ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Effect of chlorpyrifos application at different growth stages on Insect Pests’ incidence, Damage and yield of tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L) and Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L)

Field studies were conducted at the Plantation Crops Section of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (KNUST), Kumasi in the major and minor planting seasons of 2013 to evaluate the effect ofChlorpyrifos applications at different growth stages of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L) and tomato (Solanumlycopersicum L) for the management of insect pests of the two crops. The treatments were: Chlorpyrifos at 1.5 ml / 0.5 l of water applied (i) at the vegetative stage of the crops (sprayed vegetative), (ii) at the reproductive growth stage of the crops (starting at 50 % flowering of the crops – sprayed reproductive) and (iii) throughout the crops’ growth period (sprayed throughout). A control plot that received only water was also maintained. In both seasons, significantly (P < 0.05) less number of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius and Thrips tabaci(Linderman)were collected from the insecticide treated tomato plots than the untreated control plots, but no significant difference was observed among the treatments in the aggregations of Aphis gossypii(Glover) and Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner).With respect to okra, significantly (P < 0.05) fewerT. tabaci, B. tabaci, A. gossypii and Podagrica spp. were collected from the sprayed throughout plots than the other treatment plots, in the major season. Similar results were obtained in the minor season. Over 99 % of the Podagrica species collected on okra were P. uniformis(Jacoby). Chlorpyrifos application in the sprayed throughout plots significantly (P < 0.05) reduced damage to tomato fruits in the major season but not in the minor season. Tomato fruits from the sprayed vegetative and sprayed reproductive plots had comparable damage as the fruits from untreated control plots. Chlorpyrifos application also significantly (P < 0.05) increased yield of tomato from the sprayed throughout plots in both seasons. Significantly (P < 0.05) less percent defoliation was recorded on the insecticide-treated plots than the untreated control plots in both seasons. However, significant increase in yield of okra was obtained from only the sprayed throughout plots, but no significant differences were obtained in the number of damaged okra fruits. The best protection to the crops against the insect pests was obtained from weekly applications of chlorpyrifos throughout the entire growth period of the crops(sprayed throughout plots).

Source: KNUST
Effect of chlorpyrifos application at different growth stages on insect pests’ incidence, damage and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L)

Field studies were conducted at the Plantation Crops Section of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (KNUST), Kumasi in the major and minor planting seasons of 2013 to evaluate the effect of Chlorpyrifos applications at different growth stages of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) for the management of insect pests of the two crops. The treatments were: Chlorpyrifos at 1.5 ml / 0.5 l of water applied (i) at the vegetative stage of the crops (sprayed vegetative), (ii) at the reproductive growth stage of the crops (starting at 50 % flowering of the crops – sprayed reproductive) and (iii) throughout the crops’ growth period (sprayed throughout). A control plot that received only water was also maintained. In both seasons, significantly (P < 0.05) less number of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius and Thrips tabaci (Linderman) were collected from the insecticide treated tomato plots than the untreated control plots, but no significant difference was observed among the treatments in the aggregations of Aphis gossypii (Glover) and Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner). With respect to okra, significantly (P < 0.05) fewer T. tabaci, B. tabaci, A. gossypii and Podagrica spp. were collected from the sprayed throughout plots than the other treatment plots, in the major season. Similar results were obtained in the minor season. Over 99 % of the Podagrica species collected on okra were P. uniformis (Jacoby). Chlorpyrifos application in the sprayed throughout plots significantly (P < 0.05) reduced damage to tomato fruits in the major season but not in the minor season. Tomato fruits from the sprayed vegetative and sprayed reproductive plots had comparable damage as the fruits from untreated control plots. Chlorpyrifos application also significantly (P < 0.05) increased yield of tomato from the sprayed throughout plots in both seasons. Significantly (P < 0.05) less per cent defoliation was recorded on the insecticide-treated plots than the untreated control plots in both seasons. However, significant increase in yield of okra was obtained from only the sprayed throughout plots, but no significant differences were obtained in the number of damaged okra fruits. The best protection to the crops against the insect pests was obtained from weekly applications of chlorpyrifos throughout the entire growth period of the crops (sprayed throughout plots).

