**Author details**

Mohammed Moro Buri1 \* and Roland Nuhu Issaka<sup>2</sup>

1 CSIR – Soil Research Institute (SRI), Kumasi, Ghana

2 Africa Rice Centre, Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), Suakoko, Bong County, Liberia

\*Address all correspondence to: moro\_buri@yahoo.com

© 2019 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

**139**

*Managing Soil Nitrogen under Rain-Fed Lowland Rice Production Systems in the Forest…*

under the "Sawah" system in Ghana. West Africa Journal of Applied Ecology.

[10] Buri MM, Issaka RN, Fujii H, Wakatsuki T. Comparison of soil nutrient status of some rice growing

agroecological zones of Ghana. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment.

[11] Buri MM, Issaka RN. Study on the Utilization of Fertilizers in the Ashanti region of Ghana. CSIR Technical Report No. CSIR – SRI/CR/BMM/2010/01; 2010

[12] Buri MM, Issaka RN, Wakatsuki T, Kawano N. Improving the productivity of lowland soils for rice cultivation in Ghana: The role of the 'Sawah' system. Journal of Soil Science and Environmental Management.

[13] Abe S, Buri MM, Issaka RN, Kiepe P, Wakatsuki T. Soil fertility potential for rice production in West African lowlands. JARQ. 2010;**44**:343-355

[14] IFDC. Ghana Fertilizer Assessment.

[15] MoFA. National Rice Development Strategy of the Ministry of Food and

[17] IITA. Selected Methods for Soil and Plant Analysis. Manual Series No. 1.

Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA: International Fertilizer Development

Center; 2012. p. 40

Agriculture. Ghana; 2010

Outlook to 2015; 2011

Ibadan, Nigeria: IITA; 1979

[18] Bremner JM. Total nitrogen. In: Black CA, editor. Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 2 Chemical and

[16] FAO. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations Current World Fertilizer Trends and

environments in the major

2010;**8**(1):384-388

2011;**8**:300-310

2008;**12**:19-31

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89446*

[1] Sanchez PA, Buresh RJ, Leakey RB. Trees, soils and security. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society,

[2] Issaka RN, Ishida M, Kubota D, Wakatsuki T. Geographical distribution of soil fertility parameters of West Africa Inland Valleys. Geoderma.

[3] Issaka RN, Masunaga T, Kosaki T, Wakatsuki T. Soils of inland valleys of West Africa: General fertility parameters. Soil Science and Plant

[4] Issaka RN, Buri MM, Wakatsuki T. Effect of soil and water management practices on the growth and yield of rice in the forest agro-ecology of Ghana. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment. 2008;**7**(1):214-218

[5] Senayah JK, Issaka RN, Dedzoe CD. Characteristics of major lowland ricegrowing. Agricultural Food Science Journal of Ghana. 2008;**6**:445-458

[7] Buri MM, Masunaga T, Wakatsuki T. Sulfur and zinc levels as limiting factors to rice production in West Africa lowlands. Geoderma. 2000;**94**(2000):23-42

[8] Buri MM, Issaka RN, Wakatsuki T, Otoo E. Soil organic amendments and mineral fertilizers: Options for sustainable lowland rice production in the forest agro-ecology of Ghana. Agricultural and Food Science Journal

[9] Buri MM, Issaka RN, Wakatsuki T. Determining optimum rates of mineral fertilizers for economic rice grain yields

of Ghana. 2004;**3**:237-248

[6] Buri MM, Ishida F, Kubota D, Masunaga T, Wakatsuki T. Soils of flood plains of West Africa: General fertility status. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition.

1999;**45**:37-50

Series B. 1997;**352**:352-370

Nutrition. 1996;**42**:71-80

**References**

1997;**75**:99-116

*Managing Soil Nitrogen under Rain-Fed Lowland Rice Production Systems in the Forest… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89446*

## **References**

*Sustainable Crop Production*

**Acknowledgements**

**138**

**Author details**

Mohammed Moro Buri1

Suakoko, Bong County, Liberia

provided the original work is properly cited.

\* and Roland Nuhu Issaka<sup>2</sup>

semi-deciduous rain forest agroecological zones of the country. Furthermore these rice varieties, in addition to other improved varieties like AGRA, Amankwatia, and CRI-Dartey, are suitable and recommended for lowlands in the other agroecological zones with similar biophysical and physicochemical characteristics. Land preparation methods and water management remain key and very critical factors, and the adoption of the "sawah" technology (bunding, puddling, and leveling) with easy-

The authors are very grateful to JIRCAS who partially provided funding for this study to be conducted. We are also grateful to all those who contributed in diverse ways to make this study possible particularly the technical and support staff at the Soil Chemistry, Fertility and Plant Nutrition Division of the CSIR-Soil Research Institute.

to-adapt water control structures is most suitable for these areas.

