On-farm testing of wetting front detector as an irrigation scheduling tool in two communities in the upper east region of Ghana

United States Agency for International Developmen

MESUAFERRIN A-BIOACTIVE FLAVONOID ISOLATED FROM THE BARK OF MESUA FERREA L. AGAINST PHOSPHOLIPASE A2, CYCLOOXYGENASE AND LIPOXYGENASE: AN IN VITRO, IN VIVO AND IN SILICO APPROACH

Objective: The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of isolated bioactive flavonoid Mesuaferrin-A from the bark of Mesuaferrea L. by in vitro, in vivo and in silico approach.Methods: To evaluate the effect of isolated bioactive flavonoid Mesuaferrin-A on arachidonic acid metabolizing enzymes (PLA2, COX-2 and 5-LOX) using in vitro methods, followed by carrageenan-induced paw edema model by in vivo and to determine the binding orientation and interactions of Mesuaferrin-A onarachidonic acid metabolizing enzymes (PLA2, COX-2 and 5-LOX) crystal proteins using molecular docking (in silico) studies.Results: Mesuaferrin-A exhibited a dose-dependent significant 5-LOX inhibitory and considerable COX-2 inhibitory activity by in vitro, The inhibitory activities of 5-LOX and COX-2 at 100µg/ml were found to be 78.67%, 81.03% with IC50 values of 45.22µg/ml and 35.74µg/ml respectively. Whereas Mesuaferrin-A showed less PLA2 inhibitory activity. Mesuaferrin-A showed 68.34% inhibitory activity at 400 mg/kg body weight at the late phase of carrageenan-induced paw edema, and In silico studies demonstrated that Mesuaferrin-A strongly binds with 5-LOX and COX-2, these strong binding affinity of Mesuaferrin-A on active site amino acids of 5-LOX and COX-2 may be responsible for inhibition of enzyme activity. Mesuaferrin-A showeda comparable 5-LOX and COX-2 inhibition activity with (positive control).Conclusion: It was concluded that Mesuaferrin-A act as 5-LOX and COX dual inhibitor, from the results it was suggests that Mesuaferrin-A, may be an effective preventive and therapeutic approach for patients with inflammatory-related diseases

Profitability and Economic Feasibility Analysis of Small Scale Irrigation Technologies in northern Ghana

Small-scale irrigation (SSI) technologies can be a useful tool not only to increase crop productivity and income but also to mitigate against climate variability in Ghana given the recent frequent dry spells. Profitability and economic feasibility of investing in the SSI technologies are analysed using a farm simulation model (FARMSIM) and based on farm-plot level data on selected SSI technologies piloted in northern Ghana under the Innovation Lab for Small Scale Irrigation (ILSSI). The aim is to identify profitable and economically feasible sets of ‘crop type–SSI technology’ combinations that would prove viable in “real world” farm conditions. Four dry season irrigated cash crop (corchorus, onion, and amaranths) grown under four SSI technologies (pump-tank-hose, watering can, and rain/roof water harvesting and drip irrigation) were considered. Results showed that rainwater-harvesting using poly tank storage and a drip system is not economically feasible at the current yield level and market prices of irrigated cash crops in northern Ghana. SSI technology options using river water or shallow wells with motorized pumps or watering cans were profitable. The watering can is relatively more profitable than motorized pumps because of fuel and upfront investment costs in pumps. However, affordable credit schemes could mitigate the cost constraint to afford motor pumps and enable smallholders to participate in market-oriented production

Economic and food security effects of small-scale irrigation technologies in Northern Ghana

Small-scale irrigation (SSI) technologies can be useful not only to increase crop productivity and income but also as a viable adaptation practice to climate variability. A farm simulation model (FARMSIM) and data from selected SSI technologies piloted in northern Ghana under the ‘Feed the Future-Innovation Lab for Small Scale Irrigation’ (ILSSI) project were used to assess the economic feasibility of the SSI technologies and their potential to improve income and nutrition of smallholder farm households. Three dry season irrigated crops (onion, corchorus, amaranthus) grown under three agricultural water management regimes were analysed. Results show that adoption of the SSI technologies could increase the net farm profit by 154%–608% against the baseline depending on the ‘crop type - SSI technology’ combination. Nutrition levels also improved significantly as a result of the improvements in crop yields due to irrigation and use of complementary inputs. However, the results further reveal that the options that utilize capital-intensive SSI technologies such as solar-powered water pumps to grow high value cash crops are constrained by the high investment cost. Currently, farmers tend to choose low-cost SSI technologies such as a traditional watering-cans, which generate low economic returns. Improving access to credit or alternative financing schemes could mitigate the capital constraints and enable smallholders to gain more benefits from participating in market-oriented high-value irrigated productio

Dry spells and evidence for scaling of agricultural water management and smallholder irrigation in northern Ghana

United States Agency for International Developmen

Soil and water managements and landscapes: Africa RISING science, innovations and technologies with scaling potential from the Ethiopian highlands

United States Agency for International Developmen

Historical land degradation strongly influences soil geography : a case in Ethiopia’s mountains

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Integrated landscape management: Africa RISING R4D experiences in the Ethiopian highlands

United States Agency for International Developmen