Source: KNUST
Effect of climate variability on yields of selected staple food crops in northern Ghana

Agriculture in Ghana is vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate variability. This poses a challenge to food security across the country. Despite this vulnerability, limited research has been conducted to understand the effect of climate variability on the yields of staple food crops in Ghana. This study assessed the effect of climate variability on the yields of selected staple food crops (millet, sorghum, rice, groundnut and maize). The study used the Mann-Kendall trend test and multiple regression analysis to assess how climate variability (in annual rainfall, onset, cessation, number of dry days and temperature) has affected the yields of selected food crops in five districts in northern Ghana (Bole, Nanton, Tolon, Kassena Nankana East and Wa) over a 21-year period (1995–2016). Results suggested a marginal decrease in annual rainfall (p > 0.05) and a significant increase in temperature (p < 0.05) over the period of study in the districts. Variability in the onset, cessation, length of rainy days and number of dry days was statistically significant from year to year, and also across the districts (p < 0.05). Results indicated substantial variability in the yields of the selected staple food crops. Temperature, number of dry days, onset, annual rainfall and cessation explained about 43%, 32%, 30%, 25% and 14%, respectively of the variations in the yields of groundnut, sorghum, millet, maize and rice. Our results generally suggest that the changing climate substantially affects food production in the study districts, highlighting the need for adaptations including the use of agricultural diversification and the greater use of drought tolerant varieties of these staple crops, as well as the continuing investment in crop breeding programmes to enhance drought tolerance.

Source: KNUST
Effect of cobalt-60 gamma irradiation on viability of soybean (glycine max. l) seed

The rapid rate of deterioration and low viability of soybean seeds particularly in storage is a major constraint to its production in the subtropical and tropical areas. Various approaches have been made to solve this problem but they have centred mainly on the control of the environment. Experimental mutagenesis is one of the ways by which genetic variability could be created to serve as basis for selection. In this study, induced mutations were used to create genetic variation and mutants with improved storability selected to provide a more lasting solution to this problem. Seeds of three soybean varieties - Gmx 92-6-10, Gmx 92-5-4E and TGX 87D- 1303 were subjected to four (4) months ambient storage and three accelerated ageing tests. The germination percentages computed 7days after planting showed that 20% ethanol solution better mimicked ambient storage than 20% methanol solution and the 75°C hot water. In the radiation dosage response studies, dry seeds containing 10% moisture from the three varieties were subjected to 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 Gy doses of 60Co gamma rays at Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Kwabenya and sown. The 250 Gy dose reduced both germination percentage and plant height by about 50% relative to the control and was used as the dosage appropriate for induced mutations for the varieties. Five thousand M2 plants were harvested and screened individually for improve storability using 20% ethanol solution, storing threshed seeds at ambient condition and storing seeds in pods also at ambient conditions. The 20% ethanol solution was less effective in selecting putative in mutants compared to the two ambient storage screening methods, but could be used as an initial screening method. The variety Gmx 92-6-10 was generally considered to give the greatest response to irradiation because it produce the largest proportion of putative mutant improved storability in two out of the three screening methods used at the M2 generation. Since TGX 87D_1303 produced the smallest proportion of putative mutants with improved storability at the M2 generation was considered the meat unresponsive. Only mutants with 80% germination and above were selected in the M2 to produce the M3 generation. The amount of improvement gained depended on the variety and the screening method In Gmx 92-6-10, the improvements from selection of M2 and M3 over the control were 25.7 % and 60.3% respectively. The improvement of M3 over M2 was 45.3%. In Grnx 92-5-4E, the improvements from selection of M2 and M3 over the control were 17.0% and 63.7% respectively whilst the improvement of M3 over M2 was 42.3%. For TGX 87D 1303, the improvements from selection of M2 and M3 over the control were 24.7% and 32.7% whilst the improvement of M3 over M2 was 65.0%. Even though TGX 87D-1303 gave the smallest proportion of improved mutants, it produced the highest gain in selection at the M3 generation

Source: KNUST
Effect of COD and H2O2 concentration on DC-MFC

The main challenges in constructing microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are the identification of materials and architectures that maximize power generation and efficiency, also minimizing the cost of fabrication. In some cases aqueous cathodes have been used to provide dissolved oxygen to the electrode. An attempt. has been made to use hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in different concentrations as substitute for ferricyanide and permanganate as catholyte in DC-MFCs. It has been found that the power generation was not significantly affected by the 20%e60% and 100% concentrations while 80% concentration exhibited higher power generation. Power densities were virtually dependent on the chemical oxygen demands (CODs) as observed to be 24.56 W/m2 for Balance substrate (7562 mg/L) against 80% H2O2. This confirms that H2O2 is a very powerful oxidizing agent between the concentrations of 70%e90%.

