Browsing by Author "Adamtey, N."

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Effect of N-enriched co-compost on transpiration efficiency and water use efficiency of maize (zea mays L) under controlled irrigation
(Agricultural Water Management, 2010) Ofosu-Budu, G.K.; Adamtey, N.; Cofie, O.; Ofosu-Anim, J.; Laryea, K.B.; Dionys, F.
Population growth, urban expansion and economic development are increasing competition for water use between agriculture and other users. In addition, the high rate of soil degradation and declining soil moisture in the Sub-Saharan African Region have called for several crop production management and irrigation options to improve soil fertility, reduce water use by crops and produce more crops per drop of water. Notwithstanding, this, considerable variations exist in the literature on water use efficiency. WUFewu (economic yield per water used) for maize (Zea mays L) across climates and soil management practices. Different views have been expressed on the effect of different rates of nitrogen (N) application on transpiration efficiency. TE (biomass product per unit of water transpired). The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of different rate of N -enriched municipal waste co-compost and its derivative on TE, WUEewu and yield of maize (Z mays L) in comparison to inorganic waste fertiliser. The green house put experiment was conducted in Accra, Ghana a study loam soil (Ferric Lisisol) using a split plot design. The main plot treatments were soil (S) dewatered focal study (DES) municipal solid water compost ( C) co-compost from municipal solid waste and dewatered focal study (Co) compost enriched with (NH4)2SO4. The sub-plot treatments were different rates of application of nitrogen fertilizer applied at the rate at 91, 150 and 210 kg n ha-1 respectively …
Evaluation of Agricultural and Agro- industrial Residues for Composting for Agricultural Use in Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2005-05) Adamtey, N.; Ofosu-Budu, K.G.; Danso, S.K.A.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies
Ghana produces several hundred million tons of agricultural and agro industrial residues annually. In the Kwaebibirem District in the Eastern Region of Ghana the processing of fruits of the major tree crops such as oil palm and cocoa together with the large cultivation of rice and maize generate high amounts of agricultural and agro industrial residues. Oil palm residues comprising empty fruit bunches (EFB), palm oil mill effluent (POME), mesocarp fibre (MF) and palm kernel cake (PKC) are significant among the agricultural and agro industrial residues, because of the quantities generated and their impact on the environment. The management of these residues is often a major problem for many oil producing countries. The purpose of this study was to characterize and quantify the major residues of oil palm processing, determine their impact on the environment, their potential uses in agriculture and to recommend appropriate management methods. To achieve these objectives surveys were conducted through interviews and administration of questionnaires translated in the local languages. Samples of POME were taken from both large and small scale palm oil processing mills and characterised. Different combinations of the oil palm residues (EFB, MF, PKC and POME) were composted with and without cocoa pod husks (CH) or poultry waste (PW) to increase the K and P values of the compost. Rock phosphate (RP) was also used because composting was found to increase its solubility and to increase P content of compost where poultry waste was not available. Monitoring of the biochemical changes during composting was also carried out to ascertain the best indicator of maturity for such compost mixtures. The parameters monitored during composting included: pH, temperature, carbon dioxide evolution, C/N, ammonium and nitrate nitrogen concentration and seed germination index. The resultant compost treatments were tested over eight months in a field experiment (2003-2004) at the University of Ghana Agricultural Research Station. The effects of the compost treatments on the growth and nutrient uptake of two different oil palm varieties (OPRI and La Me seedlings) were evaluated at the pre-nursery and the nursery stages using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The treatments were Flanamite (imported organic fertilizer, T5), 15:15:15NPK (T11) and nine different compost treatments: T1(EFB+POME), T2 (EFB +POME+MF), T3 (EFB + PKC +Water), T4 (EFB+PKC+CH+ POME), T6(EFB + PKC + CH + PW + Water), T7 (EFB+PKC+CH+PW+POME), T8 (EFB+EFB+PKC+CH+RP+POME) , T9 (EFB+PKC+POME) and TI0 (EFB+ Water) The findings by the author showed that about 33,025 metric tonnes of EFB and 73,229 m3 of POME were generated in the Kwaebibirem District. The pH values of MF and PKC ranged between 4.5 and 6.0 while that of the fresh POME and EFB were 4.6 and 9.0. Nitrogen content of the POME ranged between 1.30-1.80%. PKC showed