Matthew Akalagtota Anafo

Mr. Matthew Akalagtota Anafo

West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
26 September 2023 in Horticulturae
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MAMatthew Akalagtota Anafo
Matthew Akalagtota Anafo
ISIssah Sugri
Issah Sugri
PAPeter Anabire ASUNGRE
Peter Anabire ASUNGRE
TATheresa Ankamah-Yeboah
Theresa Ankamah-Yeboah
JEJohn Saviour Yaw Eleblu
John Saviour Yaw Eleblu
Eric Yirenkyi DanquahEric Yirenkyi Danquah
Eric Yirenkyi Danquah
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.
1