SOIL TILLAGE AND FERTILIZER EFFECTS ON SOIL MOISTURE RETENTION, GROWTH AND SEED COTTON YIELD OF THE POPULAR FK37 COTTON IN NORTHERN GHANA

Cotton is a cash crop and enhances farmer livelihoods in northern Ghana. However, cotton yields are diminished because of drought and poor agronomic practices that result in lower lint quality. This study investigates the interaction effects between tillage methods and fertilizer strategies on root zone soil moisture retention, cotton growth traits, and seed cotton yield. The experimental design used was a split-plot with four replications. The main plot factor consisted of tillage methods at three levels: tied ridges, ridges, and flat (control). The subplot factor was fertilizer at four levels: organic fertilizer (6 t ha⁻¹), inorganic fertilizer (NPK 90-60-60), a combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer (half rates), and no fertilizer (control). The results showed a non-significant interaction effect of treatments on the measured traits. Tied ridges exhibited greater soil water retention and significantly recorded the highest mean boll count (14), open bolls (12), plant height (104.7 cm) and seed cotton yield of 1.7 t/ha across the two years. Also, the combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers gave significantly higher mean boll count, plant height (107.1 cm) and seed cotton yield (2 t/ha) across the years. The adoption of these sustainable agricultural technologies would improve the soil quality and cotton yield, consequently increasing the income of smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana.