Banana is an important staple food in East Africa and an essential cash crop in the national and local economies. In Kagera and Kilimanjaro regions of Tanzania, banana is cultivated by more than 70% of smallholder farmers as a staple food in home gardens ranging from 0.5 to 2 hectares. Decline in banana yield has been reported in banana farming systems as a result of abiotic constraints (nutrient deficiencies and drought stress) and biotic constraints (pests and diseases). Decline in soil fertility and the ensuing nutrient deficiencies are among the major causes of the decline in banana yield. In the banana farming systems, nutrient removal most times exceeds their input, along with years of continuous cultivation results into negative yield trends. Most smallholder farmers are resource-constrained and thus limited in use of inorganic fertiliser due to cost, availability and usage. In this study the aim was to evaluate soil nutrient factors that affect banana production in order to identify localized soil nutrient management practices tailored to the biophysical and socioeconomic conditions of the smallholder farmer improve crop productivity. In evaluating soil fertility status in the banana farming systems, adequate indicators were employed, namely, physico-chemical and nutrient analysis, spatial analysis, crop yield and critical nutrient levels, limiting nutrients and nutrient balances. A survey approach was employed, involving sample collection in farmers’ banana fields. Using the Probability Sampling Technique, six wards (namely: Aleni, Mamsera, Manda, Mengeni, Mengwe and Shimbi) were selected in a systematic random manner based on banana production areas. Then from the six wards, a total of 100 sites were selected in a stratified random manner and geo-referenced. Allometric measurements, namely: girth at base (Gbase), girth at 1-m height (G1m), number of hands, and number of banana fingers on the bottom row of the second last hand were taken from among three selected mats with a banana plant at fruiting stage per farm site. Analysis considered three banana cultivars, namely, Malindi, Matoke and Mshare that were dominant in the sites and had higher number of observations. Allometric data were used to determine banana bunch weights (Bwt) and above ground biomass (AGB). Results indicated that Matoke had significantly (P≤0.05) higher Gbase, G1m and AGB than Malindi and Mshare, whereas Malindi had significantly (P≤0.05) more number of hands. There was no significant difference (ns) (P≤ 0.05) for number of fingers and Bwt among the cultivars. Soil and plant samples were collected from every site and analysed for physicochemical properties and nutrients concentrations. Boundary line analysis was used to determine plant critical nutrient values. Results indicated critical levels were 2.39, 0.15, 1.5, 0.35 and 0.3% for N, P, K, Ca and Mg, respectively. Results from descriptive statistics, geo-statistics and nutrients maps, coefficient of variation diminished in the order P>Cu>K>Zn>Mn>S. A survey was carried out to identify agronomic management practices and production constraints. Survey data were used to categorise farmers into wealth classes based on resources owned (Resource-rich L3, medium L2 and poor L1 households) as well as classes based on cattle ownership. Soil samples were collected from each farm at a depth of 30 cm and nutrient concentrations analysed. The aim was to determine most-limiting yield nutrients in the farms using nutritional index (NI). Bunch weight was compared to optimum attainable bunch weight of 28 kg and 69 low-yield farms were obtained. The major nutrient deficiencies were K>Mn>P=Zn>Cu in 40, 35, 34 and 32% of low-yield areas, respectively. L3 owned more land area under banana than L2 and L1 households by 8% (ns). Yet L3 had significantly (P≤0.05) higher banana Bwt. Survey data along with data from nutrient analysis were used for estimating partial nutrient balances in home gardens across household classes. Large nutrient input observed was by farmyard manure application and removal by crops harvested and their residues. Higher negative N and K balances were obtained in home gardens of less resource households and those with few (≤ 2) cattle, while positive P balances were obtained for home gardens across all household classes indicating less P-removal,. Positive NPK balances were obtained for households with more (>2) dairy cattle, but these were just a few representation of households. Hence, indicating the need to employ an integrated nutrient management approach using other nutrient sources, other than farmyard manure, in order to increase nutrients input and thereby increase and sustain banana yield.

Firstly, I would like to express my utmost gratitude to the Almighty God for His hand upon me all the time. His protection, wisdom, mercies and grace, I have seen. Indeed He is so faithful! My sincere appreciation goes to my supervisors Dr. Peter W. Mtakwa, Dr. Nyambilila Amuri and Dr. Godfrey Taulya for their unending support of my masters’ study and research work, for their patience, motivation, sacrificed time and immense knowledge. I was well guided in all the time of research and writing ...

Agronomy; Banana; Disease Control; Farming Systems; Food Security; Nutrition; Plant Breeding; Plant Production; Smallholder Farmers; Socioeconomy; Soil Fertility

Nutrition; Bananas; Farming Systems; Food Production; Economics; Farmers; Nutrient Deficiencies; Soil Fertility; Abiotic Stress

Africa; East Africa

Tanzania

Eastern Africa Hub