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- ItemIdentification, partial characterization and some properties of a virus causing a mild mottle disease in soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merril. in Nigeria, and The evaluation of local and exotic cowpea (vigna unguicalata (L.) walp.) for grain legume viruses under natural condition in Kumasi, Ghana(1984) Anno-Nyako, Felix OforiA filamentous slightly curved virus was isolated from naturally infected soybean, Glycine max (L) Merril at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. Under greenhouse conditions, the virus induced infection that ranged between symptomless to mild mosaic and mottle on soybean. The virus was readily sap transmissible to 11 out of 14 members of the family Legnininosae, 2 members each of the families, .Chenopodiaceae and Cucurbitaceae and 4 members of the family. Solanaceae. Its assay host was Chenopodium amaranticolor Coste and Reyn., which produced chiorotic local lesions in its inoculated leaves 5 to 10 days after inoculation. It was propagated in Nicotiana clevelandii (L) and N. megalosiphon Heurck and Mueller. Sap from systemically infected plants was infective after dilution to l0 but not l0. Virus in crude sap had a thermal inactivation point of between 55°C and 60°C for 10 minutes and longevity in vitro of 8 days at 25°C. The virus could not be transmitted by the aphids, Aphis craccivora Koch and Myzus. persicae Sulz. However, the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Genn was found to be an efficient vector of the virus. It could acquire the virus, in 1 hour acquisition access period and transmit the virus in a semi- persistent manner retaining the virus for 2 to 3 days. A minimum inoculation access period of 5 minutes was observed. The virus was 100% transmissible through seed of soybean Glycine max varieties ‘Malayan’ and ‘TGm 22-3’ as well as in Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC. The virus had particles whose modal length was 646 nm and a width of 12 nm. Purified virus suspension had a typical ultra violet absorption curve of nucleoproteins with a maximum absorption at 264 nm and a minimum absorption at 247 nm. The E max/E mm ratio was 1 .13 while the E 260/E 280 absorption ratio was 1 .15 without correction for light scattering. The virus had a sedimentation’ coefficient of 158 S and average buoyant density of 1.31 g/cm3. It had an estimated extinction coefficient of 2.5 and percentage nucleic acid of 5%. The average molecular weight of the coat protein subunits was 32,000 daltons. Antiserum produced to the virus had a titre of 1/2048. A close serological relationship to cowpea mild mottle virus originally isolated from cowpeas in Ghana (Brunt and Kenton, 1973) could be established. The virus was also distantly related serologically to chrysanthemum virus B, but not to six other morphologically similar viruses. The virus has a Cryp gram of R/1: */5: E/E : S/AL. and is an isolate of cowpea mild mottle virus in soybeans. The virus has .Calopognium mucunoides, Centoseme pubescens. C. plumeiri, Desmodium scopirius, volunteer soybean and cowpea as alternate hosts and virus reservoirs,
- ItemOn the Interaction of Zinc with a Ferric Oxyhydroxide(1985) Agyeman, Boadi AnkomahSorption and desorption of Zn by synthetic goethite (α-FeOOH) (surface area 95.2 m2/g, pH(PZC) 7.9) was studied in equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions as functions of aqueous solution Zn and Mg concentrations and temperature, but at low amounts in the systems. The sorption data were analyzed with a multi—site Langinuir expression, which suggested that at pH 4.6 and 5.4 (25°C) Zn sorption could be entirely ascribed to a low capacity, high affinity site, whereas at pH 5.4 (44°C) and higher pH’s (both. 25 and 44°C) sorption could be described by two sites. At p118.5 (44°C) the data fit a model consisting of a high affinity Langmuir site coexisting with a site or mechanism following Henry’s Law. Site 1 affinity term, k1, increased with pH and temperature, but was not affected by 25 ppm Mg above pH 5.4. Log k1 was highly correlated with log K0, the thermodynamic distribution coefficient. Site 1 capacity term, b1, increased with pH up to pH 7.0 and then remained constant; it was not affected by either Mg or temperature. Site 2 affinity term, increased with temperature; at 25°C it did not vary with pH below pH 7.8, but increased four—fold at pH 8.5. Site 2 capacity term, b2, increased with both temperature and pH, and only below pH 7.0 were this parameter and decreased by 25 ppm Mg. At pH 5.4 though Mg did not affect k1, a decrease in b1 by Mg indicated some Mg ions were specifically adsorbed at site 1. However, the higher specificity of site 1 for Zn above pH 5.4 eliminated Mg effect on b1. Generally 25 ppm Mg significantly decreased Zn sorption at site 2 below pH 7.0. The sharp increase in Zn sorption with increasing pH in the pH range 5.4 -7 was attributed to the development of site 2 at pH 6.2, suggesting sorption by a second mechanism. Kurbatov plots suggested that one mole of H+ was released per mole of Zn sorbed below pH 7, and 2 moles above pH 7. A Zn (OH) 2 precipitation mechanism above pH 7.8 was emphasized by the release of 2 moles of H+ per mole of Zn sorbed in kinetic studies. Total sorption of Zn was markedly endothermic at all pH levels, the increase in sorption with temperature being most pronounced at low pH’s and high system loadings. Mean ∆G-0 values ranged from -9.1 kcal/mole at pH 5.4 to -11.2 at pH, pH 8.5, ∆H-0 from 14.5 kcal/mole at pH 5.4 to 6.5 at pH 8.5, and ∆S-0 from 76.9 cal/deg. mole at pH 5.4 to 57.7 at pH 8.5. Isosteric heats of Zn sorption, Qr , ranged from 1 to 27 kcal/mole, and were generally higher at low pH. Hysteresis was observed in desorption versus adsorption isotherms. Sorption was fast at pH 7.8 and 8.5, steady states being achieved in 2 hours. At pH’s below 7.8 a slow reaction followed an initial fast reaction. Below pH 7.8 the initial sorption reaction was nonprotolytic followed by a slow protogenic reaction.
- ItemThe chemical constitution of seed fats from some selected plant families in Ghana(1988) Tuani, Gideon KwamiA total of ten seed fats from four plant families, namely sapindaceae, Sapotaceae. Olacaceae and Flacourtiacae have been analyzed for their acylglycerides’ composition. The component free fatty acids and their methylesters from each seed fat have boon separated quantitatively on thin layer chromatography (TV) and identified by their retention times relative to authentic standards. The infra red spectra of the separa-ed free fatty acids and their methylesters were also run and compared with those of authentic standards. Hydroxamic acid derivatives of the fatty acid methylesters have also been prepared and their melting points determined and compared with standards. Each glyceride fraction was digested with pancreatic lipase (enzymatic hydrolysis) to determine the relative positions of acyl groups in the glyceride. Putting the results obtained from all these analyses together, the most probable structures of the component acylglycorides in each seed fat have been proposed.
- ItemStatuettes making with odds and ends in the Primary School(1991) Gbesemete, Lord NelsonExperience has shown that art as a subject of study is generally neglected in schools with the excuse that there are no art materials to work with. Generally speaking people think art refers to drawing and painting only. Some art teachers claim they themselves can neither draw nor paint and so art is either not taught or taught anyhow. Little do people and teachers in particular know that the numerous objects or waste materials thrown away every day as junk are very good resources for making exciting art works such as statuettes. The list of these materials is inexhaustible and includes bottle tops, woodchips, bits of paper, wire, tins and cans, pen tubes, seeds, sawdust and plastics. Identifying uses for such odds and ends takes some imagination, creativity, a bit of mental exercising and determination but the end results are always satisfying and encouraging. This manual is intended as a guide for using odds and ends found in our surroundings as raw materials for creating art forms, which can be appreciated for their intrinsic qualities or used as decorative pieces. The use of odds and ends in creating forms also aimed at educating the public about using art as a means of’ environmental protection.
