Department of Soil Science

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Differential Impact of Land Use Types on Soil Productivity Components in Two Agro-ecological Zones of Southern Ghana
(African Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation, 2021) Owoade, F.M.; Adiku, S.G.K.; MacCarthy, D.S.; et al.
The maintenance of soil productivity is important for sustained crop yield in low-input systems in the tropics. This study investigated the impact of four different land use types, namely, maize and cassava cropping, woodlot/plantations, and natural forests on soil productivity components, especially soil carbon accretion, at six sites within two agro-ecological zones of southern Ghana. Soil properties were significantly different between sites and ecological zones. The coastal savanna zone, which is a low rainfall zone had relatively lower soil carbon storage than the high rainfall forest-savanna transition zone. Soil productivity conditions in the latter zone were much more favorable for cropping than the former. Land use types significantly affected the soil carbon (SOC) storage within the two ecological zones. In the low rainfall zone, soil carbon accretion by maize cropping, cassava cropping, and plantations was 48%, 54%, and 60%, respectively, of the forest carbon stock (47,617 kg/ha). In the transition zone, the soil carbon accretion was over 90% of the forest value (48,216 kg/ha) for all land use types. In effect, the use of land use types in maintaining soil productivity must consider the conditions in a given ecological zone.
Regenerative edible insects for food, feed, and sustainable livelihoods in Nigeria: Consumption, potential and prospects
(Future Foods, 2024) Aigbedion-Atalor, P. O.; Fening, K. O.; Sunday, O.; et al
Edible insects are imperative as food, feed, and other products for industries, but commercial farming and utilization of insects as food, feed and industries is rare in Nigeria. However, consumption of insects in Nigeria is longstanding and increasingly becoming popular and receiving more attention because of their potential as alternatives to animal protein and a means of livelihood to mitigate hunger and poverty. We harnessed academic and grey literature and personal communications to obtain a wholesome and concise review of the edible insects in Nigeria. This process revealed 13 edible insect species consumed amongst various tribes and indigenous people in the country. We found that the consumption of insects in Nigeria is ubiquitous but more popular and generally accepted in southern Nigeria than in the northern part of the country. However, farming insects for food and feed is seldom because edible insects are harvested from wild populations. Insights into the challenges of farming edible insects in Nigeria revealed that funding, seasonality, technical know-how or expertise are at the forefront. while poor extension services, inadequate processing technologies, and not having in place strategies for their upscaling is also implicated. We recommend mutualistic cooperation between key stakeholders along the agricultural value chain in Nigeria, such as the government, investors, and others that will foster partnerships with established industries in East Africa, especially Kenya and Uganda, where farming insects for food, feed, and livelihoods are thriving.
Evaluating the Effect of Land use Land Cover Changes on Land Suitability for Crop Production Using Remote Sensing and GIS
(West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 2023) Ajala, O.N.; Adjadeh, T.A.; Olaniyan, J.O.; Ilori, O.A.
The impact of Land Use and Cover Changes (LULCC) on agricultural land from 1986 to 2016 was examined using remote sensing (RS) and the Geographic Information System (GIS) in Kwara State, Nigeria. The aim of the study was to show how a GIS tool could be incorporated into a multicriteria analysis (MCA) and an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) model to assess the suitability of land. Under several conditions, which define suitable land for arable cropping, the structural design of an integrated GIS-MCA-AHP was anticipated to correspond with the decision maker's preferences. Additionally, the integration was anticipated to quantify the extent of land cover modifications and assess how the removal of vegetation would affect the soil. As a major factor in the analysis, the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) was employed with GIS and Remote Sensing (RS) technologies, and, as secondary, MCA and AHP models. In Arc-Map (GIS), 10.3.1, the RS data imagery from 2016 was used and recognized by NDVI satellite images. The images were categorized according to RS data, field study data, and geographical factors. The variables were soil texture, depth, pH, organic carbon, rainfall, temperature, slope, elevation, and land use and land cover. To examine the extent of land use and land cover changes in relation to soil types and land suitability, the MCA-AHP model employed a weighted sum overlay. The results showed that farming accounted for 46% of all land use. and that LULCC was primarily to blame for the loss of arable land and environmental degradation. The proportion of the total land area used for farming (farmland), the built-up area, bare land, and water bodies increased from 34 to 46, 15 to 30.4, 5 to 10, and 3 to 4%, respectively. Forest land, on the other hand, saw a drop from 43 to 9.6%. While 11.40% of the total land area was highly suitable for arable cultivation, 19.30% was moderately suitable, 30.40% was marginally suitable, 23.12% was currently unsuitable, and 15.78% was permanently unsuitable. The study shows that the AHP model was useful for calculating land use weights that were comparable to those calculated using other techniques. The model was helpful in making plans. decisions for land use, and thus could be useful in managing sustainable agriculture. It was concluded that in addition to the fast rate of deforestation, increasing anthropogenic activities were degrading arable land at the study site.
