AAMUSTED Knowledge Manager

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    Growth and Yield Performance of Maize (Zea mays L.) as Influenced by Different inorganic Fertilizers Briquette Application.
    (BOANTE, Deborah Akuante, 2023-10) BOANTE, Deborah Akuante
    Two field experiments were conducted at AAMUSTED research field, Mampong campus and at Ejura Agricultural College crop farm from April to August, 2021. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of different inorganic fertilizers briquette application on growth and yield of maize. The experimental design used for both trials was Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. There were eight (8) treatments made up of different rates of inorganic fertilizers formulated into briquette namely: (T1 = NPK 23-10-5, T2 = NPK 20-10-10, T3 = NPK 20-10-10+3S, T4 = NPK 23-10-5+P+S+K, T5 = NPK 15-20-20+0.7 Zn, T6 = NPK 12-30-17 +0.4Zn, T7 = NPK 11-22-21 +5S +0.7Zn +0.5B. The result revealed that NPK 12-30-17+0.4Zn tasseled and silked earlier than other treatments and was significantly different from NPK 11-2221+5S+0.7Zn+0.5B and NPK 23-10-5+PR+P+K+S+Zn, respectively. There were a significantly taller plants at 7 WAP, higher number of leaves per plant at 13 WAP, wider stem diameter at 13 WAP with plants grown on NPK 12-30-17+0.4Zn in Mampong across the growing period than other treatments. Similarly, NPK 12-30-17+0.4Zn application produced significantly higher number of cobs per plot, dehusked cob weight per plot, grain weight per plot and grain yield than NPK 23-10-5 which had the least mean values for the Ejura field. Meanwhile, NPK 15-20-20 +0.7Zn had significantly higher total stover weight per plot at harvest at Ejura compared to NPK 23-10-5 with the least mean value. Grain weight per plot, total stover weight per plot at harvest and grain yield for maize planted on NPK 12-30-17+0.4Zn were significantly higher in Mampong than those planted at Ejura. It is recommended that farmers are encouraged to apply NPK 12-30- 17+0.4Zn to their maize for higher growth and yield with sustained soil fertility.
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    Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.).
    (APPIAH, Emmanuel, 2023-08) APPIAH, Emmanuel
    Two field experiments were conducted at different locations of the research field at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), Mampong campus during the minor rainy season (August - December 2021) and the major rainy season (March - July 2022) to evaluate the effect of integrating biochar, chicken manure and NPK fertilizer on growth and yield of maize. The experiment was laid out in a 2 x 6 factorial arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. There were six treatments [(T1 = 10 t/ha Chicken manure (CM), T2 = 300 kg/ha NPK 15:15:15, T3 = 2.5 t/ha Gliricidia sepium biochar (GB), T4 = 150 kg/ha NPK 15:15:15 + 1.25 t/ha GB, T5 = 1.25 t/ha GB + 5 t/ha CM) and T6 = No fertilizer (Control)] imposed on two maize varieties (Omankwa and Obatanpa). The results showed that amending soil with 10 t/ha CM or 1.25 t/ha GB + 5 t/ha CM improved soil chemical properties (total N, available P and increased soil pH and exchangeable bases). Omankwa x 10 t/ha CM or 1.25 t/ha GB + 5 t/ha CM interactions produced greater number of established plants which tasseled and silked earlier as compared to Obatanpa grown on the same amended soils. Obatanpa x 10 t/ha CM or 1.25 t/ha GB + 5 t/ha CM interactions produced significantly higher vegetative growth than Omankwa grown on 300 kg/ha NPK, 2.5 t/ha GB and 150 kg/ha NPK + 1.25 t/ha GB. Obatanpa x 10 t/ha CM or 1.25 t/ha GB + 5 t/ha CM interactions produced significantly higher grain yield, cob length, cob diameter and 100-seed weight per plot than Omankwa grown on the same treatments. It is recommended that farmers who practice organic agriculture should apply 10 t/ha CM or 1.25 t/ha GB + 5 t/ha CM to enhance early tasseling and silking of maize, vegetative growth and grain yield. Again, for the higher marginal rate of return, the application of 300 kg/ha NPK 15-15-15 is recommended although it did not produce a higher yield as compared to other amended plots.
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    Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in the Ashanti, Ahafo, Bono and Bono East region of Ghana.
