Browsing by Author "Apori, Samuel Obeng"

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Evaluation of Soil Fertility Status in Oil Palm Plantations in the Western Region of Ghana
(AIMS Press, 2020-11-20) Apori, Samuel Obeng; Adams, Sadick; Hanyabui, Emmanuel; Mohammed, Musah; Murongo, Marius; Kwasi Acheampong, Mark
Oil palm is regarded as one of the tree crops that utilize a high amount of soil nutrients for optimum growth and development. Farmers in the western region of Ghana have complained immensely of small fruit bunch of their oil palm, but in oil palm plantation, nutrient management is the key to higher fruit bunch of crops hence this study was carried out to evaluate the fertility status of selected oil palm plantations in the Mpohor district in the Western Region of Ghana. Two farming communities namely Odumase and Edum Banso were selected for soil sampling. Farmers in the Odumase community have been applying fertilizer and organic manure while farmers in Edum Banso hardly do. Soil samples from Odumase (A) and Edum Banso (B) showed mean pH values of 5.45 and 5.03, respectively. Odumase (A) recorded high nitrogen, phosphorus and Potassium content of 0.07%, 7.69 mg kg-1 and 0.4 cmol kg -1 , respectively exceeding the critical nutrient (NPK) content for the oil palm tree. Soil samples from Edum Banso (B) recorded N, P and K contents below the critical nutrient (NPK) content for oil palm tree. The nutrient availability index indicated a low nutrient availability of TN, OM, P and Mg for soil samples from Edum Banso (B). Therefore proper nutrient management approaches such as the application of inorganic fertilizer should be adopted especially for nutrients that are deficient and low from Edum Banso (B).
Implementation of COVID-19 Control Measures: Effect on Fertilizer Supply and Soil Fertility in Africa
(Academic Journals, 2021-07) Hanyabui, Emmanuel; Apori, Samuel Obeng; Akaba, Selorm; Ssekandi, Joseph
The unexpected outbreak of novel COVID-19 in late 2019 and continual spread across the world has disrupted the agricultural value chain. The World Health Organization (WHO) prescribed border closure, lockdown, social distancing, wearing a mask, and handwashing to combat the pandemic. These control measures, especially the closure of borders, have affected the importation and supply of fertilizer for crop production. The current study presents potential expectations for the adverse effects of coronavirus pandemic on fertilizer supply and application, soil fertility, and crop yield. The study indicates that the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has made the delivery of fertilizers to farmers very difficult. Hence, the application of fertilizer on time by farmers was problematic. It was also discovered that the COVID-19 control measure enforced can delay crop planting on time and the use of optimum quality and quantity of fertilizer. Therefore, crop yield will be affected and the quantity of crop produced will be reduced.
Role of Military Termites (Pseudocanthotermes militaris) in Improving Soil Productivity in Tropical Agroecosystems
(Annual Research & Review in Biology, 2020-06) Apori, Samuel Obeng; Murongo, Marius Flarian; Hanyabui, Emmanuel; Muli, Gideon Kalii; Wamuyu, Beatrice
Termites are insects classified at the taxonomic rank of infrared Isoptera. They are soil animals since they spend some part of their life cycle in the soil; together with their association with the soil, they have several effects on soil properties[1]. Termites are among the macrofauna that influence soil physical, chemical and biological properties. They are more active in the semi-arid and arid areas (this is missing in the general topic)[2]. According to [3], termites account for 40 to 60% of the total soil macrofauna biomass in many tropical ecosystems.Their estimated biomass in African savannas is estimated to be between 70 to 110kg/ha [3]. Several studies have shown that termites are able mechanically to chew up plant material with their mandibles and grind it with their gizzard, thereby increasing the surface area accessible to soil microorganisms. However, some termite species are essential in maintaining long-term soil productivity and also in restoring barren soils[4]. Termite accumulate and deposit particles from various soil depths in mounds so that the amount of organic carbon, clay and nutrients, pH and microbial communities is higher in termite mounds than in adjacent termite-free soils[5]. Termites contribute to the regeneration of crusted soils by creating voids on the sealed surface, resulting in increased potential for infiltration, and ultimately enhanced water quality[6]. Hence this review seeks to find out the contribution of termites through their physical, chemical and biological influence on soil and how it enhances soil productivity.