The efficacy of a natural soil conditioner, Coco-Peat (C-P), and synthetic soil conditioners, Terawet (T-200) and Teraflow (T-F), in improving soil moisture content were examined on five Ghanaian soil series (Akroso, Akuse, Amo, Hake and Oyarifa). In general, the water retention of T-200 and C-P treated soils were similar but significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that of T-F and the control (C-T) treated soils, which were also similar on all the test soils. The dry matter yields of the test crop (maize) were 5.4, 5.2, 4.5 t ha -1 on T-200, C-P and T-F treated soils, respectively, on Akroso series. These yields were 36%, 31% and 5%, respectively, more than those of the control treatment. On Akuse series even though T-200 and T-F gave higher dry matter yields than the control, the differences were not significant, only C-P treatment gave significantly higher (p < 0.001) yield than the control. On Amo series, dry matter yields of 6.1, 5.8 and 4.9 t ha -1 on T-200, C-P and T-F treated soils, respectively, were 38%, 31% and 10% more than the control treatment. On Hake series, T-200, C-P and T-F treatments improved dry matter yields by 45%, 32% and 12%, respectively, over that of the control. The greatest effect of the polymeric absorbents was observed on the sandy/clay/loam Oyarifa series. The treatments T-200, C-P and T-F improved dry matter yields by 92%, 81% and 4%, respectively, over the control treatment. The results indicate that the differences in yields over the control were due to the improved water retention ability of the soils amended with the polymeric absorbents.

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Land degradation caused by surface mining of gold has been extensive in Ghana. In recent years rehabilitation of some degraded lands by re-vegetation has been undertaken. This study provides quantitative data on the quality of some rehabilitated and un-rehabilitated mined soils within the AngloGold-Ashanti gold concession in parts of the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana. Soil properties determined included texture, bulk density and aggregate stability, pH, organic carbon, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable bases, exchange acidity, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb. Aggregate stability as a physical quality indicator revealed that aggregates of the rehabilitated mined soil had become more stable and similar to the control unmined soil due to litter and carbon additions from planted trees. The nutrient levels were very low because of the presence of low activity clays inherent in the native soil. Organic carbon content in the rehabilitated soil had increased above that of the unrehabilitated soil. Variability in soil properties, especially organic carbon and aggregate stability, was minimal in the unmined and rehabilitated soils implying that soils at the two sites were most robust and resistant to crushing and rupture. Quality index of the unmined control soil was 36.5% indicating that the quality of the soil was 63.5% relative to the optimum quality because of inherent poor soil properties. The mined rehabilitated and unrehabilitated soil had index values of 32.5% and 24.4%, respectively. The marginal difference of 4% in soil quality between the control and rehabilitated soil shows that it is possible to maintain the health of soils with inherent physical and biochemical deficiencies if reclamation regulations are adhered to. In this way, the socio-economic dilemma of exploiting natural resources for the benefit of societies is ameliorated while maintaining an ecosystem balance.

Rice has become the second most important cereal crop and a primary staple food in Ghana. However, domestic rice production falls below its demand, resulting in over 50% rice import per annum. The Government of Ghana has responded by introducing policies to intensify domestic rice production, especially in Ghana's northern zone, where over 50% of local rice is produced. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify and classify soils within the catchment areas of Lonto, Sabonjida, Buntum, Djadema and Wiesi towns in Northern Ghana. The soils were then evaluated for their suitability for valley rice production, under irrigation. The study identified eight soil types (Lima, Lima-variant, Sirru, Lapliki, Kpelesawgu, Changnalili, Kasele and Wenchi series) in the selected study areas. Lima series was the most extensive soil type and was found at all the sites except Djadema site. The soils were generally rated moderately suitable for rice, with the most suitable soils being Sirru and Lapliki series. Groundwater lateritic soils of Changnalili and Kasele series were rated not to be suitable. The general fertility of the soils was low, which calls for sound soil nutrient and water management. The study is expected to serve as baseline information to help guide decisions of improving per capita rice yield and reducing household food insecurity and poverty levels in Northern Ghana.