Response of hydro-physical properties of a Chromic Luvisol in Ghana to different methods of application of Mucuna pruriens as a soil amendments

The study assessed the response of hydro-physical properties of Chromic Luvisol to different methods of application of Mucuna pruriens as a soil amendments in two separate experiments. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used with the following treatments: 7.04t/ha Mucuna pruriens as green manure (GM), 7.04t/ha Mucuna pruriens as live mulch (LM), 7.04t/ha Mucuna pruriens as in-situ mulch (IM) and a control plot which had no Mucuna pruriens as soil amendment. Data were collected on gravimetric (θ_g) and volumetric moisture content ( θ_v), residual moisture storage(R), sorptivity(s), cumulative infiltration (I), bulk density (ρ_b), total porosity (f), aeration porosity (ξ_a), aggregate stability (ASt) and soil temperature, for assessment of hydro-physical properties of the soil. The results from the experiments indicated that Mucuna pruriens as live mulch used as amendment significantly reduce bulk density (ρ_b), increased total porosity (f) and aeration porosity (ξ_a) thus it gave significant improvement on those soil physical properties measured while Mucuna pruriens as in-situ mulch improved aggregate stability (ASt) and gave optimal soil temperature. In the assessment of soil volumetric moisture content ( θ_v), residual moisture storage(R), sorptivity(s), cumulative infiltration(I), the study shows that Mucuna pruriens as in-situ mulch recorded the optimal values and was closely followed by Mucuna pruriens as live mulch

Assessment of the Relative Suitability of Three Different Soils for Dry Season Lettuce Production in Ghana

The research was conducted at the project site of the University of Educatoion, Winneba - Mampong campus between mid - November 2007 and Mid-April 2008. The main objective of the study was to compare the relative suitability of three soils in supporting lettuce production in the dry season. The treatments were Calcic Vertisol (Akuse scries), Rodic Nitisol (Ejura sesries) and Chromic Luvisol (Bediest series). The randomized complete block design was used in a pot experience with the three treatments and each replicated three times. Plant height, fresh leaf mass, leaf dry matter yield, fresh root mass, gravimetric moisture content, total porosity, drainability and bulk density were the parameters considered. From the result Bediesi Series recorded the highest growth rate as measured by plant height (266.5mm), fresh leaf weight (30.6g), leaf dry matter weight (4.9g) at 7 weeks after transplanting as well as been the most succulent with 84% succulent. Fresh root weight however, was highest with Akuse Series followed by Bediesi Series and Ejura Series in that decreasing order. Ejura Series recorded the least value for all growth and yield parameters measured. For soil parameters, Akuse Series recorded the highest value for porosity (43.0%) and gravimetric moisture of 6.43 throughout the period of field drying for 8weeks. Ejura Series Bediesi Series also recorded the highest value for drainability after 25 minutes of drainage, followed by Bediesi Series and then Akuse Series. The result of this work indicated that the Bediesi Series is the best soil type among the soils evaluated for lettuce production in the dry season in Ghana