Productivity of soil of areas suitable for oil palm cultivation in Ghana

English

The productivity of some soils within areas climatically suitable for oil palm cultivation and production in Ghana was investigated. Accurate referenced soil maps were superimposed on similarly accurate land development maps so as to demarcate oil palm plots or blocks on different soil types at Kusi and Twifo Praso. Annual individual palm yields of plot/block at Kusi, and field block yields at Twifo Praso and Adum Banso were compiled from available data.Indications of variations in the capacity of the observed soils to support production in early and latter life, and under adverse conditions were noted. Constraints like adverse land characteristics, which contribute to the variations observed were outlined and discussed with their direct management for sustainable oil palm production. The implicatiom; stress the need for the selective use of dominant soils which are moderately or marginally suitable for oil palm cultivation and their efficient management to raise their suitability levels. At Kusi, average yields, tons/ha were similar (10.4-10.56 tons), for the middle/lower slope and valley bottom soils of Kokofu and Temang series, but 29% higher than Nzima series, a middle slope soil. Yields on summit and upper slope soils of Bekwai series were lower. Time trend averages were higher -11.6, 13.3 and 12.2 tons/ha/year - on Nzima, Kokofu and Temang series, respectively. The increased yield on Kokofu soils was due more to increase in bunch weight than number. The toposequential trend in yield was similar for soils at Twifo Praso and Adum Banso. Here, the yields on granite soils ranged between 8.7 and 11.7 tons/ha/year over a 3-15 year period.

Asamoah, T. E. O.; Nuertey, B. N.