Long-term greenhouse experiments with corn (Zea mays) established that uptake of Fe from nutrient solutions may be significantly enhanced by increasing the supply of potassium. A mechanism was proposed to describe how uptake of macronutrient ions may in turn influence availability and uptake of Fe and other elements from their chelated and sparingly soluble compounds. It was hypothesized that since differential accumulation of cations is accompanied by a net release of H ions, and excess anio...
ABSTRACT The study was carried out at the University of Ghana Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre (FOHCREC), Kade from 2008 to 2012. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of coconut water (CW) alone or in combination with varying concentrations of auxin (IAA) on axillary bud initiation, growth and development of plantain (cv. Asamienu). In the first experiment, coconut water from fully matured dried fruits was supplemented with three different IAA concentrations...
ABSTRACT This study was carried out in some parts of the Northern and Upper East regions of Ghana with the objective of identifying the traditional soil conservation options available to farmers in the area. The study subsequently assessed the economics of the use of stone bunds as a conservation technology. To achieve the above objectives structured questionnaires were administered in selected villages from the East and West Mamprusi districts in the Northern region and the Bolgatanga distr...
ABSTRACT The high cost and increasing disposal problems associated with polyethylene mulch and greater availability of organic mulches prompted an investigation into the effects of organic mulches on growth and yield of sweet pepper at the University of Ghana Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre, Okumaning near Kade. Two field experiments were conducted in the raining season, that is from July, 2012 to December, 2012 and in the dry season from December, 2012 to March, 2013. In ...
ABSTRACT Cocoa production is very critical to the livelihood and survival of many smallholder farmers in Ghana. However, one of the challenges of the sector is low yields which is partly attributed to the widespread presence of old cocoa trees. It is therefore imperative to provide solutions to improve yield, of which the side grafting technology is a proven method. The study assesses Farmers’ Willingness to Pay for Cocoa Grafting in the Eastern region of Ghana. The research sought to find...
ABSTRACT Smallholder farmers in Ghana are confronted with the problem of low crop yields as a result of their lack of access to agricultural productive resources. Smallholder farmers within the Dangme East and Dangme West districts are no exception. The objective of this study was to examine the socio-economic and institutional factors that influence smallholder farmers‘ access to productive resources. Data was collected from 150 respondents who were selected from the Dangme East and Dangm...
ABSTRACT The analysis of women’s entrepreneurship role in agricultural value chains could help policy address challenges that women particularly face in agribusiness. Though oil palm provides several value added products, this study analysed the role of women in the oil palm value chain with particular reference to palm oil in the Akyemansa District and Birim Central Municipality in the Eastern Region. In this study, both women and men are entrepreneurs seeking to maximise profit from their...
ABSTRACT Three experiments were carried out at the university of Ghana Agricultural Research Station, Legon, from November, 1999 to November, 2000, to assess field establishment and seed yield of five forage crops at various harvest periods and how their germination can be enhanced to improve pasture production in the country. The studies also examined the influence of storage of the seeds at room temperature, fridge and cold room and duration of storage on seed viability. High seed yields w...
ABSTRACT The efficacy of Spent Brewery Grain of Pito (SBGP) and Brukutu (SBGB), used as sources of protein baits, were compared with two standard products - SUCCESS Appat (GF-120) and Great Fruit Fly Bait (GFFB)) as attractants in the field for the management of fruit flies in four mango farms in the Coastal Savanna ecological zone (Christian Farms, Adom Farms, Prosper and Boko Farms). Five plots (SBGP, SBGB, GF-120, GFFB and Control) were set up in each farm, with a total of 20 plots used f...
Abstract Most Apex Farmer Organisations continually state as part of their mission and objectives that they exist to “represent farmers’ interests and give farmers a voice”; however, most farmers’ have not benefitted much from these Apex Farmer Organisations. The study was structured to assess the representational capacity of three Apex Farmer Organisations in Ghana: Apex Farmer Organisation of Ghana (ApFOG), Ghana Cocoa Coffee Sheanut Farmers’ Association (GCCSFA) and Peasant Far...
ABSTRACT The study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 was to assess the handling and management of watermelon along the value chain in the Ada-East district of Ghana. One hundred open and close ended questionnaires were administered to farmers and dealers of watermelon. From the study, it was observed that the value chain of watermelon starts from land preparation and ends at the point it gets to the final consumer. The key players along the chain were identified to be farmers, dealers (tr...
ABSTRACT Studies were undertaken to identify the constraints to increase sweetpotato utilization in Ghana and to develop end-user preferred varieties that would increase utilization in Ghana and beyond. A survey was conducted using Focus Group Discussion (FGD) followed by administration of Semi-Structured Questionnaire. This was done in some selected communities in Ghana where sweetpotato is popular in February 2012. Sweetpotato germplasm was also collected from farmers’ field in these area...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate energy and protein feedstuffs for poultry. Proximate composition was estimated and metabolizable energy also investigated in experiments I and II respectively. Sorghum and Soybean oil meal were also evaluated as main energy and protein sources replacing maize and fish meal respectively for broilers in experiment III. Experiment III was conducted as a 3x3 factorial in a randomized complete block design with three replicates (blocks). There were thr...
ABSTRACT Xylopia aethiopica (African pepper) and Monodora myristica (African nutmeg) are used as spices in Ghanaian local dishes and as traditional medicine. The objective of this study was to substitute two spices in “normal” fresh pork sausage formulation with selected local spices and evaluate their effect on sensory and microbiological characteristics of the product. A 4x4 factorial design was used with 4 spice treatments (Control – Syzygium Gaertner (clove), Allium cepa (onion), Pi...
ABSTRACT The high cost and increasing disposal problems associated with polyethylene mulch and greater availability of organic mulches prompted an investigation into the effects of organic mulches on growth and yield of sweet pepper at the University of Ghana Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre, Okumaning near Kade. Two field experiments were conducted in the raining season, that ...