Samuel Saaka Buah

Enhancing Soil Fertility for Cereal Crop Production Through Biological Practices and the Integration of Organic and In- Organic Fertilizers in Northern Savanna Zone of Ghana

In Ghana, it has been estimated that 60 % of the population makes their living from subsis‐ tence farming with an average of 27% living in extreme poverty (MoFA, 2002). This is be‐ cause the most dominant economic activity of the area is agriculture and once agriculture is not well developed, one of the effects is poverty. As observed by many, one of the character‐ istics of underdeveloped agriculture is the dominance of subsistence farming in these re‐ gions (MoFA, 2002, RELC 2004). The slow economic growth and high poverty level prevailing in Northern Ghana (Upper East, Upper West and the Brong-Ahafo regions) is therefore directly linked to the underdeveloped agricultural sector of the area.

On-farm evaluation of maize varieties in the transitional and savannah zones of Ghana: Determinants of farmer preferences

Maize is one of the most important food crops in Ghana even though its production has not reached self sufficiency levels. Drought and striga infestation are among the most important production constraints of maize in Ghana. Promising high yielding, drought and striga tolerant maize varieties are being evaluated by CSIR and IITA in participatory on-farm trials and demonstrations. These varieties however need to meet farmers’ varietal preferences in order for them to adopt. This study therefore sought to assess farmers’ preference for the different drought tolerant maize varieties, and determine factors that influence their choices. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used to test the level of agreement between farmers on their preferences. The ordered logistic regression was used to estimate the determinants of farmer’s preference using cross-sectional observations from 120 maize farmers in the Transitional and Savannah zones of Ghana. Results indicate that maize varieties that are early maturing (2.38) and drought tolerant (2.45) were most preferred by farmers. Area under maize cultivation, fertilizer usage and family size are the factors that were found to influence farmers’ preference for improved maize varieties. These factors should therefore be considered in varietal promotion.

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 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 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.

Analysis of genotype by environment interaction for grain yield of intermediate maturing drought tolerant top-cross maize hybrids under rain-fed conditions

Abstract Maize plays a crucial role in combating food insecurity in Ghana due to its high yield potential and wide adaptability. Thirty five intermediate maturing maize hybrids were evaluated at eight locations in Ghana for two years (i) to determine grain yield performance, stability and adatability, (ii) to determine the representativeness and discriminating ability of the test locations and (iii) identify core testing sites for selection of superior maize hybrids. Genotype, environment and genotype × environment interactions were significant (p < 0.01) for grain yield and most other traits measured. Grain yield of the hybrids ranged from 3.3 to 4.7 t ha−1 for in the present study. The GGE biplot analysis identified genotype M1326-17 as the most stable and high yielding hybrid followed by M1326-14 and M1326-4. Test locations were divided into three groups; Ejura and Damongo constituting the first group; Kpeve, Fumesua, Nyankpala, Pokuasi and Yendi the second and Wa standing alone as the third. Damongo was highly discriminating and representative in the first group and was identified as a core test site in that group. Fumesua and Nyankpala were identified as core test sites within group two while Wa was identified as the only test site in group three. The core testing sites identified would be used to facilitate the identification of superior maize hybrids to reduce testing cost in the country.