Improving bambara groundnut productivity using gamma irradiation and in vitro techniques

In recent times efforts are being made to improve the productivity of bambara groundnut. Studies were initiated (i) to characterise and evaluate landraces and to select superior ones for irradiation, (ii) to induce genetic variation through gamma irradiation and (iii) to use biotechnological approaches to shorten the generation cycle. The results of the study indicated that gamma irradiation induced higher genetic variation of up to four times within the varieties used in the study compared to the unirradiated control. Bambara groundnut yield could be increased through selection for number of pods per plant. Using the in vitro plus in vivo system and embryo axis explants, over four generations per year were obtained compared to 1 or 2 in the field. All the plants were morphologically normal and fertile. The shorter duration, high efficiency and genotype independency makes this system well suited for wider biotechnological applications in bambara groundnut. This novel approach is being applied to the variants/mutants obtained from gamma irradiation. Key words: Gamma irradiation; generation cycle; genetic variation; Vigna subterranean. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.3(5) 2004: 260-26

Biodiversity loss in Ghana: The human factor

AbstractBiodiversity is the total variability observed in species of all living organisms in relation to their habitats.  It deals with all microorganisms, plants and animals.  Loss of biodiversity in Ghana is due to human activities and other environmental factors.  The country loses a great proportion of its biodiversity, due mainly to unacceptable practices like slash and burn agriculture, surface mining, construction activities and bushfires.  Various conservation measures practiced in Ghana have been discussed.  These include forest reserves, botanical gardens, arboreta, gene banks, home gardens and wildlife protected areas.  The educational and environmental significance of these conservation strategies have been discussed.Subject review article. Received 04 Feb 14; revised 03 Aug 15

Determination of some mineral components of wowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) Using instrumental neutron activation analysis.

Some mineral elements in the seeds of the cowpea were determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis. The cowpea cultivars were made up of improved varieties (Soronko, Gbeho, Ayiyi, Asontem, Asontem1, Bengpla, Asetenapa and Adom), farmers’ accessions (87/7, 87/1, 87/27, 87/147, 87/34, 87/49, 87/83, 87/157, 87/149, 87/30, 87/153, 96/046, 87/137, 96/129, BTB 96/091, OAA 96/30, BTB 96/054), and experimental materials (IT870-677-2, Caroni, Kaase Market, 1977 and 1239). A total of 14 elements (Al, Ca, Mg, V, Mn, Br, Cl, K, Na, Zn, Cu, Ta, Si andIn) were detected in the seeds of the 30 cowpea cultivars. Five of the elements (Na, K, Mg, Ca and Cl) identified are classified as major elements in the human body, while four (Mn, Zn, V, Si, Cu and I) are trace elements. The major elements K, Na, Ca, Mg and Cl were detected in high concentration in cultivars 96/129, 87/137, Ayiyi, 87/34 and 87/49, respectively. The trace elements Mn, Zn, V, Si, Cu and Al were detected in high concentration in cultivars 87/34, 87/27, 87/34, Bengpla, 87/34 and 87/34, respectively. From the results the following accessions could beselected and incorporated into a cowpea mineral nutritional improvement programme: 96/129, 87/137, Ayiyi, 87/34, 87/49 and 87/27. The presence of the five major elements and the trace elements indicates that cowpea has a rich source of mineral elements and, therefore, can be used to improve the diet of both humans and livestock

Variation in contents of crude protein and mineral elements in 32 cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) accessions in Ghana

Thirty-two cowpea accessions were studied for variation in contents of protein and mineral nutrients (calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium). Cowpea flour from 40 wholesome dried seeds of each accession was used for the analysis. The wet oxidation method was used to determine the content of mineral nutrients. Nitrogen content was determined by the Kjeldahl procedure. Protein content ranged from 16.35 to 27.27 per cent. Sodium content ranged from 90.53 to 91.30 ppm, and potassium content from 30.33 to 71.30 ppm. Similarly, values for magnesium and calcium ranged from 146.73 to 968.20 ppm and from 43.33 to 171.20 ppm, respectively. Percent crude protein correlated significantly positively with sodium and negatively with calcium. Magnesium was correlated significantly with potassium. Black seeds generally recorded the highest percent crude protein on the average, while cream seeds had the highest magnesium and calcium contents, respectively. Trente-deux accessions de dolique étaient étudiées pour la variation en teneurs de protéines et de nutriments minérales (le calcium). La farine de dolique de quarante graines saines séchés de chaque accession était utilisée pour l'analyse. La détermination de nutriments minérales était par la méthode d'oxydation humide. La teneur d'azote était déterminée par la procédure de Kjeldahl. Teneur de protéine variait entre 16.35 et 27.27 %. La teneur de sodium variait entre 90.53 et 91.30 ppm, la teneur de potassium variait entre 30.33 et 71.30 ppm. De la même façon les valeurs pour le magnésium et le calcium variaient respectivement entre 146.73 et 98.20 ppm et entre 43.33 et 171.20 ppm. Le pourcentage de protéine brute corrélait considérablement positivement avec sodium en négativement avec calcium. Le magnésium était corrélé considérablement avec le potassium. Les graines colorées noires enregistraient en général le plus élevé du pourcentage de protéine brute en moyenne, alors que les graines colorées crèmes avaient les teneurs de magnésium et de calcium les plus élevées respectivement. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 39 (1) 2006: pp. 83-8