- ItemPrinciples of cost planning reporting and controlling for Ghanaian mines(1993) Cobblah, AlhassanMost of the operating mining companies (particularly the old ones) in Ghana are faced with increasing labour, material and supply costs; more severe geological and environmental conditions; long haulage distances; equipment maintenance and utilization problems; and greater mandatory safety and environmental regulations on operations. These have resulted in increased costs and hence reduced profits. To improve profitability in Ghanaian mines, therefore, there is the need to regulate cost and/or keep planned costs on track. To achieve this will require effective cost planning, reporting and controlling procedures. The objective of this thesis is to establish principles of cost planning, reporting and controlling for Ghanaian mines, taking into account the Ghanaian mining environment and organizational structures, for production line managers (shift bosses through mine manager/mine superintendent). Based on results of time and motion studies as well as production statistics, realistic physical standards for various parts of the operations have been developed. An appropriate standard costing technique has been applied to set standard costs and budgets for labour, materials and equipment. The physical and cost standards have been set for individual workplaces and for scheduling the operations.Variance and economic analyses have been conducted on the various operations to establish the sources of high costs and disparities between the actual costs and standard costs or budgets. The reasons for these disparities and deficiencies in the reporting and controlling aspects have been established. Decision analyses techniques, economics, accounting, management and industrial engineering principles have been integrated to evolve a unique methodology by which costs could be effectively planned, reported and controlled. Incorporated in this methodology are clear organizational structures with consequent clarification of roles, authorities and responsibilities, classification of costs, cost centres and responsibility centres. Motivational and implementational techniques as well as education, training and development of employees form an indispensable ingredient of this methodology. A way to computerize cost planning, reporting and controlling procedures has been presented, by which human errors could be avoided and information storage, retrieval, updating and presentation could be done with high speed and accuracy and made good for easy assimilation.
- ItemEvolving an efficient method for mining nondredgeable areas at Dunkwa Goldfields Limited(1993) Asiedu-Asante, Stephen KwadwoThe placer gold deposit of Dunkwa Goldfields Limited (DGL) covers the flood plains and the bed of the Off in River and is mined by the use of bucket ladder dredges. In the course of dredging, some mineralized areas are encountered which cannot be dredged with the available dredges on the mine due to one or more of the following factors: 1. Low water level above bedrock especially during the dry seasons. 2. High banks. 3. Deep gravel depth. The occurrence of any of these conditions prevents the dredging of potentially rich portions of the deposit. So far, the mine has not been able to employ any other method to exploit these areas. It is evident that the mining of these areas will increase revenue to the mine. The objective of this thesis is to develop a computational methodology for the delineation of the non-dredgeable areas at DGL and to work out an efficient method to mine these areas. A portion of Lower Off in part of the deposit where enough sampling data are available is used for this study. Since grade, flotation, bank height and gravel depth are regionalized variables geostatistical estimation method is used. Ordinary kriging is used to estimate flotation, bank height and gravel depth within the area under study and based on the results, contour maps are generated to depict the possible non-dredgeable areas. Indicator Kriging (IK) which mitigates the effects of outliers and unequal support is used to delineate mineralized zones and to estimate grades. The result of the 1K estimates is compared to that obtained by the weighted average method of local grade estimation used at DGL. By intersecting the possible non-dredgeable areas with the mineralized zones, in line with set theory, mineralized non-dredgeable areas of mining interest are delineated. It is observed that significant percentage of the mineralized zones in the area under study is non-dredgeable, implying loss of revenue if left unmined. Applicable mining methods for exploiting the mineralized non-dredgeable areas are reviewed and based on economic analysis of suitable mining methods, the most appropriate method is selected to exploit the mineralized non-dredgeable areas.
- ItemThe effectiveness of the Ghana National Service Scheme (GNSS): perceptions of former service personnel(1996) Tuffour, Louis KofiThe contributions of young people in national development can be manifested in the activities of national youth services. Within such organizations, the youth can be an essential part of the political, economic, social, and cultural advancement of their people. On this score, it can be asserted that every government should pay more attention to the needs and roles of young people in the world of today so that they can meet the challenges of their world of tomorrow. The Ghana National Service Scheme (GNSS) is an intervention program through which the government of Ghana is mobilizing its youth towards national development and reconstruction. As a public organization, the GNSS is currently under the Ministry of Education in Ghana. The Scheme, formally called "the Corps" was the brainchild of Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, Prime Minister of the Second Republic of Ghana.
- ItemImprovement of quality of cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao) through controlled fermentation(1996) Ahulu, Evelyn MatekworThe purpose for which cocoa beans are fermented is to produce beans with good flavour, aroma and taste for making such cocoa products as chocolate, beverages etc. This study was designed to (i) isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria (LABS) from fermenting cocoa which are one of the microorganisms responsible for the fermentation of the beans, (ii) to attempt to modify the fermentation factors using the LABS exclusively in singles and in combination to enhance the efficiency of fermentation so as to improve bean quality. To achieve the above objectives, field and laboratory experiments were carried out. The field experiments sought to monitor the temperature profile, microfloral population of the fermenting cocoa heaps and isolate and identify the lactic acid bacteria present in the three experimental areas. The laboratory experiments were mainly to ferment sterile cocoa using the four different bacterial isolates in singles or in combination at 2.6 x 108 cells of bacterial suspension per kilogram of sterile fresh cocoa beans. In the field, the results indicated that generally there was a significant difference between the mean temperatures of the top and middle of the, heaps, the top having the highest and the bottom having the lowest temperatures. The mean temperatures, of the heap were also seen to increase with time of fermentation. On MRS agar, it was observed that the bacteria increased within 48 hours and then decreased on turning the heap before the organisms increased slightly until the end, of fermentation. On malt extract agar, however, there was a gradual decrease in their numbers until none were observed as the end of the fermentation period. Lactic acid bacteria isolated were of the genera Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Leuconostoc and Pediococcus. The laboratory experiments produced generally cocoa beans of good quality in terms of pH, moisture content, anthocyanin content and “cut” test results of the fermented and dried cotyledons of the beans. The results suggest that lactic acid bacteria used exclusively in fermentation of cocoa may improve the already good flavour of cocoa and probably come out with new flavours in cocoa depending on the different combinations or single bacteria isolates used. Other microorganisms like yeasts which are also some of the microflora in cocoa fermentation can act with these bacteria metabolites and may bring about changes in the quality of fermented beans. The yeast study is to be verified in a subsequent research.
