ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Inoculation and N fertilizer effects on the growth, grain yield and N (gylcine max [l] merrill) in the Guinea savanna zone of Ghana

Experiments were conducted at Nyankpala and Savelugu both in the Guinea savanna zone of the northern region in the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons to determine the effects of N fertilizer and inoculant applications on the growth, grain yield and N remobilization in soybean (Glycine max [L] Merril). Soil samples were taken before and after the experiment to determine initial fertility level and the effects of the system on soil fertility. The experiments were laid in a 3 X 5 factorial arranged in Randomized Complete Bock Design (RCBD) with four replications at each location. The factors were the three varieties (Jenguma, Quashie and Anidaso), inoculation and four levels of N fertilizer which include 0 kg N/ha, 15 kg N/ha, 30 kg N/ha and 45 kg N/ha. The inoculant was applied at the rate of 5 g to 1 kg of soybean seed through the slurry method that was estimated to give 107 of viable rhizobia cells. Planting was done manually on the flat by drilling and later thinned to 2 plants hill-1 at 0.1 m (10 cm) within rows and spaced at 0.5 m (50 cm) between rows. Each plot had 8 rows with 30 stands giving an approximate plant population of 400 000 plants ha-1. A non-legume crop used was maize cv Obantampa spaced at 80 cm x 40 cm. The N fertilizer was applied to the plants two weeks after planting (2 WAP), except where inoculant was applied. Growth parameters measured were plant height, leaf area, number of branches, number of nodules, percent effective nodules, nodule dry weight and shoot dry weight. Yield parameters measured were number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight, grain yield, harvest index (HI) and crop residue yield. N remobilization and N distribution index (NDI) were also determined between 80 and 120 DAP. The results indicated that the inoculant effects produced the highest nodulation of 21.2 to 23.0 nodules plant-1 across locations. There was also promiscuous nodulation where no inoculant was applied that produced 15.9 to 17.0 nodules plant-1 across experiments. The amount of N fixed ranged from 59 to 81 kg N ha-1. In all parameters measured, the inoculant treatment was superior to the uninoculated control. Additionally, the 45 kg N/ha produced greatest grain yield that ranged from 2,146 to 2,302 kg ha-1 across locations compared to the other rates of N. Nitrogen remobilization was observed in all plots that ranged from 50.0 to 115.7 kg N ha-1, which indicate that soybean needs greater levels of N during grain filling.

Source: KNUST
Inoculation and n fertilizer effects on the growth, grain yield and n remobilization in soybean (Gylcine max [L] Merrill) in the guinea savanna zone of Ghana

Experiments were conducted at Nyankpala and Savelugu both in the Guinea savanna zone of the northern region in the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons to determine the effects of N fertilizer and inoculant applications on the growth, grain yield and N remobilization in soybean (Glycine max [L] Merril). Soil samples were taken before and after the experiment to determine initial fertility level and the effects of the system on soil fertility. The experiments were laid in a 3 X 5 factorial arranged in Randomized Complete Bock Design (RCBD) with four replications at each location. The factors were the three varieties (Jenguma, Quashie and Anidaso), inoculation and four levels of N fertilizer which include 0 kg N/ha, 15 kg N/ha, 30 kg N/ha and 45 kg N/ha. The inoculant was applied at the rate of 5 g to 1 kg of soybean seed through the slurry method that was estimated to give 107 of viable rhizobia cells. Planting was done manually on the flat by drilling and later thinned to 2 plants hill-1 at 0.1 m (10 cm) within rows and spaced at 0.5 m (50 cm) between rows. Each plot had 8 rows with 30 stands giving an approximate plant population of 400 000 plants ha-1. A non-legume crop used was maize cv Obantampa spaced at 80 cm x 40 cm. The N fertilizer was applied to the plants two weeks after planting (2 WAP), except where inoculant was applied. Growth parameters measured were plant height, leaf area, number of branches, number of nodules, percent effective nodules, nodule dry weight and shoot dry weight. Yield parameters measured were number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight, grain yield, harvest index (HI) and crop residue yield. N remobilization and N distribution index (NDI) were also determined between 80 and 120 DAP. The results indicated that the inoculant effects produced the highest nodulation of 21.2 to 23.0 nodules plant-1 across locations. There was also promiscuous nodulation where no inoculant was applied that produced 15.9 to 17.0 nodules plant-1 across experiments. The amount of N fixed ranged from 59 to 81 kg N ha-1. In all parameters measured, the inoculant treatment was superior to the uninoculated control. Additionally, the 45 kg N/ha produced greatest grain yield that ranged from 2,146 to 2,302 kg ha-1 across locations compared to the other rates of N. Nitrogen remobilization was observed in all plots that ranged from 50.0 to 115.7 kg N ha-1, which indicate that soybean needs greater levels of N during grain filling.

