Browsing by Author "Yeboah, Adjei"

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    Effects of copper-based fungicide application on cocoa growing soils and plants in Fenaso of the Amansie Central District, Ashanti Region,Ghana
    (2014-11-20) Yeboah, Adjei
    Copper based fungicide remains the most effective way to control the canker that reduces the higher yield of the brown gold, cocoa for the people of Fenaso and the country at large. However excessive application of the fungicide leaves a higher percentage of residual copper in the soil and plants which affects the quality of cocoa produced in the area. 30 selected cocoa farms from Fenaso, in the Amansie Central District of Ashanti Region which had experienced repeated application of copper-based fungicide were sampled to study the total copper in two soil depth of three of spraying age categories together with cocoa parts, namely seeds, leaves and bark. The relationship between copper concentrations and the soil pH and organic matter in the soils were also studied. An unsprayed farm land at the same area was sampled for control. Mean total copper concentration for three spraying age categories-below 10 years, 10-30 years, and above 30 years of the top soil were 22.37 mg/kg, 22.46 mg/kg and 23.97 mg/kg respectively with corresponding mean of sub-soil as 18.08 mg/kg, 17.34 mg/kg and 17.91 mg/kg. Analysis of results indicated that copper concentrations of the soil samples from sprayed cocoa farms at both depths were significantly different from the corresponding copper concentrations from unsprayed farm land (p < 0.05). The analysis also showed a significant difference between top soil and sub soil which indicated that the mean copper concentration of top soil was always greater than corresponding sub soil. No significant difference was obtained in the three spraying age categories on total copper concentration pH values and organic matter content of soil the samples (p > 0.05). The regression analysis of the results indicated positive relationship between total copper concentration and soil pH as well as organic matter. Copper concentration of cocoa beans differed significantly from leaves and bark (p < 0.05). The mean copper concentration of the seeds, leaves and bark were 37.3 mg/kg, 16.10 mg/kg and 16.5 mg/kg respectively. Even though the cocoa growing soil of Fenaso is contaminated with copper based fungicide, the cocoa beans from the area are far below the health risk of consumption. In future, more research should be conducted on different cocoa farms nationwide to complement with the conclusions made in this study.
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    Screening of Eggplant Genotypes for resistance to anthracnose
    (2014-10-30) Yeboah, Adjei
    Anthracnose is one of the major diseases of eggplant and is controlled mainly by the use of chemicals. The use of chemicals, although beneficial, possesses threat to both human and the environment. The need for healthy food and healthy human environment has necessitated the use of resistant eggplant genotypes, following the increasing world demand and consumption. In view of these, a study was conducted between August, 2012 and August, 2013 to quantify the disease incidence and severity of eggplant anthracnose and also to screen for eggplant resistant genotypes. Questionnaires were administered to eggplant farmers for their perception on anthracnose and eggplant production. It was observed from the studies that Aworoworo and Obolo were the commonly grown eggplant varieties in the surveyed areas. However, both vegetative and fruit characteristics were found to be paramount in the selection of these varieties by farmers as they directly affect pest management practices and marketing of the produce. The study further showed that diseases and insect pests were the major problems that farmers often encounter in eggplant production. The highest eggplant anthracnose disease incidence and severity occurrence were recorded in Techiman and Offinso North Districts during the field survey. Significant morphological (vegetative and fruit characteristics) variations were observed among the eggplant genotypes in the field experimentation. Solanum melongena var. Zebrina had the highest total yield of 34.0 tons/ha followed by S. aethiopicum var. Dwumo 24.0tons/ha and then Solanum melongena var. Kalenda F1 21.8tons/ha. Among the two most cultivated genotypes, however, S. aethiopicum var. Obolo had 20.9tons/ha, compared with S. aethiopicum var. Aworoworo 10.7tons/ha. The result further showed a significant (P<0.05) positive correlation between disease incidence and severity (r = 0.95), number of branches and number of fruits (r = 0.65), fruit weight and total yield (r = 0.51) and stem girth and number of branches (r = 0.60). On the contrary, disease severity significantly affected fruit weight adversely (r = -0.51). Plant height was positively correlated with all the growth and yield parameters, except fruit weight and total yield. Anthracnose disease resistance was observed in the genotypes Antropo, Zebrina and Kalenda F1, both in the laboratory and field evaluations.