- ItemThe biological validity and feasibility of the community based questionnaire approach in determining the epidemiological status of disease and insect vector nuisance(1998) Lale, Von LouisIn the present study, the community-based questionnaire approach using an existing disease surveillance network and the school system was compared and validated with standardized biomedical and other techniques for guineaworm infection, schistosomiasis morbidity and blackfly nuisance monitoring. In all, 707 community key informants and 6,020 children were interviewed in 194 communities (70 with schools and 124 without schools) in East Mamprusi District of the Northern Region of Ghana. The communities/schools were randomly allocated to be interviewed during the rainy season or dry season. Children in ninety-nine communities were interviewed in the rainy season and those in the remaining ninety-five communities interviewed in the dry season. All questionnaires were returned within four weeks. Reagent strip tests for haematuria, urine filtration and microscopy were used for validating schistosomiasis, whilst re-interviews by research team for consistency and checks on evidence of infection were used to validate guineaworm and indirect validation for blackfly nuisance was done with checks on the probability of occurrence of the flies at the time of the survey, using Atlas GIS computer software. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of questionnaires in identifying guineaworm were very high. The kappa statistic (K) was very high (0.92), indicating almost complete agreement between questionnaire responses and guineaworm validation. The prevalence of guineaworm of 1.2% from questionnaires is in line with previous epidemiological findings of guineaworm infection in the study area. In this study, the 3+ positives of the investigators’ and interviewers’ reagent strip testing indicated good agreement (K 083 and 0.77 respectively) with microscopy and is therefore a better indicator of positive status of schistosomiasis in the study area. The validity of the questionnaires was less than satisfactory, with very low sensitivity and positive predictive value (4.2%) and very poor agreement with microscopy (K = 0.07). The specificity and negative predictive value were high as generally expected in low prevalence areas. The low prevalence of schistosomiasis in the study area (<1%) complements the key informants’ low ranking for ‘blood in urine’. Questionnaires were fairly sensitive and specific in a high prevalence school (Buipe) but not in the low prevalence schools (New Buipe and Daboya). The use of colour charts for recall of urine colour as opposed to direct questioning, significantly improved the ,c sensitivity, and predictive values in both low and high prevalence schools. Both the school teachers and guineaworm volunteers performed well in respect of questionnaire administration and reagent strip testing. The use of questionnaires cost two times less than reagent strip testing and 25 times less than microscopy in communities with and without schools, whilst the combined use of questionnaires and reagent strips was 12 times and 14 times less in communities with and without schools respectively. About 93% of the children interviewed experienced blackfly bites in the rainy season. The key informant respondents also indicated rainy season as most important for fly nuisance. The 50% or more bites had the highest K for fly nuisance and is thus the best community cut-off for blackfly nuisance monitoring in the study area. There was no significant difference in blackfly nuisance with respect to proximity of communities to potential breeding sites (P>0.05, Mann-Whitney U-test, 95% Cl). The cost of US$ 125 per surveyed community or school under general expenditure represents the logistical expenses for all the diseases and insect vectors included in the questionnaires and this underscores the cost-effectiveness and need to integrate guineaworm surveillance with the monitoring of other health conditions, insect vectors as well as relevant occurrences at the community level.
- ItemBiological nitrogen fixation in legume - cereal intercropping systems(1998) Kaleem, Fezrat ZenabuIn West Africa legumes are important food crops grown mainly in association with maize, sorghum and millet. Although legume/cereal association is a common practice, nitrogen contribution by legumes in such cropping systems and in rotation with cereals has not been given much attention and there have been relatively few studies on the biological consequences of this association. In order to address these issues four sets of experiments were conducted for two seasons (1992/1993) at Ibadan, Zaria and Kano situated in the Forest, Guinea savanna and Sudan savanna zones respectively. The first experiment consisted of two soybean cultivars intercropped with maize; the second experiment consisted of two cowpea cultivars intercropped with maize; the third experiment, consisted of two soybean cultivars intercropped with sorghum; and the fourth experiment, consisted of three cultivars of cowpea intercropped with millet. In the first season the legumes in all the experiments were planted either as sole crops or intercropped with cereal (either on the same-row or on alternate-rows), with fertilizer nitrogen at three levels (0, 20 or 100 kg h-1). Soybeans were either uninoculated or inoculated with a mixture of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains TAL 102, TAL 377 and TAL 379. Sole crops of the cereals were included as checks. In the second season, the fields were cropped to the respective cereals as test crops. The design used was randomized complete block with factorial treatments in three replicates. Nodulation was assessed at flowering. At physiological maturity the total dry matter and nitrogen yields were determined. Results of experiment 1 indicate that inoculation increased nodulation, grain yield, N2 fixed and %Ndfa of soybean, the response was higher in Bossier than in TGX1485-1D. Intercropping decreased nodulation, grain yield, total N uptake and N2 fixed by soybeans. However, the extent of decrease depended on the soybean cultivar. The two methods of estimating nitrogen fixation (i.e. the Total Nitrogen Difference and the Isotope Dilution), gave similar rankings of treatments in this experiment although the methods gave different estimates of N derived from nitrogen fixation. Intercropped soybean contributed more to the succeeding maize yield than sole soybean, the highest maize yield obtained (4125 kg ha-1 was from the treatment BPN1 (Same-row with 20 kg N ha-1 fertilizer). In experiment 2, cowpea cultivar 1T86D-719 produced higher nodule weights, grain yield, total N uptake, N2 fixed, and %Ndfa than Suvita-2. Intercropping with maize decreased nodulation, total dry matter, total N uptake, and N2 fixed by cowpea compared to sole crop. However, the extent of decrease was dependent on the cowpea cultivar. For example, nodule weight of IT86D-719 was decreased by 35% (same-row) and 46% (alternate-row); whilst that of Suvita-2 was reduced by 26% (same-row) and 5% (alternate-row). Grain yield of maize was increased by 58% when grown after 1T86D-7 19 and 15% after Suvita-2 compared with when grown after maize. In Experiment 3 results showed interactive effects of cultivar x inoculation, cultivar x nitrogen and cultivar x cropping system. Soybean cultivar TGX148 5-1D out yielded Bossier in all the parameters measured under all experimental conditions. Inoculation increased nodule weight of soybean cultivar Bossier by 77% and that of TGX1485-ID by 11%. Highest nodule weights, total dry matter yield, total N uptake, N2 fixed and %Ndfa by TGX1485-ID were obtained with 20 kg N ha-1 whereas those of Bossier were obtained with 100 kg N ha-1. Intercropping with TGX1485-ID on the same-row increased sorghum yield by 10 and 26% at the 0 and 20 kg N ha-1 levels respectively, but decreased the yield at 100 kg N ha-1. However, sorghum yields were reduced to 68, 71 and 78% that of sole sorghum at 0, 20, and 100 kg N ha-1 respectively, when grown with Bossier. Grain yields of sorghum increased by 14% when sorghum was grown after Bossier and 38% after TGX 1485-ID compared with when grown after sorghum. Results obtained in Experiment 4 show that cowpea cultivar IT89KD-245 out yielded Kanannado and IT89KD-2246 in almost all parameters measured. There were interactions of cultivar x nitrogen and cultivar x cropping system with regards to the parameters measured. For instance, intercropping increased the nodule weight of IT89KD-245 by 5% but decreased those of Kanannado (22%) and IT89KD-2246 (2 8%). Grain yield of millet was increased by 4% when intercropped on the same-row with IT89KD-245 but was decreased by up to 29% and 26% when intercropped with Kananriado and IT89KD-2246, respectively. IT89KD-245 fixed consistently the highest amount of N2 with an average of 47 kg N ha-1 which was 15% and 147% more than the amounts fixed by Kariannado and IT89KD-2246, respectively. The yield of millet on previous cowpea plots ranged from 1200 to 2440 kg h&’ while previous millet plots yielded 1440 kg h-1. The results of these experiments showed that the productivity of cereal and legume intercropping is dependent upon a number of factors, whose interactions should be considered in research work. Different genotypes of the same legume have been shown to have different capacities to nodulate and fix N2 under intercropping. For instance, large differences in nodulation in the field have been shown between genotypes of cowpea and soybean intercropped with maize, sorghum or millet. Given the lack of inputs commonly available to small holders in the tropics, particularly in Africa, legumes which fix N2 and grow well without the need for inoculation such as the promiscuous soybean cultivar TGX 1485-ID, are the best solution for the immediate future. Planting arrangement of legume on either same- row or on alternate-rows with cereal affected the growth and yield performance of both legume and cereal in the mixture. TGX1485-1D intercropped on same-row with sorghum showed more vigour and gave higher yields than on alternate-rows with sorghum, whereas the reverse occurred in the case of Bossier. Total N accumulation, which is a good indication of the total amount of N2 fixed, at least in soils with a poor capacity to supply combined N is probably the best criterion for selection programmes in these ecologies. More research work needs to be directed towards nitrogen and other elements partitioning in intercropping situation. Serious attempts should be made to enhance N2 fixation in grain legumes. There is the need for agronomists and plant breeders to work in close collaboration with microbiologists in the development of better legume /rhizobial combinations.
