Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

This section develops effective and affordableintegrated management strategies that minimize the effects of pests and diseases on Sugarcane productionthat are safe for human health and the environment

SUB-SECTIONS:PATHOLOGY (diseases), NEMATOLOGY (nematodes) and ENTOMOLOGY (insects)

FUNCTIONS:

1.  Planningresearch activities on sugarcane pests’surveillance and diagnostics, and developeffective IPM practices

2.  Ensuring effective and efficient execution of research according to research plans.

3.  Conducting demand driven research in the area of sugarcane pests’ management.

4.  Disseminating pest management technologiesfor effective adoption by extension services, farmers and other stakeholders.

5.  Updating inventories of ongoing and completed research projects related to the section and incorporation into national database.

6.  Collaborating with other institutions to ensure regularcommunication and participation in related activities regionally and globally.

7.  Providing consultancy/advisory services in the area of crop protection. 

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:

BIOLOGY and ECOLOGY:

·         Investigation of the biology and ecology of the primary pathogens and pests (including nematodes) of sugarcane.

·         Assessment of the impact on crop yield of the primary and emerging pathogens and pests (including nematodes) in sugarcane.

·         Development of integrated management tactics for the major pathogens and pests (including nematodes) of sugarcane.

CULTURAL PRACTICES:

Developing cost-effective technologies that permit the establishment of sugarcane agro-ecological environments in which pathogens and pests (including nematodes) are suppressed to low levels;

Several complementary habitat management technologies are considered, including:

·         Push-pull technology

·         Crop husbandry(crop rotation, use of fallow crops and crop residue management)

·         Predators, Parasitoid and entomopathogens release.

AGROCHEMICALS:

Investigations on the development of effective pathogen and pest (including nematodes) suppressing agents that is agriculturally, environmentally, ecologically and economically sustainable.

LIST OF RESEARCHES:

A: PATHOLOGY SECTION

1. Quantitative and monetary losses of sugarcane varieties caused by smut disease in Tanzania (3 years). Dr. Chuwa, C., Masunga, M. and Mwasinga, G.

2. Surveillance and diagnosis of sugarcane diseases in Tanzania (On going). Masunga, M. and Dr. Chuwa, C.,

B: NEMATOLOGY SECTION

1.  Pathogenicity study to assess response of sugarcane varieties towards infestation of pratylenchus sp (3 years). Kashando, B., Mbaga, J., Polini, R and Dr. Luambano, N.

2. Establishing suitable integrated nematode management method for plant parasitic nematodes affecting sugarcane in Tanzania (3 years). Kashando, B., Mbaga, J., Polini, R and Dr. Luambano, N.

3. Evaluation of local entomopathogenic nematodes effective for management of white grab in sugarcane production in Tanzania (3 years). Kashando, B., Nguvu, G., Kabissa, J. and Dr. Luambano, N.

C: ENTOMOLOGY SECTION

1. Study of seasonal insect population fluctuations influenced by weather changes and crop management practices in all estates and out grower’s fields (On going). Nguvu, G., Kabissa, J., Dr. Mlyashimbi, E. and Urassa, F.

2. Combating the losses caused by emerging insect pest (Yellow Sugarcane Aphids) through its behaviour and effective management practices in Tanzania (3 years). Kabissa, J., Nguvu, G., Dr. Mlyashimbi, E. and Urassa, F.

3. Combining efficacy of entomopathogens and insecticides in controlling stalk borers, white scale insects and white grubs in sugarcane (3 years). Dr. Mlyashimbi E., Kabissa, J., Nguvu, G., and Urassa, F.