Phenotypic and molecular evaluation of maize (Zea may L.) genotypes under field conditions in the Volta region of Ghana

Maize streak disease (MSD) is the most devastating and destructive disease of maize (Zea mays L.) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Field trials were conducted in the 2014 minor and 2015 major cropping seasons to screen 16 and 17 maize genotypes, respectively, for high yield and resistance to maize streak virus (MSV) infections. The plants were scored for disease severity at 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks after planting (WAP) based on a 1-5 visual scale (1= No infection and 5= Very severe infection). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was done to detect the presence of MSV in the diseased leaf samples in order to confirm field resistance. Both phenotypic and PCR test revealed that all the maize genotypes tested in the study were infected by MSV. There was a significant varietal effect on the incidence and severity of MSD in both the major and minor seasonal trials. Genotypes ‘Abontem’,’Aburohemaa’, ‘Akposoe’, ‘Dapango’, ‘Dorke’, ‘Etubi’, ‘Honampa’, ‘Mamaba’, ‘Obatanpa’, ‘Omankwa’ and PAN 12 showed mild disease symptoms during both major and minor cropping seasons. On the other hand, genotypes ‘Dormabin’, ‘Dzinu-Eve’, ‘Enibi’, Keta 60 and PAN 53 exhibited moderate to severe symptoms during the two cropping seasons. Incidence and severity of MSD were significantly higher in the minor season than in the major season, indicating a significant seasonal effect of MSV on the maize genotypes. The yield and yield components were observed to vary significantly among the different maize genotypes and between the cropping seasons with mean yields significantly higher in the major season than in the minor season. Genotypes ‘Abontem’, ‘Aburohemaa’, ‘Akposoe’, ‘Dorke’, ‘Etubi’, ‘Honampa’, ‘Omankwa’, ‘Obatanpa’ and PAN 12 (All improved varieties), which exhibited partial resistance to MSV infection gave high seed yields during both seasons. The improved maize genotypes that were high yielding and resistant to MSV infection should be evaluated for uniform yield trials on farmers’ fields towards their release as varieties to farmers

Cyanide potential of promising early-bulking local selections and late-bulking released cultivars of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

The cyanogenic potential of 10 early-bulking local cultivars were compared with four late-bulking released cultivars in Ghana by using standard alkaline titration method on the same day of harvest. Cassava root flesh, peel, and leaves of early-bulking cultivars had lower cyanogenic potential than the released late-bulking cultivars. The early-bulking local cultivars had cyanogenic potential in root flesh below the innocuous level of 50 mg HCN kg-1 and are, therefore, safer than the released cultivars, some of which exceeded the safety margin. The cyanogenic potential of early-bulking and late-bulking cultivars decreased with delay in harvesting.Comparant le potentiel cyanogène de grossissement tôt des variétés locales avec quatre variétés du grassissement tardif au Ghana révélait que la tubercule de racine, la pelure et les feuilles des variétés de manioc du grossissement tôt avaient le potentiel cyanogène plus élevé que les variétés exotiques du grossissement tardif qui sont sorties. Le potentiel cyanogène de grossissement tôt et de grossissement tartif des variétés diminuait avec le retard de la récolte de 4-7 mois apès la plantation. Les dix varient locales du grossissement tôt avaient le potentiel cyanogène dans le tubercule de racine au-dessous du niveau inoffensif de 50 mg HCN kg-1 g et sont donc plus saines que les variétés exotiques, dont quelques-unes exédaient la marge de sécurité. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 39 (2) 2006: pp. 131-13

Ethnobotanical characterization of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Western Region of Ghana

Over 250 local cassava names from the Western Region of Ghana were examined with their morphological characters to determine whether different cultivars were called by the same name, or the same cultivars had different names. The study showed that some different cassava cultivars were called by the same name, although the cultivars were morphologically different in all aspects except for one or two characters. Some cultivars bearing different names were found to be morphologically identical. This peculiar problem implies that the traditional system of nomenclature is not foolproof and must be backed by morphological and genetic descriptive methods. To compound the issue further, some local cultivars were known by different ethnic names in districts where they occurred, and were not evenly distributed across districts in the same agro-ecological zones.Plus de 250 des variétés de manioc local de la région de l'ouest du Ghana étaient étudiées avec leurs caractères morphologiques pour déterminer si les différentes variétés étaient applelées par même nom de variété ou bien les même variétés avaient les noms différents. L'évtude révélait que quelques variétés différentes de manioc étaient appelées par les mêmes noms bien que les variétés étaient morphologiquement différentes sous tous les aspects sauf un ou deux caractères. Par ailleurs, quelques variétés, portant les noms différents étaient découvertes d'être morhologiquement identiques. L'implication de ce problème particulier est que le système tradditionnel de nomenclature ne pas infaillible et doit être soutenu par la description morphologique et génétique. Ce problème est aggravé davantage puisque les variétés locales étaient bient connues par les noms différents ethniques dans les districts locaux oú ils se produisent et ils n'étaient pas également distribués à travers les districts dans les mêmes zones agro-écologiques. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 39 (2) 2006: pp. 123-13

