Browsing by Author "Amoatey, C."
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Item Assessing the Sensitivity of Maize in the Coastal Savanna Of Ghana to Climate Change(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Gbefo, F.; MacCarthy, D. S.; Amoatey, C.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences → School of Agriculture → Department of Crop ScienceClimate change is projected to negatively impact on cereal production in Sub Saharan Africa. This impact is projected to be exacerbated by the generally low soil fertility, thus requiring fertilizer as well as other integrated soil fertility management options in order to replenish the soil fertility and to increase crop productivity. This study was to assess the impact of climate change on maize production in the coastal savannah of Ghana using CERES-maize module of the Decision Support System for Agro-Technological Transfer (DSSAT) model. To achieve this, two independent experiments were conducted simultaneously in the major and minor seasons in 2014. In experiment I, one maize variety (Obatanpa) was planted on 3 different planting dates. Three levels of N fertilizer were applied (0, 45 and 90 kg ha-1) with and without biochar (10 t ha-1). Total of 45 kg ha-1 of P and K in the form of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) and Potassium Chloride (KCl) respectively were applied as basal application. Experiment I was 3 factorial trials (3 x 2 x 3) arranged in RCBD. Experiment II consisted of three maize varieties, (Obatanpa, Omankwa and Abontem) with poultry manure (5000 kg ha-1) K and P applied at 45 kg ha-1 and inorganic N (90 kg ha-1) in the form of urea. The same treatments were imposed on the three maize varieties and repeated for three planting dates. Experiment II, was a 2 factorial (3 x3) trial arranged in RCBD with three replications. Part of the data from the 3 maize cultivars (Experiment II) were used to calibrate the CERES-Maize model while the remaining, together with those from experiment I were used to evaluate model performance. The effects of climate change on the 3 maize cultivars over the major and minor seasons were assessed. Thirty years’ (1980 to 2009) historical weather data were used to run the simulations and compared with those from projected weather data from 4 General Circulation Models (scenarios); CCSM4 (E), CFDL-ESM2M (I), HadGEM2-ES (K), and MPI-ESM-MR (R) with Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5: each encompassing 30 (2040-2069) years; near term. Results from experiment I, showed that the combined application of biochar and inorganic fertilizer produced yields that were significantly higher than the sole application of either biochar or inorganic fertilizer. The 3 maize genotypes were significantly different in their grain yielding and total biomass production abilities. The model performance in predicting grain yield was good with d-values of 0.84, 0.78 and 0.62 for Obatanpa, Omankwa and Abontem, respectively. Total biomass was predicted with d-values of 0.78, 0.98 and 0.62 for Obatanpa, Omankwa and Abontem, respectively. Projected weather data across GCMs show an increase in maximum temperature from between 1.81 and 2.61°C and minimum temperature of 1.7 to 3.17 °C. Results indicated that climate change has significant effect on maize phenology. Days to anthesis could reduce by an average of between 6 and 10 % for Obatanpa, 6 to 9% for Omankwa and between 5 and 8% for Abontem cultivar for major season. In the minor season, mean reduction ranged between 5 and 9 % for all cultivars. Reduction in the duration of days to maturity in the major season ranged between 7 and 11 %, with 6 and 10% for the minor season for all cultivars across GCMs. Climate change impacts on maize total biomass and grain yield suggest significant yield reductions of between 16 – 49 % across all three cultivars and across GCMs in both seasons. The response of grain yield to mineral fertilizer application suggests that, the efficiency of fertilizer use will decrease under climate change. Sensitivity analysis revealed temperature as main driving force in reducing grain and biomass yield in maize. The use of shorter duration maize cultivars may not be an effective adaptation strategy to climate change due to the effect of temperature increases on shortening crop phenology and subsequently yield. Even though increased use of mineral fertilizers as an adaptation strategy will increase yield, the efficiency will reduce significantly under climate change. The production of maize in the Coastal savanna will be negatively impacted by climate change, hence the need to explore feasible adaptation strategies to mitigate the negative impactItem Cost-Benefit Analysis of Conventional and Integrated Crop Management for Vegetable Production(International Journal of Vegetable Science, 2018-04) Kuwornu, J.K.M.; Oduro, E.; Amegashie, D.P.K.; Fening, K.O.; Yangyouru, M.; MacCarthy, D.S.; Amoatey, C.; Datta, A.Smallholder vegetable farmers involved in agricultural production are confronted with numerous challenges which can adversely affect performance. Farmers would prefer to adopt the most profitable vegetable production systems. A cost-benefit analysis of integrated crop management (ICM) and conventional method (CM) systems for vegetable production was