highest phosphorus content (0.7%) while MF recorded the least (0.20%). Potassium content was highest in EFB (2.10%) and lowest in POME (0.06%). Whereas the large scale oil palm processing mills treated their POME through anaerobic digestion, the small and medium scale oil palm processing Mills did not. The untreated POME which is usually discharged into the environment had low pH (below 5), high Electrical Conductivity (31,300 /μS/cm,), high Total Dissolved Solids, TDS (181,200mg/l), Chemical Oxygen Demand, COD(133,760mg/l ), Biological Oxygen Demand, BOD (44,566mg/l) and oil content (560,250mg/l) higher than critical values supplied in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA of Ghana) for waste water quality standard guidelines for discharges into water bodies, and the Malaysian Standards for oil mill effluent for watercourse discharge. The POME was partly found to account for the high BOD (14.40mg/l), COD (166.70mg/l and low dissolved oxygen (0.93-1.23mg/l) of water bodies near the small scale oil palm processing Mills. The composting mixtures matured after 138 days of composting. Correlation of maturity parameters with germination index showed that alkaline pH, CO2 evolution, temperature and nitrates were found to correlate best with percent tomato seed germination test in determining the maturity of compost from agricultural and agro-industrial residues. The mixture of POME, PKC, cocoa pod husks, poultry waste or phosphate rock as composted material significantly improved the nutrient content of the compost .Percent nitrogen (N) ranged between 2% in T10 to about 5% in T3. Highest phosphorus (P) was recorded in T8 (4.4%) and potassium (K) in T4 (3.97%). Oil palm seedlings (OPRI and La Me) grown in compost treatments recorded higher number of leaves, leaf width, leaf length, seedling height, bole diameter, root volume and total dry matter yield than seedlings grown on inorganic fertilizer(T11) or imported organic fertilizer (T5 Flanamite). Uptake values of NPK by La Me seedlings were higher (920mg/plant,166 mg/plant, 740 mg/plant respectively) than by OPRI seedlings (836.76 mg/plant, 95.83 mg/plant, 489.97 mg/plant respectively ) in the same compost treatments. The correlations between dry matter yield (DMY) and nutrient uptake in both OPRI and La Me seedlings were strong and positive (r = 0.9 and 0.96 respectively). Surveys conducted with questionnaires and interviews on the perception and willingness of the managers of the mills and potential compost users (200 respondents) revealed that 92 to 96% of the respondents perceived compost as good and were ready to compost and use the compost for agricultural purposes. It is recommended therefore that composting could be considered as an effective method of managing agricultural and agro-industrial waste and in particular for the oil palm industry, it should be given utmost priority.
Harmonizing procedures for the evaluation of compost in two compost types in Ghana
(Resources Conservation and Recycling, 2009) Ofosu-Budu, G.K.; Adamtey, N.; Cofie, O.; Danso, S.K.A.; Dionys, F.
Composting is one of the most favoured options for municipal solid waste recycling for waste streams with high content of biodegradable materials. Compost has many uses including its use in agriculture for soil structure and fertility improvement. However, non-mature composts when applied to soils could present immical phytotoxic problems to crops. Despite this reality, many developing countries including Ghana, fact simple and reliable compost maturity tests, and run the risk of producing and/or using composts that have not reached maturation stage. This study was conducted to validate some chemical and biological procedures for testing the maturity of composts prepared from agricultural residues (AR) and municipal solid wastes (MSW) in Ghana. Three maturity indices – humus colour, CO2 respspirometry, and germination index – were considered for this validation study. For composts produced from crop residues, the optimal values for humus colour test, CO2 evolution test, and germinationindex were 0.36-0.59, 1.24-1.80gCO2 Kg-1, day-1159.5-259.4, respectively. Similarly for the MSW composts the optimal maturity index ranges were 0.41-0.51 for humus colour test, 0.43-0.56g Co2 kg-1 day-1 for CO2 evolution test and 0-59.1 for germination index. The MSW composts appeared mature under humus colour and CO2 evolution tests, but inhibited germination. Agricultural residue composts on the other hand were found to be mature when subjected to all three maturity tests. This is indicative that composts may pass certain maturity parameters, yet fail germination test. It is therefore concluded that the germination test index is able to discriminate better between mature and non-mature composts.
In situ morphometric characterization of Aframomum melegueta accessions in Ghana
(In situ morphometric characterization of Aframomum melegueta accessions in Ghana, 2013-01) Amponsah, J.; Adamtey, N.; Elegba, W.; Danso, K.E.
