Agronomic potential of “Dodzi”, an extra early-maturing maize cultivar

Production of short-cycle crop varieties reduces the risk of crop loss due to terminal droughts and ensures early harvest to fill the hunger gap. Two experiments were used to determine the yield potentials of elite extra-early (75- 80 days) maturing maize (Zea mays L.) varieties to recommend the best extra-early variety for commercial productionand use in Ghana. In the first experiment, two extra-early and eight early (90-95 days) maize varieties were evaluated in replicated field trials at 10 research stations in 1995 and 1996. In the second experiment, thetwo extra-early varieties, one recommended early variety, and the farmers’ check variety were evaluated at 38 and 28 farm sites in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Mean grain yields across the 10 on-station sites in 2 years were 3.5, 4.1, 4.6, and 3.4 t ha-1 for NAES EE W-SR (extraearly), NAES Pool 16 DT (extra-early), Dorke SR (early), and the farmers’ check variety, respectively. Mean yields of the four varieties across 66 farm sites in both years were 3.2, 3.4, 3.4, and 3.6 t ha-1, respectively. NAES EE W-SR was the earliest of all the varieties tested and the farmers’ variety was latest. Food preference tests showed that NAES EE W-SR was comparable to the farmers’ check variety in suitability for local dish preparations. The National Variety Release Committee subsequently approved and released NAES EE W-SR under the local name “Dodzi”. “Dodzi” is recommended for early planting and harvesting throughout Ghana

A comparison of sawdust and wood shavings as litter materials for broilers

The suitability of sawdust as litter material for broilers was assessed by comparing broiler performance on it with performance on wood shavings in a 49-day trial. Criteria for assessment included body weight at 21, 35, 42 and 49 days of age, feed efficiency, organ data, mortality, litter moisture, and foot pad damage. Broilers raised on shavings were heavier than those raised on sawdust at 49 and 42 days of age for males and females, respectively. Feed conversion efficiency was similar for broilers raised on sawdust and shavings. The heavier gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) and gizzard of broilers raised on sawdust, and the higher mortality due to crop impaction of these birds suggest that consumption of sawdust may be the main cause of lowered growth rate. Rate of increase of moisture in litter was higher for shavings than for sawdust which explains the higher incidence of foot pad damage on broilers raised on wood shavings. It was concluded that for short-cycle broiler production programmes (6 weeks), sawdust is less suitable. Une comparaison de la sciure de bois et les copeaux de bois en tant que matières litières pour les poulets de chair Résumé La convenance de sciure de bois en tant que matière litière pour les poulets de chair était évaluée par la comparaison du rendement de poulet de chair sur elle avec le rendement sur les copeaux de bois dans un essai de 49 jours. Les critères de l'évaluation comprenaient: poids du corps aux âges de 21, 35, 42 et 49 jours, l'efficacité de ration, les données d'organe, la mortalité, l'humidité de litière et les dégats du coussinet de la patte. Les poulets de chair élevés sur les copeaux étaient plus lourdes que ceux qui étaient élevés sur la sciure de bois aux âges de 49 et 42 jours respectivement pour les mâles et femelles. L'efficacité de conversion de ration était semblable pour les poulets de chair élevé sur la sciure et les copeaux. La plus lourde nature de système gastrointestinal (SGI) et de gésier des poulets de chair élevés sur la sciure et la mortalité plus élevée provoquées par l' impact de culture de ces volailles suggèrent que la consommation de sciure pourrait être la cause principale de la proportion de croissance baissée. La proportion d'augmentation d'humidité dans la litière étaient plus élevé pour les copeaux que pour la sciure qui explique le taux élevé des dégâts du coussinet de la patte sur les poulets de chair élevés sur les copeaux de bois. La conclusion était tirée que pour les programmes de production de poulets de chair à cycle court (6 semaines), la sciure de bois est moins appropriée. Ghana Jnl agric. Sci. Vol.33(2) 2004: 171-17

Influence of spatial arrangements on performance of a yam-maize-pepper intercrop

No Abstract. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science No. 1, 2005: 29-3