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Conference Proceedings This Community features the proceedings of conferences hosted by the KNUST or other bodies but had staff from KNUST attending and making presentationsJournal of Science and Technology (JUST) Research Articles from the members of KNUST submitted to the JUSTKumasi Center for Collaborative Research (KCCR) Lectures **Lectures** are structured presentations or talks delivered by an instructor, professor, or expert to convey knowledge on a specific subject.Research Articles
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Dissecting the Ghana roselle (hibiscus sabdariffa var. Altissima) accessions for genetic diversity using agro-morphological evaluation
(KNUST, 2019-06) Ankrah, Nii Ayi
Roselle altissima is a bast fiber crop of global economic importance. Although West Africa is considered the centre of diversity, research and utilization in roselle is widely ignored. The awakening of industrialization in Ghana presents roselle as candidate crop for exploration, however, information on genotypes of economic importance is lacking. Characterization and genetic diversity estimation identifies genotypes having important traits for incorporation into breeding programmes, and reveal within and between population variability, divergence between genotypes and relationships among them. Our objective was to map roselle geographical origin in northern Ghana, determine regions of substantial genetic diversity, examine genetic variability, estimate the distance within the collection, and identify relationships in the genotypes. Sixty-one accessions collected from 21 districts were evaluated in a two-season field trial using a 6 × 6 lattice square design for 36 accessions and 5 × 5 lattice square design for 25 accessions in three replications each from July to November 2016 and 2017, respectively. The genotypes were evaluated using twelve qualitative and five quantitative morphological traits covering plant type, leaf, stem and flower characteristics, and growth habit. Data were analysed by Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index (SDI), analysis of variance, genetic distance, cluster, principal component, and stepwise discriminant analysis. Except for conserved traits in growth habit, calyx pubescence, and capsule shape, large variability was observed in plant type, branching habit, stem pubescence, leaf form, and calyx pigmentation. Large between population differences were identified in plant height, branch number, basal diameter, and days to flowering. A large within population variation of 0.74 to 0.85 for branch number, plant height, basal diameter, and days to flowering resided in the accessions. Height after first branching was somewhat identical in season 1. Mean plant height ranged from 184 cm to 355 cm, basal diameter 13 mm to 24 mm, height at first branching 6 cm to 157 cm, branch number 2 to 12, and days to 50 % flowering from 97 to 101 days after planting.
Twenty-one accessions were selected based on tall plant height with few branches at high branch points, and large basal diameter were HA-07, HA-11, HA-12, HA-21, HA-33, HA-37, HA-38, HA-39, HA-42, HA-43, HA-44, HA-45, HA-46, HA-47, HA-49, HA-50, HA-52, HA-54, HA-55, HA-57, and HA-58. Seven districts exhibited largest diversity by SDI estimates Kassena-Nankana (0.87), Bolgatanga Municipal (0.83), West Mamprusi (0.82), Savelugu-Nanton (0.73), Tamale Metropolitan (0.68), Gowri-Yorogo and Talensi (0.67). Mean district SDI values ranged from 0.53 to 0.87. Savelugu-Nanton district accessions had the highest mean plant height of 308.27 ± 48.91 cm, highest branching point at 107.19 ± 64.66 cm, and less than five branches. Low correlation coefficients of r = 0.11 in plant height and basal diameter to r =0.13 in plant height and branch number was identified. Mean genetic distance based on Euclidean estimate was 3.03 ± 0.90 and ranged from 0.41 to 5.17 representing substantial genetic diversity in the region. Clustering based on Ward’s minimum variance produced three clusters independent of their geographical origin suggesting seed flow in the region. The first three principal components explained 100 % of the total variance with the highest loadings from branch number, height at first branching and basal diameter, then plant height and days to 50 % flowering. Stepwise discriminant analysis identified branch number, plant height and days to 50 % flowering to be most important traits in the structuring of roselle altissima. The findings would be beneficial for planning a systematic collection, for conservation, and for trait improvement in breeding roselle.