- ItemSafari Park Resort (Shai-Hills)(1998-02-22) Opata, SamuelWithin the context of the Forest Resource Management programme, the Ghana Government and the World Bank, have agreed on a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of wildlife protected areas in Ghana and develop plans to meet their conservation requirement for tourism. Shai Hills, Game Reserve was established by Ghana Wildlife Department to conserve flora and fauna as well as tourism opportunities. Unfortunately due to certain factors, the aims of the Reserve are not met. Animal populations have failed to expand, some have lessened and the natural flora is seriously threatened from Invasion of exotics. Furthermore, in spite of its relative proximity to Accra, and other urbanised areas, visitor interest is low. Presently the area is under-utilised by educationalist and researchers, due to poor management practices and facilities. The aim of this project is to find functional linkages between conservation of biological diversity, local socio-economic development and cultural tradition. This is because it is an accepted fact that for protected areas to survive in a long term, local people must be beneficiaries of the protected area. WILDFLIFE IN THE NATIONAL CONTEXT At present, Ghana has is protected terrestrial areas of different categories under the Ghana Wildlife department which extends over 1, 247,600 ha. or 5.2% of the country. These are: (I) National Parks (ii) Wildlife Sanctuaries (iii) Nature Reserves (iv) Wetland Ramsar Sites. Shai Hill Game Reserve is one of the protected areas declared as such. The some objectives of the protected areas in Ghana are as if. (i) Conservation of Valuable natural heritage (ii) Preservation and maintenance of natural processes (iii) Protection of some endangered species (iv) Promotion of tourism i.e. ecotourism. However, due to inherent problem within the Ghana wildlife department, it is difficult to achieve their objectives to the fullest, especially in the area of tourism. In view of these bottlenecks within G.W.D, it has outlined a policy on tourism to out-source research into tourism and award of concessions to tourist operators in some protected areas by paying ground rents to develop tourist facilities.
- ItemThe effect of cottonseed supplementation and helminthosis on some biochemical and reproductive traits in djallonke sheep(2001) Djang - Fordjour, Thomas KwadwoEight experiments were conducted to study the effect of cottonseed supplementation and helminthosis on some biochemical and reproductive traits in Djallonké sheep in the semi-arid zone of Ghana. In each experiment, five ewes per group ‘were assigned to each of four treatments designated as Ti, T2 T3 and T4. T1---Ewes were dewormed and the diet of each supplemented with 200g of raw cottonseed; T2—Ewes were not dewormed but the diet of each was supplemented with 200g of raw cottonseed; T3—Ewes were dewormed but non-supplemented and T4-—Ewes were neither dewormed nor supplemented. All the animals on supplementation were fed in the morning and released to graze at pasture. Experiments 1-4 were conducted in the rainy season while experiments 5-8 were done in the dry season to study the effects of cottonseed supplementation and helminthosis on some biochemical and reproductive traits in Djallonké sheep and the performance of their pre-weaned lambs. In the dry season experiments ewes in their first month of pregnancy were used to study the effect of the treatments on their pregnancy. Experiment 2 involved nursing ewes that were selected on the day of parturition to determine their postpartum anoestrous duration in the rainy and dry seasons. The third experiment studied the effect of the treatments on the reproductive traits of gimmers selected at weaning during the rainy and dry seasons. Experiment 4 studied how the treatment effect on ewes influenced lamb pre-weaning performance of the pregnant ewes The parameters measured included feed intake, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total protein, progesterone, urea, potassium, glutamic oxalotransaminase, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, helminth profile, the length of the postpartum anoestrous period, oestrous cycle length, age and weight at first mating, birth and weaning weights, pre-colostral haemoglobin, One month old haemoglobin, precolostral packed cell volume, one month old packed cell volume, pre-colostral total protein and one month old total protein were also measured. In experiment 1 (rainy season), the major helminths encountered included Haemonchus contortus (29.2%); Trichostrongylus colubriformis (25.2%); Oesophagostomum columbianum (17.8%); Ostertagia circumcinta. (14.4%), and Cooperia curtcei (2.8%). Both supplementation and deworming gave better (P<0.001) haemoglobin, packed cell volume, and total protein values in the pregnant ewes. The glutamic oxalotransaminase, alkaline phosphatase, potassium and urea levels were significantly raised (P<0.001) with supplementation and deworming. Deworming raised the level of cholesterol significantly (P<0.001) but not so in the case of supplementation. There was interaction effect between supplementation and deworming on urea (P<0.001), potassium (P<0.05) and cholesterol (P<0.05) levels while supplementation improved (P<0.001) parturition weight of the pregnant ewes, deworming did not. Mean live weight, dry matter intake metabolic size and metabolic intake did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between dewormed and non-dewormed ewes fed raw cottonseed During the dry season, the most prevalent helminths in pregnant ewes included Trichostrongylus colubrformis (37.6%), Oesophagostomum columbianum (17.8%), Ostatagia circumcinta (17.4%), Haemonchus contortus (12.2%) and S. papillosus (10.6%). Both supplementation and deworming gave better (P<0.001) Hb, PCV, and TP values. The GOT, K, and urea levels were raised (P<0.001) with supplementation and deworming. However CHOL and ALK levels were higher (P<0.001) with deworming but not affected significantly (P>0.05) with supplementation. Mean live-weight was similar for both dewormed and nondewormed pregnant ewes fed raw cottonseed. Ewes dewormed gave higher (P<0.001) dry matter intakes. During the rainy season study in experiment 2, the major helminths encountered in postpartum ewes included H contortus (26.7%); T colubriformis (24.7%); O circumcinta. (22.1%). and O. columbianum (9.9%). Both supplementation and deworming gave higher (P<0.001) Hb, and PCV, values in the postpartum ewes. Deworming did not significantly (P>0.05) affect TP levels. The GOT, ALK, CHOL and Urea levels were significantly raised (P<0.001) with deworming. Supplementation also raised the levels of ALK significantly (P<0.001) but not so in the case of CHOL, Urea and GOT levels. The only interaction effect between deworming and supplementation occurred with urea levels. Mean live weight, dry matter intakes and metabolic size did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between dewormed and non-dewormed post partum ewes fed raw cottonseed During the dry season, the prevalent helminths in postpartum ewes were H contortus (29.2%), T. colubrformis (25.2%), 0. columbianum (17.8%), 0. circumcinta (14.4%), and S. papillosus (6.2%). Both supplementation and deworming gave higher (P<0.0O1) ALK, Hb, and PCV, values. TP Urea and CHOL levels were significantly (P0.05). The K levels were raised (P<0.05) with supplementation but not deworming. There was interaction effect on Hb, PCV, urea and ALK levels between supplementation and deworming. Mean liveweight and metabolic size were similar (P>0.05) for both dewonned and non-dewormed post partum ewes fed raw cottonseed: Ewes dewormed gave higher (P<0.001) dry matter and metabolic intake values. In experiment 3, during the rainy season, the major helminths encountered in gimmers included H. contortus (39.0%); T colubrformis (22.0%); 0. columbianurn (15.6%) and 0. circumcinta (15.4%). Feed supplementation and deworming showed higher (P<0.001) PCV and TP values in the gimmers. Supplementation had no significant (P>0.05) effect on conception weight, K, urea and CHOL levels. There was significant (P<0.05) effect of interaction between supplementation and deworming on levels of GOT and urea. Mean live weight, dry matter intakes, metabolic size did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between dewormed and non-dewormed gimmers fed raw cottonseed. During the dry season study on gimmers in experiment 7, the most prevalent helniinths included H contortus (29.2%) 2”. colubrformjs (25.2%), 0. columbianum (17.8%), 0. circumcjnta (14.4%), and S. papillosus (6.2%). Both supplementation and deworming gave higher (P<0.001) ALK, Hb, and PCV, values. TP