Abstract

Productivity indices (PI) provide a single scale on which soils may be rated according to their suitability for crop production. The study was to assess the productive potentials of selected soil series in the Northern region of Ghana viz, Nyankpala series (NS), Changnayili series (CS) and Kpelesawgu series (KS), to evaluate the current and future suitability of these soils and to suggest possible amendments for improvement in productivity. Maize, soybean, cowpea and groundnut were used as the test crops. Soil samples were taken from 0 to 20 cm and 20 to 40 cm depths, and soil and crop data were rated and scaled using 100% as the optimum and the Productivity index (PI) ratings for the series were computed. The results indicated higher PI values for KS while the lowest values were observed at NS based on the parameters measured. This might mean that KS has higher productivity potential than both CS and NS. All three soil series showed low current suitability for crop production, however, given prudent soil management practices, the soils would be potentially suitable for crop production. It is recommended that soil management practices such as amendment of pH levels and incorporation of organic residue into the soil could improve productivity.

Key words: Soil series, productivity index, soil productivity, productivity potential.