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Contribution of cocoa certification to environmental management and protection in the Amenfi west municipality, Ghana
(KNUST, 2019-07) Duah, Nelson
The study examined cocoa certification in Amenfi West Municipality, its contribution to environmental management and protection. The study sought to determine the contribution of certification to environmental management and protection, levels of soil chemical properties (organic carbon, soil organic matter, soil pH, etc.) between systems of production, evaluated the perception of farmers on impact of voluntary standards and certification schemes on sustainability of cocoa production and verified the extent of management control plans on cocoa farms. The study obtained information from one hundred and fifty (150) respondents mainly through questionnaires. The results indicated that farmers of Utz and Rainforest Alliance were strongly convinced that voluntary certification had impacted on their production. It was realized that certified schemes help farmers get market for their produce, certification organizations give right prices or premium to cocoa produce. On management control plans adopted on cocoa farms, the study showed that certified farmers avoided the burning of bushes and forest in order to preserve organic life and save the forest. More so, Utz and RA certified farms had buffer zones between farms aquatic systems and areas of human activity from agrochemicals. The main aim is to protect contamination of water bodies. The results from conventional farms however showed that majority of them had no buffer zones. On agrochemical storage and the usage of protective gears for applying fertilizers and pesticides, the results showed that most certified farmers stored and kept agrochemicals in agro stores or temporal sheds compared to only a few conventional farmers who kept such chemicals in their kitchen and bedrooms. Among the recommendations made were that cocoa farmers employ resourced person to help explain such certification, its impacts and challenges to them before enrolling as there is more to these certified programmes than what cocoa farmers in the Amenfi West Municipality know. It was also recommended that training programmes on the use of agrochemicals and other harmful pesticides should be extended to non-certified farmers as they all fall or live within the same municipality and rely on each other. Training non certified farmers will go a long way to safeguard water bodies and other environmental issues.
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Dissecting the Ghana roselle (hibiscus sabdariffa var. Altissima) accessions for genetic diversity using agro-morphological evaluation
(KNUST, 2019-06) Ankrah, Nii Ayi
Roselle altissima is a bast fiber crop of global economic importance. Although West Africa is considered the centre of diversity, research and utilization in roselle is widely ignored. The awakening of industrialization in Ghana presents roselle as candidate crop for exploration, however, information on genotypes of economic importance is lacking. Characterization and genetic diversity estimation identifies genotypes having important traits for incorporation into breeding programmes, and reveal within and between population variability, divergence between genotypes and relationships among them. Our objective was to map roselle geographical origin in northern Ghana, determine regions of substantial genetic diversity, examine genetic variability, estimate the distance within the collection, and identify relationships in the genotypes. Sixty-one accessions collected from 21 districts were evaluated in a two-season field trial using a 6 × 6 lattice square design for 36 accessions and 5 × 5 lattice square design for 25 accessions in three replications each from July to November 2016 and 2017, respectively. The genotypes were evaluated using twelve qualitative and five quantitative morphological traits covering plant type, leaf, stem and flower characteristics, and growth habit. Data were analysed by Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index (SDI), analysis of variance, genetic distance, cluster, principal component, and stepwise discriminant analysis. Except for conserved traits in growth habit, calyx pubescence, and capsule shape, large variability was observed in plant type, branching habit, stem pubescence, leaf form, and calyx pigmentation. Large between population differences were identified in plant height, branch number, basal diameter, and days to flowering. A large within population variation of 0.74 to 0.85 for branch number, plant height, basal diameter, and days to flowering resided in the accessions. Height after first branching was somewhat identical in season 1. Mean plant height ranged from 184 cm to 355 cm, basal diameter 13 mm to 24 mm, height at first branching 6 cm to 157 cm, branch number 2 to 12, and days to 50 % flowering from 97 to 101 days after planting.
Twenty-one accessions were selected based on tall plant height with few branches at high branch points, and large basal diameter were HA-07, HA-11, HA-12, HA-21, HA-33, HA-37, HA-38, HA-39, HA-42, HA-43, HA-44, HA-45, HA-46, HA-47, HA-49, HA-50, HA-52, HA-54, HA-55, HA-57, and HA-58. Seven districts exhibited largest diversity by SDI estimates Kassena-Nankana (0.87), Bolgatanga Municipal (0.83), West Mamprusi (0.82), Savelugu-Nanton (0.73), Tamale Metropolitan (0.68), Gowri-Yorogo and Talensi (0.67). Mean district SDI values ranged from 0.53 to 0.87. Savelugu-Nanton district accessions had the highest mean plant height of 308.27 ± 48.91 cm, highest branching point at 107.19 ± 64.66 cm, and less than five branches. Low correlation coefficients of r = 0.11 in plant height and basal diameter to r =0.13 in plant height and branch number was identified. Mean genetic distance based on Euclidean estimate was 3.03 ± 0.90 and ranged from 0.41 to 5.17 representing substantial genetic diversity in the region. Clustering based on Ward’s minimum variance produced three clusters independent of their geographical origin suggesting seed flow in the region. The first three principal components explained 100 % of the total variance with the highest loadings from branch number, height at first branching and basal diameter, then plant height and days to 50 % flowering. Stepwise discriminant analysis identified branch number, plant height and days to 50 % flowering to be most important traits in the structuring of roselle altissima. The findings would be beneficial for planning a systematic collection, for conservation, and for trait improvement in breeding roselle.
