Browsing by Author "Cofie, O."
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Item Effect of N-enriched co-compost on transpiration efficiency and water use efficiency of maize (zea mays L) under controlled irrigation(Agricultural Water Management, 2010) Ofosu-Budu, G.K.; Adamtey, N.; Cofie, O.; Ofosu-Anim, J.; Laryea, K.B.; Dionys, F.Population growth, urban expansion and economic development are increasing competition for water use between agriculture and other users. In addition, the high rate of soil degradation and declining soil moisture in the Sub-Saharan African Region have called for several crop production management and irrigation options to improve soil fertility, reduce water use by crops and produce more crops per drop of water. Notwithstanding, this, considerable variations exist in the literature on water use efficiency. WUFewu (economic yield per water used) for maize (Zea mays L) across climates and soil management practices. Different views have been expressed on the effect of different rates of nitrogen (N) application on transpiration efficiency. TE (biomass product per unit of water transpired). The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of different rate of N -enriched municipal waste co-compost and its derivative on TE, WUEewu and yield of maize (Z mays L) in comparison to inorganic waste fertiliser. The green house put experiment was conducted in Accra, Ghana a study loam soil (Ferric Lisisol) using a split plot design. The main plot treatments were soil (S) dewatered focal study (DES) municipal solid water compost ( C) co-compost from municipal solid waste and dewatered focal study (Co) compost enriched with (NH4)2SO4. The sub-plot treatments were different rates of application of nitrogen fertilizer applied at the rate at 91, 150 and 210 kg n ha-1 respectively …Item Harmonizing procedures for the evaluation of compost in two compost types in Ghana(Resources Conservation and Recycling, 2009) Ofosu-Budu, G.K.; Adamtey, N.; Cofie, O.; Danso, S.K.A.; Dionys, F.Composting is one of the most favoured options for municipal solid waste recycling for waste streams with high content of biodegradable materials. Compost has many uses including its use in agriculture for soil structure and fertility improvement. However, non-mature composts when applied to soils could present immical phytotoxic problems to crops. Despite this reality, many developing countries including Ghana, fact simple and reliable compost maturity tests, and run the risk of producing and/or using composts that have not reached maturation stage. This study was conducted to validate some chemical and biological procedures for testing the maturity of composts prepared from agricultural residues (AR) and municipal solid wastes (MSW) in Ghana. Three maturity indices – humus colour, CO2 respspirometry, and germination index – were considered for this validation study. For composts produced from crop residues, the optimal values for humus colour test, CO2 evolution test, and germinationindex were 0.36-0.59, 1.24-1.80gCO2 Kg-1, day-1159.5-259.4, respectively. Similarly for the MSW composts the optimal maturity index ranges were 0.41-0.51 for humus colour test, 0.43-0.56g Co2 kg-1 day-1 for CO2 evolution test and 0-59.1 for germination index. The MSW composts appeared mature under humus colour and CO2 evolution tests, but inhibited germination. Agricultural residue composts on the other hand were found to be mature when subjected to all three maturity tests. This is indicative that composts may pass certain maturity parameters, yet fail germination test. It is therefore concluded that the germination test index is able to discriminate better between mature and non-mature composts.Item Isolation and identification of some plant growth promoting substances in compost and co-compost(International Journal of Virology, 2008) Miezah, K.; Ofosu-Anim, J.; Budu, G.K.O.; Enu-Kwesi, L.; Cofie, O.In this study, plant growth hormones in compost or co-compost prepared from human excreta and/or municipal solid waste were extracted and identified. Water (deionized) or 80% methanol (chilled) extracts were prepared from the composts for the isolation and identification of plant growth substances. The methanolic extracts of plant growth hormones fraction was further partitioned into cytokinin (fraction) using ethyl acetate and n-butanol; auxins (fraction) using diethyl ether and gibberellins (fraction) using sodium hydrogen carbonate and n-butanol. Five different concentrations of standard plant growth hormones; Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP), Gibberellic