One Hundred Priority Questions for the Development of Sustainable Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa
(land, 2023) Devenish, A.J.M.; Schmitter, P.; Neina, D.; et al.
Sub-Saharan Africa is facing an expected doubling of human population and tripling of food demand over the next quarter century, posing a range of severe environmental, political, and socio-economic challenges. In some cases, key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in direct conflict, raising difficult policy and funding decisions, particularly in relation to trade-offs between food production, social inequality, and ecosystem health. In this study, we used a horizon-scanning approach to identify 100 practical or research-focused questions that, if answered, would have the greatest positive impact on addressing these trade-offs and ensuring future productivity and resilience of food-production systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Through direct canvassing of opinions, we obtained 1339 questions from 331 experts based in 55 countries. We then used online voting and participatory workshops to produce a final list of 100 questions divided into 12 thematic sections spanning topics from gender inequality to technological adoption and climate change. Using data on the background of respondents, we show that perspectives and priorities can vary, but they are largely consistent across different professional and geographical contexts. We hope these questions provide a template for establishing new research directions and prioritising funding decisions in sub-Saharan Africa.
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.
Characterisation and rare-metal potential of the Winneba-Mankoadze pegmatites, Southern Ghana: Evidence of two pegmatite fields
(Journal of African Earth Sciences, 2023) Adams, S.J.; Lichtervelde, M.V.; Amponsah, P.O.; et al.
In southern Ghana, the region along the coast between Accra and Cape Coast hosts a large number of pegmatites mineralized in lithium, niobium-tantalum and tin. The pegmatites occur in many distinct groups, each extending over several kilometers. They intrude metasedimentary units of the Birimian Supergroup, and are associated with early to late orogenic granite intrusions which are metaluminous, sterile, and too old to be potential parental granites for the pegmatites. In this study, we characterized the Winneba-Mankoadze group of geographically coeval pegmatites, using field description, petrography, rare-metal mineralogy and accessory mineral geochemistry on micas, garnet and Nb–Ta–Sn minerals, in order to determine its rare-metal potential and to investigate its origin. The results indicate that the pegmatites are part of the albite-spodumene type of the Lithium–Cesium–Tantalum (LCT) family. The rare metal mineral assemblages are particularly complex and display relevant oxide species such as columbite- and wodginite-group minerals, tapiolite, microlite, cassiterite and rutile, which are evidences of an extremely evolved magmatic system. Based on mineral assemblages, whole rock geochemistry, and mineral geochemistry on garnet, micas and the CGM, two pegmatite fields are distin guished in the Winneba-Mankoadze group, and an anatectic origin is proposed. For the first time in West Africa, we fully describe a highly fractionated LCT-family pegmatite field comparable to the most evolved pegmatite bodies in the world.