Source: KNUST
The effect of conflicts on the attainment of sustainable land use systems in Tamale Metropolis, Tolon-Kumbungu, Sefwi Wiawso and Kwahu South Districts

Conflicts of all kinds have been a major threat to sustainable development and socioeconomic growth and have continued to plague many African countries including Ghana in recent times. In the last two and half decades several civil strife such as ethnic conflicts, chieftaincy disputes and political clashes have plagued the nation. There are growing concerns about the effects of these conflicts on national stability, security and economic growth and development of the nation. In all kinds of conflicts the most vulnerable group of people to suffer the severest impact are the aged, women and children. This research examines the causes and effects of conflicts on sustainable land use. A total of eighty-nine respondents drawn from four districts that have been experiencing conflicts in recent times were interviewed between January and December 2009. The methods used in this research were focus group discussions; transect walk and review of secondary data. Chi-square was used to test for significance. All the 89 respondents confirmed that the major sources and types of conflict in Ghana are land litigation, chieftaincy disputes, political and ethnic clashes, among others. All the 89 respondents said that the impacts of conflicts on land use were the destruction of farms and vegetation and the demolishing of houses and properties, loss of lives, displacement of people and abandoning of crop land to save lives. About 83% of the respondents said that the common strategies adopted when conflicts erupted were moving from their town to a different town, moving to battle front to help, some hiring people to guard their businesses while others sell their assets and close down their businesses. About 69% of the respondents said that agroforestry technology that could be used to prevent conflict included clearly delineating boundaries with trees and planting fast growing ideotype, practicing fodder banks to feed farm animals and leaving big trees on farm as „tree god‟. It was recommended that farmers should be encouraged and assisted to ensure that they have written agreement on the land for farming as a way of reducing conflicts. Farmers should be educated on agroforestry technologies used in farming to prevent conflicts on land use. Also, there should be stakeholders meeting to help resolve various forms of conflicts at the initial stage to prevent more violent clashes in conflicts communities.

Source: KNUST
Effect of communication on employee performance at Ghana Revenue Authority, Kumasi

Communication is bound to happen in any organization where information is passed on from one person to the other; through the use of both verbal and non-verbal means. Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), like every other organization uses communication in their daily activities; in interactions between superiors and subordinates, as well as among colleagues, both formally and informally amidst some challenges. This was compounded when the three (3) Revenue Agencies – Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Custom Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) and Value Added Tax Service (VAT) that form GRA came together as one Authority. Role clarity has become an issue as employees had to move and share offices with colleagues in different units. This study investigated the role of effective communication on organizational performance using GRA as a case study. Specifically, the study examined the communication systems available in GRA and measured the employees’ performance. In addition, it determined the relationship between effective organizational communication and employee performance. It also identified the channels of communication considered by employees to be the most useful. Finally, barriers and breakdowns in the communication systems of GRA were also identified. Primary data was adopted. Simple random sampling was used for the selection of 200 respondents. Mean, correlation and regression results were adopted in the analysis. From the results, the communication systems frequently used include face-to-face, telephone, written memos, email/internet and grapevines, with the most useful channel of communication being face-to-face. GRA employees also largely perform well. Selective listening, distraction, time pressure, communication overload, information distortion, rationalization, and prejudice are identified as barriers and breakdowns in communication systems. Finally, various employees’ performance indicators are found to correlate with varying measures of effective organizational communication. Employee performance can be further enhanced if bottlenecks in the communication systems are either removed or kept at their least. Particularly, information distortions caused by omissions and exaggerations must be addressed both by management and employees to improve clarity in communication.

Source: KNUST
Effect of compensation management on employee performance at the St. Michael’s Catholic Hospital, Pramso

Total compensation is a concept which is not usually given attention in many organisations. Compensation is mostly viewed as cash and therefore other aspects are neglected. Viewing compensation as a holistic system to manage for productivity is pertinent to organizational development. This study looks at the total compensation system and its management in the St. Michael’s Hospital, Pramso. To accomplish this, the study made use of compensation manuals and collective bargaining agreement of the hospital and also solicited responses to questionnaires from a cross-section of the employees. It was found out that though there were a lot of compensation packages available in the manuals of the hospital, employees were not fully aware of them. The study also revealed that communication regarding issues of compensation was poor with no avenues for employees to be heard on issues related to compensation. Policy manuals were not available for employees to educate themselves. The grass root therefore was not involved in any way in the formulation and implementation of the policies on compensation. The study therefore recommended to management to incorporate education on compensation packages in the orientation of new staff and organize periodic education programmes for existing employee. Also making available the compensation manuals to all employees was recommended as a means of self-education to reduce the unawareness. The study also recommended that management creates avenues for the employee to air their concerns on issues pertaining to compensation through periodic staff durbars. These coupled with verbal commendation of employees when implemented the study believes will go a long way to boost the morale of employees and in the long run have a positive influence on their performance and productivity as a whole.

