Assessment of physicochemical properties of Besease wetland soils, Ghana
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Agricultural Research
Abstract
The shallow and erodible soils of low fertility uplands have led to farmers extending their cultivable
areas to wetlands for optimal crop production since these systems have the potential for exploitation in
the dry season. To ensure its sustainable use, the physicochemical and the hydrological characteristics
of the valley bottom should be ascertained. Studies were conducted to assess the suitability of
wetlands for crop production by analysing the physicochemical properties of Besease wetland soils.
Soil samples were collected from specific sites and profile pits for physical and chemical analysis in the
laboratory. Field experiments were also conducted for soil physical properties. Soil textural analysis
revealed that the average texture of the Besease inland valley was sandy loam with the distribution of
sand, silt and clay as 55.42, 35.04 and 9.50%, respectively. Bulk density and moisture content on the
field increased with depth in all profiles. Results of hydraulic conductivity using the mini disk
infiltrometer ranged from 2 to 88.3 cm/day. The infiltration rate on the studied wetland ranged from 0.02
to 0.78 cm/min. The pH, OC, TN and CEC of the soil profile distribution for site P11-P14 obtained ranged
from 6.9-4.6, 4.69-0.19%, 0.2-0.01%, 9- 2.6 meq/100 g down the horizon respectively. The study
unraveled a sustained plant nutrient availability and elongation of water level ponding which will result
in increased water storage under rice cultivation in the studied wetland.
Description
Keywords
Wetlands, physicochemical, crop production, nutrient, water storage, Ghana, University of Energy & Natural Resources, ACE: Energy and Environmental Sustainability