Poultry litter and cow dung biochar as P sources for cowpea cultivation in two Ghanaian soils
(Frontiers in Agronomy, 2023) Nartey, E.K.; Sulemana, N.; Razak, A.; et al
Introduction: The main constraint to cowpea, Vigna unguiculata, production in West Africa is unavailability of applied phosphorus due to ligand exchange with clay minerals and precipitation reactions facilitated by low pH and low organic matter. Materials and methods: To overcome this challenge, cow dung biochar (CB) and poultry litter biochar (PB) were applied as P sources for cowpea cultivation in Plinthustult and Kandiustalf soil in Ghana. The biochar types and triple super phosphate (TSP) were applied to meet the standard phosphorus requirement (SPR) and½SPR of the soils. Basal K from KCl was added to the TSP treatment. In addition to a non-amended soil, the treatments were triplicated and arranged in a completely randomized design in a screen house for an efficacy trial using cowpea as the test crop. Moisture content was maintained at 80% field capacity. Results and discussion: Hundred cowpea seed weight was 20.3 g and 19.6 g for the TSP-amended Plinthustult at SPR and ½ SPR, respectively. This increased to 25.1 g and approximately 27 g at SPR and ½ SPR in the CB- and PB-amended Plinthustult, respectively. Hundred seed weight for TSP at both rates was similar in the two soils. The PB-amended Kandiustalf at SPR had seed with a weight of 27.02 g, 1.1 g heavier than the ½ SPR. The CB-amended Kandiustalf at both rates had 100 seeds weighing 25 g. Residual available P was 334.2 mg/kg and 213.2 mg/kg at SPR and ½ SPR, respectively, in the Plinthustult as opposed to a paltry 2.5 mg/kg at SPR in the TSP counterpart. The study recommends for the two biochar types to be applied at ½ SPR.
Effectiveness of neem materials and biochar as nitrification inhibitors in reducing nitrate leaching in a compost-amended Ferric Luviso
(Frontiers in Soil Science, 2022) Abeka, H.; Lawson, I.Y.D.; Nartey, E.; Adjadeh, T.; Asuming-Brempong, S.; Bindraban, P.; Atakora, W.K.
The nitrates produced after mineralization from compost may be prone to leaching, especially in tropical sandy soils, because of the increased rate of nitrification and the porous nature of such soils. This may result in low nitrogen (N) use efficiency and adverse environmental effects. Inorganic nitrification inhibitors are costly and mostly unavailable in Ghana. Research on simple but effective local materials for use as nitrification inhibitors is therefore a priority. Two such materials are neem materials and biochar. Neem materials can suppress nitrifying bacteria due to their antimicrobial properties. Biochar can hold ammonium in the soil, making it temporarily unavailable to nitrifying bacteria. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of neem materials and biochar as nitrification inhibitors and their influence on nitrate leaching. In preliminary studies: 1) pot incubation was conducted for 60 days to estimate the nitrification rate with manure, compost, and NH4Cl as the N source (150 kg N/ha) in one set and neem seeds, bark, and leaves (1.25 µg azadirachtin/g) in another set, using nitrate concentrations; and 2) the ammonium sorption and desorption capacities of sawdust, rice husk, and groundnut husk biochar were determined. In the main study, pot incubation with compost as the N source but treated with milled neem seeds or bark (1.25 µg azadirachtin/g) or sawdust biochar (20 t/ha) was conducted for 60 days, in which the nitrification inhibition was determined using nitrate concentrations. A leaching experiment in columns with similar treatments and maize sown was then conducted to quantify the nitrate in leachates. A high nitrification rate was recorded in compost-amended soil, almost half that of the standard (NH4Cl). The use of sawdust biochar, which showed the highest ammonium sorption and desorption capacity, resulted in 40% nitrification inhibition that lasted the entire incubation period. The use of neem seeds with an azadirachtin concentration of 3.92 mg/g resulted in a similar nitrification inhibition, but this only lasted 40 days. Inhibition caused by both materials resulted in about a 60% reduction in nitrate leached. Thus, neem seeds (498 kg/ha) and sawdust biochar (20 mt/ha) could be used to control nitrate leaching for short-duration and long-duration crops, respectively.
Agro-Industrial Waste Biochar Abated Nitrogen Leaching from Tropical Sandy Soils and Boosted Dry Matter Accumulation in Maize
(Journal of Carbon Research, 2023) Egyir, M.; Lawson, I.Y.D.; Dodor, D.E.; Luyima, D.
This study was conducted to assess the effects of amending tropical sandy soils with biochar derived from agro-industrial wastes on the leaching and utilization of nitrogen (N) by maize. The experiment was conducted in pots in a greenhouse with two sandy soil types and two different biochars. The biochars used in this experiment were preselected in a preliminary column experiment that assessed the N retention capacities of the different biochars and those that exhibited the best retention capacities chosen for experimentation. The biochars evaluated included saw dust, rice husk and corncob pyrolyzed at 500 ◦C and the results from the column leaching experiment showed that sawdust biochar had superior retention capacities for both NO3 − and NH4 + , followed by rice husk biochar. The pot experiment utilized sawdust and rice husk biochars applied at rates of 0, 20 and 40 t/ha to the soil treated with different N sources including cow dung and ammonium sulfate and growing maize on the amendments for two seasons with each season lasting for five weeks. The soils were leached on the 14th and 28th days after planting to determine the amount of leachable N. Biochar amendments reduced the leaching of NO3 −N and NH4 +N with no significant differences observed between biochar types, but between soil types. The abatement of leaching by biochar amendments consequently enhanced N uptake by maize and dry matter production and thus, agro-industrial waste biochar amendment is recommended for reducing leaching in tropical sandy soils.