conducted. Primary data were solicited from 120 vegetable farmers using questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to describe levels of awareness and extent to which farmers understood use of the ICM system. A cash flow projection was done on a 0.4 ha size of land for 5 years. Net present value (NPV) and cost-benefit ratio (CBR) analyses were performed for farmers operating under the ICM and CM production systems. The NPV analysis indicated production of vegetables under both systems was viable. The incremental NPV for cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.) production, and the whole farm enterprise were all positive, indicating the ICM system was more financially viable than the CM system. The NPV increase was GHS 2563.58 (GHS is Ghanaian currency, 1$US = 3.5 GHS in January 2015 when data were collected) for cabbage and GHS 3949.43 for onion, and of the whole farm enterprise, i.e., combined cabbage and onion production, was GHS 6162.75. The CBR analysis indicated that vegetable production under the two systems was viable, confirming results of the NPV analyses. The CBR for cabbage production was 1.58 for the CM and 2.08 for the ICM systems; the CBR for onion production was 2.69 for the CM and 4.36 for the ICM systems. The CBR for whole farm enterprise was 2.42 for the CM and 3.93 for the ICM systems. Sensitivity analyses, under the assumption of a 5% reduction in yield and a 10% cost over-run, indicated positive NPVs for both production systems for cabbage and onion production, and the whole farm enterprise. The NPVs from use of the ICM system were higher than under the CM system. Overall, vegetable production is profitable under both the ICM and CM systems, and awareness is a factor influencing practice of the ICM system.Item Evaluation of Hyt Biofertilizers and Biochar on the Growth Characters and Yield of Hot Pepper(University of Ghana, 2013-07) Appah, G.B.; Nkansah, G.O.; Amoatey, C.The research was conducted to investigate the effects of High Yield Technology (HYT) biofertilizers, biochar and inorganic fertilizer on the growth and yield of pepper. The studies were conducted at the University of Ghana Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre (FOHCREC), Kade from May 2011 to April 2012. The experiment consisted of three factors namely, HYT, Biochar and inorganic fertilizer at three levels each (HYT: 100%, 50% and 0%); Biochar: 7t/ha, 3.5t/ha and 0t/ha; inorganic fertilizer: 100%, 50% and 0% of recommended rate). There were twenty seven treatments with three replications arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Data were collected on plant height, plant diameter and leaf number, fruit number per plant and yield (t/ha) as well as soil chemical and microbial properties. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that application of HYT biofertilizers and biochar significantly affected plant height, stem girth, number of leaves and fruit yield and plant nutrients. The results revealed that 3.5t/ha to 7t/ha biochar + 50-100% HYT biofertilizer combination increased the yield of hot pepper. Microbial count before and after planting also showed significant increased with the application of biofertilizers.Item Grafting onto African eggplant enhances growth, yield and fruit quality of tomatoes in tropical Forest ecozones(Journal of Applied Horticulture, 2013-01) Nkansah, G.O.; Ahwireng, A.K.; Amoatey, C.; Ayarna, A.W.Field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of the University of Ghana Forest and Horticultural Crop Research Centre (FOHCREC), Okumaning-Kade to investigate the effect of grafting on growth, yield, disease resistance and fruit quality of tomatoes grafted onto two different African eggplant rootstocks. Two commercial tomato varieties ('Tropimech' and 'Roma') were used as scions and two African eggplant varieties ('Aworoworo' and 'Green') were used as rootstocks. The scion/rootstock combinations or treatments were 'Roma/Green', 'Tropimech/Green', 'Roma/Aworoworo', 'Tropimech/Aworoworo', 'Roma/Roma', 'Tropimech/Tropimech', and Roma non-grafted (control) and Tropimech nongrafted (control). The results indicated that, grafted tomatoes on African eggplant rootstocks performed better in terms of growth, yield, earliness, disease incidence and shelf life than non-grafted or control plants. Pooled mean data indicated significant differences in terms of percent fruit set, fruit number and weight among the treatments. Percent fruit set was higher for tomato on Africa eggplant (67.9) compared to the self grafted (58.7) and the control (52.6). Fruit number/plant and yield of tomato on the African eggplant was 16.2 and 1120.7g/plant compared to the control (10.8 and 916g/plant) while the self grafted had 13.2 and 1064.9g/plant, respectively. The shelf life of grafted tomatoes onto egg plant was significantly higher (25.4 days) compared to control (13.6 days). Grafting did not significantly affect Brix (%), pH and acidity of tomato. Grafted plants significantly recorded low disease incidence compared to non-grafted ones. The study indicated that the use of grafting on eggplant in the humid forest zone of Ghana can boost tomato production considerably.Item HYT Biofertilizers and Biochar Effects on the Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Okra in the Forest Ecological Zone of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2013-06) Mensah, S.G.; Nkansah, G.O.; Amoatey, C.