Department of Crop Science

Assessing the Potential of Local Beneficial Halophytes in Desalination

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Assessing the Potential of Local Beneficial Halophytes in Desalination Sanleri, Kwabena Azure Cape Coast, part of Ghana's coastal region, has a rich diversity of plant species with various potential uses. These plant species, called halophytes, possess qualities that enable them to grow and thrive in saline environments. This research aimed to identify and explore these plants' nutritional, ecological, and medicinal significance, examining their salt tolerance and desalination abilities. The halophytes were identified using an image recognition method, where images of the plants were keyed into Pl@ntNet Identify website (https://identify.plantnet.org/), an online software for plant identification. Five halophytes, namely, Ipomoea aquatica, Lactuca taraxacifolia, Paspalum vaginatum, Sesuvium portulacastrum and Talinum triangulare, were selected from the identified halophytes for a greenhouse experiment using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to assess their response to varying salt concentrations (0, 25 and 50 dS/m) and soil types (sea sand and arable soil). Results revealed significant growth and salt tolerance variations among the studied halophytes, with P. vaginatum and S. portulacastrum demonstrating remarkable phytoremediation capabilities. These plants exhibited the ability to mitigate soil salinity and reduce the accumulation of toxic ions in soils, highlighting their potential for addressing soil and water salinity issues in affected environments. Another greenhouse experiment was conducted to assess the desalination abilities of S. portulacastrum (the most promising halophyte from the initial experiment) to desalinate saline water in a hydroponic system on a vertical farming structure. The factors for this experiment were the salt concentrations (0, 25 and 50 dS/m) and planting distances (15, 20, 30 and 40 cm). Sesuvium portulacastrum exhibited limited desalination capacity in reducing the EC and TDS of the saline water. However, it contributed to a reduction in the pH of the saline water. Further research is necessary to discover this pH-reducing effect's underlying mechanisms and potential applications in water treatment processes. Overall, this study underscores the significance of harnessing the ethnobotanical resources in Ghana for sustainable development and environmental conservation. xv, 179p:, ill.

Agronomic Zinc Biofortification of Maize (Zea Mays) and Carrot (Daucus Carota) for Improved Food and Nutrition Security

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Agronomic Zinc Biofortification of Maize (Zea Mays) and Carrot (Daucus Carota) for Improved Food and Nutrition Security Prah, Godfred Okyere Micronutrient inadequacies, especially those linked to zinc, pose a significant worldwide public health issue, particularly in low-income nations such as Ghana. Improving the zinc content of primary grains and vegetables that form dietary staples through agricultural biofortification provides an economical solution to combat this problem. The study explored the impact of zinc concentration, timing, and fertilisation method on the yield and uptake efficiency of maize and carrots. The study used a 3-Factoral experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design with fertilisation rate, stage/time, and method being the experimental factors. The current research in maize demonstrated that zinc concentration had a positive impact on physiological parameters, particularly Fv/Fm ratio, with an increase of over 11 % at a dosage of 6 kg/ha compared to the control. However, the timing and method of applying zinc fertiliser did not directly affect the physiology and growth of maize. Despite the evident link between zinc levels and yield parameters, applying it at 8 kg/ha led to a decreased cob weight, grain weight, and overall maize yield. It is noteworthy that a substantial increase of 52 % in cob weight and 28 % in yield was observed with 6 kg/ha zinc fertilisation relative to the control group. The timing of fertilisation had negligible impacts on most measured physiological and yield parameters in maize; however, there was a notable 15 % increase in cob weight when applied before flowering compared to during grain-filling. Additionally, application of zinc at 8 kg/ha had minimal impact on both physiology and yield traits. Nevertheless, a 26 % increase in grain zinc concentration was observed under 8 kg/ha fertilisation relative to the control. The findings revealed that, foliar zinc fertilisation increased grain zinc concentration of grains by 15.8 % compared to soil application. Also, zinc fertilisation at grain filling improved gain zinc concentration by 16 % compared to pre-anthesis. In carrots, method of application had an insignificant effect on yield and growth. However, there was a progressive increase in yield corresponding to higher zinc fertilisation rates. Typically, a double-fold increase in yield was recorded under 6 kg/ha concentration. Also, a 58 % and 14 % increase in root length and yield were recorded at 30 DAS compared to 50 and 70 DAS. Similarly, root zinc concentration exhibited a positive response with increasing zinc concentration with 30.6 mg/kg and 31.6 μg/g root and shoot zinc concentration recorded at 6 kg/ha level. Application at 30 DAS had a pronounced increase in shoot and root zinc concentration compared to 50 and 70 DAS application time. Hence, it is clear, that zinc agrobiofortification could play a significant role in addressing micronutrient inadequacy however, this is contingent on rate of application and time of application. Although application at 8 kg/ha could be lethal or show diminishing marginal returns regarding growth and yield, however, this significantly increased the concentration of zinc in maize. These findings have profound implications for nutritional security and the fight against hidden hunger, particularly in regions where staple crops are the primary sources of essential micronutrients. xiv, 182p:, ill.