Urea and CHOL levels were significantly (P<0.00l) affected with deworming but not supplementation (P>0.05). The K levels were raised (P<0.05) with supplementation but not deworming. There was interaction effect on Hb, PCV, urea and ALK levels between supplementation and deworming. Mean live- weight and metabolic size were similar (P>0.05) for both dewormed and nondewormed gimmers fed raw cottonseed. Gimmers dewormed gave higher (P<0.00I) dry matter intakes than the non-dewormed. In the rainy season study in experiment 4 on lambs, birth weights were heavier (P<0.05) than in the dry season. Rainy season lamb birthweights were 1.7 ± 0.26 kg; weaning weight was 9.83+0.21kg; pre-colostral PCV, Hb and TP were 30.4±1.31%; 10.95±0.68g/dl and 6.98g/dl respectively while one-month-old PCV, Hb and TP were 24.05±0.96%, 10.28±0.39g1d1, and 6.930.22gfdl respectively. In experiment 8 to determine the effect of ewe worm load and cottonseed supplementation on pre-weaning performance of Djallonké lambs during the dry season, the average birth weight was 1.65±0.20 kg; lamb-weaning weight was 9.58±0.49kg. Pre-colostral PCV, Hb and TP were higher (P<0.05) in lambs from Ti than T3. Deworming significantly increased (P<0.05) PCV, Hb and TP levels. Both deworming and feed supplementation decreased (P<0.05) gluteraldehyde agglutination times in the lambs. Gluteraldehyde agglutination times were shorter (P<0.05) during the dry season than the rainy season. This study generally showed that cottonseed supplementation with deworming improved the performance of pregnant ewes, postpartum ewes, gimmers and the lambs of treated pregnant ewes. There were also significant (P<0.05) improvements in the biochemical parameters of non-supplemented non-dewormed sheep compared with the non-dewormed non-supplemented sheep in the northern zone of Ghana.
- ItemHealth care delivery management in a Ghanaian penal institution: a case study of Kumasi Central Prisons.(2001) Abban, Herbert (Dr.)The Ghana Prisons Service is a public sector organization established by an act of parliament (Prisons Act 128) and is charged with the responsibility of ensuring the safe custody, welfare, reformation and where possible rehabilitation of prisoners. Currently, there are fifty-one (51) penal institutions in the country comprising forty-three (43) prisons and eight (8) settlement camps. Each prison has an infirmary with the exception of the Contagious Diseases Prison (CDP) at Ankaful are manned by nursing orderlies of different categories. Indications are that the general environment in these penal institutions is not conducive to the maintenance of good physical, social and mental health of inmates, and that the existing organization and delivery of health care services is less than satisfactory. This study emanating from the above concern attempts to understand the health care delivery system in penal institutions and explores what health care managers could do to address these pertinent issues. The case study was conducted in one of the largest prisons in the northern section of Ghana. Data were collected from two prisons within the Kumasi Metropolis using a combination of in-depth interviews and structured questionnaires to elicit information from respondents as well as physical observance of clinical signs of disease among inmates. The study population consisted of five medical officers, which included specialists from the Ministry of Health, the Kumasi Metropolitan Health Director and three others who see ill prisoners routinely at their facility. Two public hospital accountants, two pharmacists and a laboratory technician and one hundred convicted inmates were interviewed. Seven prison personnel including the deputy director in charge of the Kumasi Central Prisons, the PRO/Administrative officer, chaplain and the two nursing orderlies in charge of the male and female infirmaries were also included in the study. The following are some of the major findings of the study: I. Health Status of prison inmates Prisoners interviewed attributed the causes of morbidity to poor diet, overcrowding, lack of logistic support and poor sanitary conditions in the prison. Health care providers in the prison and government health facilities agreed that most of the diseases that incapacitate prisoners and deaths are preventable. II. Access to health care The prisoners were of the view that even though physical access to the infirmary was unrestricted the standard of care is poor owing to shortages of essential medical logistics. However, access to seek prompt care at government health institutions, notably at CWC and KATH remains difficult. • Exemptions and access to health care Major problems exist with both the policy on exemptions and the way it is implemented. The inclusion of exemptions, partial or total, in the legislative instrument on hospital fees was supposed to provide access to needed care and income protection for the part of the population that is poor and sick. Prisoners belong to this category of vulnerable groups and the study found that the LI 1313 does not cover them by law. The current mechanism instituted by the ARHA does not function well. The study observed that surgical services were not routinely available to prisoners unless under emergency conditions and is a widespread impediment to adequate health care for male offenders. Alternate levels of care, such as skilled nursing care, chronic and rehabilitative care is generally unavailable in prisons. • Exemptions and health care financing Respondents in all government health facilities studied said clients including prisoner pay user fees for services given except where waivers are applicable. The method used by facilities to assist clients who are unable to pay such as prisoners is to offer credit facilities on agreed terms or they are given prescriptions to purchase drugs from sources outside the health facility. The prison authorities settle these bills as and when FEs are made available on quarterly basis. III. Personnel and Administrative issues The infirmary at the Kumasi Central Prisons (KCP) did not have the required staff strength to facilitate efficient and effective service provision. One nursing orderly to nearly a thousand inmates, officers and dependants under existing conditions in the prison is stressful. As a result the nursing orderly is overburdened with tasks beyond her capabilities. lv. Infrastructure, Drugs and supplies The infirmary is old and ill equipped to cater for the immediate health needs of the teeming inmates. The study found that the maintenance of the building and the scant medical equipment has been neglected. Most of the basic drugs listed are available and prescription drugs are purchased for inmates. The only limitation is the ability of the Service to pay for the drugs. The prison infirmary has no essential drug list and a Health committee. Routine drugs are purchased on ad hoc basis without a Purchasing committee. Inadequate drug supply is a serious issue in the prison. Information obtained through interviews with prisoners indicated that respondents were dissatisfied with drugs given them at the infirmary. V. Management practices • Health policy There was the observation that the Ministry of Interior has no clear-cut policy on Penal Health Care. It appears that the burden of health care provision for prison inmates has been delegated to the MOH without any concrete arrangements. In the absence of a national penal health policy health care delivery in the prisons would remain inadequate for a long time. • Health system The penal system is centralized and generally there is lack of information flow vertically. Opinion sought from the nursing orderlies revealed a lower priority given to inmate health care among other activities. The study found that the health care delivery management system in the prison is weak and inadequately funded. The study, on the basis of these findings recommends the following: I. The establishment of a Medical Directorate with a Public Health Division within the Ghana Prisons Service by the Ministry of Interior to be headed by a competent health professional. II. To formulate policies and implement appropriate strategies in collaboration with other stakeholders to work towards the provision of a national framework for a comprehensive system of penal health care administration. Ill. Heads of Penal Institutions should be encouraged to take active part in budget preparation, allocation and utilization of funds and strengthen the management capacity of their institutional health care providers. IV. Management should recognize the right of prison inmates to dignity and present grievances and should show some visible signs of respecting and addressing their health problems.
