Evaluating Soil Fertility and Suitability for Sustainable Rice Cultivation in Central Tongu District, Volta Region, Ghana

In a bid to manage soil for sustainable rice production, a study was conducted at Mafi-Dove, Central Tongu district of the Volta Region, Ghana to address the issues of soil fertility and productivity management with regard to rice production and provide data-driven insights and actionable recommendations for successful continuous rice farming. A total of 70 soil samples were collected at the depth of 0 - 30 cm and 30 - 60 cm for analysis of major nutrients and micronutrients using standard protocols. The results showed low to very low levels of essential nutrients, including nitrogen (0.01% - 0.12%), available phosphorus (3.00 - 12.37 mg/kg), and exchangeable potassium (0.11 - 0.40 meq/100g. Soil organic carbon content was notably low (topsoil: 0.89%, subsoil: 0.72%). Heavy metal analysis showed iron (219.89 - 3980.82 mg/kg), zinc (63.47 - 174.14 mg/kg), and boron (20.36 - 35.74 mg/kg) concentrations within acceptable ranges for rice cultivation. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between the soil properties, particularly exchangeable calcium and total exchangeable bases (r = 0.91). Furthermore, there was predominantly clay loam topsoil transitioning to clay subsoil, with a slightly acidic pH (mean 6.1 - 6.2). It is therefore recommended that soil management practices such as organic amendments (e.g., manure, compost, rice straw), implement water management protocols and maintain pH levels using liming and gypsum to enhance soil fertility, high water-holding capacity and safeguard soil structure and balance cation exchange.