Browsing by Author "Ewusi-Mensah N."

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    Mechanism(s) Underlying Interactions Between Cattle Manure and Mineral Fertilizer in a Maize Field Soil in Ghana
    (Agricultural and Food Science Journal of Ghana, 2021) Brempong M.B.; Opoku A.; Ewusi-Mensah N.; Abaidoo R. C; 0000-0002-1235-2252
    A 70-day laboratory incubation study was conducted to unravel the mechanism(s) underlying synergistic interactions between organic and inorganic nutrient inputs to the soil. Soil from a maize farmer's field at Kpongu in the Upper West Region of Ghana was amended with a factorial combination of 0, 50% and 100% levels of the recommended rates (RR) of inorganic fertilizer and cattle manure and incubated at room temperature in plastic cups. Deionized water was added to maintain soil moisture at 70% field capacity throughout the incubation period. Cups were covered with gas-permeable parafilm. Soil sampling was done at 7, 28, 42, 56 and 70 days after incubation. The soil was analyzed for available phosphorus, organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, nitrates, ammonium, soil urease activity, iron, and copper at each sampling. The addition of 100% RR NPK + 50% RR manure often results in higher amounts of the measured parameters,synergistic interactions and supply of nutrients to the soil, with longer residual effects. While all the under-studied mechanisms (improved nutrient synchrony, priming effects, general fertility improvement fertility) contribute to synergistic interactions, the improved nutrient synchrony mechanism is the most prominent. Farmers can therefore manage the timing of the nutrient inputs well to capitalize on this mechanism for improved soil fertility.
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    The Role of Nitrogen-Levels and Foliar Fertilizer at Critical Stages for Inoculated Soybean Growth and Yield Improvement in Northern Savannah Zone Of Ghana
    (Futminna.edu.ng, 2019) Ezekiel-Adewoyin Dorcas T.; Ewusi-Mensah N.; Mathias F.; Abaidoo R. C
    Need for the nutrient supplement at certain critical stages of soybean development to sustain successful growth, seed formation, pod filling and quality grain yield cannot be underestimated. Hence, the response of soybean “Jenguma” growth, nodulation and grain yield to Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculum and mineral fertilizer application at various growth stages was evaluated on the research farm of CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), Ghana. The experiment consisted of three factors i.e. Inoculation (+INO and –INO), Nitrogen levels (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg N ha-1 (as starter and top dressed at beginning bloom, R1 - stage)) plus Foliar fertilizer (Boost extra (BX) applied at R1 – R4 stage) 4 liters ha-1 (+ and -)). Giving sixteen combinations in all, replicated thrice. Basal application of 30 kg P2O5 and K2O ha-1 each was applied. The experiment was a Randomized Complete Block Design. The plant height and canopy spread response to starter N (25 kg N ha-1) is proof that a minimum level of N is necessary for soybean establishment. The treated plots indicated a significant (P<0.05) influence on soybean pod formation and grain yield performance as compared to Control. In fact, a significant (94 %) grain yield increase was produced from 50 kg N ha-1+BX compared to Control. Likewise, the lowest N-level (25 kg N ha-1) and it’s combinations with BX or INO and the use of 25 kg N ha-1+INO+BX also gave substantial grain yield increase (50 % and above) over Control. These are an indication that the appropriate timing of N, it’s top dressing and foliar fertilizer application at certain growth stages of soybean enhanced inoculated soybean growth and grain yield. Hence, the use of fertilizer and its top dressing (N and foliar fertilizer) is paramount in augmenting inoculated soybean production in the study area. The choice of fertilizer, rate and time of application depend on the farmer’s choice.