Estimation of Flow-Duration and Low-Flow Frequency Parameters for the Sumanpa Stream at Mampong-Ashanti in Ghana for the 1985-2009 Period

The study examined the characteristics of the Sumanpa stream’s Flow-Duration-Frequency Curve statistics for a period of 25years (1985-2009) and compared the 1990-1999 and 2000-2009 Flow-Duration-Curves. The high, low and mean Flow-Duration-Curves were also analysed. The discharge records were analysed to develop a general quantitative characterization of the stream’s flow variability. Streamflow data was generated from daily stage data using the rating curve model developed at the stream’s gauge station. Flow-Duration-Frequency-Curves were developed using the Weibull plotting position and used to analyse the catchment’s surface and groundwater storage and stream’s flow characteristics.  The approach placed the midpoints of the moist, mid-range, and dry zones of the curves at 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles, respectively. The high zone was centered at the 5th percentile, while the low zone was centered at the 95th percentile. For 95% of the time, the streamflowequalled or exceeded 0.14 m3s-1, at 5% it equalled or exceeded 45 m3s-1 and at 50% flow equalled or exceeded 5.53 m3s-1.The ratio of Q90:Q50 for the period was 7.0%; it dropped from 38.0% in 1990-1999 to 30.0% in the 2000-2009 decades. The mean daily flow for the 1985-2009 (30.1m3s-1) has exceedance probability of 26% and the normal flow conditions were between 2.79 m3s-1 and 9.9 m3s-1for the period

Growth and Fruit Yield of Okro as Influenced by Genotypes and Mulch in the Guinea Savannah Conditions of Ghana

The experiment was carried out to assess the suitability of different mulch materials in enhancing the growth and fruit yield of okro. Ten okro genotypes were evaluated in a split plot design with 3 replications. Three treatments of mulch (black plastic, grass, and no mulch) represented the main plots with the genotypes as the subplots. The result indicated significant (P<0.05) genotypic variability among the genotypes for all parameters except plant girth. However, genotype and mulch interaction was not significant. The genotype Sasilon had the tallest plants (82.6 cm) and the highest fruit yield under all mulch conditions while Koni had the widest fruits (34.1 mm) with TZ SMN 10-3 having the longest fruits (16.11 cm). Number of fruits per plant ranged from 30 to 11 with an average of 21. Mulching significantly (P<0.05) influenced all parameters except fruit width and mean fruit weight. Plastic mulched plots had the greatest heights while no mulching had the least. The highest average yield was obtained under plastic mulch (3.49 t/ha) which was 4.2% higher than grass (3.34 t/ha) and 11% higher than no mulch (3.11 t/ha). The study has shown that mulching with black plastic or grass ensures vigorous growth and improves the fruit yield of okro

Genotypic variability and genetic parameters for root yield, dry matter and related traits of cassava in the Guinea Savannah ecological zone of Ghana

The aim of this study was to assess the agronomic performance and genetic parameters governing storage root yield and related traits in cassava genotypes in order to identify superior genotypes. The study involved 18 elite cassava genotypes which were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications and assessed for storage root yield and yield components (12 months after planting) in the Guinea savannah ecology of Ghana for three seasons. Analysis of variance indicated significant (p &lt; 0.05) genotype and year main effects for fresh and dry root yields, dry matter content, starch yield and harvest index. Genotype × year effect was significant (p &lt; 0.05) for fresh root yield, dry root yield and starch yield. Estimates of the variance components revealed greater genotypic influence for starch yield, fresh and dry root yields implying the potential for genetic gain with selection for these traits among the genotypes. Relatively high (69 %) broad sense heritability estimate was observed for dry storage root yield indicating the depth of genetic influence. Path coefficient analysis revealed a direct positive effect of dry matter content on dry storage root yield whilst dry storage root yield had direct positive effect on starch yield suggesting the possibility of indirect selection for starch yield through dry storage root yield. The study revealed ample genotypic variability among the cassava genotypes to warrant selection. Four genotypes, IBA 070134, IBA 419, IBA 950289 and IBA 980581 were identified for high and stable fresh and dry root yields for multilocational testing