Acid (GA3) and Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) were prepared and used in a bioassay test to compare the effects and concentration of the extracted plant growth hormones from the compost and co-compost. The presence of some plant growth hormones in the extracted samples from compost or co-compost was confirmed using the relative fluidity, (Rf) values of the co-chromatography using a standard hormone and the extracted plant growth hormones. The results indicated the presence of plant growth substances such as IAA, GA3 and cytokinins. In co-compost, the concentration of hormone were found to be 68.3 to 345.1 mg kg-1, 61.9 to 185.8 mg kg-1 and 250.4 to 312.7 mg kg-1 for auxins, cytokinins and gibberellins, respectively. Whereas in compost 42.0 to 248.8 mg kg-1, 33.1 to 198.3 mg kg-1 and 10.1 to 200.2 mg kg-1 of auxins, cytokinins and gibberellins, respectively were found. © 2008 Academic Journals Inc.Item Production and storage of N-enriched co-compost(Waste Management, 2009) Ofosu-Budu, G.K.; Adamtey, N.; Cofie, O.; Danso, S.K.A.; Dionys, F.Recovery of the organic fraction of municipals waste for peri-urban could contribute to the improvement of environmental sanitation and increase agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, municipal waster co-compost (Co) has how nitrogen. Therefore, this study investigated the type of form of inorganic N fertilizer of this N-enriched product under storage. To attain 30,000 mg kg-1(3%) N content, different amounts of urea or ammonium sulphate were applied in various forms (dry paste and liquid) to enrich Co. The production termed colizer was stored and its moisture, pH total nitrogen, NH4-N2N1-N1 and C/N ratio were monitored under ambient conditions for two years. In the first four months of storage, total N content of 50kg Co + 3.26kg, urea (CoUI) increased from 31.333 to 54,000 mg kg-1 and 50 kg Co +7.14kg (HH4)2 SO4 (CoASD) from 35.333 to 52,000 mg kg-1. At the end of two year of storage, the initial N content of CoUD and CoASD decreased by 4% and 24% respectively. Based on these results, is recommended that dry (NH4)2SO4 should be used in N enrichment of Co and that the comlizer should be stored in seated bags but not more than four months.Item Urban Agriculture in Accra Metropolis: Dimensions and Implications for urban Development. In: In: Parot, L. Njoya, A. Assogba-Komlan. F. Kahane, R. Ba Diao M, Havard, M. Editors: Agricultures et dévelopment urbain en Afrique subsaharienne. Governance et approvisionnement des villes(L’ Harmattan, 2008) Cofie, O.; Larbi, T.O.; Danso, G.I.; Abraham, E.I.; Kufogbe, S.K.; Obiri-Opareh, N.Urban Agriculture (UA) in Accra is an old practice which has grown to a phenomenon of significance in the last decades as a result of rapid rate of urbanization and its attendant increase in urban food demand. A study on the inventory of UA in Accra was carried out through participatory multi-stakeholder process. The study considered various forms of UA, analyzed the direct and indirect stakeholders involved, assessed the functions provided by open space and analyzed relevant municipal policies on UA. Study approach included literature reviews, key informant interviews, focused group discussions and use of semi-structured questionnaires for individual interview. There are diversities in agricultural practices in the city; UA production systems include poultry, small ruminants, irrigated vegetable, mushroom, floriculture, domesticated wildlife and seasonal crop production. The dominant UA are irrigated, market-oriented, vegetable production with an average farm size of 0.02 ha. UA contributes up to 80 % to the supply of fresh exotic vegetables to Accra. In addition irrigated vegetable farming supports 1000 farmers’ livelihood as it could yield an average of US$ 45 / month per farm which is well above the per capital General Net Income of US$ 27/month in Ghana. Moreover, emerging non-traditional production systems such as mushroom cultivation and domestication of grasscutter were reported to be lucrative ventures for UA practitioners. Nevertheless, there are no specific policies on UA, neither is it integrated prominently in the general micro-economic level development policies. To maximize the benefits and ensure sustainability of UA in Accra, there is need to institutionalize UA by integrating it into overall urban development plan. Achieving this will involve the formulation of appropriate UA policy and development of strategic action plans with the full involvement of all relevant stakeholders