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Crop ScienceTwo different studies were conducted at the Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre FOHCREC), Kade- Okumaning, from May 2011 to April 2012. The main objectives were to investigate the biological effects of biofertilizers, inorganic fertilizer and biochar on the growth, yield and fruit quality of okra in the forest ecological zone of Ghana. High Yield Technology (HYT) biofertilizers, biochar and inorganic fertilizers at three levels each, 100%, 50% and 0% were considered. Two different experiments were set up on the field during the major and minor growing seasons. Twenty- seven treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) were replicated four times. Biochar was incorporated into the first 5cm of the soil to mix with the entire soil. HYT application was first done ten (10) days after emergence (DAE) and this was followed weekly, alternating the soil with foliar and inorganic fertilizer at the recommended rates. Data were collected on factors including vegetative growth characteristics, yield and fruit quality, soil chemical as well as microbial properties. Data was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that application of HYT and biochar at 50% and 100% increased significantly the growth characteristics including plant height, stem diameter, fruit number, number of leaves, fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots, days to 50% flowering, days to harvesting, nutrient composition of plant foliage, nutrient uptake and reproductive characteristics such as days to flowering, fruit number and harvesting dates. HYT biofertilizers resulted in 62% increase in fresh fruit yield over inorganic fertilizers. A combination of HYT biofertilizers, biochar and inorganic fertilizers also yielded 55% better than inorganic fertilizer amended with biochar. Biochar also enhanced HYT efficiency by 8%.Item Poultry litter and cow dung biochar as P sources for cowpea cultivation in two Ghanaian soils(Frontiers in Agronomy, 2023) Nartey, E.K.; Sulemana, N.; Razak, A.; Adjadeh, T.A.; Akumah, A.M.; Amoatey, C.; Abekoe, M.K.Introduction: The main constraint to cowpea, Vigna unguiculata, production in West Africa is unavailability of applied phosphorus due to ligand exchange with clay minerals and precipitation reactions facilitated by low pH and low organic matter. Materials and methods: To overcome this challenge, cow dung biochar (CB) and poultry litter biochar (PB) were applied as P sources for cowpea cultivation in Plinthustult and Kandiustalf soil in Ghana. The biochar types and triple super phosphate (TSP) were applied to meet the standard phosphorus requirement (SPR) and ½ SPR of the soils. Basal K from KCl was added to the TSP treatment. In addition to a non-amended soil, the treatments were triplicated and arranged in a completely randomized design in a screen house for an efficacy trial using cowpea as the test crop. Moisture content was maintained at 80% field capacity. Results and discussion: Hundred cowpea seed weight was 20.3 g and 19.6 g for the TSP-amended Plinthustult at SPR and ½ SPR, respectively. This increased to 25.1 g and approximately 27 g at SPR and ½ SPR in the CB- and PB-amended Plinthustult, respectively. Hundred seed weight for TSP at both rates was similar in the two soils. The PB-amended Kandiustalf at SPR had seed with a weight of 27.02 g, 1.1 g heavier than the ½ SPR. The CB-amended Kandiustalf at both rates had 100 seeds weighing 25 g. Residual available P was 334.2 mg/kg and 213.2 mg/kg at SPR and ½ SPR, respectively, in the Plinthustult as opposed to a paltry 2.5 mg/kg at SPR in the TSP counterpart. The study recommends for the two biochar types to be applied at ½ SPR.Item Weed hosts of the root-lesion nematode pratylenchus speijeri in replanting sites cleared from nematode-infested plantain cv. apantu-pa (musa spp., aab-group) fields in Ghana(Nematropica, 2013-06) Brentu, F.C.; Amoatey, C.; Oppong, E.Twenty five weed species were collected from six fields after the removal of plantain (Musa spp., AAB-group) cv Apantu-pa plants severely damaged by plant-parasitic nematodes in Ghana. Weed roots were processed and analyzed for presence of plant-parasitic nematodes. Three nematode species, Helicotylenchus multicinctus, Meloidogyne javanica and Pratylenchus speijeri were detected in the roots of ten of the weed species growing in the fields. Six weed species including Rottboellia cochinchinensis, Panicum maximum, Acalypha ciliata, Sida acuta, Brachiaria deflexa and Fleurya aestuans were found to harbour P. speijeri. Rottboellia cochincinensis had the highest population density of P. speijeri with a mean nematode population density of about 19 vermiforms/g fresh root. Lower root densities of 1.5 and 1/g fresh root were observed on Sida acuta and Fleurya aestuans, respectively. The remaining four weeds were colonized by P. speijeri at population levels < 1 nematode/g fresh root. Three weed species (Ageratum conyzoides, Chromolaena odorata and Synedrella nodiflora) harboured only H. multicinctus. These results emphasize the importance of proper weed management in fallow land that is destined for plantain production.