Perspective Chapter: Accelerating Demand-Led Tomato Breeding for Emerging Markets in Africa

Tomato production in Africa has increased due to increased population, rising consumer demands for nutritious and healthy food and potential use of improved technologies. Demand-led’ plant breeding puts producers and consumers at the heart of research and development involving stakeholders even before the research starts. These ‘stakeholders’ are not only farmers but key actors along the tomato value chain. They influence how the tomato is traded as: fresh food and processing product. This chapter focuses on different approaches to fast-track tomato breeding so as to contribute to the transformation of African agriculture by enabling small scale farmers to compete in local and regional markets, by increasing the availability and adoption of high performing tomato varieties that meet market demands. It further outlines development of varieties that meet farmer needs, consumer preferences, and market demand in Africa. These new varieties are designed to meet client needs by connecting plant breeders with crop value chains, seed distribution organizations, and encouraging enterprise and entrepreneurship in transforming agriculture in Africa. Lastly, it outlines the prospects and challenges associated with demand-led breeding of tomato and offers suggestions to increase food security in Africa

The critical need for pooled data on coronavirus disease 2019 in African children : an AFREhealth call for action through multicountry research collaboration

Globally, there are prevailing knowledge gaps in the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among children and adolescents; and these gaps are especially wide in African countries. The availability of robust age-disaggregated data is a critical first step in improving knowledge on disease burden and manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among children. Furthermore, it is essential to improve understanding of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with comorbidities and coinfections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis, malaria, sickle cell disease, and malnutrition, which are highly prevalent among children in sub-Saharan Africa. The African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth) COVID-19 Research Collaboration on Children and Adolescents is conducting studies across Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa to address existing knowledge gaps. This consortium is expected to generate key evidence to inform clinical practice and public health policy-making for COVID-19 while concurrently addressing other major diseases affecting children in African countries.The US National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ Fogarty International Centre (FIC) to the African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth).https://academic.oup.com/cidam2022Paediatrics and Child Healt

Study on Construction and Optimization of the Life-Saving Passage in Building Ruins Based on Numerical Simulation Method

It is a very important task to construct a life-saving passage in building ruins rapidly and scientifically in the process of earthquake rescue. Currently, the virtual scene is built to train rescuers to construct the life-saving passage quickly and scientifically. However, there are problems such as high cost, small quantity, and single form. A new method of constructing building ruins and life-saving passage was proposed based on the combined finite element (FE) and finite-discrete element (F-DE) method and restarted function of LS-DYNA program. First, taking the RC frame structure ruins as research objection, the different types of life-saving passages were constructed. What’s more, a simple and reasonable optimization method of life-saving passage is proposed based on the rescue technologies with the shortest time. Meanwhile, the timing test of four typical rescue technologies was performed considering the influence factors of various rescue situations. Finally, the practicability and validation of the optimization method was verified through comparing with actual earthquake rescue case. The results show that the restart function of ANSYS/LS-DYNA program can construct the life-saving passage rapidly and reasonably, and simultaneously, the optimal method of life-saving passage can give the optimal rescue route intuitively and accurately. The numerical simulation method of construction and optimization of life-saving passages is expected to provide theoretical guidance for rescue drills for on-site earthquake rescue

Growth and Yield Performance of Roselle Accessions as Influenced by Intercropping with Maize in the Guinea Savannah Ecology of Ghana

