Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Teak (Tectona grandis) growth as influenced by soil physicochemical properties and other site conditions in Ashanti region, Ghana

Author(s):

Yoshinori Watanabe ¹, Ebenezer Owusu-Sekyere ², Tsugiyuki Masunaga ³, Mohammed Moro Buri ⁴, O. Idowu Oladele ^5*, Toshiyuki Wakatsuki ¹

Recieved Date: 2010-01-18, Accepted Date: 2010-04-07

Abstract:

Teak, Tectona grandis (Verbenaceae), plantations are increasingly established in Ghana because of quick economic returns from its multi-purpose uses. Tectona grandis growth is, however, dependent on site conditions, and relationships have been established between various mineral nutrients, other fertility parameters and moisture of soils and teak growth. This study evaluated the influence of site factors, such as parent material, position of slope, gradient, aspect of slope, drainage, groundwater and erosion as well as soil physicochemical properties on teak growth in 10 forest reserve in Ashanti Region, Ghana. From 52 sites with teak age ranging from 3 to 32 years, soil profile at 100 cm were dug and 20 teak stands that have dominant growth around the soil pit were surveyed. Height and diameters at breast height (DBH) and the site index for each site was determined by calculating the dominant height at the reference age of 18 years. From each site, site factors were surveyed and soil samples were collected at the depths of 0-5, 30-35 and 75-80 cm in the soil profile for physicochemical analysis. The results show that site factors influence and soil pH was not correlated to site index. Volumetric water content and maximum water holding capacity, total carbon, nitrogen exchangeable Ca, Mg and eCEC showed positive significant correlations with site index. Soil moisture is an important factor for teak growth as soil organic matter contributes to increase the water holding capacity and water contents in the soil. Also, nitrogen and exchangeable Ca and Mg are important factors of teak growth in the study sites.

Keywords:

Teak, Tectona grandis, tree growth, site index, site factor, soil physicochemical properties, soil moisture, N, Ca, Mg, Ghana

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2010
Volume: 8
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 1040-1045

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