Poultry litter and cow dung biochar as P sources for cowpea cultivation in two Ghanaian soils
(Frontiers in Agronomy, 2023) Nartey, E.K.; Sulemana, N.; Razak, A.; Adjadeh, T.A.; Akumah, A.M.; Amoatey, C.; Abekoe, M.K.
Introduction: The main constraint to cowpea, Vigna unguiculata, production in West Africa is unavailability of applied phosphorus due to ligand exchange with clay minerals and precipitation reactions facilitated by low pH and low organic matter. Materials and methods: To overcome this challenge, cow dung biochar (CB) and poultry litter biochar (PB) were applied as P sources for cowpea cultivation in Plinthustult and Kandiustalf soil in Ghana. The biochar types and triple super phosphate (TSP) were applied to meet the standard phosphorus requirement (SPR) and ½ SPR of the soils. Basal K from KCl was added to the TSP treatment. In addition to a non-amended soil, the treatments were triplicated and arranged in a completely randomized design in a screen house for an efficacy trial using cowpea as the test crop. Moisture content was maintained at 80% field capacity. Results and discussion: Hundred cowpea seed weight was 20.3 g and 19.6 g for the TSP-amended Plinthustult at SPR and ½ SPR, respectively. This increased to 25.1 g and approximately 27 g at SPR and ½ SPR in the CB- and PB-amended Plinthustult, respectively. Hundred seed weight for TSP at both rates was similar in the two soils. The PB-amended Kandiustalf at SPR had seed with a weight of 27.02 g, 1.1 g heavier than the ½ SPR. The CB-amended Kandiustalf at both rates had 100 seeds weighing 25 g. Residual available P was 334.2 mg/kg and 213.2 mg/kg at SPR and ½ SPR, respectively, in the Plinthustult as opposed to a paltry 2.5 mg/kg at SPR in the TSP counterpart. The study recommends for the two biochar types to be applied at ½ SPR.
Effectiveness of neem materials and biochar as nitrification inhibitors in reducing nitrate leaching in a compost-amended Ferric Luvisol
(Frontiers in Soil Science, 2023) Abeka, H.; Lawson, I.Y.D.; Nartey, E.; Adjadeh, T.; Asuming-Brempong, S.; Bindraban, P.; Atakora, W.K.
The nitrates produced after mineralization from compost may be prone to leaching, especially in tropical sandy soils, because of the increased rate of nitrification and the porous nature of such soils. This may result in low nitrogen (N) use efficiency and adverse environmental effects. Inorganic nitrification inhibitors are costly and mostly unavailable in Ghana. Research on simple but effective local materials for use as nitrification inhibitors is therefore a priority. Two such materials are neem materials and biochar. Neem materials can suppress nitrifying bacteria due to their antimicrobial properties. Biochar can hold ammonium in the soil, making it temporarily unavailable to nitrifying bacteria. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of neem materials and biochar as nitrification inhibitors and their influence on nitrate leaching. In preliminary studies: 1) pot incubation was conducted for 60 days to estimate the nitrification rate with manure, compost, and NH4Cl as the N source (150 kg N/ha) in one set and neem seeds, bark, and leaves (1.25 µg azadirachtin/g) in another set, using nitrate concentrations; and 2) the ammonium sorption and desorption capacities of sawdust, rice husk, and groundnut husk biochar were determined. In the main study, pot incubation with compost as the N source but treated with milled neem seeds or bark (1.25 µg azadirachtin/g) or sawdust biochar (20 t/ha) was conducted for 60 days, in which the nitrification inhibition was determined using nitrate concentrations. A leaching experiment in columns with similar treatments and maize sown was then conducted to quantify the nitrate in leachates. A high nitrification rate was recorded in compost-amended soil, almost half that of the standard (NH4Cl). The use of sawdust biochar, which showed the highest ammonium sorption and desorption capacity, resulted in 40% nitrification inhibition that lasted the entire incubation period. The use of neem seeds with an azadirachtin concentration of 3.92 mg/g resulted in a similar nitrification inhibition, but this only lasted 40 days. Inhibition caused by both materials resulted in about a 60% reduction in nitrate leached. Thus, neem seeds (498 kg/ha) and sawdust biochar (20 mt/ha) could be used to control nitrate leaching for short-duration and long-duration crops, respectively
Agro-Industrial Waste Biochar Abated Nitrogen Leaching from Tropical Sandy Soils and Boosted Dry Matter Accumulation in Maize
(Journal of Carbon Research, 2023) Egyir, M.; Lawson, I.Y.D.; Dodor, D.E.; Luyima, D.