Source: KNUST
Effect of continuous use of poultry manure on urban vegetable farming soil properties

Soil fertility, one of the important determinants of agricultural productivity, is generally thought to be supplemented with nutrients from poultry manure application. The residual effect of the poultry manure which could sometimes pose major environmental problems such as surface and groundwater contamination is generally ignored. In this study, the long-term impact of poultry manure (PM) on vertical distribution of soil macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) was determined. In addition, change in other soil fertility indicators such as pH, organic matter (OM) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) levels were assessed in the cultivated soil profile at four depth intervals from 0 to 120 cm in urban (Gyenyase site) and peri-urban (Deduako site ) Kumasi, Ghana. The treatments were plots under cultivation while the control, adjacent uncultivated plots. Poultry manure was estimated to be applied at the rate of 100 t/ha per year at both sites with Gyenyase and Deduako sites cultivated for ten (10) years and four (4) years respectively. Soil samples from four depths (0-15, 15-30, 30-60, and 60-120 cm) from the two « sites were analyzed for total N, Bray no. 1 (available P), exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg, pH, OM and CEC. The soil types for Gyenyase and Deduako sites were sandy loam and loamy sand respectively. With the exception of N and OM which showed no significant differences between the two locations, levels of P, K, Ca, Mg and pH were significantly higher (p < 0.05) at Gyenyase site than the Deduako site, probably due to several years of cultivation. Cultivating vegetables with poultry manure as soil amendment caused significant increases in all selected soil properties (N, P, K.Ca, Mg, OM, CEC, and pH) at Gyenyase site compared with the uncultivated soil. Data from Deduako site also showed similar results except pH. Significant changes (p < 0.05) were recorded in the soil profile for N, P, K, OM and pH during wet season. During the dry season, only N, P and OM showed these changes. When the nutrient levels in cultivated and uncultivated sites were compared at the different depths, N, Ca, Mg, OM and CEC were observed to be significantly higher (p<0.05) in the cultivated soils. Potassium, Phosphorus and pH showed no consistent differences with depth. This result reflects crop removal, leaching, mineralization, erosion and pedogenic processes. The data also revealed that the levels of N and P were high at depths 15, 30 and 60 cm indicating sustainable nutrient reserve for plants but which could potentially pollute groundwater and surface water.

Source: KNUST
Effect of Cooking Methods on Residual Nitrite Levels in Commonly Consumed Sausage in Ghana

Sausages are a processed form of meat popular in Ghana, especially among children. Sausages contain nitrite which serves as a curing agent for most processed meat products and is used as preservative, antioxidant and a colour fixative. It is a precursor of carcinogenic N-nitrosamines during the processing of meat products or through human digestion activities. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different cooking methods on the residual nitrite concentration of different brands of commercially available sausage in the Ashaiman market in the Tema district of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. A total of 18 samples of six (6) different brands were used in this study. The study employed three (3) common cooking methods used in cooking sausage in Ghana; boiling, frying and grilling. Raw (uncooked) sausage served as the control. Determination of the residual nitrite concentration of the different sausage brands cooked using different cooking methods was by a spectrophotometric method. The residual mean nitrite concentration (ppm) for the raw, boiled, fried and grilled sausage brands were as follows; for brand A; 164, 78, 81 and 80; for brand B; 248, 218, 269 and 387; for brand C; 108, 104, 217 and 198, for brand D; 187, 154, 225 and 150, for brand E; 188, 54, 45,and 47, and for the last brand F; 347, 190, 218, and 205, respectively. The results revealed that brands A and E had significantly reduced nitrite concentration for all three cooking methods. Also, among the six (6) brands of raw sausage investigated, the nitrite concentration level of brand C (108 ppm) was within the set acceptable limit (125 ppm) by the Ghana Standard Authority and WHO/EU recommended levels with the rest showing values above the limit in processed meats. The results suggest boiling as a safe cooking method for cured meat and sausages found on the Ghanaian market.

Source: KNUST