Evaluating Soil Properties for Sustainable Agriculture: Insights from the Afram Plains, Ghana

Soil health is crucial for agricultural productivity and ecosystem stability. The Afram Plains region of Ghana, a major food basket, has faced challenges such as declining soil fertility and increasing compaction. This study evaluates the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil in the Afram Plains to guide sustainable land management practices. By analyzing soil texture, bulk density, porosity, pH, organic matter, and nutrient levels, the study provides insights into soil health and offers recommendations for enhancing fertility and agricultural yield. This study utilized a quantitative, descriptive, and analytical research design to assess soil properties. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to collect 30 composite soil samples from two depths (0–15 cm and 15–30 cm) during the dry season to minimize moisture interference. Standard laboratory procedures were followed: soil texture was determined using the hydrometer method, bulk density by the core method, and porosity calculated. Soil pH was measured with a digital meter, organic matter via Walkley-Black, and nutrients analyzed using total Kjeldahl nitrogen, Bray-1 phosphorus, and potassium with a flame photometer. Key findings showed topsoil sand content at 64.3%, bulk density increasing from 1.25 to 1.32 g/cm³, porosity reducing from 47.2% to 45.1%, pH declining from 6.3 to 6.1, organic matter low at 2.4% (topsoil) and 2.1% (subsoil), nitrogen at 0.15%, phosphorus at 9.2 mg/kg, and potassium at 125 mg/kg. Organic matter positively correlated with nutrients (+1.00), bulk density negatively with porosity (–1.00). In all, it was deduced the soil has moderate fertility. It is recommended to apply organic amendments such as compost and fresh manure, practice minimum tillage, and adopt crop rotation to sustain soil health and improve agricultural productivity. This study highlights the critical role of soil property management in ensuring food security and combating land degradation in Ghana and similar agro-ecological zones globally.