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Exposure of heavy metals in manihot esculenta from some selected mining communities
(KNUST, 2019-05) Mensah, Nicholina
Cassava remains the largest agricultural commodity produced in Ghana and it can grow on poor soils, easily propagated, needs little cultivation and tolerates periodic and extended periods of droughts. Natural and anthropogenic activities have made heavy metals ubiquitous in the environment which exposes humans via several pathways especially through the food chain. In this study, cassava samples were collected from some selected mining communities within three districts all in the eastern region of Ghana. The samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS) for Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd). The concentration of chemical in food, the mass of food consumed per day and body weight, were fitted using the @ Risk software. Lead and cadmium levels in the areas ranged from 0.27 – 4.45 mg/kg and 0.0006 – 0.0017 mg/kg, respectively. The lead range recorded higher values than the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) Standard. The estimated daily intake of lead from the study was higher than the acceptable daily intake level. Furthermore, the central tendencies of the estimated cancer risk (ECR) for lead was above the acceptable limits. It can be concluded that samples from most of the areas were not safe for consumption since they recorded high levels of lead than the acceptable limits.
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Applying blended learning at the SHS level – implications on Students’ performance: the case of Suhum Senior High Technical School
(KNUST, 2019-06) Mrs. Odoi, Grace
With the rapid proliferation of ICT devices in every field of endeavor and their usage becoming increasingly easier and more affordable, using blended learning in all levels of education becomes very imperative. However, classroom practices continue to be dominated by instructor led teaching. This study sought to unearth how blended learning can be applied as a teaching and learning approach at the SHS level and its implications if any on students’ academic performance, considering that traditional face-to-face technique has been used over the years with its antecedent problems at that level and below. Two main research objectives were set. Action Case study and subsequently a formative experiment were conducted at the Suhum Senior High Technical School where ICT as a subject is taught to all students in the various SHS levels. Opportunity sampling was employed in sampling two hundred (200) SHS 3 students as research participants according to preselected criteria relevant to the research objectives. Qualitative data gathered was analyzed with Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS), specifically Nvivo. The study found out that the BL environment made learning last - longer and
easy for students and further provided a different point of view for students and propelled the desire to take other subjects with the blended approach; although not without converse opinions.
Results of this study are discussed and recommendations given in light of implications for further research and policy planning.
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Markov chain modelling of rainfall: a case study of Eastern region of Ghana
(KNUST, 2019-06) Yeboah, Michael
It is a fact that Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMA) predicts Weather in Ghana. But empirical research has shown that GMA uses Weather Surveillance Radar (WSR) for weather prediction in the country and for reason of cost of equipment and maintenance the spread of monitoring stations are few. So, in order to keep costs down and make more specific weather predictions in remote areas of the region, a first-order Markov Chain was used to model the monthly rainfall data from 1998-2003. The twelve weather models were developed from Average Probability Vectors and Markov Chain Theory Inverse Technique under the assumption that in the long –term study of the weather, Average Probabilities equal steady-state vectors. The transition matrices showed the short-run behaviour of Markov chains while the equilibrium state probability indicated the long-run behaviour of the chains. The Markov Chain analysis for Eastern region in the short – run showed that the probability of rain there varies day by day whiles the long-term probability values also differ. There was rainfall throughout the year. The developed models revealed bimodal rainfall patterns in the study area. The least rainfall occurred in December and the wettest months are June and October. In the long-term analysis of the weather in the region, typically, there are approximately 64% of dry days and 36% of wet days indicating more dry days than wet days. Further observations made on the long-term probabilities revealed that areas in the region during the months of December, January, February and March tended to be dry. All because the long-term rainfall values were generally low. The developed transition matrices converge and the close conformance between the predicted figures and actual figures validates the use of Markov chains to model rainfall data in Eastern Region of Ghana. The developed Chains have been tested and found to be reliable and besides, predict weather accurately in the region, hence good for application by our National Weather Agency.
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Food packaging practices for street vended rice meals
(KNUST, 2019-06) Apoh, Linda
Choice of packaging material for food is very crucial, as the package has numerous benefits such as concealing and protecting food from external environmental influences and preserves the food for future use. However, relatively little is known about the knowledge of package materials by vendors for street vended rice meals and also consumers reactions food packaging practices the street vended rice meals. This study therefore examined the food packaging practices for street vended rice meals in Lashibi. A structured questionnaire was designed and used to collect data from 67 vendors and 322 customers. The statistical software, STATA version 13, was used to analyse the data. The study found that the preferred ready to eat rice meal was jollof and waakye. With takeaway pack being the most preferred medium for packaging of food for both food vendors and consumers. It was also observed that both rice meal vendors and consumers have relatively high knowledge on food packaging practices and there is a significant relationship between the background characteristics of the respondents and their choice of food packaging. The study however, concludes that there is no significant relationship between the level of knowledge of people on food packaging practices and their choice of food packaging. The study therefore recommends that the Ministry of Health and the Foods and Drugs Authority should intensify education on food packaging practices and their health implications. This will go a long way to influence the decision making of both consumers and food vendors with regards to food packaging practices.