This study was conducted to assess the effects of amending tropical sandy soils with biochar derived from agro-industrial wastes on the leaching and utilization of nitrogen (N) by maize. The experiment was conducted in pots in a greenhouse with two sandy soil types and two different biochars. The biochars used in this experiment were preselected in a preliminary column experiment that assessed the N retention capacities of the different biochars and those that exhibited the best retention capacities chosen for experimentation. The biochars evaluated included saw dust, rice husk and corncob pyrolyzed at 500 ◦C and the results from the column leaching experiment showed that sawdust biochar had superior retention capacities for both NO3 − and NH4 + , followed by rice husk biochar. The pot experiment utilized sawdust and rice husk biochars applied at rates of 0, 20 and 40 t/ha to the soil treated with different N sources including cow dung and ammonium sulfate and growing maize on the amendments for two seasons with each season lasting for five weeks. The soils were leached on the 14th and 28th days after planting to determine the amount of leachable N. Biochar amendments reduced the leaching of NO3 −N and NH4 +N with no significant differences observed between biochar types, but between soil types. The abatement of leaching by biochar amendments consequently enhanced N uptake by maize and dry matter production and thus, agro-industrial waste biochar amendment is recommended for reducing leaching in tropical sandy soils.
Agro-industrial waste biochar abated nitrogen leaching from tropical sandy soils and boosted dry matter accumulation in maize
(Journal of Carbon Research, 2023) Egyir, M.; Lawson, I.Y.D.; Dodor, D.E.; Luyima, D.
This study was conducted to assess the effects of amending tropical sandy soils with biochar derived from agro-industrial wastes on the leaching and utilization of nitrogen (N) by maize. The experiment was conducted in pots in a greenhouse with two sandy soil types and two different biochars. The biochars used in this experiment were preselected in a preliminary column experiment that assessed the N retention capacities of the different biochars and those that exhibited the best retention capacities chosen for experimentation. The biochars evaluated included saw dust, rice husk and corncob pyrolyzed at 500 ◦C and the results from the column leaching experiment showed that sawdust biochar had superior retention capacities for both NO3 − and NH4 + , followed by rice husk biochar. The pot experiment utilized sawdust and rice husk biochars applied at rates of 0, 20 and 40 t/ha to the soil treated with different N sources including cow dung and ammonium sulfate and growing maize on the amendments for two seasons with each season lasting for five weeks. The soils were leached on the 14th and 28th days after planting to determine the amount of leachable N. Biochar amendments reduced the leaching of NO3 −N and NH4 +N with no significant differences observed between biochar types, but between soil types. The abatement of leaching by biochar amendments consequently enhanced N uptake by maize and dry matter production and thus, agro-industrial waste biochar amendment is recommended for reducing leaching in tropical sandy soils.
Interactive effects of soil compaction, biochar application, and soil water regime on the growth, yield, and water use efficiency of upland rice
(Scientific African, 2023) Adesoyin, A.E.; MacCarthy, D.S.; Adiku, G.S.K.
