Rice Cultivation and Weed Control in Ghana’s Guinea Savannah Zone | Chapter 4 | Agricultural Sciences: Techniques and Innovations Vol. 7

 

Rice production in the Guinea Savanna agroecological zone of Ghana faces persistent challenges from weed infestation, soil moisture losses, and high production costs associated with conventional land preparation practices. Conservation-oriented management strategies that integrate reduced tillage and efficient weed control are increasingly recognised as pathways to sustainable intensification of rice-based systems. This chapter evaluates the interactive effects of tillage practices and herbicide-based weed management on weed control efficiency, soil moisture conservation, crop growth, grain yield, and economic performance of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Field experiments were conducted in 2022 at the Nyankpala experimental field of the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) using a factorial combination of tillage systems (conventional, minimum, and no tillage) and herbicide regimes: Pendimethalin (400 g a. i. ha⁻¹) applied as pre-emergence, Bispyribac sodium (25 g a. i. ha⁻¹) applied as post-emergence, and a combined pre- and post-emergence application. Agronomic data on weed density, weed biomass, crop vigour, phenological development, and grain yield were collected. Weed control efficiency was quantified, and enterprise budgeting was complemented with sensitivity and risk analyses to assess economic robustness under variable cost and price scenarios. The results showed that minimum tillage combined with pre- and post-emergence herbicide application significantly reduced weed density and biomass, improved soil moisture retention, enhanced crop vigour, accelerated flowering, and increased grain yield compared with conventional tillage systems. Economic analysis indicated that the integrated minimum tillage-herbicide system generated higher net returns and remained economically resilient under simulated input cost increases and output price reductions.

 

This chapter demonstrates that integrated tillage-herbicide management enhances productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability of rice-based systems in the Guinea Savanna, providing practical evidence to support the wider adoption of conservation agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Wandaat Yennumi Emmanuel
Environmental Protection Authority, P.O. Box 80, Bolgatanga, Ghana.

 

Michael Ayamga
Environmental Protection Authority, P.O. Box 80, Bolgatanga, Ghana.

 

Dzomeku Israel K
Department of Food and Consumer Science, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.

 

Mahama Ahmed Rufai
Department of Food and Consumer Science, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/asti/v7/7041

Economic Feasibility of Thermal Energy Storage Systems in Saudi Arabian Schools: A Case Study | Chapter 7 | Engineering Research: Perspectives on Recent Advances Vol. 3

Air conditioning in houses, office buildings and schools consumes a high portion of the generated electricity in Saudi Arabia. The high consumption rates encourage the authorities to work on both increasing the energy generating rates and reducing the demand. This paper presents a study of the economic opportunities afforded by installing an ice storage system in existing air conditioning plants of a school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In this paper, the assumptions are i) a fixed interest rate of 10%, ii) a tenure of 10 years and iii) an estimated operational tariff structure depending on both the number of operating hours and the ambient temperature. The study examines both full and partial load storage scenarios and then calculates the effect of various pricing tariffs on cost optimization. New school buildings in Jeddah are constructed according to a standard plan called Mubassat Modon. Schools are normally built as a complex of three identical buildings. Each school contains twenty-five classrooms, two offices, two labs, an open area, and a library distributed on three floors. The analysis in this study uses Energyplus to perform the cooling load calculations for the school’s three floors. The results show that the current fixed electricity tariff rate of $0.0267/kWh is not economically feasible. Combining both energy storage and an incentive time-structured rate shows reasonable daily bill savings. For a base tariff of $0.07/kWh during daytime operation and $0.0267/kWh for the off-peak period, savings of $33/d and $73.36/d are achievable for full load storage and partial load scenarios, respectively. These savings will increase to $159/d for full load storage and $124.06/d for partial load storage after 10 years. Combining energy storage and an incentive time structured rate showed reasonable daily bill savings.