- ItemThe genetics of maturity and its correlated traits and stability analysis in maize (zea mays l.) (a) identification of genomic regions controlling maturity and its correlated traits in b73 x unadapted mexican maize population. (b) evaluation of genotype by environment interactions in maize.(2001) Abdulai, Mashark SeiduThis study was conducted to (i) apply biotechnological approaches. viz simple sequence repeats (SSR) primers and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) probes with classical breeding procedures to identify genes important in adapting exotic maize germplasm, and (ii) understand the mode of inheritance of maturity in adapted by unadapted F2 maize population. Two hundred and eleven (211) S1 families developed from a cross between adapted Corn Belt maize inbred line (B73) and an unadapted maize population and their testcrosses were evaluated at two planting dates and two locations, respectively, in 1995. Maturity was quantitatively inherited, and few factors were responsible for its expression in maize. Earliness was dominant to lateness. Fingerprinted DNA isolates from each family with SSR primers and RFLP probes revealed that, putative quantitative trait loci associated with maturity were located on seven of the ten chromosomes. Phi085, Phi 113, Phi014, Pigmentation umc59, umc168 and bnl5.09 were associated with maturity. The gene effects of the markers were a combination of additive and dominance. Ear and plant height were also quantitatively inherited and were linked to Pigmentations umc59, umc34, csu5, phi014, bnl5.09 and bnl7.49. Pigmentation, csu25, phi0l4, bnl7.49 and umcl09 were also associated days to anthesis, grain moisture at harvest and grain yield in testcrosses. The use of molecular markers in conjunction with classical breeding methods was an efficient approach to understanding the mode of inheritance of maturity in maize.
- ItemDocumentation of traditional musical instruments: case study of Okuapenhene’s palace, Akropong-Akuapem(2001) Otibu, Franklin AkuffoAkuapem is located in the south of Ghana on the southern-most extension of the Togo Atakora Range. The Akuapem land is mostly rocky. Akuapem comprises of four diverse ethnic components. The Kyerepong Guan occupies the seven towns of Abiriw, Dawu, Awukugua, Adukrom, Apirede, Aseseaso and Abonse; whiles the other Guan people are Larteh-Ahenase and Larteh-Kubease. The Akans reside in Akropong and Amanokrom and Twi-speaking Guans reside in Mamfe Abotakyi, Mampong, Tutu, Obosomase, Ahwerease and Aburi. The people of Akuapem were originally concentrated on the ridge towns. As the population increased, they began to migrate to the outlying areas of the state. Major occupation for the people of Akuapern is farming. They cultivate mainly fruits, cereals, tubers and oil palm. The name “Akuapem” has three interpretations. These interpretations are “Nkoa Apem” (thousand subjects), “Akuw Apem” (thousand groups) and “Akuafo Apem) (thousand farmers). Akuapem used traditional musical instruments. The origins of traditional musical instruments are difficult to trace because some Akan drums are similar to those used by other ethnic groups in Ghana. There are beliefs that some repertoires
- ItemAn autoregressive time series model of measles propagation: a case study of the Kumasi District(2001) Nsiah, DominicIn 1985, the Government of Ghana assisted by the World Bank and other organizations, initiated a programme of mass vaccination aimed at eradicating six childhood killer diseases namely, measles, poliomyelitis, whooping cough, diphtheria, tuberculosis and tetanus. In this study we attempt to assess the effectiveness of this intervention for the particular case of measles incidence in the Kumasi District. Using the Box-Jenkins method we obtain autoregressive (AR (2)) models of the pre intervention data, post intervention data and the entire interrupted times series data. Further, using interrupted time series analysis, we are able to show that the parameters before and after the intervention were significantly different at the 5% level of significance. In particular, the intercepts of linear trend lines were 27.56 and 29.04 cases per month before and after the intervention respectively. The slopes were —0.084 and -0.130 cases per month before and after the intervention respectively. The methods used in this study can clearly be used to investigate the effectiveness of any intervention aimed at controlling some time dependent natural or socio-economic phenomena.
- ItemEffects of on-farm residues on pond water quality, productivity, and fish growth in an aquaculture ecosystem in Ghana(2001) Ofori, Joseph KitsonThe effects of selected on-farm wastes comprising groundnut peel (GNP), cocoa pod husk (CPH), rice bran (RB) and a standard feed (wheat bran - groundnut peel mixture) which constituted treatments in this study on water quality, plankton composition and tilapia growth at three application rates of 150 mg/I, 75 mg/I and 32.5 mg/I, have been assessed in aquatic ecosystems. The ecosystem consisted of a pond in which open-ended cylindrical concrete tanks were placed on one end to enclose the pond bottom. In these tanks, effects of inputs were assessed using multivariate analyses in comparison to no-input controls. The investigation tested the hypothesis that effects of on-farm wastes when applied singly to freshwater ponds impact differently on the water quality, phytoplankton, zooplankton and tilapia growth. The degradation rate constants of the on-farm wastes and their medium term effects on water quality were also assessed in glass aquaria under laboratory conditions. Following the determinations of the degradation constants, interactions and relative effects among water quality parameters; phytoplankton and zooplankton variables and the specific growth rate of tilapia were evaluated using the multiple regression approach. Comparative evaluations of plankton composition, periodicity and diversity for the various treatments in tanks were also studied Degradation rate constants K as determined from short-term biological oxygen demand (BOD) measurements for the inputs applied at application rates of 32.5 mgfl, 75 mg/I and 150 mg/I, were groundnut peel (GNP): 0.052, 0.058 and 0.065 per day; cocoa pod husk (CPH): 0.420, 0.037 and 0.057 per day and Rice bran (RB) 0.032, 0.036 and 0.057 per day respectively. Application of the different on-farm wastes resulted in changes in water physico-chemical parameters especially, that related to dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonia and phosphate. DO levels were low in all treatments at rates of 150 mg/I. Significant changes were also detected in total alkalinity levels (p<0.05). However, total alkalinity decreased with decreasing application rates. There was no significant difference in pH among treatments. GNP treatments recorded higher ammonia values at 150 mg/l. Although phosphate levels were high at rates of 150 mg/l which lowered C:P ratios below 20:1 in all tanks, it did not result in increases in blue green algae Phytoplankton counts differed for the various treatments showing the pattern of population density as GNP’CPH>Control>Stanfeed>RB with chlorophyceae and euglenophyceae dominating Phytplankton periodicity was not different for most of the treatments except in GNP Zooplankton (dominated by copepoda cladocera and ostracoda) had low diversity at higher than lower input rates Multiple regression analyses of water quality and plankton predictors both separately and jointly, on tilapia growth indicated that, generally water quality variables in groundnut peel and cocoa pod husk treatments explained over 58% of the variance, but less than 20% was explained in rice bran treatment. Over 50% of the variance was explained in stanfeed as against almost 73% in the controls by water quality variables. Nitrogenous compounds especially ammonia, nitrite and nitrate together with phosphate were the main water quality predictors that influenced growth in the different treatments. Stepwise addition of plankton variables to the regression, however, resulted in changes in the significant water quality that affected growth. Zooplanktons were significantly affected more by phytoplankton variables than by water quality in all treatments except the control. The results suggested that factors relating to water quality and plankton in semi- intensive culture express their effects on tilapia growth differently through both direct and indirect regulation of food organisms or improvement in the medium for the fish.
