http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/6 2026-04-23T21:01:01Z 2026-04-23T21:01:01Z OBRANI, L. http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/4610 2026-04-23T10:04:06Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERS IN INFLUENCING THE CHOICE TO PURSUE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE IN SHS AMONG FEMALE JHS STUDENTS IN THE TOLON DISTRICT Authors: OBRANI, L. Abstract: The agricultural sector is a cornerstone of Ghana's economy, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. However, there exists a notable disparity in female participation in agricultural science at the secondary school level, which presents challenges to sectoral growth and gender parity. This study investigates the factors influencing female students' decisions to pursue agricultural science and examines the roles played by various stakeholders in shaping these decisions. Study design is mixed method in nature and employed a questionnaire and the primary research instrument. A multistage cluster sampling design was utilized with sampling size determined using the cochran’s formula and participants were selected using random sampling to ensure a representative and unbiased sampling. Primary data were collected from 138 female students, 38 teachers, and 138 parents in the Tolon district of Ghana's Northern region. The study applied descriptive statistics, Likert scales, Kendall's coefficient of concordance, and logistic regression for data analysis. Results indicate that peers, teachers, and parents significantly influence students' educational choices. Gender biases, insufficient career guidance, and prevailing social norms were identified as key obstacles contributing to low enrollment of female students in agricultural science. Specifically, factors such as class size, perception of agriculture as a challenging subject, and the stereotype that agriculture is primarily a male domain negatively impact female students' decisions to pursue agricultural science at the Senior High School level. Conversely, factors such as parental occupation, friends' influence in program selection, and awareness of opportunities in agribusiness positively influence students' choice of agricultural science. The study concluded that low enrolment in agricultural science at the SHS level is attributed to its perception as a masculine program, reserved primarily for males. Additionally, it is viewed that agriculture offers limited career prospects due to the inadequate scope of education and career enlightenment received before the selection of educational courses. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the Ghanaian government, particularly through the Ministries of Food and Agriculture and Education, formulate policies aimed at encouraging female students to pursue agricultural studies in senior high schools. Furthermore, local agricultural institutions should organize regular career guidance sessions focused on agriculture, and parents should actively support their children in pursuing academic paths aligned with their interests and strengths. Description: AWARD OF MPHIL AGRICULTURE SCIENCE EDUCATION HONOURS

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z ALHASSAN, H. http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/4608 2026-04-23T09:33:22Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: IMPACT OF FERTILIZER FORMULATION AND RATE OF APPLICATION ON FIELD PERFORMANCE AND NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) Authors: ALHASSAN, H. Abstract: Maize takes up a lot of nutrients from the soil, and therefore requires sufficient nutrients supply throughout the growth and development stages. Nutrient deprivation at any stage of growth could have an adverse effect on the crop’s yield. Fertilizer briquetting is a useful innovation that ensures steady supply of nutrients at every stage of growth and development of the maize plant. This study is aimed at determining the right fertilizer formulation and the right rate of application that can ensure good yield while enhancing the efficient use of nutrients. The study involved two trials, both conducted on-station at Nyankpala in the Guinea Savannah ecological zone of Ghana’s Northern Region during the 2022 farming season. Experiment one consisted of seven treatments that compared different briquette fertilizer rates. Experiment two had eight treatments which compared similar rates of granular and briquette fertilizers. Both trials were laid in randomized complete block design with four replications per treatment. The differences between the different rates of briquette fertilizer in Experiment 1 were not statistically different as far as yield was concerned, meaning that applying lower rate of briquette fertilizer did not result in any detrimental effect on growth and yield of maize. The lower rates of briquette fertilizer also recorded far superior performances in Nitrogen Use Efficiency. In Experiment 2, the comparative analysis of similar rates of briquette and granular fertilizer did not show a pattern of superior performances by either of the formulations as far as the growth parameters were concerned. The briquette treatments however, in nominal terms, produced better performances in grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency. This suggests that fertilizer briquetting ensures efficient use of nutrients by crops even at lower rates of application. It is therefore recommended for the adoption of briquetting fertilizer in order to ensure efficient use of nutrients Description: AWARD OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN CROP SCIENCE