2 Africa Rice Centre, Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI),

© 2019 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,

1 CSIR – Soil Research Institute (SRI), Kumasi, Ghana

\*Address all correspondence to: moro\_buri@yahoo.com

[1] Sanchez PA, Buresh RJ, Leakey RB. Trees, soils and security. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Series B. 1997;**352**:352-370

[2] Issaka RN, Ishida M, Kubota D, Wakatsuki T. Geographical distribution of soil fertility parameters of West Africa Inland Valleys. Geoderma. 1997;**75**:99-116

[3] Issaka RN, Masunaga T, Kosaki T, Wakatsuki T. Soils of inland valleys of West Africa: General fertility parameters. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. 1996;**42**:71-80

[4] Issaka RN, Buri MM, Wakatsuki T. Effect of soil and water management practices on the growth and yield of rice in the forest agro-ecology of Ghana. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment. 2008;**7**(1):214-218

[5] Senayah JK, Issaka RN, Dedzoe CD. Characteristics of major lowland ricegrowing. Agricultural Food Science Journal of Ghana. 2008;**6**:445-458

[6] Buri MM, Ishida F, Kubota D, Masunaga T, Wakatsuki T. Soils of flood plains of West Africa: General fertility status. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. 1999;**45**:37-50

[7] Buri MM, Masunaga T, Wakatsuki T. Sulfur and zinc levels as limiting factors to rice production in West Africa lowlands. Geoderma. 2000;**94**(2000):23-42

[8] Buri MM, Issaka RN, Wakatsuki T, Otoo E. Soil organic amendments and mineral fertilizers: Options for sustainable lowland rice production in the forest agro-ecology of Ghana. Agricultural and Food Science Journal of Ghana. 2004;**3**:237-248

[9] Buri MM, Issaka RN, Wakatsuki T. Determining optimum rates of mineral fertilizers for economic rice grain yields under the "Sawah" system in Ghana. West Africa Journal of Applied Ecology. 2008;**12**:19-31

[10] Buri MM, Issaka RN, Fujii H, Wakatsuki T. Comparison of soil nutrient status of some rice growing environments in the major agroecological zones of Ghana. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment. 2010;**8**(1):384-388

[11] Buri MM, Issaka RN. Study on the Utilization of Fertilizers in the Ashanti region of Ghana. CSIR Technical Report No. CSIR – SRI/CR/BMM/2010/01; 2010

[12] Buri MM, Issaka RN, Wakatsuki T, Kawano N. Improving the productivity of lowland soils for rice cultivation in Ghana: The role of the 'Sawah' system. Journal of Soil Science and Environmental Management. 2011;**8**:300-310

[13] Abe S, Buri MM, Issaka RN, Kiepe P, Wakatsuki T. Soil fertility potential for rice production in West African lowlands. JARQ. 2010;**44**:343-355

[14] IFDC. Ghana Fertilizer Assessment. Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA: International Fertilizer Development Center; 2012. p. 40

[15] MoFA. National Rice Development Strategy of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Ghana; 2010

[16] FAO. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations Current World Fertilizer Trends and Outlook to 2015; 2011

[17] IITA. Selected Methods for Soil and Plant Analysis. Manual Series No. 1. Ibadan, Nigeria: IITA; 1979

[18] Bremner JM. Total nitrogen. In: Black CA, editor. Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 2 Chemical and Microbiological Properties. 1965. pp. 1149-1178

[19] Bray RH, Kurtz LT. Determination of total, organic and available forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Science. 1945;**59**:39-46

[20] Thomas GW. Exchangeable cations. In: Page AL, editor. Methods of Soil Analysis. Madison: American Society of Agronomy; 1982. pp. 159-165

[21] Gebrekidan H, Syoum M. Effects of mineral N and P fertilizers on yield and yield components of flooded lowland rice on vertisols of Fogera plain, Ethiopia. Journal of Agriculture and Rural development in the Tropics and Subtropics. 2006;**107**(2):161-176

[22] Kamara AY, Ekelene F, Omoigu KO, Chikoye D. Influence of nitrogen fertilization on yield and yield components of rain-fed lowland NERICA rice in the northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research. 2011;**6**(13):3092-3097

[23] Fageria NK, Santos AB. Yield and yield components of lowland rice genotypes as influenced by nitrogen fertilization. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 2015;**32**:1405-1429. DOI: 10.1080/00103624.2015.1043443

[24] Metwally TF. Impact of organic materials combined with mineral nitrogen on rice growth, yield, gain quality and soil organic matter. International Journal of ChemTech Research. 2015;**8**(4):1533-1542

[25] Shaobing P, Buresh RJ, Huang J, Zhong X, Zou Y, Yang J, et al. Improving nitrogen fertilization in rice by site specific N management. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development. 2010;**30**(2010):649-656

[26] Becker M, Johnson DE. Improved water control and crop management effects on lowland rice productivity in West Africa. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 2001;**59**:119-127

**Chapter 9**

**Abstract**

**1. Introduction**

crop production [1, 2].

