Assessment of the Status of Microelements in the Selected ERPP Irrigation Schemes in Unguja and Pemba Islands, Zanzibar

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the status of microelements in the selected expanding rice production project irrigation schemes in Unguja and Pemba Islands, Zanzibar Study Design: Standard grid soil survey Place and Duration of Study: Unguja and Pemba Isles Zanzibar during October and December, 2017. Methodology: Detailed soil survey at a scale of 1:10,000 was conducted using pedogeomorphic approach from which composite soil samples were collected at a depth of 0 -30 cm. Each mapping unit had a representative profile around which soil samples were collected at a radius of 20 -30 m for microelements investigation. Results: Results showed that the status of micronutrients (Fe, Zn and Mn) in the selected irrigation schemes varied (P ≤ 0.05) with schemes and their respective mapping units, although in some cases, variations were not significant (P ≤ 0.05). In Unguja and Pemba irrigation schemes, there