The mechanization of tropical agriculture by conventional tillage has enhanced production and contributed to soil compaction, which has long term adverse effects on soil and crop productivity. Application of biochar is among the several remedial measures proposed to offset the compaction problem. Yet, it is unclear how biochar interacts with varying soil water that occurs under variable weather to mitigate the compaction problem. In this study, a screen house experiment was conducted to investigate the growth, yield, and water use efficiency (WUE) of upland rice (Nerica 14) grown under a range of biochar amended compacted soils and soil water conditions. The experimental design was a com pletely randomized design (CRD) in a factorial arrangement with three bulk density (D) levels (D1= 1.30 Mg m−3, D2 = 1.50 Mg m−3, and D3 = 1.75 Mg m−3), two rates of rice husk biochar (RHB) application: (B) = 0 ton ha−1, and B10 = 10 ton ha−1), and three levels of seasonal irrigation (W1 = 391 mm, W2 = 419 mm, and W3 = 569 mm). Grain yield was influenced by biochar, bulk density and water regime. When averaged across irriga tion levels, the B0 grain yields were 1336 kg ha−1, 947 kg ha−1 and 636 kg ha−1 for D1, D2 and D3, respectively. Biochar application reduced both the runoff, drainage, and improved the crop water use efficiency. In terms of WUE, the treatment combination of B10D1W1 and B10D3W3 recorded the highest (14.27 kg ha−1 mm−1), and least (9.28 kg ha−1 mm−1) values, respectively. Though biochar application improved the WUE under all density lev els, high irrigation (W2, W3) could not compensate for the adverse effect of increasing soil density. It is concluded that the adverse impact of tillage-induced soil compaction on up land rice yield can be effectively alleviated by biochar application under varied soil water conditions.
Characterizing market crop waste as feedstock for composting to reduce environmental pollution in developing countries
(Islamic Azad University, 2023) Nartey, E.K.; Akumah, A.M.; Ofosu-Budu, G.K.; et al.
Abstract Purpose Market crop waste (MCW) contributes significantly to the quantity of municipal solid waste generated in sub-Saharan Africa. These wastes, however, contain high levels of plant nutrients which can be harnessed through composting to improve soil organic matter and nutrient status of impoverished tropical soils. Method In this work, annual MCWs from two urban markets in Accra, Ghana were characterized by quantifying their seasonal availabilities, primary nutrients, heavy metals concentrations and level of microbial contamination to ascertain their suitability or otherwise for composting. Results Waste generated in the rainy seasons was higher than in the dry seasons. Primary nutrients sequestered in the MCW collected were 211.1 kg N, 1.84 kg P and 89.66 kg K for both markets. Feedstock quality analysis showed heavy metal levels in the MCW were far below the contaminant levels. Moisture content of vegetable and fruit waste was 74.34 - 90.46% and far above the desired level of aerobic composting. Pathogen levels of 5.92 CFU/g E. coli and 5.41 CFU/g Salmonella in cocoyam leaves; 6.27 CFU/g total coliform and 4.74 CFU/g Enterococcus in cabbage were detected and found to be above the maximum contaminant level as per USEPA standard. Conclusion Use of cassava, plantain peduncle and corn husk as bulking agents with vegetable and fruit waste as N, P and K sources should serve as feedstock for good quality compost production.
Accounting for Weather Variability in Farm Management Resource Allocation in Northern Ghana: An Integrated Modeling Approach
(Sustainability, 2023) Adelesi, O.O.; Kim, Y-UK.; Adiku, S.G.K.; et al.
Smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana face challenges due to weather variability and market volatility, hindering their ability to invest in sustainable intensification options. Modeling can help understand the relationships between productivity, environmental, and economical aspects, but few models have explored the effects of weather variability on crop management and resource allocation. This study introduces an integrated modeling approach to optimize resource allocation for smallholder mixed crop and livestock farming systems in Northern Ghana. The model combines a process-based crop model, farm simulation model, and annual optimization model. Crop model simulations are driven by a large ensemble of weather time series for two scenarios: good and bad weather. The model accounts for the effects of climate risks on farm management decisions, which can help in supporting investments in sustainable intensification practices, thereby bringing smallholder farmers out of poverty traps. The model was simulated for three different farm types represented in the region. The results suggest that farmers could increase their income by allocating more than 80% of their land to cash crops such as rice, groundnut, and soybeans. The optimized cropping patterns have an over 50% probability of increasing farm income, particularly under bad weather scenarios, compared with current cropping systems.
Differential Impacts of Cropland Expansion on Soil Biological Indicators in Two Ecological Zones
(MDPI, 2023) Neina, D.; Agyarko-Mintah, E.