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z MUHUTADI, A. R. M. http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/4605 2026-04-22T15:25:10Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: SOYBEAN (Glycine max L. Merr.) GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSE TO INOCULATION, NPK, AND ALTERNATIVE PHOSPHORUS SOURCES Authors: MUHUTADI, A. R. M. Abstract: Soybean cultivation has failed to achieve its potential yields owing to factors such as inadequate soil fertility, suboptimal nutrient management practices and imbalances in fertilizer application, among other challenges. A study was conducted at Kpalsogu. Tolon district, in the Northern region of Ghana to assess the impact of rhizobium inoculation, two OCP compound fertilizers, TSP, 20-40% substitution of TSP with Rock phosphate and inclusion of trace elements B and Zn on field performance of Favour soybean. The treatments were laid in a split-plot design replicated four times. The main plot factor was Rhizobium inoculation at two levels (inoculation vs no inoculation). The subplot factor was made up of fifteen fertilizer regimes. Generally, parameters associated with plant growth was significantly influenced by the application OCP compound fertilizer treatments NPK(14:18:18+B, Zn) and NPS+TE(14:31:5+B, Zn). Most of the growth and yield parameters were not affected by rhizobium inoculation. The complete substitution of TSP with rock phosphate as a source of phosphorus lagged behind other fertilizer treatments but it was better than untreated control. However, up to 40% substitution of the TSP with rock phosphate did not have any adverse effect. Indeed, 80%TSP+20%RP treatment produced the highest grain yield of 2006 kg ha-1. Partial budget analysis showed that TSP and 80%TSP+20%RP treatments recorded marginal rate of return of 561.4% and 295.1% respectively. Ultimately, the study found the compound fertilizers improved growth and yield with TSP performing better than rock phosphate in terms of P sources. In order to maximize yield and increase profit margins, the study recommends the use of triple superphosphate or 80% TSP in combination with 20% rock phosphate. Further study should be conducted to ascertain if the absence of K in NPS+TE(14:31:5+B, Zn) is the cause of poor nodulation in that treatment. Description: REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN CROP SCIENCE

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z ANANI, P. Y. http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/4597 2026-04-22T14:43:05Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: CHARACTERISATION OF CHILLI PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L.) ACCESSIONS IN NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA USING AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS AND MOLECULAR MARKERS Authors: ANANI, P. Y. Abstract: Ghana ranks among the top five pepper producers in Africa; however, there is inadequate research regarding farmer practices, morphological and genetic enhancement initiatives for this important crop. Understanding of variabilities in pepper (Capsicum species) will contribute to effective breeding efforts, especially in northern Ghana, where more than 60% of smallholder farmer income is from pepper. The focus of this study was to assess farmers’ knowledge and management practices in pepper cultivation, and to evaluate morphological and genetic variations among Capsicum annuum landraces cultivated in Northern region of Ghana. A cross-sectional survey was carried out using structured questionnaires and field observations to evaluate farmers’ knowledge and Capsicum annuum management practices; morphological characters at the seedling, vegetative, inflorescence and fruiting stages were evaluated using standard descriptors outline by IPGRI, AVRDC & CATIE under rainfed and irrigation conditions. Distinct genetic populations within a collection of 40 Capsicum annuum accessions using 24 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The average acres allocated to pepper farming is 1.04 acres with majority of the farmers using farmer-saved seeds (67.3%). Generally, the farmer rating of improved pepper seeds was low, indicating that the local pepper varieties used in the study were comparable to the improved pepper varieties. A strong positive correlation was detected between days to 50% flowering and days to 50% fruiting for both the rainfed (r = 0.87) and irrigated (r = 0.73) conditions. In general, high performance of the genotypes at the vegetative and inflorescence stages was observed in the dry season, with low fruiting performance (number of fruits per plant, fresh weight, and dry weight). Multivariate analysis revealed that 60.54% (rainy season) and 54.63% (dry season) variations were explained by the first three principal components, respectively. Three main clusters were identified, with linear relationships and no distinct separation pattern based on the sample source. The SSR markers exhibited a polymorphic information content (PIC) below 0.50, with an average value of 0.11. A modest level of genetic diversity among the accessions (HE = 0.063) was observed, with marked genetic differentiation (FST = 0.57). Employing the admixture model based population structure analysis, set at a threshold of 60%, 29 pure genotypes from the 40 accessions used were identified. A phylogenetic analysis categorized the 40 Capsicum accessions into three primary clusters: Cluster I and Cluster II contained two individuals from the Capsicum annuum accession, while Cluster III was further subdivided into two subclusters. Overall, the study demonstrates that pepper production in northern Ghana is dominated by farmer-saved landraces with modest but structured genetic diversity, underscoring the need for location-specific management strategies and targeted breeding programmes to sustainably improve productivity and resilience. Description: REQUIRMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF DOCTOR OF PHYLOSOPHY IN HORTICULTURE

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z