Malawi Journal of Science and Technology

Ex-situ conservation and domestication research; a nexus of hope for sustainable utilization of neglected and underutilized plant species in Malawi

Dickson Mgangathweni Mazibuko — 2024-05-08

Efforts to unearth the potentials inherent in traditionally important yet neglected underutilized plant species (NUPs) in Malawi have had varying scopes, successes, and shortfalls. Studies on NUPs have mainly focused on indigenous fruit trees with socioeconomic potential. Most published literature on NUPs in Malawi has been on domestication of wild fruits, an agenda spearheaded by ICRAF since the early 1990s. The focus on other plant groups such as indigenous vegetables, roots and tubers has been limited. Wild plants domestication is a key initiative for promotion of their utilization. However, with the existing threats to plant biodiversity, domestication needs to be mirrored with conservation. This review, which utilized literature obtained from various search engines, sought to catalogue research done to facilitate domestication for documented underutilized plants in Malawi. It has been noted that there is uneven and uncoordinated research focus. Most species documented as underutilized have not been scientifically assessed as a way of promoting their utilization. Research done so far has not led to full domestication, i.e., where a domesticated species is able to compete with existing crops, produce adequate and good quality yield, be profitable and requiring reduced inputs. There still exist research gaps that need to be bridged including cultural acceptability and development of robust germplasm to ease cultivation. Mainstreaming NUPs in R&D in Malawi and Ex situ conservation is suggested as an urgent strategy to ensure NUPs preservation as resource-demanding domestication efforts grind-on.

Groundwater Evaluation in a Rain-Fed Likangala Irrigation Scheme in Malawi

Grant Kuntumanji — 2024-05-08

The Likangala Irrigation Scheme in Malawi was constructed in 1969 along the coast of Lake Chilwa in Malawi, a saline inland basin lake. Water for irrigation comes from a heavily polluted river which also passes through urban and peri-urban areas of Zomba District. Overpopulation and water scarcity due to climate change have pushed people to have permanent residence within and around the scheme. Groundwater, through boreholes and shallow wells, is the only source of drinking water. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemistry of groundwater and evaluate its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes in the Lake Chilwa Basin. WSeven Boreholes and six shallow wells were sampled from the study area. The levels of the abundance of the major ions were found to be in the order Na > Ca > Mg > K and Cl > HCO₃ > CO₃ > SO₄ >NO₃ > F. The study results suggest that the groundwater for the study area is predominantly of sodium-bicarbonate type, due to both silicate weathering, cation exchange and agriculture influence. The Water Quality Index (WQI) showed that 61.5% of the groundwater samples were unsuitable for drinking. Based on irrigation quality index model, there was no sample belonging to a rejection category from irrigation. The study further revealed that 23% of the samples require caution to be used for irrigation. However, there is need for a further studies to examine the soil chemistry of the scheme to identify other crops suitable for the area, besides rice.

Effect of milking time and handling techniques on microbial quality and exposure assessment of cow’s fresh milk consumption in Lilongwe, Malawi

Albert Ngolombe — 2024-05-08

Fresh cow milk is both a source of food nutrients and income to humans. However, if improperly handled at milking stage, it can be a source of bacterial pathogens which threaten health of human beings. This study investigated the effect of milking time and handling techniques on microbial quality and exposure assessment of consumption, using 52 fresh cow milk and corresponding water samples at the LUANAR-NRC dairy farm. Total bacterial count (TBC) was used as an indicator of the microbial quality of the milk, normalized by log-transformation and expressed in coliform plate counts (CFU/ml) as means ± standard deviations. One-way ANOVA was used to identify and assess the possible predictors of TBC. A cross-sectional survey of consumers around the farm was conducted to assess exposure effect at raw consumption. The major bacterial isolates from the milk samples were Staphylococcus Spp. (38%) and E. coli (34%). Consistent with records of below standard pH values (6.072 ± .0285), morning milk samples registered higher mean bacterial counts (6.0867±1.9334 log CFU/ml) than the afternoon (2.2001±2.8732 log CFU/ml) batch. Furthermore, milking time and handling techniques, combined, significantly (p < 0.05) contributed to the presence of bacteria. Unlike milk handling (p > 0.05), milking time alone significantly contributed (p < 0.01) to the high proportions of bacterial counts. The significant effect of both milking time and handling on raw cow’s milk microbial quality calls for immediate actions along the dairy value chain to prevent the spread of foodborne diseases caused by bacterial hazards.

Evaluation of fuel subsidy removal policy on air quality: A case study on Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Chika Floyd Amaechi — 2024-05-08

There is a great deal of optimism that eliminating subsidies for fossil fuels will help to slow down climate change by discouraging the use of inefficient energy sources and leveling the playing field for renewable energy. This study aims to assess the effect of the fuel (Premium Motor Spirit) subsidy removal policy on air quality in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. Remote sensing with Google Earth Engine were employed to achieve the aim of this study. Data was collected two months before subsidy removal (April–May 2023) and after the ratification of the fuel subsidy removal policy (June–July 2023). Prior to the subsidy removal, the maximum and minimum concentration values of CO ranged from 0.0486 - 0.0415 mol/m² respectively which decreased to 0.0395 - 0.0333 mol/m2 after subsidy removal. The maximum and minimum concentration values for NO² ranged from 0.000125 - 0.0000597 mol/m², which decreased to 0.0000838 - 0.000051 mol/m² respectively. The maximum and minimum concentration values of aerosols ranged from 0.482 - 0.0456, which also decreased to -0.256 - (-0.728) respectively. A paired sample t-test revealed a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in CO and aerosols (p=0.033 and p=0.015, respectively). Furthermore, the study revealed that though NO₂ emissions decreased, this decline was not statistically significant (p= 0.368). The study findings suggests that the removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023 led to a significantly better air quality in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Using cleaner energy sources, public transport, and imposing tariffs on vehicles that are no longer safe for the road are some of the recommendations provided by this research.