ABSTRACT Trees in general and leguminous trees in particular form an integral part of the traditional farming systems in Ghana. Compared to other plants, leguminous trees have the advantage that, they are generally capable of growing better on N-deficient soils due to their ability to convert unavailable atmospheric N2 into plant utilizable N. However, several factors including the abundance and effectiveness of the specific rhizobial partner, the available N and P in soil, are among the impo...
ABSTRACT Eight soil series from two agro-ecological zones of Ghana were evaluated for their suitability for maize production intensification using three approaches: the Soil Quality Index (SQI), DSSAT yield simulations and the Multi-criteria Analysis (MCA). Four of the series were from the Forest – Savanna Transition namely Wenchi series (Feric Dystric Leptosol), Ejura series (Haplic Lixisol), Damongo series (Dystric Nitosol) and Lima series (Eutric Gleysol). The four soils from the Guinea ...
ABSTRACT An experimental study of solute transport during one-dimensional sorption of a solution of KC1 into a uniformly packed horizontal soil column of Akuse clay, (a tropical clay loam from Ghana which is dominantly montmorillonitic) and Brookston clay of the Huron Catena (dominantly illitic) is reported in this thesis. A hydrodynamic equation based on the existing theories of irreversible thermodynamics is developed to incorporate the effect of anion exclusion in the usual hydrodynamic eq...
ABSTRACT The study basically examined the movement of agrochemical compounds in soil. Four different soil samples made up of three sandy loams and a sandy clay were used in the study. Potassium chloride solution and chlorpyrifos were used as infiltration solutions in a horizontal infiltration study under laboratory conditions. At the end of each experiment, the infiltration column was sectioned and the moisture content as well as the solution concentration of the agrochemical compound (Cl- , ...
ABSTRACT Agricultural practices affect the production and emission of Carbon dioxide (CO2) from paddy soils. Evidence now exists on increased CO2 concentration in the atmosphere as a result of decomposition of organic matter which impacts on climate change and global warming. The release of CO2 from soil (soil CO2 efflux or soil respiration) is the largest source of carbon to the atmosphere. In Ghana, the major challenge is lack of data on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission to form the basis of sc...
ABSTRACT V Field trials were sited on soils belonging to the Ultisols family at three sites (Pokuase Agric. Research Station, Parrico and Silwood farms) within the southern forest-savanna ecotone to determine the influence of different N/K20 fertilizer ratios on the yield and quality of pineapple. A split-plot design was used with two (2) P levels on main plots and six (6) N/K20 fertilizer ratios on sub-plots was used. Soil samples were taken from the three (3) sites. Leaf samples of the pine...
ABSTRACT In Togo, rice (Oryza sativa L.) is mainly cultivated on highly weathered acid soils where plant-available phosphorus is generally deficient due to the inherent low P availability of acid soils. Suboptimal and unbalanced P fertilizer rates used by rainfed rice farmers in Togo is often the main cause for low yields. The blanket P fertilizer recommendation applied to the rainfed lowland rice acid soils is outdated and thus, does not take into account the current fertility status of the ...
ABSTRACT A Ferric Acrisol (Toje series) under three land use systems namely, natural fallow (forest), a Leucaena leucocephala woodlot and a cultivated plot were studied. Soils from profiles and surface horizons were evaluated to determine the effect of management systems on variability in soil properties and soil quality. A combination of field study and laboratory analyses was carried out. In all, 15 profile samples and 75 grid samples taken from a 12 m x 12 m area at intervals of 3 m each b...
ABSTRACT Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L) Schott) is an important staple food crop grown throughout many part of the world for it fleshy corms and nutritious leaves. Suckers are the main planting materials used in West Africa; therefore, it is traditionally conserved in field collections. This is not an effective conservation strategy for medium to long term preservation of taro genetic resources due to extreme climatic conditions, pests and diseases. Tissue culture is one of the invitro te...
ABSTRACT Continuous irrigation has been observed to degrade soil quality, through leaching of soluble and colloidal materials, development of saline conditions and breakdown of soil structure. Evaluating the quality of soils give information on the current soil condition as has resulted from previous soil management practices such as continuous application of fertilizer, and direct future management practices to sustain the soil ecology. Soil physical parameters (aggregate stability); Chemica...
ABSTRACT Maize streak disease (MSD), one of the most destructive maize diseases causes an estimated yield loss of about 20 % in Ghana. A baseline survey was conducted from July to August, 2015 across three agro-ecological zones within the Volta Region to assess the level of MSD incidence and severity in the zones. In addition, field experiments were conducted at Nkwanta during the cropping seasons of 2015 to assess the effects of tillage practices, maize variety and fertilizer application on ...
ABSTRACT Indigenous and traditional crops are very essential in the survival strategies of local farmers, since they have multiple uses such as a variety of plant parts that can be consumed as well as for medicinal purposes. Traditional crops play an important role in achieving food security as well as conserving biodiversity. Some of these indigenous crops (e.g. legumes) have the capacity to establish and grow relatively well on poor fertility soils where crops such as maize (a major staple...
ABSTRACT Pedogenic changes and P saturations in five ferruginous soils (Lixisols or Alfisols) and their associated nodules on two different landscape positions in northern Ghana were investigated. Tingoli, Tolon and Kumayili series are well drained upland soils which occur on one landscape (toposequence 1). Kpelesawgu series which is imperfectly drained and Changnalili series which is poorly drained occur on a relatively lower landscape (toposequence 2). Chemical, physical and mineralogi...
ABSTRACT Potassium (K) plays an outstanding role in plants and animals. Cassava, a widely grown staple in Ghana is noted for extracting large amounts of K from the soil. Cassava’s ability to absorb K from the soil is worth studying as it is vital for sustainable production and biofortification. The study was conducted to assess cassava’s ability to absorb K under fertilized and unfertilized systems. Two cassava genotypes, Cape Vars and Botan were grown under different fertilizer treatment...
ABSTRACT Exponential growth in human population has led to the exploitation of natural resources e.g. organic matter reserves for crop production. Various interventions such as manuring, fertilization, green manuring etc. have been proposed to enhance continuous crop production. However, the sustainability of these methods are unknown. Soil productivity depends largely on organic carbon stocks (SOC). The labile organic matter fraction or pool is associated with nutrient dynamics and responds ...