Carbon Dioxide Emission from Ferric Luvisols: The Role of Mineral Nitrogen Fertilizers and Soil Temperature in the Guinea Savanna Agro-ecological Zone of Ghana

Abstract

Authors' contributions This work was carried out in collaboration between both authors. Author WKA wrote the protocol, designed the study, managed the analyses of the study and performed the statistical analysis and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Author PKK reviewed the experimental design and all drafts of the manuscript and approved. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript. ABSTRACT Soils in the Guinea Savanna Agro-ecological zone of Ghana are inherently low in fertility, especially nitrogen. Furthermore, organic matter is very low as a result of total removal of crop residue followed by animal grazing and annual phenomenal bush burning. This has led to a reduction in soil carbon content and poor soil C:N ratio. With increase crop production, soils are amended with mineral fertilizer in most cases. In order to improve the soil carbon stocks and determine its losses in the soil, many studies have been conducted on the use of both inorganic and organic fertilizers as soil amendments and their impact on soil carbon partitioning. However, in the Guinea Savanna Agro-ecological zone of Ghana, there is paucity of information on the effects of mineral fertilizers on soil carbon emissions. Also, there are few reports of CO 2 flux from soils in the Guinea Savanna