In spite of the huge economic importance of Aframomum melegueta in the herbal and pharmaceutical industries, its production is limited by lack of planting materials (propagules). The plant also lacks scientific descriptors, which has often led to misidentification with adverse health implications.We thereforeaimed atdeveloping adescriptor list to facilitate the identification of A. melegueta using 34 morphometric traits comprising 18 quantitative and 16 qualitative characters. The morphological traits showed that A. melegueta has a characteristic stolon that produces tillers instead of rhizomes. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean using both the nearest-neighbour and complete-linkage methods based on the 34 morphometric traits clustered the eight accessions into two main groups based on ecological location. The accessions from the Eastern and Ashanti regions were separated at similarity coefficients of 0.822and 0.644, respectively, with ahighly significant discriminant function. The Eastern accessionswere further clustered into red or yellow fruits at similarity indexes of 0.936 and 0.865 using the nearest-neighbour and complete-linkage methods, respectively. The present study has shown that morphometric traits of A. melegueta are greatly influenced by its ecological habitat. It is envisaged that the descriptor list developed coupled with a morphometric description would enhance its identification and utilization. © The Authors 2013.
Modeling the effect of soil fertility management options on maize yield stability under variable climate in a sub-humid zone in Ghana
(Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2023) MacCarthy, D.S.; Adamtey, N.; Freduah, B.S.; et al.
Introduction: Uncertainty in the yield of maize due to variability in weather is a major challenge to smallholder farmers in Sub Sahara Africa. This study explores the potential of combining locally available organic resources and inorganic fertilizer to increase grain yield and reduce variability in yields associated with variations in rainfall distribution. Methods: To assess the effectiveness of this practice, the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) crop model was calibrated and evaluated using maize experiments on nutrient management options. The evaluated model was used to simulate maize growth and yield using multiple-year data (1984–2018) under different planting windows for two growing seasons. The treatments were (i) control, (ii) inorganic fertilizer alone (INOFRecom), combining organic resources [empty fruit bunch of palm (EFB) and compost with inorganic fertilizer (INOF) to make up equivalent nutrients in (ii)]; (iii) EFB + INOF and (iv) Comp + INOF. Results: Though all the soil amendments boosted grain output, the EFB + INOF treatment outperformed the other treatments in the major season with gains of between 161 and 211% and the most stable (least inter-annual variability of 27%) yield. Across the planting windows, the INOFRecom and EFB + INOF treatments achieved comparable yield increments in the minor season. Though grain yield variability was high during the minor rainy season, combining organic and inorganic fertilizers reduced inter-annual yield variability, thus, lowering uncertainty in yield due to variable inter-annual rainfall. Combining local organic resources with a reduced amount of inorganic fertilizer produced higher yields and better yield stability compared to using only inorganic fertilizer. Discussions: Thus, such soil fertility management solutions might sustain resource use and boost maize grain yield in the study area, where strategies for sustainable crop nutrition remain a critical necessity. The improved nitrogen management regimes may result in fewer environmental hazards for vulnerable rainfed agricultural systems.
Modeling the effect of soil fertility management options on maize yield stability under variable climate in a sub-humid zone in Ghana
(Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2023) MacCarthy, D.S.; Adamtey, N.; Freduah, B.S.; et al.
Introduction: Uncertainty in the yield of maize due to variability in weather is a major challenge to smallholder farmers in Sub Sahara Africa. This study explores the potential of combining locally available organic resources and inorganic fertilizer to increase grain yield and reduce variability in yields associated with variations in rainfall distribution. Methods: To assess the effectiveness of this practice, the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) crop model was calibrated and evaluated using maize experiments on nutrient management options. The evaluated model was used to simulate maize growth and yield using multiple-year data (1984–2018) under different planting windows for two growing seasons. The treatments were (i) control, (ii) inorganic fertilizer alone (INOFRecom), combining organic resources [empty fruit bunch of palm (EFB) and compost with inorganic fertilizer (INOF) to make up equivalent nutrients in (ii)]; (iii) EFB + INOF and (iv) Comp + INOF. Results: Though all the soil amendments boosted grain output, the EFB + INOF treatment outperformed the other treatments in the major season with gains of between 161 and 211% and the most stable (least inter-annual variability of 27%) yield. Across the planting windows, the INOFRecom and EFB + INOF treatments achieved comparable yield increments in the minor season. Though grain yield variability was high during the minor rainy season, combining organic and inorganic fertilizers reduced inter-annual yield variability, thus, lowering uncertainty in yield due to variable inter-annual rainfall. Combining local organic resources with a reduced amount of inorganic fertilizer produced higher yields and better yield stability compared to using only inorganic fertilizer. Discussions: Thus, such soil fertility management solutions might sustain resource use and boost maize grain yield in the study area, where strategies for sustainable crop nutrition remain a critical necessity. The improved nitrogen management regimes may result in fewer environmental hazards for vulnerable rainfed agricultural systems.
