Assessment of Post-Harvest Technologies and Gender Relations in Maize Loss Reduction in Pangawe Village Eastern Tanzania

In this paper the use of gender sensitive technologies in the reduction of post-harvest maize losses at farm level is advocated as a strategy for household food security. The study was conducted in Pangawe village, eastern Tanzania. It employed participatory approaches to investigate farmers’ perceptions on loss management. Storage trials were carried out to determine maize losses caused by insect pests in the sub-villages. Perceptions were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. ANOVA assessed losses in storage trials. Major post-harvest processes included farm field; en-route; homestead and storage. All activities except winnowing were carried out by both men and women at varying participation levels using unimproved technologies. Losses at each process varied yet farmers perceived the greatest loss during storage. Storage trials exhibited different insect incidences. Losses in trials were significantly different among the four sub-villages (P<0.05) being lowest at Pangawe-Juu and highest at Legeza Mwendo. It is concluded that, the missing link in post–harvest maize loss reduction in all the phases in Pangawe is the availability of appropriate technologies. The Pangawe Community Post-harvest Action Plan (PCPAP) strategies are recommended as a model for rural areas for promotion of gendered maize post–harvest management in order to revitalize the agricultural sector

A Technique for Identification of Intrinsic Resistance of Maize Varieties to Sitophilus Zeamais (Motsch.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Infestations

A new technique used to identify resistant maize varieties to the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) infestations is presented. It applies Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate- Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS - PAGE) of the insect fat body to determine the levels of fat body vitellogenin (FVg) in the vitellogenic S. zeamais females which were reared on different maize varieties. Results on levels of FVg varied and ranged from 83.33% to 43.33% in insects raised in different varieties ANOVA of FVg, maize weight loss and F1 numbers showed significant differences among the varieties at P<0.05. Maize weight loss and F1 numbers were positively correlated with FVg, r = 0.74 and 0.98, P< 0.05. The revealed amounts of FVg in S. zeamais obtained from the varieties indicated varying intrinsic resistance of the varieties to the insect pest. The varieties exhibited resistance in descending order: ZM 621>H 622> H 511> Situka 1> Situka M1 > ZM 523. In conclusion SDS – PAGE of female S. zeamais fat body is hence a useful and robust technique for identification of the intrinsic resistance of maize varieties to S. zeamais infestations.Key words: Technique, Fat body, Vitellogenin, Maize resistance, S. zeamai

Influence of simultaneous infestations of Prostephanus truncatus and Sitophilus zeamais on the reproductive performance and maize damage

This study examined the combined effect of Prostephanus truncatus and Sitophilus zeamais infestations on their reproductive performance and on the damage they cause to maize variety ZM 621 with 12.5% moisture content. The specific objective was to determine the number of the insect pests at F1 and F2 and the grain weight losses caused by the simultaneous pests\' infestations of shelled maize in the search for a control strategy. The results showed a change in adult insect numbers from F1 to F2. During single infestation the change in P. truncatus was 47.54% while in simultaneous infestations it was 41.66%. The change in S. zeamais was 31.25% and 18.60% during single and simultaneous infestations respectively. The t-test indicated significant differences in the percentage change of adult insect numbers between single and simultaneous infestations at P< 0.01. Further, the grain weight loss in simultaneous infestations was 28.53% while in single infestation P. truncatus and Sitophilus zeamais caused loss of 26.40% and 6.21% respectively. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant difference in weight losses among the infestation types at P < 0.01. The P. truncatus and S. zeamais numbers were positively correlated with the grain weight losses at P < 0.05. It was concluded that simultaneous infestations greatly reduced the reproductive performance of Sitophilus zeamais up to F2 while that of P. truncatus was less affected. These findings thus contribute to the components of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Tanzania Journal of Science Vol. 31 (1) 2005: pp. 65-7

Varietal role in the management of the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (horn) in stored maize

The study determined the amount of haemolymph vitellogenin (Vg) of the Larger Grain Borer (LGB), Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) vitellogenic females reared on different maize varieties. The varieties were ZM 521, ZM 421, ECAVL1-DLN, WEEVIL A, LOCAL 1 and LOCAL 2. Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS - PAGE) was conducted on the insect haemolymph. F1 LGB adults from each variety were used to determine Indices of Susceptibility (IS) of the varieties to the insect pest attack. Percentages of Vg from female insects and IS were in the order ZM 521>ZM 421> ECAVL1-DLN>WEEVIL A >LOCAL 1>LOCAL 2. Weight losses of the varieties after F1 emergence were recorded. Findings showed that the IS and the weight losses were highest in ZM 521 and lowest in LOCAL 2. ANOVA indicated significant differences in the IS, weight loses and Vg levels of insects among the varieties. IS and Vg were positively correlated. Varying Vg levels reflect reproductive capacity of P. truncatus and therefore used to identify resistant maize grains. It is concluded that resistant varieties play a great role in stored maize pest management by reducing LGB populations below economic injury levels (EIL). Tanzania Journal of Science Vol. 32 (2) 2006: pp. 13-2

Insect infestation of maize, Zea Mays (L.) in indigenous storage structures in Morogoro region, Tanzania

Insect infestations and losses of maize stored in four types of indigenous storage structures in Morogoro Region, Tanzania were investigated. Infestation levels and weight losses caused by the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) and the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) were found to differ significantly in the four types of storage structures (Dari, Kihenge, Kichanja and Reli). Lower infestation levels by the two pests and less weight losses were observed inDari and Kihenge than in Kichanja and Reli. The infestations and weight losses exhibited a significant trend that was in the order, Dari< Kihenge < Kichanja < Reli. These findings suggest that Dari and Kihenge are more appropriate for the incorporation in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for P. truncatus and S. zeamais in Morogoro Region. Tanz. J. Sci. Vol.29(2) 2003: 1-1