    (LARYEA, Oko Daniel, 2023-09) LARYEA, Oko Daniel
    Two experiments were conducted in this study. In Experiment one, a study was conducted in Ashanti, Ahafo, Bono East and Bono region with the aim of generating information on village-based Turkey utilization, management practices, opportunities, and challenges, to identify, characterize and describe the phenotypic variation of indigenous Turkey populations. Questionnaires and interviews were used for the study. Twenty-four towns/villages (6 from each region) were sampled at random and 154 Turkey farmers were randomly selected from these towns/village. Descriptive statistics such as mean, range, frequency and percentage was used to analyse the data from the survey. The results of this study showed that the majority of the respondents were females (79 %). This showed that most of the time the women, either in male-headed or female-headed family circles are responsible for poultry rearing, while the men are responsible for crop cultivation and other off-farm activities. Majority (92 %) of the respondents gave supplementary feed to their Turkeys. Night shelter was provided by almost all farmers in a separate shed purpose made for Turkeys (51 %). Majority of the farmers provided shelter for their Turkeys. Experiment two was conducted to assess the effects of variety, region, and sex on body measurements and phenotypic correlations between various body measurements were estimated. Three hundred indigenous Turkeys from the Ashanti, Ahafo, and Bono and Bono East region of Ghana were randomly sampled. The average age for Turkeys used in this study was 6-7 months old. Colour varieties Frequencies were computed. Five colour varieties were identified: White, Bronze, Black, Black, White and Buff. The largest representation was the Black colour variety (39 %). The least represented were the Buff (6 %) and Bronze (7 %). The overall mean body weights for the five colour varieties were: White (4.792±0.201 kg), Black (4.744±0.112 kg), Bronze (4.783±0.284 kg), Black & white (4.547±0.113) and Buff (5.059±0.292 kg). Turkeys from the Bono East region had much higher body weights than Turkeys from Ashanti, Bono and Ahafo regions. Cases of genotype-environment interaction were observed. The effect of Sex and Region was a highly significant (p<0.05) source of variation for most of the traits. There were positive moderate to high correlation between the various body measurements. The highest correlation (P <0.05) with body weight, ranging from 0.69 for head length to 0.96 for the wing length. Turkey production is a profitable and promising venture based on cash generated after sale of the Turkeys. In conclusion, despite the factors limiting Turkey production as outlined by the respondents, turkey production has great potential in bridging the animal protein supply therefore, poultry farmers should be encouraged by government to increase their level of production by establishing reliable breeding centres in the Ashanti, Ahafo, Bono and Bono East Region which will ensure regular supply of day old poult, prompt disease control by employing of more veterinarians and provide soft loans to farmers.
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    Effect of Ecotype and Plumage Colour of Two Indigenous Chickens on Growth and Reproductive Performance in the Transition Zone of Ghana.
    (QUARTEY, Rafat, 2023-09) QUARTEY, Rafat
    The aim of this study was to determine the ecotype and plumage colour effect on growth and reproductive performance of two indigenous chickens in Ghana. Ninety Six birds, consisting of Forty-eight birds from each of the two ecotypes and twenty-four from two separate plumage colours, white and brown, were selected randomly for the experiment. The experiment was a 2 X 2 Factorial with ecotype and plumage colour as the factors. The results showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in the 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 week body weights and body weight gain between the two different plumage colours of the two chicken ecotypes. Egg weight recorded a significant difference between the two plumage colours of the two chicken ecotypes, with the brown plumage colours of the savannah and forest performing better than the white plumage colours. There was no significant difference in feed intake, feed conversion ratio and hen day egg production between the two plumage colours of the two chicken ecotypes. Reproductive performance of the plumage colours of the two chicken ecotypes were only significant (P<0.05) for the hatchability of fertile eggs, with the brown plumage colours of the two chicken ecotypes having significantly higher (P<0.05) hatchability than their white counterparts. Age at first egg, fertility of egg set and hatchability of egg set were not significant (P>0.05). 2, 4 and 8 week body weight of the two chicken ecotypes showed a significant (P<0.05) difference, while 6. The 10-week body weight showed no significant (P>0.05) difference. The result also showed no significant difference (P> 0.05) in 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 week body weight gain. The Percentage fertility of eggs between the two chicken ecotypes was statistically higher (P<0.05) for the Savannah chicken ecotypes than the forest chicken ecotypes, and the percentage hatchability of fertile eggs was statistically better (P<0.05) in the forest chicken ecotypes than the Savannah chicken ecotypes. Age at first egg and percentage hatchability of egg set showed no significant difference (P>0.05). The study indicated that there was a correlation (P<0.05) between average body weight and egg weight and hen day egg production of the plumage colours and the ecotypes, respectively. The study showed a positive correlation between body temperature and plumage colour. Brown plumage colours of the savannah and forest ecotypes had higher (41.030C and 41.200C) body temperature than their white counterparts. Ecotype by Colour interaction effect on average egg weight and percentage hatchability were significant (P<0.05). All other traits were not significant (p>0.05). The brown coloured bird of the forest and savannah chicken ecotypes showed good production and reproductive potentials.
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    Human Health Risks Associated With Selected Elements In Some Tobacco Products And Their Nicotine Delivery Capabilities
    (2023-07) Osei – Owusu Charles
    Introduction: Smokeless tobacco use is on the increase among the population especially the youth in Ghana partly because of its perceived medicinal benefits and relatively less harmful and non-addictive effect. Objective: This study aims at a systematic classification of 51 smokeless tobacco product samples and 6 cigarette brands with different flavors and from different manufacturers from 11 different locations within the Ejisu Municipality. Methodology: Moisture, pH, total nicotine, and percentage free base nicotine using previously published analytical methods from CORESTA. Target elements for analysis were Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Rb, Sr, Mo, V, S, U, Zr, Tl, and Zn using XRF analyzer. Results: The nicotine delivery capability of the locally produced snuff products; with mean pH 96.98 and percentage free base nicotine (% A) 96.98% was the highest, followed by dried tobacco leaves (mean pH: 25.93, % A: 25.93%) and the least being the cigarette products (mean pH: 5.49, % A: 0.33%). Menthol flavored snuff products (pH of 9.96; % A of 98.8%) had higher nicotine delivery capabilities than moringa flavored snuff products (pH of 9.77; % A of 98%). Users of C6, a smuggled cigarette product are liable to increased non-cancer health effects (HI value of 1108.35). C4 (highest pH of 5.58 with corresponding % A of 0.70) are liable to be dependent on the product than other examined cigarette products. Conclusions: Locally produced snuff products and dried tobacco leaves have potentially very high addictive levels of nicotine that may favor tobacco dependence. They can also lead to non-cancer health effects due to high hazard quotients and hazard index. Recommendation: It is recommended that further research on smokeless tobacco products focusing more on the carcinogenic nitrosamines and other identified mutagens be undertaken.