Growing roselle with maize is common in Ghana. However, there is little information on whether the choice of accession affects maize/roselle intercrops. Also, there is little information on whether intercropping roselle with maize is beneficial or detrimental to the yields of the crops. A field experiment was conducted for two seasons to assess the growth and yield performance of three roselle accessions as influenced by intercropping with maize and to assess whether maize growth and yield would be influenced upon intercropping with roselle. The roselle accessions were Bissap, Local, and Samadah. Intercropped roselle accessions, their soles, and sole maize were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Intercrop performance was determined using area × time equivalence ratio (ATER) and competitive ratio (CR). The results showed significant differences in roselle accessions for growth and yield performance. Local outperformed the other accessions in both growth and yield attributes. Roselle calyx and shoot yields were significantly higher in intercrops than in soles. Maize growth and yield were not significantly affected by intercropping with roselle, but maize yield attributes differed between seasons. The ATERs were 1.99, 2.18, and 2.49 for Samadah, Bissap, and Local, respectively, indicating that there was productive use of space and time for intercropping. The CR ranged from 1.03 to 1.17, 0.96 to 1.09, and 1.12 to 1.25 for stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, and plant height, respectively. The study showed that the choice of accession did not affect the intercrop performance. It also showed that intercropping roselle with maize is beneficial to roselle without compromising the yield of maize

Genotypic Variability in Some Morpho-Physiological Traits in Different Environments and Their Relationship with Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Root Yield

Cassava root yield under diverse environments is influenced by morpho-physiological traits that are in turn influenced by genotype, environment, and genotype × environment interaction (GEI). Most GEI analyses in cassava have been limited to root yield with less emphasis on stability of other yield-related traits. This study was carried out to assess the effect of GEI on some morpho-physiological traits in cassava and key traits that are useful for selection in different environments. The study utilized 20 cassava genotypes evaluated in six environments, namely, Fumesua 2013 and 2014, Nyankpala 2013 and 2014 (irrigation), and Nyankpala 2013 and 2014 (no irrigation). The genotypes were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and assessed for a number of morpho-physiological traits, root yield and yield components. The data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS statistical package. Subsequently, the GGE biplot was used to carry out genotype × environment, genotype × trait, and environment × trait interaction analyses to determine the specificity of genotypic performance and traits linked to particular environments. The results indicated significant (P<0.05) GEI effect on all traits except leaf temperature. The genotype × trait biplot analysis revealed closely related traits and those associated with root yield and genotypes that show weakness in these traits. Both environment × trait biplot and principal component analyses identified traits with higher discriminatory power among genotypes in various environments particularly in the dry environments. These can be used as secondary traits to select drought-tolerant genotypes. From this study, the GGE biplot was useful in identifying traits associated with specific genotypes in different environments to aid in selection. Moderate broad-sense heritability estimates werefound for storage root yield, harvest index, plant height, ratio of storage rootlength to girth, and cassava mosaic disease score indicating that progresscan be made through selection for these traits

Revealing Ghana’s unique fonio genetic diversity: leveraging farmers knowledge for sustainable conservation and breeding strategies

International audienceGenetic diversity analysis is pivotal for optimizing the use of genetic resources and deploying conservation strategies in the face of global changes. This is important for essential indigenous species often neglected by research. This research was carried out to examine the pattern of genetic diversity and structure among fonio (Digitaria exilis (Kippist) Stapf) accessions in Ghana. Following farmer surveys and collection efforts in key fonio-growing regions of Ghana, we amassed a comprehensive collection of 176 fonio accessions from 165 farmers across 24 communities. Farmer surveys identified 21 distinct cultivars cultivated predominantly for home consumption, averaging six cultivars per ethnic group. Out of the 176 accessions, 140 underwent genotyping using 14 simple sequence repeat (SSR) nuclear markers which revealed greater diversity within cultivars (58.5%) compared to between cultivars (16.8%) following molecular variance analysis. The organizational pattern of fonio genetic diversity was significantly influenced by farmer-specific cultivars, emphasizing the role farmers play in long-term preservation of fonio genetic diversity. Future strategies for the management, conservation, and utilization of fonio genetic resources in Ghana should incorporate traditional farming practices. Our findings further revealed the uniqueness of Ghanaian fonio genetic diversity, despite a smaller cultivation area compared to the global diversity. This shows the contribution of the interaction between the crop, environment and societal factors to the distinct genetic makeup observed in the Ghanaian fonio population. The observed genetic diversity can be exploited to identify and select genetically distinct individuals to develop tailored product profiles within fonio breeding programs for diverse market segments