 

Author (s) Details

Badr Habeebullah
Mechanical Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

Rahim Jassim
Saudi Electric Services Polytechnic (SESP), Baish, Jazan Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

Nedim Turkmen
Mechanical Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

Ahmad Bokhary
Mechanical Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

Majed Alhazmy
Mechanical Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/erpra/v3/4032

Determination of Yield and Economics of Three Chili Hybrids (Capsicum annuum L.) in Cuatro Caminos, San Gabriel, Jalisco, Mexico | Chapter 6 | Research Advances and Challenges in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 5

This study analyze the performance, investment and profitability of three chili hybrids of the Company “González Produce RESE SPR DE RL”, in Cuatro Caminos, San Gabriel, Jalisco, Mexico. The chili pepper is consumed fresh within the country and is also exported to the United States. Different species and varieties of chili peppers are grown,5 from broad, jalapeños, serranos (green), poblano, mirasol (known as dry guajillo), bell or bell pepper, anaheim and caloro. The experimental unit was one hectare per hybrid, with fertigation and mulching. The beds were 1.20 m wide, with double-row planting and 0.30 m of separation between plants. The yield (t ha-1) was calculated with the number of harpillas harvested, multiplied by 30 kg for Caloro and Jalapeño, and 25 kg for Serrano. Economic income, cost / benefit ratio, equilibrium point and invested weight gain were estimated. Chile Serrano registered 1,658 arpillas ha-1, equivalent to 41 t ha-1, surpassed Caloro and Jalapeño by 8.39 and 36.0%, respectively. Caloro’s production cost was $ 32,631.66 USD ha-1 (Exchange rate 1 dollar = 17.0493, 10 February, 2024), 34 and 51% higher than Serrano and Jalapeño. The income obtained from the sale of Serrano pepper was $ 56,838.11 USD, 3.9 and 31% higher than Caloro and Jalapeño. The C / B ratio for Serrano was 1.85; Caloro, 1.74 and Jalapeño, 1.26. The equilibrium point was reached for Caloro at 7.08 t ha-1, Serrano – Platino and Jalapeño –Valquiria with 10.21 and 20.72 t ha-1, respectively. The prices of chili, as with most agricultural products, are a function of the demand and supply in the market and the harvest season, that is, the first harvests have a higher value in the market.

Author(s) Details:

González Mateos Ricardo,
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Master in Competitiveness and Sustainability of the Center for Innovation in Competitiveness and Sustainability, Autonomous University of Guerrero, Mexico.

González Tiburcio Gregorio,
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Master in Competitiveness and Sustainability of the Center for Innovation in Competitiveness and Sustainability, Autonomous University of Guerrero, Mexico.

Pereyda Hernández Juan,
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Master in Competitiveness and Sustainability of the Center for Innovation in Competitiveness and Sustainability, Autonomous University of Guerrero, Mexico.

González Zavaleta Sandra Vianey,
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Master in Competitiveness and Sustainability of the Center for Innovation in Competitiveness and Sustainability, Autonomous University of Guerrero, Mexico.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RACAS-V5/article/view/13775

Cropping Pattern in Karimnagar District of Telangana - An Economic Analysis| Chapter 12 | Insights into Economics and Management Vol. 4

The cropping pattern is a complicated idea because it varies over time and space. It can be defined as the percentage of area under multiple crops at a time point. It also shows in a specific land area the time and spatial arrangement or series of crops and/or fallows. The evaluation of the shift in cropping patterns in several regions is crucial in order to provide a better understanding of the method of agricultural production. This research was carried out to look at the dynamics of cropping trends in the Telangana district of Karimnagar. The requisite information was obtained from the Economics and Statistics Directorate of the Government of Telangana from 1966-67 to 2016-17. And with the aid of the Markov chain, it was analysed by a wise decade and analysed for five cycles during the last decade. The key findings of the study showed that every group of crops did not maintain its area in Karimnagar, but over the quantity, the acreage of the crops continuously changed from one set of crops to another set. The area of cereals was found to be more stable, while the loss of area from cereals to commercial crops such as cotton and turmeric etc. suggested that the region's cropping pattern is heading towards diversification in the northern zone of Telangana. Within the variety of crops, there is a broader scope for deciding to place agriculture on the pedestal of Sustainable development, which has to be considered in analytical and extension programmes.

Author (s) Details

D. A. Rajini Devi
RARS, PJTSAU, Jagtial, 505327, Telangana, India.

R. Uma Reddy
RARS, PJTSAU, Jagtial, 505327, Telangana, India.

B. Madavi
RARS, PJTSAU, Jagtial, 505327, Telangana, India.

P. Ravi
RARS, PJTSAU, Jagtial, 505327, Telangana, India.

P. Sadvi
RARS, PJTSAU, Jagtial, 505327, Telangana, India.

View Book :- https://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/348