Research Article
Comparative Study of Population Dynamics and Breeding Patterns of Mastomys natalensis in System Rice Intensification (SRI) and Conventional Rice Production in Irrigated Rice Ecosystems in Tanzania
| Loth Mulungu S1*, Happy Lopa2 and Mashaka Mdangi E3,4 | |
| 1Pest Management Centre, Sokoine University of Agriculture, PO Box 3110 Morogoro, Tanzania | |
| 2Rodent Control Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, P.O. Box 3047 Morogoro, Tanzania | |
| 3MATI-Ilonga, P.O. Box 66, Kilosa, Tanzania | |
| 4Crop Science and Production, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3005, Morogoro, Tanzania | |
| *Corresponding Author : | Loth Mulungu S Pest Management Centre Sokoine University of Agriculture PO Box 3110 Morogoro, Tanzania Tel: 255 752 119341 E-mail: lothmulungu@yahoo.co.uk |
| Received: December 14, 2015; Accepted: January 02, 2016; Published: January 07, 2016 | |
| Citation: Loth Mulungu S, Lopa H, Mashaka Mdangi E (2016) Comparative Study of Population Dynamics and Breeding Patterns of Mastomys Natalensis in System Rice Intensification (SRI) and Conventional Rice Production in Irrigated Rice Ecosystems in Tanzania. J Rice Res 4:161. doi:10.4172/2375-4338.1000161 | |
| Copyright: © 2016 Loth Mulungu S, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. |
|
| Related article at , | |
Abstract
Mastomys natalensis is among the most important rodent pests in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated the population dynamics and breeding patterns of this mouse in system rice intensification (SRI) and in conventional cropping systems in irrigated rice ecosystem in eastern Tanzania. The Mastomys natalensis population varied with years and season, but not with either SRI or conventional cropping system which would be expected as the all fields are in the same area. The highest population peak was observed during the dry season i.e., August to September. Breeding patterns of this rodent pest was not influenced by the cropping system or season, indicating that M. natalensis is sexually active throughout the year and does not be affected by the rice production systems. Regular control and sustainable operations, such as the use trap barrier system (TBS), are therefore essential if the populations are to be kept within tolerable limits.
