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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) Research Articles Speeches A collection of speeches delivered by the Vice Chancellors and Official visitors to the KNUST
Recent Submissions
Item
Assessing low quality water use policy framework: Case study from Ghana
(Elseveire, 2015) Amponsah Owusu; Vigre Håkan; Wilde Schou Torben; Boateng Ethel Seiwaa; Braimah Imoro; Abaidoo R. C
We sought to understand the factors that have undermined the effective implementation of the low
quality water reuse provision in Ghana’s Irrigation Policy. Two Strategic Environmental Assessment tools
(i.e. compatibility matrix and sustainability test) were used for the policy analyses. The analyses identified
neither conflicts nor sustainability issues which could undermine the effective implementation of the
policy in Ghana. Rather, its effective implementation was found to be the result of the lack of supportive
legislation, regulations and guidelines. Furthermore, most of the institutions, which have been identified
as key stakeholders for the policy implementation, not only lack the commitmentto implementthe policy
but also perceive low quality water reuse as a practice that can endanger public health. We conclude that
effective implementation of the low quality water reuse policy requires an integration of the policy into
the broader water resources management context supported with legislation and regulations which spell
out clearly institutional responsibilities, and rewards and punishments for compliance or otherwise.
Item
Antagonistic Effect of Indigenous Bacillus subtilis on Root-/Soil-borne Fungal Pathogens of Cowpea
(Researcher, 2011) Killani, A.S.; Abaidoo R. C; Akintokun, A.K; Abiala, M. A.
The biopesticide ability of indigenous Bacillus subtilis as a biocontrol agent against cowpea fungal
pathogens Fusarium verticilloides, F. equiseti, F. solani, F. oxysporum, and Rhizoctonia solani isolated from diseased
cowpea in the northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria was evaluated in the laboratory. Primary in-vitro screening for
antagonism against these phytopathogenic fungi revealed significant (P ≤ 0.05) inhibitory effects on mycelial radial
growth of the pathogens. Generally, the antibiosis exhibited by B. subtilis against F. verticilloides, F. equiseti, and R.
solani was highly significant. However, there were little or no inhibition effects on F. solani, and F. oxysporum.
Differences in times of inoculation between the antagonist and the pathogens were not significantly (P ≤ 0.05)
different in aiding effective and efficient inhibition of the pathogens by B. subtilis. The B. subtilis strain isolated,
identified, and used in this present study is a promising natural biopesticide agent which can be considered as an
alternative to chemical pesticides in cowpea disease management strategies and should be further studied and tested
for control of other phytopathogenic fungi causing diseases and yield loss in susceptible cowpea germplasm.
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Agronomic and economic benefits of integrated nutrient management options for cowpea production
(Cambridge University Press, 2020) Issoufa Bachir Bounou; Ibrahim Ali; Abaidoo R. C
The limitation of soil amendments and insufficient and irregular rainfall are the main factors accounting for the
decline in crop yields in the Sahelian low-input cropping systems.
This study explored the agro nomic and economic responses of integrated use of millet glume-derived
compost with synthetic fertilizer
in cowpea-based cropping system. A two-year field experiment was laid out as factorial design arranged
in randomized complete blocks with three rates of compost (0, 4000, and 8000 kg ha−1) and three rates
of recommended synthetic fertilizer (0, 50, and 100%). Cowpea grain yield increased markedly with
com bined application of compost and synthetic fertilizer. The combined use of compost applied at 8000 kg ha−1
and 50% of the recommended rate of synthetic fertilizer increased cowpea grain yield by 51% compared to
the application of 100% of the recommended rate of synthetic fertilizer. The rainwater use efficiency
(RaUE) increased by 52 and 49% with the combined application of compost at 8000 kg ha−1 along with
50% of the recommended rate of synthetic fertilizer when compared to the application of 100% of the
recommended rate of synthetic fertilizer in 2013 and 2014, respectively. All treatments induced a positive
net income, and the highest value/cost ratio was achieved with combined application of compost and syn thetic fertilizer.
This study highlights the possibility of improving cowpea productivity through combined
use of composted locally available organic input with half of the recommended rate of synthetic fertilizer.
This combination would reduce the investment in mineral fertilizer currently made by smallholder farmers
in the Sahelian low-input cowpea cropping system and reduce environmental pollution resulting from the
current practice of burning the millet glume.
