Assessment Of The Physicochemical Characteristics Of Soils In Major Cocoa Producing Areas In The Dormaa West District Of Ghana

The physicochemical properties of cocoa growing soils were assessed in four cocoa growing communities in the Dormaa West District of the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana to ascertain the variations in selected soil properties and the quality of these soils for cocoa production. Thirty-two 32 soil samples were collected between December 2014 and February 2015 from sixteen 16 selected cocoa farms and analysed using standard procedures. The results of the physicochemical properties of soils were in the ranges of pH 7.35-8.49 EC 203-251 Scm OC 1.38-6.25 OM 2.38-10.8 TN 1.64-2.13 Available phosphorous 0.63-2.47 mgkg Available potassium 0.35-0.85 ppm NH4 34.8-45.0 mgL NO3- 25.7-40.6 mgL Sand 50.8-67.8 Clay 11.7-25.0 and Silt 9.96-24.3. The texture of the soils were generally sandy loam. In this study the scientifically measured soil properties showed significant variations p0.05 in some of the soils properties except EC available K TN NH4 Clay and Exchangeable K. Soil properties such as organic matter electrical conductivity available potassium and available phosphorous were below the minimum required value of soils for cocoa cultivation. In addition total nitrogen and pH were above the recommended limit required for cocoa production. However percent organic carbon and exchangeable potassium were within their respective critical limits for cocoa production. A guided application of fertilizer and manure is recommended to cocoa farmers for improved cocoa productivity.