**141**

Plant Nutrition and Sustainable

The aim of this study is to examine the determining factors of plant nutrition and sustainable crop production in Nigeria. The study applied an in-depth review of literature and observed that different biotic and abiotic factors interact together to determine the outcome of plant nutrition and sustainable crop production in Nigeria. These factors include; types of fertilizers applied, atmospheric emissions, level of technological development, infrastructural facilities, climatic conditions, irrigation method, and level of skilled labour force. The study recommended that there should be increased and equal access to credit facilities, social protection incentives, and more innovation and technological involvement in the agricultural

Crop Production in Nigeria

*Romanus Osabohien and Toun Ogunbiyi*

sector in order to increase productivity and efficiency.

farmers is to produce sustainable crop yield [1].

**Keywords:** credit access, crop production, plant nutrition, productivity

Farmers experience various problems in the quest to produce enough crops in order to meet the demand of the ever-teaming population and still keep constant and without comprising the standard of the available resources for generations to come. Mechanisms are needed to enhance soil and plants nutrients in order to increase crop yields, and plant nutrients are one of the requirements to enhance

Plants' nutritional quality directly affects human nutrition in terms of productivity. It is therefore no gainsaying that the quality of food consumed in a country determines the quality of its populace. In many developing and developed countries, deficiency of micronutrients in pastures and crops has a negative effect on the health of both plants and animals [3]. In addition, the adequate provision of sunlight, air and water is a major prerequisite for optimum plant yield and improved crop management. In a bid to achieve these, various countries have devised means to reduce the negative effects of both abiotic and biotic factors in plants. After dedicating sufficient time and capital for farming, the goal of many Nigerian

However, certain factors come into play which might not augur well for agricultural yield in general and crop production in particular. Considering the rate of food insecurity in most developing countries, resulting from unfavourable weather condition owing to global climate change, the improved sustainable management of plant nutrition has been considered a precondition to reduce the challenge of

prevailing hunger in the affected countries, Nigeria not excluded [1].

[27] Fageria NK, Baligar VC. Lowland rice response to nitrogen fertilization. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 2001;**32**(9 & 10): 1405-1429

## **Chapter 9**

*Sustainable Crop Production*

pp. 1149-1178

1945;**59**:39-46

Microbiological Properties. 1965.

[19] Bray RH, Kurtz LT. Determination of total, organic and available forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Science.

[26] Becker M, Johnson DE. Improved water control and crop management effects on lowland rice productivity in West Africa. Nutrient Cycling in Agro-

[27] Fageria NK, Baligar VC. Lowland rice response to nitrogen fertilization. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 2001;**32**(9 & 10):

ecosystems. 2001;**59**:119-127

1405-1429

[20] Thomas GW. Exchangeable cations. In: Page AL, editor. Methods of Soil Analysis. Madison: American Society of

[21] Gebrekidan H, Syoum M. Effects of mineral N and P fertilizers on yield and yield components of flooded

lowland rice on vertisols of Fogera plain, Ethiopia. Journal of Agriculture and Rural development in the Tropics and Subtropics. 2006;**107**(2):161-176

[22] Kamara AY, Ekelene F, Omoigu KO, Chikoye D. Influence of nitrogen fertilization on yield and yield components of rain-fed lowland NERICA rice in the northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research.

[23] Fageria NK, Santos AB. Yield and yield components of lowland rice genotypes as influenced by nitrogen fertilization. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 2015;**32**:1405-1429. DOI:

10.1080/00103624.2015.1043443

[24] Metwally TF. Impact of organic materials combined with mineral nitrogen on rice growth, yield, gain quality and soil organic matter. International Journal of ChemTech Research. 2015;**8**(4):1533-1542

[25] Shaobing P, Buresh RJ, Huang J, Zhong X, Zou Y, Yang J, et al. Improving

nitrogen fertilization in rice by site specific N management. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development. 2010;**30**(2010):649-656

2011;**6**(13):3092-3097

Agronomy; 1982. pp. 159-165

**140**