Selection for Superior Root System Architecture, Biochemical And Yield Traits in Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus (L.) Moench) under Drought Stress and Biochar Amendment

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Selection for Superior Root System Architecture, Biochemical And Yield Traits in Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus (L.) Moench) under Drought Stress and Biochar Amendment Hygienus, Godswill A robust root system architecture (RSA) in interaction with increased antioxidant activities and osmoprotectants accumulation confer tolerance to crops when challenged by drought, resulting in improved yields. In addition to these innate plant mechanisms, various soil amendments, such as biochar, have also been proven to alleviate drought impacts on crops. Two experiments were conducted in this study. A greenhouse study was first conducted to assess genotypic variation in the RSA of 60 okra genotypes at the seedling stage. Based on the first experiment's results, ten genotypes from various clusters were selected for further screening under drought and biochar amendment in the 2nd experiment. In the 1st Experiment, genotypic variation was observed in all the RSA and biomass traits analysed. Genetic coefficient of variation (GCV) was high (>20%) for all biomass traits and the majority of RSA traits, barring lateral root angle and primary root length, which had low (<10%) GCV. High (>60%) broad-sense heritability (H2) was recorded for all traits. Correlation analyses revealed a significant positive relationship between total root length and all other RSA traits. Population structure analysis through Ward’s hierarchical clustering grouped the genotypes into two clusters, with cluster 2 membership superior in most RSA traits. In the 2nd Experiment, drought elicited hyper-antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, ascorbic acid and salicylic acid) activities, increased osmoprotectants (proline and carbohydrate) and reduced pod yield (pod length, pod diameter, number of pods per plant and total pod yield). However, there were differential genotypic responses. Some genotypes recorded higher antioxidant and osmoprotectant contents, translating into higher yields. Biochar application mitigated the drought impact at increasing rates, evidenced by reduced antioxidants and osmoprotectants content, but increased pod yield. This study, therefore, demonstrated the presence of genetic diversity in the RSA of okra and the drought-mitigating potential of oil palm empty fruit bunch biochar on the biochemical and yield traits of okra. On the whole, cluster 2 genotypes (VI060692 and GH112) with superior RSA recorded greater overall antioxidant and osmoprotectants contents, and total pod yield, suggesting that RSA can be harnessed in selecting drought-tolerant okra genotypes. xviii 225p:, ill

In Vitro Response of Four Pineapple (Ananas Comosus (L.) Merr.) Varieties to Varying Levels of Phytohormones Under Two Temperature Conditions

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT

In Vitro Response of Four Pineapple (Ananas Comosus (L.) Merr.) Varieties to Varying Levels of Phytohormones Under Two Temperature Conditions Nyarko, James Amoah Pineapple is one of the most valuable non-traditional export commodities in Ghana. The production of pineapples in Ghana are extensively engaged by resourced poor smallholder farmers. The advent of in vitro propagation of pineapple plantlets is however less exploited. This study was carried to investigate the in vitro response of four pineapple varieties on different media and temperature regimes for their initiation, multiplication and rooting. Meristematic buds from the suckers and slips were excised and initiated on six different media formulations, viz., (MS (0), MS + BAP (1.5 mg L-1 and 3.0 mg L-1), MS + Kinetin (1.5 mg L-1 and 3.0 mg L-1) and IRB505. The Temporary Immersion Bioreactor system (TIBs) together with glass vessels were utilised for culture initiation, multiplication and rooting. A full-strength MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mg L-1 BAP and 20 % coconut water was used for culture multiplication. Plantlets were rooted on MS medium supplemented with three different IAA levels, viz., 0.1 mg L-1, 0.5 mg L-1 and 1.0 mg L-1. Agar was used as a media solidifier and the pH was adjusted to 5.8. Significant differences were observed in the varietal responses to culture initiation, multiplication and rooting for almost all the parameters measured with Smooth Cayenne being the least responsive to in vitro micropropagation. Slips explant significantly (P < 0.05) outperformed suckers explant for culture initiation. Cultures at 25 oC produced the best results over cultures at 19 oC at all micropropagation stages. Cultures in TIBs recorded the highest multiplication rate of 14 per explant for a cycle and produced better roots. However, the Lateral root score decreased with increasing concentration of the IAA. Rooted plantlets potted in a greenhouse and recorded almost 100 % survival rate on acclimatisation.