Chemical composition of groundnut, Arachis hypogaea (L) landraces

Groundnut production and utilization in Ghana has tripled in the last decade due to its high nutritive value and the number of uses it can be put into. The chemical quality of seeds of Ghanaian groundnutare different from those of other countries, however, no previous studies has been done. This study was initiated to examine the nutritional quality of 20 groundnut varieties grown in Ghana. Dry samples wereexamined for oil content, crude protein, total carbohydrate, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, copper, iron and manganese. Results from these analyses showed significant variation betweenthe parameters measured. Virginia cultivars which belong to subspecies hypogaea had higher oil content (49.7%) than the Spanish and Valencia market types, which belong to subspecies fastigiata (47.3%). The mean protein content of subspecies fastigiata was however higher (25.69%) than subspecies hypogaea (22.78%). The mineral elements examined were substantial in reducing malnutrition especially in young and growing children. Broni fufuo, a Spanish market type had thehighest crude protein content (30.53%) and the least oil content (33.60%) and is idea for products which require more protein and less oil. Substantial genetic variability exists for chemical composition andnutritional traits which could be utilised for various food preparations and selection for breeding purpose

Causes of differences in seed quality among cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) cultivars

Three cowpea cultivars differing in seed coat colour, IT83S-818 (white, black-eye), TVX 2724-01F (brown) and IT82D-32 (dark brown), were aged using the controlled deterioration method (20% seed moisture content and incubated at 40 oC) for 0, 1, 2 and 4 days. Time to 50 per cent germination (t50) and final germination percentage were determined to assess the vigour differences that exist among these cultivars. In unaged seeds, the white cultivar germinated quicker than the pigmented cultivars as a result of the characteristically higher rate of water uptake, which enhanced rapid hydration of the embryonic cells for quicker germination. When ageing progressed, however, the white cultivar germinated more slowly with a lower final germination percentage since the embryonic cells possibly became weaker and leaky leading to reduced vigour and eventually, loss of germinability. In contrast, the pigmented cultivars germinated more slowly before seeds were aged due to their slower rates of water uptake; germination became quicker as ageing progressed due to increasing softening of the seed coats. Thus, the pigmented cultivars showed decreases in the time to 50 per cent germination during ageing. They, however, retained high germination percentages throughout the ageing period, which is an indication of high vigour. These three cultivars, together with two other unpigmented cultivars, IT81D-1137 (white) and TVX 3236 (cream and brown) were subsequently examined for the incidence of disease pathogens. It was observed that the unpigmented cultivars had higher levels of the importasnt seed pathogens such as Fusarium species and Aspergillus flavus which cause reduction in germination. These seeds also showed susceptibility to mechanical damage caused by hand-beating of dry pods in sacs. These differences in behaviour between the two groups of cowpea cultivars, pigmented and unpigmented, were attributed to differences in tannin and lignin contents in their seed coats

Manure characteristics of small ruminants fed agro by-products in the guinea savannah agro-ecological zone of Ghana