Peak Root and Starch Weights of Ten Early Bulking Cultivars of Cassava (Manihot Esculenta

Peak yields of total fresh root weight (TFRW), total dry root weight (TDRW) and total starch weight (TSW) of ten cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivar are reported. Planting of the cassava cultivars was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The cassava roots were harvested first at 5 months after planting (MAP) and every month thereafter. The percentage starch content was determined using a UV-spectrophotometer at 690nm wavelength. Four main periods after planting could be identified for early bulking cultivars: (7 MAP - cultivars 115, DMA 030, HO 001 and UCC 096; 9 MAP - cultivars 126 and HO 015; 11 MAP - cultivars 90 and MQA98/11; 12 MAP - cultivars CR001/102 and HO 008). Time to achieve peak yield differed in some cultivars but was the same for TFRW, TDRW and TSW. Cassava cultivar HO 008 had the highest peak of TDRW and TSW in roots while cultivar MQA98/11 had the lowest. On dry weight basis, starch content was higher than 72%. Yield loss estimates due to delayed harvest of the cultivars are presented.. Journal of the Ghana Science Association Vol. 9 (2) 2007: pp. 54-6

YELLOW MAIZE BREEDING FOR HIGHER BETA-CAROTENE: FARMERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF VITAMIN-A DEFICIENCY CONSEQUENCES AND READINESS TO GROW IMPROVED VARIETIES IN GHANA

Vitamin A deficiency poses serious health concerns among the Ghanaian populace, particularly children and pregnant women. The production and consumption of yellow maize, which contains pro-vitamin A carotenoids such as beta carotene, is therefore encouraged. Consequently, yellow maize consumption is fast gaining acceptance. However, in the near future comensurate increases in production must be achieved to ensure food security. In this regard, the aims of the study were to: evaluate farmer willingness to cultivate yellow maize varieties with enhanced beta carotene content, ascertain extent of farmers’ knowledge on production constraints and mitigation, and evaluate farmers’ perception on nutritional benefits of yellow maize and the effects of vitamin A deficiency. The survey was conducted between January and May 2018 and it covered four districts representing the forest and guinea savanna ecological zones in Ghana. In each district, five communities with 10 participants each were covered. Most yellow maize farmers (78 %) were between 15 and 55 years, 42.5 % of the farmers had no formal education, 29 % had secondary education and only 8 % had tertiary education. The main challenges facing yellow maize (YM) farmers were pest control and low yield due to erratic rainfall. Majority (70 %) of the farmers had heard about vitamin A deficiency and also noticed stunted growth, mental retardation and poor eye sight in their communities but did not link such symptoms to vitamin A deficiency. Most respondents (70 %) were not aware that yellow maize contains beta carotene. Majority (70 %) of the respondents opined that improvement in the beta carotene content of yellow maize will greatly help to drastically minimize vitamin A deficiency and enhance food security. The information elicited from farmers will guide future development of yellow maize varieties for improved production and nutrition

YELLOW MAIZE BREEDING FOR HIGHER BETA-CAROTENE: FARMERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF VITAMIN-A DEFICIENCY CONSEQUENCES AND READINESS TO GROW IMPROVED VARIETIES IN GHANA

Vitamin A deficiency poses serious health concerns among the Ghanaian populace, particularly children and pregnant women. The production and consumption of yellow maize, which contains pro-vitamin A carotenoids such as beta carotene, is therefore encouraged. Consequently, yellow maize consumption is fast gaining acceptance. However, in the near future comensurate increases in production must be achieved to ensure food security. In this regard, the aims of the study were to: evaluate farmer willingness to cultivate yellow maize varieties with enhanced beta carotene content, ascertain extent of farmers’ knowledge on production constraints and mitigation, and evaluate farmers’ perception on nutritional benefits of yellow maize and the effects of vitamin A deficiency. The survey was conducted between January and May 2018 and it covered four districts representing the forest and guinea savanna ecological zones in Ghana. In each district, five communities with 10 participants each were covered. Most yellow maize farmers (78 %) were between 15 and 55 years, 42.5 % of the farmers had no formal education, 29 % had secondary education and only 8 % had tertiary education. The main challenges facing yellow maize (YM) farmers were pest control and low yield due to erratic rainfall. Majority (70 %) of the farmers had heard about vitamin A deficiency and also noticed stunted growth, mental retardation and poor eye sight in their communities but did not link such symptoms to vitamin A deficiency. Most respondents (70 %) were not aware that yellow maize contains beta carotene. Majority (70 %) of the respondents opined that improvement in the beta carotene content of yellow maize will greatly help to drastically minimize vitamin A deficiency and enhance food security. The information elicited from farmers will guide future development of yellow maize varieties for improved production and nutrition