Source: KNUST
Insect pests of sweet berry (Richardella dulcifica) (Schumach and Thonn) Baehni in Ghana

A study on sweet berries was conducted in three towns representing three regions in Ghana; Nsawam (Eastern region), Kpando (Volta region) and Agona-Wiamoase (Ashanti region) from November, 2010 to June 2012 to (i) determine sweet berry farmers’ perspectives about sweet berry production in Ghana; (ii) identify important insect pests of sweet berry, Richardella dulcifica (Schumach and Thonn) Baehni and the damage they cause and (iii) identify their management strategies. A majority (67 %) of sweet berry farmers aged over 40 years and 70 % were males. Similarly, majority of them have had at least basic education. All the farmers relied on cultural practices to manage the insect pests of the crop. Seventeen insects’ species belonging to five orders were recorded in all the regions with 15 being pests. Diptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera and Blattodea were collected. Ten insect pests belonging to the order, Lepidoptera, caused different types of damage to the berries with Catopsilia frorella Fab. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) being the most common pest. About 55 % of the damage on berries was caused by Ceratitis punctata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) which makes it the most important insect pest of the crop in Ghana. All the pests species recorded occurred during all the phenological stages of the plant except C. punctata which occurred during only the ripening stage of the berries. Most of the pests attacked the plant in the morning and late afternoon with the berries and leaves being the parts mostly attacked. Six types of damage were recorded with ovipositional punctures being the most common. Cultural and chemical control strategies can be integrated to manage the insect pests.

Source: KNUST
Insect infestation and quality deterioration of some animal feedstuffs in storage

The susceptibilities of white maize and yellow maize to Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch); of rice bran, maize bran wheat bran and brewer’s dried grain to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst); of soyabean meal, copra meal and groundnut meal to Ephestia cautella (Walk.), were tested. Yellow maize was significantly more susceptible (p < 0.01) to S. zeamais than white maize. Wheat bran, maize bran and rice bran did not significantly differ (P < 0.05) in susceptibility to T. castaneum whilst brewer’s dried grain was significantly less susceptible (P<0.01) to the insect than any of the others. The susceptibility of the oilseed meals to E. cautella was in the order: soyabean meal>copra meal> groundnut meal (p<0.01). Changes in insect population and in quality of infested and un- infested feedstuffs stored for one, three, six and nine months under laboratory conditions were studied using the test feedstuffs and insects above and then fish meal infested with Dermestes maculatus (Degeer). Throughout the test period, no significant increase was observed in the number of insects originally introduced into brewer’s dried grain and. groundnut meal and also no adults emerged from the pupae produced in fish meal. Mite contamination 4as observed in only the infested yellow maize and white maize and the infested and uninfested fish meal. Hea.ing occurred in only the infested yellow maize and white maize from the third to the ninth month and the infested and uninfested fish meal in the first month. Changes in colour and odour were noted in only the samples and extracted oil of the infested yellow maize and white maize and the infested and uninfested fish meal from the third to the ninth month. Apart from the moisture content of the uninfested copra meal which reduced and that of all the samples of brewer’s dried grain which remained unchanged in storage, the moisture content of the infested and uninfected samplen of all the feedstuffs increased with times. Of the percent proximate nutrient contents, only the crude fibre content of all the test samples, the crude protein content of the infested and uninfested rice bran, maize bran, brewer’s dried grain and wheat bran and the uninfested yellow maize and white maize, and the ash content of all the test samples but fish meal did not significantly change in storage.

Source: KNUST
Insecticide resistance in malaria vectors in Kumasi, Ghana

Background: There have been recent reports of surge in resistance to insecticides in pocketed areas in Ghana necessitating the need for information about local vector populations and their resistance to the insecticides approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). We therefore studied a population of malaria vectors from Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana and their resistance to currently used insecticides. We conducted susceptibility tests to the four major classes of insecticides by collecting larvae of anopheline mosquitoes from several communities in the region. Surviving adults from these larvae were then subjected to the WHO-approved susceptibility tests and characterization of knockdown resistance and acetylcholinesterase mutant genes. Results: Out of 619 Anopheles specimens sampled, 537 (87%) were identified as Anopheles gambiae (sensu stricto), which was also the species with the lowest knockdown resistance mutant gene, 61% (P = 0.017). Knockdown resistance mutant gene was as high as 91% in An. coluzzii. Mosquitoes collected showed susceptibility ranging from 98–100% to organophosphates, 38–56% to carbamates and 15–47% and 38–46% to pyrethroids and organochlorides, respectively. The knockdown resistance mutation frequency of Anopheles gambiae (sensu lato) mosquitoes that were exposed to both pyrethroids and organochlorides was 404 (65%). Acetylcholinesterase mutant gene was not found in this population of vectors. Conclusion: Our study shows that pyrethroids have the highest level of resistance in the population of mosquito vectors studied probably due to their frequent use, especially in impregnation of insecticide-treated nets and in insecticides used to control pests on irrigated vegetable farms. We recommend studies to monitor trends in the use of all insecticides and of pyrethroids in particular.

