University of Zimbabwe

About: University of Zimbabwe is a education organization based out in Harare, Harare, Zimbabwe. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The organization has 4378 authors who have published 6800 publications receiving 160720 citations. The organization is also known as: UZ & University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Cotton–cowpea intercropping and its N2 fixation capacity improves yield of a subsequent maize crop under Zimbabwean rain-fed conditions

Abstract: Intercropping cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is one of the ways to improve food security and soil fertility whilst generating cash income of the rural poor. A study was carried out to find out the effect of cotton–cowpea intercropping on cowpea N2-fixation capacity, nitrogen balance and yield of a subsequent maize crop. Results showed that cowpea suppressed cotton yields but the reduction in yield was compensated for by cowpea grain yield. Cowpea grain yield was significantly different across treatments and the yields were as follows: sole cowpea (1.6 Mg ha−1), 1:1 intercrop (1.1 Mg ha−1), and 2:1 intercrop (0.7 Mg ha−1). Cotton lint yield was also significantly different across treatments and was sole cotton (2.5 Mg ha−1), 1:1 intercrop (0.9 Mg ha−1) and 2:1 intercrop (1.5 Mg ha−1). Intercropping cotton and cowpea increased the productivity with land equivalence ratios (LER) of 1.4 and 1.3 for 1:1 and 2:1 intercrop treatments, respectively. There was an increase in percentage of N fixation (%Ndfa) by cowpea in intercrops as compared to sole crops though the absolute amount fixed (Ndfa) was lower due to reduced plant population. Sole cowpea had %Ndfa of 73%, 1:1 intercrop had 85% and 2:1 intercrop had 77% while Ndfa was 138 kg ha−1 for sole cowpea, 128 kg ha−1 for 1:1 intercrop and 68 kg ha−1 for 2:1 intercrop and these were significantly different. Sole cowpea and the intercrops all showed positive N balances of 92 kg ha−1 for sole cowpea and 1:1 intercrop, and 48 kg ha−1 for 2:1 intercrop. Cowpea fixed N transferred to the companion cotton crop was very low with 1:1 intercrop recording 3.5 kg N ha−1 and 2:1 intercrop recording 0.5 kg N ha−1. Crop residues from intercrops and sole cowpea increased maize yields more than residues from sole cotton. Maize grain yield was, after sole cotton (1.4 Mg ha−1), sole cowpea (4.6 Mg ha−1), 1:1 intercrops (4.4 Mg ha−1) and 2:1 intercrops (3.9 Mg ha−1) and these were significantly different from each other. The LER, crop yields, %N fixation and, N balance and residual fertility showed that cotton–cowpea intercropping could be a potentially productive system that can easily fit into the current smallholder farming systems under rain-fed conditions. The fertilizer equivalency values show that substantial benefits do accrue and effort should be directed at maximizing the dry matter yield of the legume in the intercrop system while maintaining or improving the economic yield of the companion cash crop.

Uncontrolled hypertension among hypertensive patients on treatment in Lupane District, Zimbabwe, 2012

Abstract: More than half of hypertensive patients reviewed at Lupane District Hospital during the first half of 2011 had uncontrolled hypertension. This prompted an investigation on the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension and associated factors among hypertensives on treatment. Analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Three hundred fifty-four consenting participants were consecutively selected from eligible hypertensive patients on treatment attending the outpatients department at Lupane District Hospital for their reviews. An interviewer administered questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization was used to collect data on risk factors. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were taken as per World Health Organization guidelines. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure of ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure of ≥90 mmHg in a patient taking anti-hypertensive medication. Mean systolic BP was 151.0 mmHg and mean diastolic BP was 92.6 mmHg. Prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was (238) 67.2%. Independent risk factors for uncontrolled hypertension were obesity (AOR 3.28, 95% CI 1.39-7.75) and adding salt to food at the table (AOR 2.77, 95% CI 1.41-5.43) whilst being compliant with the drug treatment regimen (AOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.16-0.72) and having received health education on hypertension (AOR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25- 0.97) were protective against uncontrolled hypertension. There prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension is high despite all the participants being on treatment. The findings suggest that interventions at the patient, the provider and the health delivery system are needed to improve hypertension control in Lupane, Zimbabwe.

Climate change and variability: smallholder farming communities in Zimbabwe portray a varied understanding.

Abstract: Increasing awareness of risks associated with climate change and variability among smallholder farmers is critical in building their capacity to develop the necessary adaptive measures. Using farmer participatory research approaches and formal questionnaire surveys, interaction has been made with >800 farmers in two distinct smallholder farming systems of Makoni and Wedza Districts in eastern Zimbabwe to determine the current level of understanding of climate change and variability, current responses to perceived changes, as well as identify sources of agro-meteorological information. The results indicated that farmers portrayed a varied understanding both within and across the study sites. While poor rainfall distribution was seen as the major indicator for climate change by over two-thirds of the respondents in both sites, more farmers in Makoni attributed delay in onset of rains, high incidences of flush floods and unpredictable ‘wind movements’ yielding cyclones to climate change. In Wedza, it was recurrent droughts, winter and summer temperature extremes, and increased pest and disease incidences for both crops and livestock that indicated climate change. Perceived changes were linked more to natural and human forces (Makoni), unknown forces as well as breakdown in cultural norms and beliefs and rise of Christianity (Wedza). Disparities between the two sites could be attributed to the inherent differences of the communities in terms to their social settings. The national extension, Agritex, was ranked first by 50-60% of the farmers as major source of weather information. Electronic media (radio and television) ranked second with 47% of farmers in Makoni and 35% in Wedza. Concerns were raised over inadequacies of such information, apparent lack of reliability, timing and frequency of dissemination that directly influenced the utilisation of the information. Common coping strategies included early planting which was the more prevalent in Makoni, while combinations of cereals and legumes were a preferred solution in Wedza. We concluded that farmers’ interaction with various information sources and knowledge sharing platforms needs to be enhanced in order to deepen their understanding as well as increase their capacity to respond to pressures of climate variability and change.