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. Key words: Wetlands, physicochemical, crop production, nutrient, water storage.
Highlights
Production of crops in Ghana has generally been restricted to upland farms, which constitute about 70% of the country’s total land area (Masoud et al, 2013)
The higher electrical conductivity (EC) observed at P11-P14 may be due to possible groundwater discharge and evaporation associated with the area
The saturated hydraulic conductivity was high at the soil profile pit P1-P2 which was at a higher elevation
Summary
Production of crops in Ghana has generally been restricted to upland farms, which constitute about 70% of the country’s total land area (Masoud et al, 2013). In Ghana, rice production is mostly confided to the inland valleys (e.g. wetlands) forming about 12% of the total land area. Inland valleys in Ghana have been documented to exhibit high potential for rice production, especially at the small-scale level, due to their suitability in terms of physical, chemical and biological properties (Annan-Afful et al, 2005; Nakamura et al, 2016). Wetlands have been endowed with specific structural and functional attribute performing major ecological roles in the biosphere.
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