Source: KNUST
An insight into development control in urban centres of Ghana; a study of Sekondi-Takoradi

The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis has become the centre of attention in recent times due to the production of oil in commercial quantities beginning in 2007 in the Western Region of Ghana. The result has been an increase in population and land use activities in the metropolis. The question of how these increasing land use activities would be effectively controlled is a matter of concern. This study therefore sought to obtain valuable insights into the development control processes in the metropolis so that useful recommendations can be proffered in order to effectively control the increasing physical development activities. The study adopted a combination of qualitative and quantitative research approach. The primary data used for the analyses were obtained through questionnaires, interviews and field observations. The unit of analysis for the questionnaires was landlords while heads of institutions were selected for the interviews. The results suggest that the urban land has expanded tremendously. The residential land has increased from 52% in 2008 to 55% in 2014. The farmlands on the other hand have decreased from 30% in 2008 to 24% in 2014. To effectively handle the resultant increase in physical development activities, the Physical Planning Department has prepared various land use plans to control physical development. The results further show that 75% of respondents acquired development/building permits before the development of physical structures. However, the acquisition of occupancy and extension permits has been poor. The results again show that public participation in Physical Planning decisions has been limited to information giving at best. The collaboration among the various land use institutions has nevertheless been encouraging. Furthermore, the results revealed that the mainstream development control institutions (the Physical Planning Department and the Building Inspectorate Unit) are constrained in terms of staff and logistics and funds. In view of these findings, major recommendations include the need for effective community participation in the preparation of development plans, intensive public sensitisation on development permit requirements and conditions, and increase in funding to the development control institutions. It is hoped that effective implementation of the recommendations will adequately position the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly to effectively control physical development in the face of the oil induced growth.

Source: KNUST
Installation and performance evaluation of a solar photo voltaic reciprocating water pump

Access to good drinking water is a problem to rural folks in most developing countries mainly because they have no access to electrical grid. Solar energy has been identified as reliable and is less costly energy source for water pumping in some of these rural areas. In this research work, the drive on a Jensen Jack pump was adapted and mounted on the below ground sub-assembly of the UST hand pump and powered by solar PV source, thus eliminating manual operation of the UST pump. The performance of the system was then evaluated as the major objective of the research work. The new system has shown a tremendous improvement in its water delivery, especially, when a linear current booster (LCB) was used. About 43% additional water was pumped daily using the LCB and the system’s power utilisation also increased by about 27% over the system without the LCB; the system daily average conversion efficiency also increased from 6.2% to 11%. The capacities of the system are 5.2m3 and 3.6m3 per day with and without LCB respectively. The UST-Jack pumping system was found to be reliable and simple; it can be operated unattended with less skilled labour.

Source: KNUST
Insecticide susceptibility, characterization of breeding sites and community perceptions on malaria vector control interventions on KNUST Campus

This study was carried out to find out the susceptibility status of Anopheles sp to the various chemical interventions used by inhabitants of KNUST campus and environs for mosquito control. To determine the association between breeding sites and susceptibility status obtained and also find out their knowledge and perception on ITN use. Seven Anopheles larval breeding sites were identified from larval surveys. Anopheles larvae were reared to adulthood and tested for (0.05%) deltamethrin, (0.1%) fenitrothion, (4%) DDT and (1%) bendiocarb to determine levels of resistance using the WHO tube assay method. Questionnaires were administered to determine the chemical control methods used by inhabitants within and in the immediate surroundings of the campus, and also their knowledge and perception on ITN use. A total of 2,510 adult female mosquitoes morphologically identified as Anopheles gambiae s.l. (98.8%) and Anopheles funestus (1.2%). These were exposed and were found to be highly resistant to the four classes of insecticides tested with mortalities of 15-54% for deltamethrin, 10-50% for bendiocarb, 7.5-38.75% for DDT and 5-42.5% for fenitrothion. Overall knockdown was 21-60% for deltamethrin, 11.25-36.25% for fenitrothion, 12.5-26.25% for DDT and10-55% for bendiocarb across all breeding sites. There was no association between susceptibility status and physical parameters of breeding sites. Inhabitants use ITNs, aerosol sprays, mosquito coils and mosquito repellents, impregnated curtains and screens on windows. Most of them had some knowledge about ITNs but a few did not use them due to reasons based on the nature of their rooms, allergies and socioeconomic reasons. The study shows the need for continous monitoring of susceptibility status of insecticides due to the high levels of resistance observed especially in cultivation areas, to slow its spread and restore vector susceptibility.

