Abstract:
A pot experiment was conducted at the University of Education, Winneba, Mampong -
Ashanti campus now Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and
Entrepreneurial Development to assess the use of termite mound material as a medium
for crop production. Three soil types namely top, sub and termite mound soils were
considered as the treatments for the study. These soil types were collected in 2018 and
2019 from the multi-purpose nursery of the college of Agriculture. Soil physical,
hydrological and chemical characteristics, and growth and yield of cowpea were
determined in both major and minor seasons. Soil nutrients such as N, P and K, organic
matter and pH values were higher in the top soil. SOC in top soil was 45 and 105 %
more than the termite mound and sub soils respectively in the major season. The top
soil again recorded total N which was about 33 and 122 % more than the termite mound
and sub soils, respectively. TEB, ECEC and base saturation were higher in the top and
termite mound soils than in the sub soil, while exchangeable acidity was higher in the
sub soil than the top and termite mound soils. Similarly, soil physical and hydrological
characteristic such as bulk density, moisture and porosity were favourable for crop
production in the top soil. In both seasons, the top soil improved the growth and yield
of cowpea better as compared to the sub soil, and the termite mound soil. In the major
season, the top soil recorded a total grain yield of 390.0 kg/ha which was about 16 and
62 % more than the amount produced in the termite mound soil and the sub soil
respectively. Total grain yield of cowpea correlated positively with organic matter, total
N, available P, exchangeable K, ECEC and pH (r= 0.725, 0.793, 0.686, 0.749, 0.646
and 0.740 respectively).
The order of preference for crop production should be top soil > termite mound soil >
sub soil.
Description:
A Thesis in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences Education,
Faculty of Agriculture Education submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of
Master of Philosophy in Soil Science in the University of Education, Winneba