose Tree Species Combretum molle
    (College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, 2022-12-21) Andrew, Samora Macrice
    Combretum molle R. Br. ex G. Don (Combretaceae) is a highly valued indigenous multipurpose tree species that has gained considerable attention in recent times due to its importance as a medicinal plant as well as an alternative species for wood and charcoal production. However, we lack adequate information on simple and appropriate methods that could be used to break its distinct seed dormancy to support domestication of wild populations apparently undergoing over exploitation and the negative impacts of deforestation. Eight pre-treatment methods involving complete removal of wing, complete removal of mesocarp, overnight soaking in cold water (24 °C) and partial removal of wing by scorching with fire, and their combinations were tested against the seed dormancy. Of all, the complete removal of mesocarp and overnight soaking in cold water followed with additional soaking in cold water for 24 h took the shortest imbibition (2 days) and germination (7 days) periods, highest germination value (76) and germination energy (80%). Similarly, the same treatment scored significantly (P < 0.05) higher cumulative germination of 72%. To obtain best germination traits, C. molle seeds should be pre-treated by removing the mesocarp and overnight soaking in cold water followed with additional soaking in cold water for 24 h, before sowing. These results have wide implications including supporting domestication and forest landscapes restoration in Tanzania.
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    Production and nutritional value of Pleurotus floridanus grown on rice straw supplemented with Leucaena leucocephala foliage
    (Elsevier, 2023) Andrew, Samora Macrice
    Edible mushrooms are increasingly recognized to offer health, environmental and socio-economical benefits across the globe. However, long cultivation time and low nutritional value of harvested mushrooms have remained the limiting factors for taping the benefits and sustainable production in developing counties. There is therefore a need to seek for alternative substrate formulations that would shorten cultivation time, increase the nutritional value of mushrooms as well as ensure environmental sustainability. This study examined the potential of using nutrient and biomass rich Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit foliage in combination with the rice straw (traditional substrate) to bolster production and nutritional value of Pleurotus floridanus mushroom in Morogoro, Tanzania. Mushrooms were grown in 30 × 40 cm 1.6 kg dry weight polythene bags in a randomized complete block design experiment with five treatments. The shortest cultivation period (average of 21 days) which stemmed largely from spawning to full mycelia colonization was attained when 5% Leucaena foliage was mixed with the rice straw. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in protein content from 23.3 to a maximum of 29.8%, when rice straw was supplemented with the 5% Leucaena, while further increase in Leucaena supplementation caused a lowering of crude protein content. There were significant increases (P < 0.05) in the contents of copper and calcium minerals when 5% of Leucaena foliage was incorporated into the growing substrate. Thus, to increase production cycle and contents of protein and essential minerals, addition of 5% of L. leucocephala foliage is recommended during production of P. floridanus using rice straw, for sustainability.