- ItemDevelopment of a framework for visual arts curriculum for Polytechnics in Ghana(2003) Mensah, Peter NdaahaleGhanaian polytechnics, having been elevated to the status of tertiary educational institutions have a distinctive role in producing middle-level manpower which is vocational or technical oriented for national development. The production of this middle-level manpower should be in the priority areas including Fine Arts and Industrial Arts. Ghana needs artists in critical areas such as Health, Engineering, Agriculture, Education, Applied Science and Applied Social Science, to help in its developmental process. But a critical observation of Ghanaian polytechnic education reveals that the middle-level manpower in Art needed to build adequate and innovative infrastructure for national development is grossly inadequate. This thesis, therefore, seeks to address this serious problem. The main problem of this study has been to develop a framework for Visual Arts curriculum for Ghanaian polytechnics which. is envisaged to produce men and women who will help produce the artistic goods and services for national development. It was hypothesised that there is no significant difference in the views of teachers and students on the limited nature of the scope of the Visual Arts programmes run by the polytechnics in Ghana, and that, teachers and students agree that there are additional relevant and feasible Visual Arts programmes (and work oriented content) that could be introduced in polytechnics in Ghana. The thesis, first, critically examines the existing Visual Arts programmes run in Ghanaian polytechnics. It analyses and discusses the present content of the Visual Arts programmes in. the light of Ghana’s philosophy of self-reliance, Ghana’s policies on tertiary education and Ghana’s policies and objectives of polytechnic education. It also critically examines whether the Visual Arts programmes run in Ghanaian polytechnics have been based on the philosophical and psychological foundations which Ghana has adopted for the development of its curricula of schools. The thesis then examines and discusses the objectives set for the Visual Arts programmes and the methods used in teaching the Visual Arts programmes. Further, it queries whether the Visual Arts programmes have ever been evaluated since their inception. The major findings have been: the scope of the Visual Arts programmes (and their content) presently offered in Ghanaian polytechnics, is woefully inadequate and limited; the inadequacy of the Visual Arts programmes exerts too much pressure on the polytechnics because of the application of the large number of students for the limited Visual Arts programmes they offer; the Visual Arts programmes are deficient in work oriented content and courses and hardly satisfy the production of the middle-level manpower in Art required for national development; the Visual Arts programmes do not adequately reflect Ghanaian/African culture; they do not also make the graduates adequately self-reliant as the nation requires and they have not been evaluated ever since their inception. Secondly, the thesis seeks to develop a framework for Visual Arts curriculum upon which Ghanaian polytechnics could further develop Visual Arts syllabuses. Accordingly, data have been secured from field-work. The population chosen for the study included teachers and students of polytechnics in Ghana, teachers and students of KNUST, Kumasi and University of Winneba, Winneba and personnel of the MOE, Accra. Since there were many strata to deal with, the Stratified Sampling method has been used for the study. Thirty percent of the accessible The Descriptive Survey and the Analytic methods have been used to analyse the data. The data collected have been critically analysed, interpreted and conclusions drawn. The findings been that, Ghanaians as a people want additional Visual Arts programmes (and their content) run in Ghanaian polytechnics: and these additional Visual Arts programmes and their content have been outlined in detail after. Based on the findings the thesis proposes a framework for Visual Arts curriculum for Ghanaian polytechnics. The framework encompasses: i. The national philosophy on which polytechnic Visual Arts programmes should be based ii. The national policy on tertiary education on which the Visual Arts programmes should be based iii. The philosophical and psychological foundations for Visual Arts education in Ghanaian ethnics, iv. Objectives for running Visual Arts programmes in Ghanaian polytechnics v. Visual Arts programmes and content Ghanaian polytechnics should run vi. Methods of teaching and learning the Visual Arts programmes, vii. The evaluation and methods of evaluating the Visual Arts programmes run in Ghanaian polytechnics. The thesis finally outlines the trial-tests done to ascertain the efficacy of the framework. Based on the findings, the thesis offers useful recommendations and suggestions that would make the framework feasible. Some of the recommendations are: there is the urgent need to expand the scope of the Visual Arts programmes presently offered in Ghanaian polytechnics; adequate work was sampled for study. Questionnaire was used to collect data from the sample nted content and courses should be incorporated in the Visual Arts programmes and the Visual programmes run Ghanaian polytechnics should be evaluated from time to time to address c need of the day.
