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Cowpea is deemed as a food security crop due to its ability to produce significant yields under conditions where other staples fail. Its resilience in harsh environments; such as drought, heat and marginal soils; along with its nitrogen-fixing capabilities and suitability as livestock feed make cowpea a preferred choice in many farming systems across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite its importance, Cowpea yields in farmers’ fields remain suboptimal, primarily due to biotic and abiotic factors and the use of either unimproved varieties or improved varieties that are not well-suited to local conditions. Multi environment testing of genotypes is essential for recommending varieties suited for either specific or for wide cultivation. This study aimed, to identify and recommend cowpea breeding lines for wide or specific cultivation in the Sudan Savanna and Deciduous Forest zones of Ghana. The research utilized twenty early-maturing advance cowpea breeding lines and three check varieties (released varieties). The experiment was conducted in two locations: Bunso in the Deciduous Forest zone and Manga in the Sudan Savanna zone over 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 cropping seasons. Combined analysis of variance revealed a significant genotype-environment interaction (GEI) which accounted for 35.12% of the variation in yield. The environments were classified into three mega environments, with Bunso_2021 identified as the near-ideal environment where the genotypes exhibited their maximum genetic potentials. In terms of adaption, genotype UG_04 demonstrated broad adaption, showing high yield and stability across all test environments. Genotypes UG_01 and UG_02 performed particularly well in Bunso_2021 and Bunso_2022, while UG_04 and UG_14 excelled in Manga_2021. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting cowpea varieties that can enhance productivity and stability in diverse agro-ecological zones.

The Ghanaian forestry sector has experienced a paradigm shift toward resilient and sustainable forest management practices through climate change mitigation and adaptation policies. Ghana has acknowledged the urgent need to address these issues via comprehensive policy measures as a nation that is vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. To assess economy-wide impacts, this paper employs a computable general equilibrium with a static specific factor model that can be readily simulated with various vectors of price changes. The model uses a competitive production structure that assumes constant returns, full employment, competitive pricing, and perfect labor mobility across sectors. Factor shares, industry shares, and substitution matrices from 2022 Labor Force Report’s data were constructed for four skilled groups (managers, professionals, service, and production) across industry, service, the rest of agriculture, and forestry sectors. Predictions of price increases from climate change mitigation policies compliance were simulated for the long run and short run. Forestry, agricultural, and industrial sectors will enjoy higher prices under a green economy, but these would not translate into higher wages. It is rather capital owners in agriculture and forestry that would benefit. Wage adjustments to the green economy are smaller than what might be expected in a partial equilibrium model.

Host plant resistance offers the cheapest, most sustainable and environmentally safe way to mitigate losses caused by the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.1775), in stored cowpea grains. This study aimed to identify cowpea cultivars that show resistance to infestation by C. maculatus during storage and the effect of its attack on seed germination. Sterilized grains of five cowpea varieties (Hansadua, Asontem, Tona, Wang‐kae, and Kirkhouse Benga) were placed in 500 mL kilner jars and infested with 48 h old C. maculatus . A completely randomized design was used. Data were collected on oviposition and hatchability rate, percent seed weight loss (PSWL), percent germination (PG) and percent seedling survival (PSS) as well as seed damage (SD). Dobie’s susceptibility index (DSI) was computed to determine the resistance of the genotypes to C. maculatus attack, while principal component analysis (PCA) was used to measure associations among variables contributing to resistance. The results showed that oviposition, hatchability and number of exit holes were low in Tona and Asontem. In contrast, these variables were high in Kirkhouse Benga and Hansadua. Percent germinability and PSS both declined by over 50% after 52 days of infestation. Also, the PCA showed that the first two principal components (PCs) accounted for 84.06% of the variance among the varieties with a positive association reported between DSI, oviposition, hatchability, number of exit holes and PSWL when they were used to generate a biplot. The variety Tona was considered tolerant while Asontem was classified as moderately resistant. Promotion of these less susceptible varieties could contribute to minimizing storage losses and deliver better returns to farmers and they can be used as sources of resistance in breeding programmes.

