Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 47: 3264 - 3269. Published November 29, 2011.
Rice production practices and farmers’ perception of the white tip nematode (Aphelenchoides besseyi Christie) in Ghana
Osei K*, Bam R. K, and Asante J. S
Crops Research Institute, CSIR, P. O. Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana
*Corresponding author email address: oseikingsley4@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Objective: Surveys were undertaken in four major rice growing regions of Ghana namely; Northern, Western, Ashanti and Volta in December 2002 to September 2003. The purpose was to investigate rice production practices and particularly determine farmers’ perception of the white tip nematode, Aphelenchoides besseyi.
Methodology and results: Questionnaires were designed, pre-tested, revised and administered in the four regions. Fifty farmers were randomly selected for the study. About 95 % of the respondents from the Northern, 30 % from the Western and 90 % from the Ashanti region were illiterate. Sixty-four per cent of farmers from the four regions owned the lands they cultivated. Lack of credit facility was a major production constraint. Yield was largely variable across the regions with the highest production occurring in the Volta region. Three of the regions cultivated rice as a sole crop. Only farmers in the Western region practiced both sole and mixed cultures. All varieties were infested with A. besseyi except IDAS 85 and Viono sampled from the Volta region.
Conclusion and application of findings: None of the respondents involved in the study was aware of the white tip nematode, A. besseyi the causal agent of the white tip disease in rice. Rice yields were generally low and seed for planting must be treated against the white tip nematode, Aphelenchoides besseyi.
Key words: Aphelenchoides besseyi, Ghana, Oryza sativa, sustainable management strategy.
FULL PAPER [PDF AVAILABLE HERE]