- ItemThe effect of different tillage practices on soil erosion, water conservation and yield of maize in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana(2004) Adama, Abdulai IddrisuA study was carried out to assess the effects of different tillage practices on soil loss fertility erosion, runoff, in-situ moisture conservation, water use efficiency and crop growth and yield. The 3-season experiments (2000 major, 2000 minor and 2001 major seasons) were conducted on runoff plots at the Research Farm of the Department of Crop Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi. Twelve (12) runoff plots (30m long and 4.0m wide constructed on an average slope of 6°h and fitted with measuring devices were used for the experiment. The area is within the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana with mean annual rainfall ranging from 1,300 to 1,400 mm. The treatments were: LT - Local Tillage by Hoe R-ALS - Ridging Along the Slope P-HACS - Ploughing and Harrowing Across the Slope T-RALS - Tied-Ridging Along the Slope R-ACS - Ridging Across the Slope BARE - Bare control plot ploughed and harrowed along the slope. All ridges were 50cm high and spaced at 80cm apart. Ties were 30cm high and spaced at 4 Om apart along the ridges. The treatments were studied in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications. The Results were analysed by ANOVA and the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used to test the significance of mean differences. Regression analysis was used to establish relationships between measured parameters. The test crop was maize (Zea mays) variety GIDABA. The soil was Akroso series classified as Haplic Acrisol (FAO/UNESCO). It is a sandy loam (top soil) to sandy clay loam (subsoil). The parameters measured included bulk density, particle size analysis; runoff and soil loss; nutrient and organic matter losses; crop height, stover, above ground dry matter and grain yields; harvest index and water use efficiency. The mean bulk density at the 0 - 20 cm depth immediately after land preparation ranged from 1.20 to 1.40 gcm-3 with a rank LT (1.4)>BARE (1.31)>P-HACS (1.30)>R-ACS (1.22)> T-RALS (1.20) = R-ALS (1.20). Bulk density at the 20 - 45 cm depth was 1.60gcm-3 for all treatments. At harvest, bulk density increased almost to the initial values (1.55 — 1.60 gcm3) recorded before land preparation. The respective range of runoff for the three seasons 2000 major, 2000 minor and 2001 major were 39.4 - 142.0 mm, 5.6 - 39.6mm and 28.3 - 78.7 mm for the R-ACS - BARE. The magnitude of runoff was in the order of BARE>LT>R-ALS>P-HACS>T-RALS>R-ACS. The differences in the first four treatments were not significant but were highly significant (P>0.01) for TRALS and R-ACS. Rain water storage ranged from 321.7 to 409.7mm and 119.3 to 200.9mm for the 2000 and 2001 major seasons respectively with treatments ranking as R-ACS>T-RALS>BARE>P-HACS>R-ALS>LT. In the 2000 minor season, all the treatments except R-ACS (4.7mm) recorded negative moisture storage. R-ACS and T-RALS recorded significantly (p>.0.01) lower soil loss than the other treatments for all the three seasons. Soil loss over the three seasons followed a decreasing order of BARE>LT>RALS>P-HACS>T- > Cumulative soil loss over the three seasons resulted in top soil depth loss of 10.8, 8.5, 7.4, 4.6, 2.0 and 1.4 mm for BARE, LT, R-ALCS, P-HACS, T-R.ALS and R-ACS respectively. Tillage practices significantly influenced nutrient loss. The concentration of nutrient tended to be higher with smaller soil losses. Total nutrient loss however increased with increasing soil loss. The total amount of organic matter loss during the three seasons ranged from 356.7 — 2314.5 kgha-1 with trend of BARE>LT>R-ALS>P-HACS>T-ALS>RACS. The total nitrogen loss in both the eroded sediment and runoff for the entire experimental period was in the order of LT>BARE>R-ALS>P-HACS>TRALS>R-ACS and ranged from 25.0 to 277.7 kg ha-1. In all the three seasons nitrate concentration and amounts in runoff was significantly higher than ammonium. Total available phosphorus (P) losses for the three seasons of experimentation ranged between 0.41 and 2.0 kg ha-1 with a trend of BARE> LT> R-ALS> P-HACS>T-RALS> R-ACS. Potassium losses range between 0.56 and 2.33, 0.03 and 0.34 and 0.38 and 3.36 kg ha-1 for the 2000 major and minor and 2001 major wet seasons respectively. The order of losses for the major seasons was LT>BARE>RALS> P-HACS>T-RALS> R-ACS. Apart from P and K, the differences in the enrichment ratios under the various tillage treatments were not significant. R-ACS and TRALS tended to record significantly (P>0.05) greater plant heights whilst R-ALS recorded the least. Maize grain yield in the 2000 major and minor and 2001 major wet seasons was in the range 1.7 — 2.8, 0.99 — 1.97 and 1.1 - 2.6 t ha-1 respectively. With a trend R-ACS>T-RALS>P-HACS>LT>R-ALS, the R-ACS and T-RALS consistently out yielded the remaining treatments. Relationships established between measured parameters showed soil loss to positively correlated with runoff (r2 = 0.81 - 0.89). Soil loss per ha-mm of runoff was 1.1 t ha-1. Soil loss and runoff were negatively correlated with their nutrient concentrations. The magnitudes of the correlation co-efficients were generally low. The total nutrient loss of each treatment (kg ha-1) was however positively correlated with runoff (r2 = 0.40 - 0.97) and soil loss (r2 = 0.63 - 0.99). Plant height was highly significantly (P>0.01) and negatively correlated with runoff (r2 = 0.92 - 0.96), cumulative soil loss (r2 = 0.99) and cumulative total nutrient loss (r2 = 0.87). Maize grain, stover and above ground dry matter yields were negatively correlated with runoff, soil loss and nutrient loss. Yield loss per kg ha1 against cumulative soil loss were 13.9 kg-ha-1 for grain (r2 = 0.89), 353.3 kg ha-1 stover (r2 = 0.80) and 49.3 kg ha-1 above ground dry matter (r2 = 0.88). A kg ha1 of cumulative total nutrient loss decreased grain yield by 4.6 kg ha1 (r2 = 0.62), 13 kg ha’1 stover (r2 = 0.71) and 17.6 kg ha-1 above ground dry matter (r2 = 0.73). There was a significant positive correlation between crop height and grain yield (P>0.05) and stover yield (P>0.01). A cm loss in crop height reduced grain (r2 = 0.89) and stover (r2 = 0.92) yields by 46.3 and 99.2 kg ha-1 respectively. The recommended choice of tillage practice for soil, water and nutrient conservation, improved biomass production and grain yield is in a decreasing order of R-ACS>T-RALS>P-HACS>LT>R-ALS. LT, as a prevalent tillage practice in smallholder farming systems should always be complemented by proper residue management and nutrient replenishment strategies.
- ItemDevelopment of relationships between the inherent properties of raw coconut shells and the adsorption characteristics of coconut shell-based activated carbons(2004-11-21) Osei-Wusu, AchawCertain mineral elements are known to catalyze the carbonization and activation processes of activated carbon manufacture. This facility has been variously harnessed to shape the properties of activated carbons. In the past this has been done by applying the mineral elements externally on the precursor materials to influence the properties of activated carbons. It is known however, that some of the mineral elements affecting the properties of activated carbons are inherent to the raw material. If this were so then it would be possible to take advantage of their presence to affect the properties of activated carbons. In this case the additional time, resources and cost needed to externally apply these elements would be obviated. The extent to which this is possible has not yet been examined. In this work an attempt has been made to address this issue by first investigating if the relevant mineral elements occur in significant concentrations in precursor materials of plant origin to influence the carbonization and activation processes of activated carbon manufacture. It is further investigated if for a given precursor material variations in the concentrations of the mineral elements borne as a result of differences in the origin are significant enough to engender differences in the properties of activated carbons made from them. The work also sought to identify relationships, if any, that exist between the concentrations of the inherent mineral elements in the raw material and the properties of the activated carbons made from the precursor materials. For this study coconut shells from five different geographical locations of Ghana were selected. Subsequently the presence and the distribution of the elements potassium, zinc, copper, calcium, iron and lead were examined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and related to the iodine numbers of activated carbons made from the shells. An analysis of the adsorption characteristics of the activated carbons prepared in the setup built specifically for this work showed that the samples behaved in a manner anticipated of activated carbons. Thus, the set-up functioned successfully. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM’s) of the samples revealed that the earlier theories held about the mode of pore formation of activated carbons during their preparation is valid. Further results showed that the concentration of the mineral elements vary depending on the origin of the shells. It was established that the shells with lower potassium concentrations exhibited higher iodine numbers. Due to the very low inherent concentrations of the other elements studied, their individual influences were not immediately clear. Additional investigations conducted by externally influencing the mineral elements’ concentrations in the shells by soaking them in solutions of salts of the elements show that the elements, all to varying degrees, affect the iodine numbers of activated carbons. The results of this work show that it is possible to take advantage of the inherent concentration of potassium and other mineral elements in raw coconut shells to influence the adsorption properties of coconut shell-based activated carbons. Thus, the objectives set out for this work were to a very large extent achieved. It is recommended that further investigations be carried out to see if similar conclusions can arrived at for precursor materials other than coconut shells. It is further recommended that the effect of other mineral elements beyond those specifically investigated in this work be studied.