ABSTRACT In Ghana approximately 318,000 ha of arable land in the Volta region is affected by salt and excess sodium. This aspect of chemical land degradation has adversely affected agricultural productivity in this part of the country. The application of gypsum (CaS04 (2H2O)) to soils affected by salt is widely used because it is easy to apply, easy to acquire and economical. It is against this background that the physico-chemical properties and agronomic performance of NERICA L19 rice was i...
ABSTRACT The amendment of oil-contaminated soils with nutrient elements, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, is a crucial factor for the enhancement of the growth of the indigenous microbes involved in the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons. The present study investigated the(i) effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on diesel oil degradation in four Ghanaian soils, Beach sand (Haplic Arenosol), Toje series (Rhodic Kandiustalfs), Nyankpala series (Plinthic Lixisol), and Oda series (Eutric G...
In Nigeria, high cost of Domestic Energy (DE) has put untold hardship on households. Coping strategy is therefore imperative to meet household domestic cooking and heating needs. Investigating evolving strategies would better inform DE experts and policy makers. This study was therefore designed to investigate strategies devised by households in Northeastern Nigeria for coping with the escalating prices of DE. The domestic energy types considered in the study include Liquefied Natural Ga...
ABSTRA CT Okro is an important crop in the diet o f many Ghanaians and the economy o f Ghana. Fresh okro contains some amount o f protein, carbohydrates, vitamins A and C w ith traces o f B vitamins, as well as calcium phosphorus and iron. The problems o f removal o f subsidies on agricultural inputs, poor market price o f fresh okro, and nematode problem had resulted in low net income from fresh okro enterprise. Although Ghana has a high potential o f producing both fresh and seed okro, m os...
ABSTRACT The use of atrazine (1-Chloro-3-ethylamino-5-isopropylamino-2, 4, 6-triazine) and paraquat (1, 1’-Dimethyl-4, 4’-bipyridinium dichloride) as alternatives to manual or mechanical weeding in the developing world is becoming inevitable. The frequent application of these two pesticides has led to contamination of soils with dire attendant environmental consequences.A study was therefore, conducted to evaluaate the ability of cocoa and rice husk-derived biochar types to enhance the re...
ABSTRACT Cassava farmers in the district have a variety of information needs; however, these information requirements are unmet by the public extension agents who are mandated to deliver agricultural information to the farmers. The main objective of the study was therefore to determine the sources of agricultural information available and its influence on the farm practices and livelihood outcomes of the cassava farmers in the district. The survey research methodology was employed, and used m...
ABSTRACT Agriculture in the Jasikan District in recent times is predominantly based on arable crop production, using traditional slash and burn techniques, which encourages extensification. There is the need for the development of sustainable agricultural practices that will not require new land but could still be incorporated into the farm business and be a source of income for farmers. Beekeeping has been identified as one such sustainable agricultural practice in the district. Unfortunatel...
Use of single soil specific extractants to determine plant available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium for crops such as bell pepper, are costly, laborious and time wasting. Bell pepper, rich in antioxidants, requires phosphorus and potassium for high quality fruit yield. Mehlich-3 (M3), a multi-purpose extractant could extract phosphorus and potassium simultaneously. However, M3 has not been evaluated and adapted for Nigerian soils. Therefore, M3 as a multi-purpose extractant of P a...
Inorganic feed additives are commonly used in small ruminant production to promote growth. However, the problem of bioaccumulation of chemical residues in animals fed inorganic feed additives has necessitated the search for organic alternatives such as Fossil Shell Flour (FSF). There is dearth of information on the use of fossil shell flour as a feed additive in the diet of small ruminants. Hence, growth performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep fed diets supplemented with FSF were i...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate the agroforestry technology adoption and its effect on farmers’ crop productivity in the Bawku West, Talensi and Nabdam Districts of the Upper East Region of Ghana. Three hundred farmers from six communities within the study area were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The study employed descriptive statistics in identifying the types of agroforestry technologies adopted by farmers. A five point likert scale was employed to ass...
Pepper a perishable seasonal fruit, requires storage to extend its shelf-life. Appropriate postharvest handling and storage prolong longevity and preserve quality of Pepper Fruit (PF). However, there is dearth of information on its handling and storage in Southwest Nigeria. Therefore, the effects of postharvest handling methods and storage conditions on storability of PF were investigated. Two hundred Pepper Fruit Marketers (PFM) were randomly selected from pepper markets in Ibadan, Oyo...
Spermatozoon apoptosis in extended semen is a challenge to artificial insemination in poultry production. Chicken spermatozoa undergo damages in vitro due to lipid peroxidation among other factors. Extender supplementation with exogenous antioxidants could mitigate lipid peroxidation and improve semen quality. However, inclusion of antioxidants such as selenium and α-tocopherol in semen extender to improve quality of sperm cells has not been adequately documented. Therefore, effects of ...
ABSTRACT Pearl millet is a major food crop in the northern part of Nigeria. However, its production has been constrained due to several factors, among them is Striga hermonthica. To understand pearl millet farmers’ varietal preference traits, production constraints and knowledge of Striga infestation, a participatory rural appraisal was conducted across six districts in three local government areas of Jigawa State in Nigeria. Data were sourced using a semi-structured questionnaire among 143...
ABSTRACT The main objective of the study was to determine if there were differential barriers to entry into dry season farming in the Kassena Nankana East and Bongo Districts of the Upper East Region of Ghana and if so, how this affects participation and to what outcome. The types of barriers identified as important from the literature were categorized into economic, institutional, technical and socio- cultural barriers. The research design was a case study and used both quantitative ...
ABSTRACT The biological activity of neem oil and neemazal against the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) was assessed in maize grain in the laboratory. The bioassays carried out were toxicity of the products against adults and immature stages, effect of the products on progeny production, damage assessment, repellent action and persistency of the products in grain and their effect on seed viability. Neemazal was highly toxic to P. truncatus than neem oil. The highest dosage of ...