Browsing by Author "Arthur, A."
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Item Geospatial distribution of soil organic carbon and soil pH within the cocoa agroecological zones of Ghana(Geoderma, 2021) Quaye, A.K.; Doe, E.K.; Attua, E.M.; Yiran, G.; Arthur, A.; Dogbatse, J.A.; Konlan, S.; Nkroma, Y.D.; Addo, D.Geospatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil pH is an important component of soil fertility management in sustainable cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) production. Spatial precision of cocoa soil fertility management in Ghana is rare due to paucity of spatially precise knowledge of farm soil properties. This study sought to provide spatially explicit knowledge of the underlying trends of SOC and pH in and across cocoa agroecological zones, covering 61 cocoa districts in Ghana. Soil samples collected at 20 cm depth from 739 newly established cocoa farms were analyzed using classical and geospatial statistical methods. We described the spatial pattern (clustering) of SOC and pH and predicted their spatial continuity from observed and unobserved locations. Results generally revealed unsuitably low SOC (0.39 ± 0.009 g/100 g) and strong acidity (5.35 ± 0.027). Univariately, SOC varied more continuously (58%) over a longer distance (1.424 km) than pH, which varied moderately around 55.7% over a shorter distance (0.598 km). Covariates improved the co-regionalized structure and homogeneity of the predictions. Thus, the spatial dependencies of SOC and pH were moderate but the risk of imprecision was higher for SOC than pH. This knowledge is crucial in our understanding of the geo-physicochemical phenomena controlling the spatial distribution of SOC and pH in the cocoa farms and districts across the agroecological zones. The findings underscored dwindling SOC and pH in line with historic boom-bust cycle of cocoa production hot and cold spots transitions. The findings are also indicative of the adverse implications of relying on current blanket fertilizer recommendations. Therefore, a change from the current agronomic practice of fertilizer use to one that recognizes the SOC and pH needs of specific areas, farms and cluster of districts is recommended.Item Geospatial distribution of soil organic carbon and soil pH within the cocoa agroecological zones of Ghana(Geoderma, 2021) Quaye, A.K.; Doe, E.K.; Attua, E.M.; Yiran, G.; Arthur, A.; Dogbatse, J.A.; Konlan, S.; Nkroma, Y.D.; Addo, D.Geospatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil pH is an important component of soil fertility management in sustainable cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) production. Spatial precision of cocoa soil fertility management in Ghana is rare due to paucity of spatially precise knowledge of farm soil properties. This study sought to provide spatially explicit knowledge of the underlying trends of SOC and pH in and across cocoa agroecological zones, covering 61 cocoa districts in Ghana. Soil samples collected at 20 cm depth from 739 newly established cocoa farms were analyzed using classical and geospatial statistical methods. We described the spatial pattern (clustering) of SOC and pH and predicted their spatial continuity from observed and unobserved locations. Results generally revealed unsuitably low SOC (0.39 ± 0.009 g/100 g) and strong acidity (5.35 ± 0.027). Univariately, SOC varied more continuously (58%) over a longer distance (1.424 km) than pH, which varied moderately around 55.7% over a shorter distance (0.598 km). Covariates improved the co-regionalized structure and homogeneity of the predictions. Thus, the spatial dependencies of SOC and pH were moderate but the risk of imprecision was higher for SOC than pH. This knowledge is crucial in our understanding of the geo-physicochemical phenomena controlling the spatial distribution of SOC and pH in the cocoa farms and districts across the agroecological zones. The findings underscored dwindling SOC and pH in line with historic boom-bust cycle of cocoa production hot and cold spots transitions. The findings are also indicative of the adverse implications of relying on current blanket fertilizer recommendations. Therefore, a change from the current agronomic practice of fertilizer use to one that recognizes the SOC and pH needs of specific areas, farms and cluster of districts is recommended.Item Predictors of integrated soil fertility management practice among cocoa farmers in Ghana(Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 2021) Quaye, A.K.; Doe, E.K.; Amon-Armah, F.; Arthur, A.; Dogbatse, J.A.; Konlan, S.This study defines and estimates the proportion of organic and inorganic crop-land husbandry practices in the composite of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) by cocoa farmers in Ghana using their socioeconomic and ecological attributes. A binary logistic regression was used to determine how these factors predict the proportion of organic materials in the composite. The results showed that only 13% of farmers use pure organicbased ISFM while 87% use different combinations of organic-based and inorganic ISFM. The estimates revealed that frequency of access to ISFM information and awareness, level of education and age of farmers below 30 years significantly influenced various degrees of organic-based ISFM. Among the significant ecological predictors were locations of cocoa agroforests, and intercropping cocoa with food crops and other tree crops at establishment phase (0–5 years) of cocoa plantations. These results imply that during the establishment phase, farmers are more likely to use low (<50%) organic-based ISFM. In contrast, farmers who manage matured monocrop cocoa plantations (21–30 years) are more likely to utilize high (≥50%) organic-based ISFM. The use of high organic-based ISFM by farmers can be improved by increasing their access to ISFM information, education and awareness.