Source: KNUST
Institute for Hotel and Tourism Training, Accra

By the year 2000 Tourism is expected to be the largest employer in the World. Tourism and Hospitality are major growth industries both within Africa, Europe and worldwide. Appropriately qualified persons can look forward to rewarding careers in industry where opportunities both within the continent and worldwide are expected to continue to grow. In Africa the situation is similar. Quickly emerging on the world tourist map are countries which hitherto were unknown or known for other reasons. Ghana is one such country known previously for its revolutionary self governing precedence in Africa in 1957. In recent times it is quickly establishing itself as a major tourist destination due to (1) The rich cultural heritage of African American roots. (2) The traditional Hospitality of the people (3) The abundance of natural resources that create an ecologically intact tourist environment. (4) The socio-economic and political climate that augers well for international business investment and its off shoot of tourism. (5) Of no mean qualification is the issue of sports of which soccer and football through the aegis of certain sporting ambassadors has given no small dimensions to Ghana’s popularity. Hence the influx of people of all sorts and skins, African Americans in search of their roots, the ubiquitous Germans, the thrifty British and of course other Europeans not forgetting African brothers and sisters from nearby. Such a stream of people naturally means a lot to the Ghana economy. Foreign exchanged But it has to be sustained, It is the services provided to these visitors, by way of Hospitality provisions i.e. Accommodation and Catering and other related services that bring in the money, not regardless of the very tourist attractions themselves. Consequently a high premium must be placed on such areas. These are divisible into two. (1) The physical-or natural environment (2) The services rendered to support them by way of human resource. The international nature of travel demands that good attention be given to both, to ensure that element of attractiveness to the tourist and potential tourists in order to maintain a competitive edge in the world travel scene. Such is the problem Ghana has to contend with; Manpower supply on one hand - Infrastructure and Physical Provisions on the other. Surveys conducted in the industry reveal however that whereas there is a huge supply of manpower, the majority of them lack formal training which blunts the keenness of whatever service they could offer.

Source: KNUST
Institute of Geological and Metallurgical Engineering, U.S.T. - Kumasi

A cursory glance at the performance of the School of Mines, (I.M.M.E) U.S.T. clearly revealed that their impact was not being felt effectively. This was attributed to a number of reasons. Firstly, modern and permanent means of laboratory facilities were lacking; Secondly, the idea of shared resources thus between the School of Mines, Tarkwa and that of U.S.T. had hampered the growth of the Institute. Having established the need, the School of Mines - U.S.T. in line with the Ghana Government in a bid to harness the mineral and material potentials in the country The above intention has therefore necessitated the need to put up permanent structures on U.S.T. Campus, Kumasi under a new name tow it; INSTITUTE OF GEOLOGICAL AND METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING - U.S.T. All basic human and physical infrastructure that will make the above Institute wholistic in outlook will be taken care of in this academic but realistic exercise.

Source: KNUST
Institute of Management Studies - Kumasi

It has been said that a nation’s development depends to a large extent on how well it trains its human resources, to acquire skills in business, management and the academic to hold responsible positions in key sections of the economy such as industry, commence, and agriculture. The need for institutions in the country to help train such personnel cannot thus be over emphasised. However, in Ghana, the business/managerial sector has been on the quite if not neglected, by our educational system for quite a long time now. This is obvious from the fact that of the five universities in the country, it is only the School of Administration in Legon (SOA, Legon) which offers courses in business/management at a tertiary level. This trend has led to a situation where students who study these subjects at the second cycle level either are not able to gain admission to the university due to the high rate of competition, coupled with the virtual not existence of such institution, to absorb the students for further study. As a result of this trend of affairs, a high percentage of students are walking about with knowledge in the courses but are unable to further their education. Other part qualified professionals are also practising in offices all over the country. Moreover, the few such schools around, Institute of Professional Studies (I.P.S Legon) is located in the southern sector of the country and thus makes it difficult for those in the northern sector to have access to improve their level of education. It is in realisation of this need that as a contribution to the national front, the task of collecting information to present a design of such an institute in Kumasi to help meet the needs of students in this sector was undertaken. Due to the lack of comprehensive material about such institutes, a lot of the data meant for this thesis was collected through reading, holding discussions and interviews as well as photographs for visual survey and documentation purposes. The approach adopted for this study was to establish the need for such an institute in the northern sector to help train people to man certain key positions in the economy. Feasibility studies were then conducted to establish the viability of the project. Comparative studies were then made of both local and foreign institutions which train professionals in this category. The analysis and synthesis of the above studies led to a final comprehensive design brief to supplement the initial ideas of the client.

Source: KNUST