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

Agronomic potentials of quality protein maize hybrids developed in Ghana

A quality protein maize (QPM) hybrid programme was started in 1991 to develop and promote high and stableyielding QPM hybrids to increase production of nutritionally superior maize varieties in Ghana. Six 3- way QPM hybrids developed from inbred lines originating from germplasm of the International Centre for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT) were evaluated on research stations and in farmers\' fields in Ghana from 1995 to 1996. In the on-station evaluations, grain yields across 10 sites in both years averaged 6.0 ton ha-1 for the three hybrids (GH132-28, GH110-5 and GH2328-88), 5.22 ton ha-1 for Obatanpa, and 3.60 ton ha-1 for the local maize variety. In farmers\' fields, data from over 50 farm sites in 1995 and 1996 showed mean yields of 4.95 ton ha-1 for the three hybrids, and 4.28 ton ha-1 for Obatanpa compared to 3.59 ton ha-1 for farmers\' varieties. On the average, the hybrids were similar to Obatanpa in days to 50 per cent silking, but were shorter in plant height and ear placement. Consumer preference tests showed that the three hybrids were rated similar to the local variety in popular traditional food preparations such as ‘kenkey\' and ‘tuo zafi\'. In 1997, the National Variety Release Committee approved the release of GH132-28, GH110-5, and GH2328-88 under the local names Dadaba, Mamaba, and CIDA-ba, respectively. These hybrids are recommended for planting in all the major agro-ecologies to boost maize production in Ghana.Les variétés de maïs hybride (Zea mays L.) dont les plus sésirées que les variétés de pollinisation libre à cause de leur uniformté et leurs potentiels de rendement plus élevés. Pour augmenter la production de variétés de maïs nutritionnellement supérieures au Ghana, I\'Institut de Recherche de Cultures a mis en place un programme hybrid de maïs protéique de qualité (MPQ) en 1991 pour développer et promouvoir des hybrides de MPQ de rendement élevés et stable. Six hybrids en trois de MPQ développés d\'issu de la même souch provenant de germeplasmes de CIMMYT (Centre International pour I\'amélioration de maïs et de blé) étaient évalués aux stations de recherches et aux champs d\'agriculteurs au Ghana de 1995 à 1996. Dans les évaluations sur place, les rendements de grain à travers 10 sites dans les deux années ont atteint la moyenne de 6.0 ton ha-1 pour les trois hybrids (GH132-28, GH110-5 et GH2328-88), 5.22 ton ha-1 pour \'Obatanpa\' et 3.60 ton ha-1 pour la variétés de maïs local. Sur les champs d\'agriculteurs des données de plus que 50 sites de champs en 1995 et 1996 montraient les rendements moyens de 4.95 ton ha-1 pour les trois hybrids et 4.28 ton ha-1 pour les \'Obatanpa\' comparées à 3.59 ton ha-1 pour les variétés d\'agriculteurs. En moyenne, les hybrides étaient semblables à \'Obatanpa\' en jours jusqu à 50% d\'apparition de soie maïs étaient plus courtes en taille de plante et en placement d\'épi. Les essais de préférence de consommateur montraient que les trios hybrides étaient évalués semblables à la variété locale dans les préparations de nouriture traditionnelle populaire telle que \'kenkey\' et \'tuo zafi\'. En 1997, le comité pour la mise en vente de Variété Nationale a approuvé la mise en vente de GH132-28, GH110-5 et GH2328-88 sous les noms locaux respectifs de Dadaba, Mamaba, et CIDA-ba. Ce hybrides sont recommandés pour la popultion dans toutes les agroéclogies majeures pour stimuler la production de maïs au Ghana. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 40 (1) 2007: pp. 81-8

An Analytical Outlook of the Commercial Space Industry for the Last Frontier: Potential Entrepreneurial Evaluation of the African Space Sector

The African continent is growing at a fast pace, and its economic pulse has heightened. However, there is a growing momentum within the community of researchers, businesses, and investors to make an overall survey and assessment of progress sustained in the African space industries as a whole. There is no debate on the fact that documentation is pivotal to every research progress. Thus far, poor documentation has been inimical to the growth of the African economy and also the African space industry. In collaborative efforts with the African Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) body, this article is an attempt at documenting progress, and it includes the analysis of the entrepreneurial outlook of some selected countries (Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, Mauritius, Sudan, and Tunisia) in Africa. This study aims at sustaining the African economic drive by using a multimethod approach involving Gynawali and Fogel's "key dimensions of environments for entrepreneurship development,"to understand the economic environment in those nations while incorporating the versatile national competitive advantage diamond model of Michael Porter. Comparisons can be drawn between African countries and member nations in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) to obtain a conclusion toward fueling the increasing space science and technological drive in Africa. Research is essential for industries and socioeconomic development in Africa - the Last Frontier, which remains a potential ground for global commercial space growth

