No abstract

Growing roselle with maize is common in Ghana. However, there is little information on whether the choice of accession affects maize/roselle intercrops. Also, there is little information on whether intercropping roselle with maize is beneficial or detrimental to the yields of the crops. A field experiment was conducted for two seasons to assess the growth and yield performance of three roselle accessions as influenced by intercropping with maize and to assess whether maize growth and yield would be influenced upon intercropping with roselle. e roselle accessions were Bissap, Local, and Samadah. Intercropped roselle accessions, their soles, and sole maize were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Intercrop performance was determined using area × time equivalence ratio (ATER) and competitive ratio (CR). e results showed significant differences in roselle accessions for growth and yield performance. Local outperformed the other accessions in both growth and yield attributes. Roselle calyx and shoot yields were significantly higher in intercrops than in soles. Maize growth and yield were not significantly affected by intercropping with roselle, but maize yield attributes differed between seasons. e ATERs were 1.99, 2.18, and 2.49 for Samadah, Bissap, and Local, respectively, indicating that there was productive use of space and time for intercropping. e CR ranged from 1.03 to 1.17, 0.96 to 1.09, and 1.12 to 1.25 for stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, and plant height, respectively. e study showed that the choice of accession did not affect the intercrop performance. It also showed that intercropping roselle with maize is beneficial to roselle without compromising the yield of maize.

Haden, Kent, Palmer, and Keitt mango varieties were studied to determine the time and harvest maturity indices appropriate for the export and local markets. Randomized complete block design was used with four replications. Five trees each of the four varieties were sampled at random in each of the four replications. Date of fruit-set was noted and sampled trees tagged accordingly.Haden, Kent, Palmer, and Keitt mango varieties were harvested at 112, 126, 133, and 140 days and at 126, 140, 147, and 154 days after fruit-set, for sea and air freights respectively; at 126, 140, 147, and 154 days and at 119, 133, 140, and 147 days after fruit-set, for local markets closer and farther away respectively. Fruit pulp colour, fruit indentation, pedicel colour, fruit peel, grooves at the stylar scar end of fruit, and starch concentration were determined in conjunction with fruit age at physiological maturity.