Agricultural expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa is characterized by different farm ages in smallholder communities. This study investigated changes in microbial indices broadly (i) at the reconnaissance survey level in four agro-ecological zones and (ii) in different farms at the forest (Dompem) and forest–savanna transition (Adansam) zones, as influenced by the duration of cultivation. Soils from one-year (first cultivation of cleared forest/fallow), three-year, five-year, and ten-year farms were analyzed for basic soil properties, active or labile carbon (POXC), basal respiration (BR), microbial biomass (Cmic) using permanganate oxidizable C, alkali trap, and chloroform fumigation incubation. In both study levels, POXC content was <1% of soil organic carbon (SOC) in all zones, higher in the wet agro-ecological zones, and positively correlated with SOC (r = 0.70, 0.81; p < 0.01, p < 0.001). Dompem SOC and BR declined by 1–23% and 6–25% (p < 0.001), respectively, in the first three years; Cmic (p = 0.002) and %Cmic/SOC (p = 0.610) decreased from three-year farms onwards. Conversely, the Adansam SOC, BR, Cmic, and %Cmic/SOC rather had irregular trends. The microbial indices were influenced by exchangeable acidity, the sum of exchangeable bases, and effective cation exchangeable capacity negatively or positively, followed by SOC, pedogenic compounds, particularly dithionite-citrate iron (Fed), oxalate iron (Feox), and lastly, soil pH. Therefore, understanding the degree, direction, and changing aspects of these drivers of soil ecosystem services is necessary for sustainable soil management practices in different agro-ecological zones.
The Terra Preta Model soil for sustainable sedentary yam production in West Africa
(Heliyon, 2023) Neina, D.; Agyarko-Mintah, E.
Current declines in yam yields amidst increasing cultivated areas, land scarcity, and population surges call for more sustainable sedentary yam production systems. This study explored the nature of Amazonian Dark Earths (ADEs) as a basis for the formation of a related soil type known as the Terra Preta Model (TPM) soil for future sedentary yam systems. It builds on the influence of human beings in soil management and the formation of Anthrosols. Previous studies on the ADEs and biochar were synthesized to establish the fundamental assumptions required to form the TPM soil. The practical approach to forming the TPM soils is based on the intentional, integrated and prolonged use of biochar, municipal solid wastes, agro-industry wastes and products of ecological sanitation. Tillage options such as mounding, ridging, trenching and sack farming could be used for yam production on the TPM soils. Unlike natural soils, the longevity of ADE fertility is subject to debate depending on crops grown and cropping cycles. Therefore, a crop rotation plan is recommended to maintain the fertility of the TPM soils. The TPM soils, if adopted, are considered worthwhile for the long-term benefit of biodiversity conservation, efficient waste management, enhanced ecosystem services provided by soils and extensive adoption of ecological sanitation.
Environmental and socio-economic benefits of a circular economy for bioethanol production in the northern part of Ghana
(Journal of Cleaner Production, 2023) Tulashie, S.K.; Dodoo, D.; Ketu, E.; Adiku, S.G.K.; Miyittah, M.K.; Forfoe, E.; Arthur, E.
Sweet sorghum grains (SSG) cultivation are the primary source of income and subsistence for approximately 80% of poor smallholder farmers in the northern part of Ghana. Regrettably, sorghum prices in rural markets are constantly falling, resulting in a small income for smallholder farmers and a negative impact on their socioeconomic lives. This study presents a shift towards a circular sweet sorghum supply chain in the northern part of Ghana through bioethanol production from excess sweet sorghum. The study looks at using excess red and white sweet sorghum grains (RSG and WSG) grown in northern Ghana to produce bioethanol. The SSG was pre-treated and fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast to produce 87.6 g/L and 84.24 g/L of WSG and RSG bio ethanol, respectively. This was equivalent to an estimated yield of 91.57% (WSG) and 89.24% (RSG). Likewise, the bioethanol volumetric production of SSG was between 3.50 g/h⋅L and 3.70 g/h⋅L, indicating that its production was efficient after 24 h of fermentation. The fuel properties of the bioethanol were also found to be acceptable for commercial use in bioethanol cookstoves, reducing the reliance on firewood in the northern part of Ghana. A sweet sorghum supply chain based on two different models was developed and could be implemented in the northern sector to benefit smallholder farmers and to save the environment.

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