Promoting radio astronomy in Ghana through school visits and Astronomy Clubs

The Promoting Radio Astronomy in Ghana through School visits and Astronomy Clubs (PRAGSAC) project was an intervention to promote astronomy education in schools in Ghana. It was initiated by a group of enthusiastic students who were trained in radio astronomy and astrophysics under a Royal Society/Newton Fund UK project termed Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy. The team's aim is to expose school children to astronomy and to increase their interest in the sciences. Approximately 800 school children from seven junior high schools were positively impacted by this project. Astronomy clubs were formed in the selected schools with practical astronomy lessons taught. The kids visited the largest single radio telescope in Africa at Kuntunse in Accra and were amazed about the engineering and the science that it undertakes. For the patrons of the clubs, a teacher training workshop was organised for them, so as to equip them to manage the clubs. The feedback from students and teachers was exceptionally positive, implying that the PRAGSAC project has helped inspire more students to pursue courses and consider careers within the sciences

Consumer expectancies and acceptance of novel foods

No Abstract. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science No. 1, 2005: 169-17

Nutritional composition of false horn Apantu pa plantain during ripening and processing

False horn Apantu pa Plantains (Musa spp.) at the green, greenish yellow, yellow and brown colour stages of ripeness and their boiled/fried products were analysed for nutritional composition. The results showed that the nutritional composition of plantain pulp was diversely affected by natural ripening and processing. Significant changes (P<0.05) due to ripening occurred in the water, carbohydrate, sugar and starch contents. The degree of colouration is indicative of the composition of these components in plantain. Changes in mineral composition varied and were not consistent with most stages of ripeness. The processing methods employed significantly (P<0.05) reduced the protein, sugar, iron and copper contents of raw plantain pulp. The nature of the processing medium influenced the levels of fat and moisture in the products.Les faux cornes Apantu pa plantains (Musa spp.) aux couleurs vertes, jaunes vert, jaunes et brunes apres murissage et leurs produits cuits e l'eau ou frites etaient analyses pour leur composition nutritive. Les resultats ont montre que la composition nutritive de la pulpe du plantain etait affectee d'une facon differente par le murissage naturel et les procedes de preparations. Des changements significatifs (P<0.05) de la quantite d'eau, de carbohydrate, de sucre et d'amidon sont observes avec le murissage. Le degre de coloration est un indicateur de la composition de ces composants dans le plantain. La composition minerale variait en n'etait pas consistente avec la plupart des stades de murissage. Les methodes de preparation employees reduisaient d'une facon significative la quantite de proteine, de sucre, de fer et de cuivre dans la pulpe du plantain cru. La nature du milieu de preparations influenait les niveaux de graisse et d'humidite des produits

Performance of some local and improved cowpea lines as a dual-purpose crop (Leaf/fodder and grain)

No Abstract. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science No. 1, 2005: 155-16

On-Farm Experimentation with Improved Maize Seed and Soil Amendments in Southern Ghana: Productivity Effects in Small Holder Farms

Maize production in Ghana is limited by several factors including inadequate use of improved varieties and poor soil fertility management. To contribute to addressing these challenges in maize production, two on-farm experiments were conducted each in the semi deciduous forest and coastal savannah agroecological zones (AEZs) of Ghana during the major and minor cropping seasons of 2017. The study adopted a 3 × 4 factorial arranged in an RCBD with four replications in the major season. The factors were three maize varieties (Omankwa, Obatanpa, and Ahomatea) and four soil amendments (goat manure at 5 t·ha−1; inorganic fertilizer (N-P2O5-K2O at 95-37.5–37.5 kg·ha−1); 50% goat manure (2.5 t·ha−1) + 50% inorganic fertilizer (N-P2O5-K2O at 47.5–18.75–18.75 kg·ha−1); and the control (no soil amendment)).To evaluate the residual implications of these soil amendments in the minor season, each plot used in the major season was further divided into two except for the control plot, resulting in a split plot design with factorial of 3 maize varieties × 7 soil amendments. The results revealed a significant interaction between maize variety and soil amendment in both seasons with the use of sole inorganic fertilizer resulting in significantly higher (p<0.05) grain yields for all varieties in both AEZs in the major cropping season. In the minor season, the combined treatment of 50% goat manure + 50% inorganic fertilizer resulted in higher grain yields for all the varieties in both AEZs with improved maize (Omankwa and Obatanpa) having significantly higher (p<0.05) grain yields (33–40%) than the landrace (Ahomatea). The significantly lower (p<0.05) performance of maize varieties on the residual plots in both AEZs suggests that there were minimal residual effects from the major season. Thus, in continuously cropped fields, the use of inorganic fertilizer + goat manure is required in addition to improved seeds for sustainable maize production