Modeling the effect of soil fertility management options on maize yield stability under variable climate in a sub-humid zone in Ghana
(Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2023) MacCarthy, D.S.; Adamtey, N.; Fosu-Mensah, B.Y.; et al.
Introduction: Uncertainty in the yield of maize due to variability in weather is a major challenge to smallholder farmers in Sub Sahara Africa. This study explores the potential of combining locally available organic resources and inorganic fertilizer to increase grain yield and reduce variability in yields associated with variations in rainfall distribution. Methods: To assess the effectiveness of this practice, the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) crop model was calibrated and evaluated using maize experiments on nutrient management options. The evaluated model was used to simulate maize growth and yield using multiple-year data (1984–2018) under different planting windows for two growing seasons. The treatments were (i) control, (ii) inorganic fertilizer alone (INOFRecom), combining organic resources [empty fruit bunch of palm (EFB) and compost with inorganic fertilizer (INOF) to make up equivalent nutrients in (ii)]; (iii) EFB + INOF and (iv) Comp + INOF. Results: Though all the soil amendments boosted grain output, the EFB + INOF treatment outperformed the other treatments in the major season with gains of between 161 and 211% and the most stable (least inter-annual variability of 27%) yield. Across the planting windows, the INOFRecom and EFB + INOF treatments achieved comparable yield increments in the minor season. Though grain yield variability was high during the minor rainy season, combining organic and inorganic fertilizers reduced inter-annual yield variability, thus, lowering uncertainty in yield due to variable inter-annual rainfall. Combining local organic resources with a reduced amount of inorganic fertilizer produced higher yields and better yield stability compared to using only inorganic fertilizer. Discussions: Thus, such soil fertility management solutions might sustain resource use and boost maize grain yield in the study area, where strategies for sustainable crop nutrition remain a critical necessity. The improved nitrogen management regimes may result in fewer environmental hazards for vulnerable rainfed agricultural systems.
Production and storage of N-enriched co-compost
(Waste Management, 2009) Ofosu-Budu, G.K.; Adamtey, N.; Cofie, O.; Danso, S.K.A.; Dionys, F.
Recovery of the organic fraction of municipals waste for peri-urban could contribute to the improvement of environmental sanitation and increase agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, municipal waster co-compost (Co) has how nitrogen. Therefore, this study investigated the type of form of inorganic N fertilizer of this N-enriched product under storage. To attain 30,000 mg kg-1(3%) N content, different amounts of urea or ammonium sulphate were applied in various forms (dry paste and liquid) to enrich Co. The production termed colizer was stored and its moisture, pH total nitrogen, NH4-N2N1-N1 and C/N ratio were monitored under ambient conditions for two years. In the first four months of storage, total N content of 50kg Co + 3.26kg, urea (CoUI) increased from 31.333 to 54,000 mg kg-1 and 50 kg Co +7.14kg (HH4)2 SO4 (CoASD) from 35.333 to 52,000 mg kg-1. At the end of two year of storage, the initial N content of CoUD and CoASD decreased by 4% and 24% respectively. Based on these results, is recommended that dry (NH4)2SO4 should be used in N enrichment of Co and that the comlizer should be stored in seated bags but not more than four months.
Recycling of agricultural and municipal solid wastes in Ghana: Challenges, threats and opportunities
(Waste Management: Challenges, Threats and Opportunities, 2015) Ofosu-Budu, K.G.; Hogarh, J.N.; Adamtey, N.
Developing countries are saddled with widespread pollution from poorly managed organic waste due to several factors including technical, budgetary and infrastructural deficit to manage these wastes. Yet, the waste burden in these countries is anticipated to double by the next decade, if nothing appreciable is done. The implication for public health and the environment is enormous as poor waste management practices may cause an outbreak of communicable diseases, pollute surface and ground waters, and cause flooding and other environmental problems. The organic fraction of the waste stream in Ghana is huge and this offers the greatest opportunity to recycle to products such as compost and biochar that can be used for horticultural and landscaping purposes to generate some revenue to manage these facilities. This chapter reviewed the dynamics of solid wastes generation, and its management in Ghana, and analyzed the opportunities, challenges and threats of managing organic wastes and other fractions, from policy, technological and institutional perspectives. The lessons drawn are of importance to other developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. © 2015 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.