Research Article
Plant Species Composition and Structure in Areas Impacted with Invasive Alien Plants (IAS) at Eastern Ridge Top of Duluti Lake Catchment Forest Reserve, Northern Tanzania
Canisius John Kayombo*
,
Godlove Deodatus Rwekaza
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, February 2026
Pages:
1-16
Received:
3 December 2025
Accepted:
2 January 2026
Published:
26 January 2026
Abstract: The eastern ridge of Duluti Lake Catchment Forest (DLCF) harbors high plant species diversity within the bush land and woodland. Concentric plots were established to analyze the existing plant species of the area. The recorded plant species were indicated for whether indigenous, alien, alien and invasive. Shannon Wiener Diversity index was applied to calculate diversity index of shrubs and trees. Trees and shrub densities were calculated. Herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees distribution were evaluated. During this study, a total of 113 herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees were recorded. The calculated Hꞌ for shrubs and trees ranged from ≤3.5 - ≥1.5 an implication of high diversity. The densest plant species was an alien invasive plant, Lantana camara L. indicating that the area is dominated by alien invasive plants. The eastern ridge of Duluti Lake Catchment Forest accommodates high plant species diversity that requires management. Further study is needed, control alien invasive plants, replace the existing alien plants with indigenous plants.
Abstract: The eastern ridge of Duluti Lake Catchment Forest (DLCF) harbors high plant species diversity within the bush land and woodland. Concentric plots were established to analyze the existing plant species of the area. The recorded plant species were indicated for whether indigenous, alien, alien and invasive. Shannon Wiener Diversity index was applied ...
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Research Article
Variability Studies in Landraces and Improved Rice
(Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm for Yield and Quality Traits
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, February 2026
Pages:
17-37
Received:
5 January 2026
Accepted:
15 January 2026
Published:
30 January 2026
Abstract: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple foods crops whose demand is increasing mainly due to population growth and urbanization. It is ranked first in most Asian countries and second to maize in Malawi. The aim of the current study was to determine variability in local landraces and elite rice germplasm using agro-morphological traits in order to identify and document superior germplasm for conservation and use in further breeding programmes. The experiment was conducted at Lifuwu Agricultural Research Station - Experimental Fields during the 2024/2025 rainy season in Alpha Latic Design (ALD), with three replications and each plot comprised a dimension of 5 m x 0.4 m, length and width, respectively. The number of days to reach physiological maturity ranged from 119 days (G102, G154) to 158 days (G2), while milling recovery was from 57% to 75%. and top- ten highest yielding entries (G17, G127, G14, G130, G175, G171, G132, G119, G16, and G19) produced grain yields ranging from 7396 to 8121 kg/ha, highlighting their potential candidature for breeding and genetic improvement programs. The Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) performed using GenStat 19th Edition produced six main clusters such that cluster 1 comprised 66 germplasm and cluster 6 had 8 germplasm, suggesting germplasm variability, ideal for broad spectrum breeding and least populated lines; respectively. This study has a huge contribution to rice improvement goals in identifying and documenting diverse superior germplasm which could be directly adopted by rice growers after advancement or used in further breeding programs.
Abstract: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple foods crops whose demand is increasing mainly due to population growth and urbanization. It is ranked first in most Asian countries and second to maize in Malawi. The aim of the current study was to determine variability in local landraces and elite rice germplasm using agro-morphological t...
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