The study sought to examine adoption of nutritious drought tolerant (DT) maize using social science research methods and participatory demonstration trials. The social science study used mixed method approach which combined both qualitative and quantitative methods. A split-plot demonstration trial of three improved maize varieties and a local variety, and two levels of Nitrogen fertilizer were established. The two fertilizer levels were low N [LN] (30 kg N ha-1) and high N [HN] (90 kg N ha-1). The results of the social science study showed 85% of men consider early maturity, grain quality and storability in adopting DT maize. Results also revealed that beside earliness and higher yield, taste and easy to harvest influenced women farmer’s choice for DT maize varieties. Climatic endurance, increased yield and grain quality showed a positive and statistically significant relationship with adoption of DT maize. On average, HN fertilization increased DT maize grain yields by 41% compared to the LN fertilization. The improved DT maize varieties had yield advantages ranging from 25 to 43% over the local variety. From this, DT maize appears to have a potential for its use with N-fertilizer in the fight against food insecurity with improved adoption and utilization in Ghana.
Taro leaf blight causes up to 100% yield loss in susceptible taro (Colocasia esculenta L. (Schott)) cultivars. The use of fungicides in disease management is fast and effective; however efficacy of fungicides could be affected by frequency of application. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of spraying intervals and economic benefits of Ridomil Plus 66 WP (12% Metalaxyl-M and 60% Copper (1) oxide) on taro leaf blight disease. The study consisted of four fungicide spraying intervals, viz at one, two and at four weekly intervals, all at the concentration of 3.3 g l-1 and no fungicide application as the control. Results showed no significant differences (P > 00.5) between one and two weekly spraying intervals in terms of taro leaf blight disease incidence and severity. These were, however, significantly different (P < 0.05) from four weekly and no fungicide applications. Taro corm yield was higher in weekly spraying interval, but not significantly different (P > 0.05) from biweekly application intervals. Yields in weekly intervals were 2.9, 33.0 and 44.0% higher than biweekly, four weekly and no application intervals. Applying fungicide at a biweekly interval was found to be economically efficient as it recorded higher total revenue and net present values. Applying 66 WP (12% Metalaxyl-M and 60% Copper (1) oxide) at 2 weekly interval was the optimum period and most efficient to reduce the incidence and severity of Phytophthora leaf blight disease and increase yield of taro.
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