EFFECT OF SHEA WASTE SLURRY ON SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES IN PERI-URBAN TAMALE, NORTHERN GHANA

Abstract

The study determined the effect of Shea waste-slurry on soil physical properties in two peri-urban areas of Tamale Metropolis in Ghana. Results indicated bulk densities of 0.95 to 1.35 g/cm3 and 1.27 to 1.33 g/cm3 for disposal sites at Gumu and Kasalgu respectively. Higher bulk densities of 1.30 to 1.52 g/cm3 for Gumu and 1.35 to 1.52 g/cm3 for Kasalgu were recorded for the non-disposal sites. Gravimetric moisture content ranged from 0.08 to 0.15 g/g for disposal site and 0.10 to 0.11 g/g for non-disposal site at Gumu. Kasalgu recorded 0.07 to 0.12 g/g for the disposal site and 0.02 to 0.11 g/g for the non-disposal site. Higher volumetric moisture content of 13.4 to 15.5 % for the disposed site compared to 12.3 to 13.3 % for the non-disposal site of was recorded. Volumetric moisture at Kasalgu disposal site was 0.9 to 16.4 % and 13.4 to 15.5 % for non-disposal site. Porosity which relates directly with aeration at the root zone of crops was 49.1 to 64.2 % for the disposal site at Gumu and 42.6 to 50.9 % for the non-disposal site. Porosity at Kasalgu disposal site range from 49.8 to 51.9 % and 42.8 to 48.9 % for the non-disposal site. The study shows differences between the soil physical properties of sites where Shea waste-slurry was disposed and that of the non-disposal sites. Shea wasteslurry was therefore found to improve soil physical properties and is consequently expected to have positive effects on crop growth and yield.