http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/969 2026-04-14T23:21:37Z 2026-04-14T23:21:37Z Arthur, Angela http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/11424 2025-01-17T15:34:33Z 2022-07-01T00:00:00Z

Characterization, classification and spatial . Variability of soils of the university of cape coast Wamaso research station Arthur, Angela Pedogenic information is of utmost importance in addressing food security issues and future projections of soils. The University of Cape Coast recently acquired 419 acres of land at Twifo Wamaso purposely for commercialization and research. For efficient utilization of the land, there is an urgent need to investigate the dynamism in soil physicochemical properties. This research was hypothesized that various topographic features and current , land uses potentially influence soil physical and chemical properties for producti ve use. The study was carried out in an area in Wamaso in order to map out some properties of soils and assess their variability within the area. A total of 290 composite soil samples (0 - 20 cm) were collected from the area by using five line transects which were 400 m apart. Collection of samples was done using a core cylinder. A portable global positioning system (Garmin 64st) was used to take coordinates of each sampling site. Soil properties (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Zn, Cu, Fe, clay, silt and sand) were further analysed in the laboratory. Classical statistics were used to describe the soil properties and geostatistical analysis was used to illustrate the spatial variability of the soil properties. The results indicated that within small or large scale, spatial dependencies of soil properties can be different. Maps were further generated by using the kriging tool. A topographic map of the area, was generated in the ArcGIS 10.7 environment. Five slope classes were considered with five pedons; one on each were opened, described, sampled (composite soils using the diagonal pattern) and analysed for morphological and physicochemical properties. In all, 18 composite soil samples from the individual pits. The results showed moderate to deep soils with drainage ranging from very poorly drained (PP4 and PP5) to well drained (PPI, PP2 and PP3). pH values obtained (4.8 - 5.1) revealed that the soils were strongly- moderately acidic. Organic C and exchangeable bases were low in all positions per required agriculture standards. The generated maps of soil properties that indicate soil nutrient status over the study area could be helpful for decision makers to enhance site specific nutrient management Soils will therefore require some level of amendments for optimum production. xv, 192p:, ill

2022-07-01T00:00:00Z Agyarko, Kofi http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/10860 2024-07-09T16:39:09Z 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z

Nutrient Dynamics in a Coastal Savanna Soil Amended with Neem (Azadirachta Indica) Leaves and Animal Manure Agyarko, Kofi Sustainability of agriculture with the ever-increasing trend in population calls for urgent steps to make lands available for agricultural production. On these lands maintenance of soil fertility through the use of environmentally friendly diverse organic materials are imminent. Neem leaves and animal manure, particularly poultry and cow dung manure abound all year round and the potentials of these organic materials are explored in the research study. The study sought to investigate the performance of a soil amendment, the materials of which are various inclusion rates of neem leaves, poultry manure and cow dung applied to a RapJic Acrisol (Benya series), from a coastal savanna ecological zone in Ghana. Field and pot experiments were carried out at the Technology Village of the University of Cape Coast, from September 2002 to October 2003. A proposition that an active ingredient in the neem leaves (azadirachtin A) might have a vital role to play in the amendment was investigated using Gas Chromatography to study its breakdown in the soil. Also, that the neem leaves in combination with animal manure could boost up the nutrient content of the soil as well as influencing the population dynamics of nematodes within the soil were studied. Above all, the efficiency of the soil amendment in achieving the aforementioned properties were tested by monitoring the performance of a test crop (carrot) under controlled conditions using pots. Degradation of azadirachtin A in the soil followed the first order reaction kinetics. Degradation was fastest in the amendment which had 100g neem leaves 1kg soil. The inclusions of 5 g and 109 poultry manure and 109 cow dung to the neem leaves hastened the degradation of azadirachtin A. The interaction between poultry manure and the neem leaves enhanced the release of nutrients in the soil. The peak of release of most of the soil nutrients occurred two weeks after incorporation of the neem leaves and poultry manure. The amount of C02 - C evolved relatively corresponded with the quantity of neem leaves and poultry manure added to the soil. The release of NH4+ -N, available P, exchangeable K, Ca and Mg was a mirror image of CO2 - C evolved and the quantities also corresponded with the quantity of neem leaves and poultry manure incorporated into the soil. The amount of N03- -N released, however, was an exception to the above observed trend, the lower inclusion rates of the neem leaves and poultry manure released more nitrate than the higher levels at a point in time. This exception was assigned to the nitrification inhibitory role played by the neem leaves in the amended soil. The 50 g neem leaves + 5 g poultry manure 1kg soil proved to be the most effective in the control of root-knot nematodes on carrot roots. Generally, with the apparent increase in soil nutrients and the reduced root-knot nematodes of carrot the yield of the crop improved significantly. Neem leaves and poultry manure may be used in place of synthetic compounds to provide soil nutrients and control plant parasitic nematodes, and thus, improve the growth and yield of carrots. Neem leaves may also be used to slow down the release of nitrates in the soil and thus reduce the ultimate pollution caused by nitrate leaching. ii, ill: 203

