Browsing by Author "Washa, B. Washa"

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    Investigation on the effective substrate for high yields of Pleurotus ostreatus: A case study of Kinyerezi Tanzania
    (Huria Journal of Tanzania, 2023-02-09) Washa, B. Washa
    Investigation on what substrate combination is more effective in producing high yields of Pleurotus ostreatus in local greenhouses was conducted at Kinyerezi (6°50'27.2"S, 39°10'26.5"E) in Dar es Salaam in 2020 aiming on producing a substrate protocol which will maximize yielding of mushrooms in local greenhouses. Sugar, grain chaff and lime were added in specified ratios to the compost of sliced banana leaves and saw dust and followed by sterilization for 4 hours and cooling for 24 hours before being packaged in 1 kg bags for fungal inoculation. 450 plastic bags of compost were inoculated with mushroom spores and left for 28 days for colonization. The compost was sparingly watered to maintain the optimal humidity, temperature and pH for germination of mushrooms. Mushroom germination in 100 bags with additional sugar, 100 bags with additional grain chaff and 100 bags with additional lime were monitored for four months where germination percentage and germination number were monthly recorded and used for statistical analysis. Bags with additional sugar indicated a significant difference in the monthly germination percentage (P=0.002248, df = 2). Additional sugar descriptively increased germination number from 30 to 173 than other substrates which increased from 0.5 to 16.5. However, the increase was statistically not significant P=0.25246, df = 2. Mushroom growers are advised to use the compost formula as indicated in this investigation as a new knowledge contributed by the research. The use of added sugar as a substrate in the compost is mandatory
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    Plant Species Composition and Diversity in Dalbergia melanoxylon Dominated Zones in Mitarure Forest Reserve in Kilwa District
    (Huria Journal of Tanzania, 2023-02-09) Washa, B. Washa
    The study was designed to assess the plant species composition and diversity in the Dalbergia melanoxylon dominated zone in Mitarure Forest Reserve and the nearby community forests particularly Ngea and Nambawala in Kilwa District, Tanzania. Thirty (30) circular concentric plots were established in the forest reserve and fifteen (15) plots in each of the two-community forest and used to collect vegetation data. The plant species diversity was determined using Shannon-Wiener diversity index, evenness, richness and Simpson and their indices were compared using ANOVA. Plant species diversity and evenness assessed in Mitarure Forest Reserve did not differ significantly from those from community forests. However, the plant species diversity based on Simpson index and richness were significantly higher in the Mitarure Forest Reserve compared to those in community forests. A total of 56 plant species were recorded in Mitarure forest reserve, 39 plant species in Ngea forest and 36 plant species in Nambawala forest. Mitarure forest reserve and the nearby community forests have high plant species diversity with a good stand characteristic of a typical natural forest. However, with an intensive human disturbance, the tree species composition decreases that needs an intervention through local community involvement. This strategy may contribute in the future survival of species and the natural forests in Kilwa District. Data from this study stand as baseline information for the future monitoring of the performance of stands in the natural forest ecosystem in the Dalbergia melanoxylon dominated zones in Kilwa District.
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    Seedling Production Techniques in D. melanoxylon
    (International Journal of Plant and Forestry Sciences, 2014-01) Washa, B. Washa
    A study was conducted in D. melanoxylon comparing germination in soil to that of the Murashge and Skoog medium. An overharvested species D. melanoxylon have a highly valued wood but not propagated. This is why in recent years there have been some efforts to conduct investigations which can improve seedling production. About 2 kilograms of seeds were purchased from TTSA for experiment on 2010 at Botany Department University of Dar es Salaam. Three treatments were employed for soil germination (Low, Median and High moisture level) while two treatments were employed for MS germination (Half strength and Full strength). Sterilizing reagents were 35%, 70% alcohol and 2.6% sodium hypochlorite. Sterilizing duration were 10, 20 and 30 minutes. Data recorded include germination percentage, moisture level, MS concentration, sterilizing reagent concentrations and time used to sterilize the seeds. Standard procedures were used to analyze and compare germination Data as described by Zar, (2010). Highest germination in the soil was 21% while that of the MS was 19.8%. The two germination mediums did not differ significantly. More investigations especially genetic transformation of the species for easy access in tissue culture is needed to improve seedling production of D. melanoxylon for propagation of the species. Copyright © IJPFS, all rights reserved.