A 90 day study on evaluating quantity and quality of manure from small ruminants in the Guinea Savannah agro-ecological zone of Ghana was conducted. 36 goats and 36 sheep were random­ly allotted to three dietary treatments - Basal diets of maize stover, cassava and yam peels as Treatment one (T1), T1 supplemented with cowpea residues as Treatment two (T2) and T1 supplemented with groundnut residues as Treatment three (T3) in a randomized complete block design. Feed composition and intake and manure characteristics were assessed and data ana­lyzed statistically using Generalized Linear Model procedures of SAS at 5% significance level. The Chemical composition of feed resources ranged from 3.2-17.3% crude protein, 82-97.2% organic matter and 2.8-18% ash. Total feed intake ranged from 519.55-659.72 g/day and 331.84-420.17 g/day for sheep and goats respectively. Sheep manure weighed 319.17-423.33 g/day and contained 20.74-29.01% carbon, 1.87-2.32% nitrogen, 0.77-3.00 potassium, 9.52-26.50% ash, 0.44-0.77 pH and C:N ratio of 10.98-15.53. Goat manure weighed 178.67-216.17 g/day with 19.58-30.61%, 1.56-2.21% nitrogen, 0.82-2.33% potassium, 10.75-19.80% ash, 0.37-1.47 pH and C:N ratio of 9.49-19.92. Results indicated that manure from small ruminants could serve as alternative source of fertilizer in Ghana since its characteristics compare well with chemical fertilizers. Keywords: sheep; goats; feed resources; manure; fertilizer

Adoption of improved cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) technologies in Ghana

The Ghana Grains Development Project has developed and disseminated improved cowpea production technologies to farmers in Ghana since 1985. These technologies were improved varieties, row planting, and the use of pre- and post-flowering insecticides. To assess the extent of adoption of these technologies by farmers, eight cowpea production districts were surveyed across four agro-ecological zones in 1995 in Ghana. A random sample of 313 cowpea farmers participated in the survey. Results indicated that 70 per cent used recommended pre-flowering insecticides, and 26 per cent adopted post-flowering insecticides across the ecological zones. The highest adoption rate for improved varieties was observed in the Forest Zone (97 %). The adoption of row planting was highest in the Forest Zone (100 %), followed by the Guinea Savanna Zone (92 %), and lowest in the Coastal Savanna Zone (58 %). Most farmers agreed that by adopting improved production technologies, their yields and overall production increased, and they made more profit from cowpea cultivation.The whole family participates in various activities associated with cowpea production. However, men do strenuous work like land preparation, weeding and spraying of insecticides, while women and children participate in less strenuous work such as planting, harvesting and threshing. Le Project de Développement des Grains du Ghana a developpé et disséminé les technologies de la production de dolique amélioré aux cultivateurs au Ghana depuis 1985. Ces technologies étaient les variétés améliorées, la culture en lignes et usage d'insecticides avant et après la floraison. Pour évaluer le degré d'adoption de ces technologies par les cultivateurs, un sondage a été entrepris en 1995 en 8 districts de production de dolique à travers quatre zones agro-écologique au Ghana. Un échantillon pris au hasard de 313 cultivateurs de dolique participaient au sondage. Les résultats indiquaient que 70% utilisaient les insecticides d'avant floraison recommandés et 26% adoptaient les insecticides d'après floraison à travers les zones écologiques. La proportion d'adoption la plus élevée pour les variétés améliorées était observée dans la zone forestière (97 %). L'adoption de la culture en lignes est la plus élevée dans la zone forestière (100 %) et suivi par la zone savane-guinéenne (92 %) et la plus faible dans la zone savane-littorale (58 %). La plupart de cultivateurs étaient du même avis que par l'adoption des technologies de production améliorée, leur rendements et la production globale augmentaient, et ils avaient tiré plus de bénéfice de la production de dolique. Toute la famille participent aux activités différentes liées à la production de dolique. Cependant le travail ardu tel que la préparation de terre, le désherbage et la pulvérisation d'insecticide sont faites par les hommes alors que les femmes et les enfants participent aux travaux moins ardus tels que la plantation, la moisson et la battage. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 39 (1) 2006: pp. 25-3

Genotype × Environment Interaction: A Prerequisite for Tomato Variety Development

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the second most important vegetable crop in the world due to its high level of nutrition particularly in vitamins and antioxidants. It is grown in several ecologies of the world due to its adaptability and ease of cultivation. Besides field conditions, tomatoes are grown in controlled environments which range from hydroponics and simple high tunnel structures to highly automated screen houses in advanced countries. However, the yield and quality of the fruits are highly influenced by the environment. This results in unpredictable performances in different growing environments in terms of quality, a phenomenon known as genotype by environment (G × E) interaction which confounds selection efficiency. Various approaches are employed by plant breeders to evaluate and address the challenges posed by genotype by environment interaction. This chapter discusses various field and controlled environments for growing tomatoes and the effect of these environments on the performance of the crop. The various types of genotype × environment interactions and their effect of the tomato plant are discussed. Finally, efforts are made to suggest ways and methods of mitigating the confounding effects of genotype × environment interaction including statistical approaches

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