2004-01-01T00:00:00Z Dossou-yovo, Elliott Ronald http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/10399 2024-02-27T09:26:58Z 2016-03-01T00:00:00Z

Effects of Agronomic Practices on Soil Co2 Emission In Upland Rice Production Dossou-yovo, Elliott Ronald ABSTRACT To explore effective ways to decrease soil CO2 emission and increase soil carbon storage and grain yield, field experiments were conducted on two upland rice soils (Lixisol and Gleyic Luvisol) in northern Benin. The treatments comprised two tillage systems (no-tillage, and manual tillage), two rice straw managements (no rice straw, and rice straw mulch at 3 Mg ha-1) and three nitrogen fertilizer levels (no nitrogen, 60 kg ha-1, and 120 kg ha-1). Soil CO2 emissions were higher in tilled treatments than in no-tilled treatments, and higher in fertilized treatments compared with non-fertilized treatments. Under the current management practices (manual tillage, with no residue and no nitrogen fertilization) in upland rice fields in northern Benin, the carbon added as aboveground and root biomass was not enough to compensate for the loss of carbon from organic matter decomposition, rendering the upland rice fields as net sources of atmospheric CO2. With no-tillage, 3 Mg ha-1 of rice straw mulch and 60 kg N ha-1, the soil carbon budget was zero on the Lixisol and 0.6 Mg C ha-1 on the Gleyic Luvisol. The highest response of rice yield to nitrogen fertilizer addition was obtained for 60 kg N ha-1 with 3 Mg ha-1 of rice straw mulch for the two tillage systems. Soil CO2 emission per unit grain yield was lower under no-tillage, rice straw mulch and nitrogen fertilizer treatments. No-tillage combined with application of 3 Mg ha-1 of rice straw mulch and 60 kg N ha-1 reduced soil CO2 emission, increased soil carbon budget and upland rice yield in northern Benin ii,ill:212

2016-03-01T00:00:00Z Sappor, Daniel Kofi http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/8620 2023-07-20T12:46:06Z 2017-03-01T00:00:00Z

Managing Sodic Soils: The Role of Organic Amendments Sappor, Daniel Kofi A study was conducted to evaluate the potential of organic amendments in managing sodic soils for crop production. Soils sampled from Cape Coast industrial area, opposite Ameen Sangari Industries Limited, were used in the study. In preliminary studies, wastewater discharged from the soap making industry contained pH of 11.2, EC of 4.37 dS m-1 and ESP of 60.4. Soil used in the study had the following properties: pH of 8.7, EC of 3.7dS m'1 and ESP of 18.0. A pot experiment was then conducted in which saw dust biochar (SDB), palm fiber biochar (PFB), poultry manure biochar (PMB) and poultry manure (PM) were applied to the sodic soil. Gypsum amendment and a control (soil only) were included for the purpose of comparing results. All amendments were applied at the rate of 4.78 t ha-1. Amended soils were incubated at room temperature. The incubated soil was weekly sampled for 6-weeks for laboratory analysis. From the results, organic based amendments reduced soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC). The same amendments significantly (P = 0.05) increased soil Ca+2 and Mg+2, with SDB registering the highest increase. Increases soil Na+ and K+ were marginal and statistically insignificant (P = 0.05). PFB recorded the highest CEC at week 6. SDB and PFB reduced soil sodicity below the minimum threshold of ESP 15. SDB recorded the highest OC increase at week 6. PMB released the highest amount of available P. Insignificant (P = 0.05) increases were observed for soil NH4+-N and NO3乙N. SDB and PFB recorded 90 % and 80 % maize seed germination and also, 10.1 t ha'1 and 8.7 t ha'1 dry matter yields respectively. No maize seed however germinated in the control and all other amendments. xiv, 156p:, ill

2017-03-01T00:00:00Z