Item
Agronomic and economic benefits of integrated nutrient management options for cowpea production
(Cambridge University Press, 2020, 2020) Issoufa Bachir Bounou; Ibrahim Ali; Abaidoo R. C
The limitation of soil amendments and insufficient and irregular rainfall are the main factors accounting
for the decline in crop yields in the Sahelian low-input cropping systems. This study explored the agro nomic and economic responses of integrated use of millet glume-derived compost with synthetic fertilizer
in cowpea-based cropping system. A two-year field experiment was laid out as factorial design arranged
in randomized complete blocks with three rates of compost (0, 4000, and 8000 kg ha−1
) and three rates
of recommended synthetic fertilizer (0, 50, and 100%). Cowpea grain yield increased markedly with com bined application of compost and synthetic fertilizer. The combined use of compost applied at 8000 kg ha−1
and 50% of the recommended rate of synthetic fertilizer increased cowpea grain yield by 51% compared to
the application of 100% of the recommended rate of synthetic fertilizer. The rainwater use efficiency
(RaUE) increased by 52 and 49% with the combined application of compost at 8000 kg ha−1 along with
50% of the recommended rate of synthetic fertilizer when compared to the application of 100% of the
recommended rate of synthetic fertilizer in 2013 and 2014, respectively. All treatments induced a positive
net income, and the highest value/cost ratio was achieved with combined application of compost and syn thetic fertilizer. This study highlights the possibility of improving cowpea productivity through combined
use of composted locally available organic input with half of the recommended rate of synthetic fertilizer.
This combination would reduce the investment in mineral fertilizer currently made by smallholder farmers
in the Sahelian low-input cowpea cropping system and reduce environmental pollution resulting from the
current practice of burning the millet glume.
Item
Response of cowpea lines to low Phosphorus tolerance and response to external application of P
(African Journal of Microbiology Research · July 2012, 2012) Saidou A. K.; Singh , B. B.; Abaidoo R. C; wuafor E. N. O.; Sanginga N.
Low availability of phosphorus (P) is a major constraint to crop production in Sahel and Sudan Savanna
of West Africa, and efforts are being made to identify cowpea genotypes with tolerance to low P and
greater P use efficiency. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance P uptake in low P soil. Cowpea
breeding lines (200) were examined at 3 P levels (0P, 90 kg P ha-1 as Rock Phosphate and 30 kg P ha-1
as Simple Super Phosphate (SSP) in 2002 at Minjibir, Nigeria and Toumnia, Niger. Wide apparent
variation in grain and fodder yields was found among the 200 genotypes. Grain yield response to RP
and SSP ranged from 1 to 160%. Based on the genotypes performance at low and high (SSP),
genotypes were classified. Fifteen genotypes were selected from the different P use and response
groups and further examined in the greenhouse and field studies for growth characteristics related to
tolerance to low applied P. Phosphorus application significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased the grain and
fodder yield at both locations., shoot-root ratio but decreased AMF colonization of cowpea roots. There
were large differences in the relative P used in efficiency and the values ranged from –11 to 38 kg grain (kg P)-1
applied. AMF infection was reduced by at least 50%, while shoot-to-root ratio was significantly
increased with P application. Variation between genotypes was significant for certain paired means but
not consistent for all parameters measured, and the locations. The cowpea genotypes differ in AMF
colonization, shoot growth relative root development, and relative P use efficiency for tolerance to low
P soils and response to external application.
Item
ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI SPECIES IN LONG-TERM SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA
(Taylor & Francis, 2009) Bukola Emmanuel; Olajire Fagbola; Abaidoo R. C; Oluwole Osonubi; Olusola Oyetunji
Soil fertility management systems (SFMS) can influence the community structure of arbuscular
mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Hence, long-term SFMS was studied. The SFMS comprised three legume
combinations, urea application and solely maize as control. Spores were extracted by wet sieving,
characterized and identified using their morphology. Interrelationships between cropping systems
and occurrence of AMF species were analyzed with genotype by environment (GGE) biplot. Seventeen
species were identified with Glomus species (47.05%) having highest value while Gigaspora species
had the least (11.76%). Legume residues significantly (P < 0.05) increased spore population with
the highest spore count (120 spores/100 g soil) obtained in plot under cowpea residue. Shannon Weiner index (H
) of maize/Lablab purpureus plot was highest (1.996) while that of sole maize
system was the least (1.550). The GGE indicated Glomus intraradices as a stable species across all
the SFMS. Community structure of AMF and function can be preserved using appropriate SFMS.
Item
ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI SPECIES IN LONG-TERM SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA
(Taylor & Francis, 2009) Abaidoo R. C; Bukola Emmanuel; Olajire Fagbola; Oluwole Osonubi; Olusola Oyetunji
Soil fertility management systems (SFMS) can influence the community structure of arbuscular
mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Hence, long-term SFMS was studied. The SFMS comprised three legume
combinations, urea application and solely maize as control. Spores were extracted by wet sieving,
characterized and identified using their morphology. Interrelationships between cropping systems
and occurrence of AMF species were analyzed with genotype by environment (GGE) biplot. Seventeen
species were identified with Glomus species (47.05%) having highest value while Gigaspora species
had the least (11.76%). Legume residues significantly (P < 0.05) increased spore population with
the highest spore count (120 spores/100 g soil) obtained in plot under cowpea residue. Shannon Weiner index (H
) of maize/Lablab purpureus plot was highest (1.996) while that of sole maize
system was the least (1.550). The GGE indicated Glomus intraradices as a stable species across all
the SFMS. Community structure of AMF and function can be preserved using appropriate SFMS