Seed saving is crucial to ensure seed and food security, especially in developing countries. In Ghana, about 90% of pearl millet farmers utilise farmer-saved seed for production. Such seeds usually have a low germination rate, and may carry important seed-borne pathogens. In this study, the quality of farmer-saved seeds and the potential of botanicals to control seed-borne fungi were examined. A structured questionnaire was administered to 120 farmers from Garu, Bongo and Kassana-Nankana districts in Ghana. During the survey, 60 samples of farmer-saved seed were obtained for seed quality evaluation. Aqueous extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica) and citrus (Citrus sinensis) were prepared as seed treatments compared with a control. Fourteen (14) fungal species were associated with the seed samples, but the four dominant ones were Curvularia spp. (62%), Talaromyces spp. (53%), Aspergillus spp. (52%) and Exserohilum spp. (42%). The application of citrus extract inhibited fungal incidence (15–31.7%) compared to neem extract (33.3–93.3%) and the control (96.7–98.3%). The application of citrus extract resulted in a higher (74.7–82.8%) field germination rate compared to neem extract (62.3–73.2%) and the control (65.5–69.2%). The citrus extract was the most efficient treatment in reducing the incidence of fungi and enhancing the seed germination and vigour of pearl millet.

Aflatoxins contamination in peanut seeds remains a major challenge in Ghana. This study evaluated aflatoxin levels in peanut samples from farmer storage units, and participatory on-farm research trials. In all, 240 respondents were covered from six main producing districts in northern Ghana through a multi-stage sampling approach. Samples were analysed for total aflatoxins using the indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay technique. Overall, total aflatoxins in the farmer stored nuts showed wide variations across communities and districts. At 20 ppm permissible level, 92.9% of samples (n = 240) from farmer stored peanuts and 98.7% of samples (n = 150) from the on-farm demonstrations were classified as safe at 4-8 weeks after harvest. Therefore, sustainable reduction of aflatoxins to safe limits is possible through greater collaboration among the value chain actors. Low-cost good agricultural practices within the remit of the growers should be prioritized alongside public awareness programmes.

Cowpea is deemed as a food security crop due to its ability to produce significant yields under conditions where other staples fail. Its resilience in harsh environments; such as drought, heat and marginal soils; along with its nitrogen-fixing capabilities and suitability as livestock feed make cowpea a preferred choice in many farming systems across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite its importance, Cowpea yields in farmers' fields remain suboptimal, primarily due to biotic and abiotic factors and the use of either unimproved varieties or improved varieties that are not well-suited to local conditions. Multi environment testing of genotypes is essential for recommending varieties suited for either specific or for wide cultivation. This study aimed, to identify and recommend cowpea breeding lines for wide or specific cultivation in the Sudan Savanna and Deciduous Forest zones of Ghana. The research utilized twenty early-maturing advance cowpea breeding lines and three check varieties (released varieties). The experiment was conducted in two locations: Bunso in the Deciduous Forest zone and Manga in the Sudan Savanna zone over 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 cropping seasons. Combined analysis of variance revealed a significant genotype-environment interaction (GEI) which accounted for 35.12% of the variation in yield. The environments were classified into three mega environments, with Bunso_2021 identified as the near-ideal environment where the genotypes exhibited their maximum genetic potentials. In terms of adaption, genotype UG_04 demonstrated broad adaption, showing high yield and stability across all test environments. Genotypes UG_01 and UG_02 performed particularly well in Bunso_2021 and Bunso_2022, while UG_04 and UG_14 excelled in Manga_2021. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting cowpea varieties that can enhance productivity and stability in diverse agro-ecological zones.

Cowpea is deemed as a food security crop due to its ability to produce significant yields under conditions where other staples fail. Its resilience in harsh environments; such as drought, heat and marginal soils; along with its nitrogen-fixing capabilities and suitability as livestock feed make cowpea a preferred choice in many farming systems across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite its importance, Cowpea yields in farmers' fields remain suboptimal, primarily due to biotic and abiotic factors and the use of either unimproved varieties or improved varieties that are not well-suited to local conditions. Multi environment testing of genotypes is essential for recommending varieties suited for either specific or for wide cultivation. This study aimed, to identify and recommend cowpea breeding lines for wide or specific cultivation in the Sudan Savanna and Deciduous Forest zones of Ghana. The research utilized twenty early-maturing advance cowpea breeding lines and three check varieties (released varieties). The experiment was conducted in two locations: Bunso in the Deciduous Forest zone and Manga in the Sudan Savanna zone over 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 cropping seasons. Combined analysis of variance revealed a significant genotype-environment interaction (GEI) which accounted for 35.12% of the variation in yield. The environments were classified into three mega environments, with Bunso_2021 identified as the near-ideal environment where the genotypes exhibited their maximum genetic potentials. In terms of adaption, genotype UG_04 demonstrated broad adaption, showing high yield and stability across all test environments. Genotypes UG_01 and UG_02 performed particularly well in Bunso_2021 and Bunso_2022, while UG_04 and UG_14 excelled in Manga_2021. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting cowpea varieties that can enhance productivity and stability in diverse agro-ecological zones.