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FEED THE FUTURE USAI D–SIL MRA 3 PROGRESS REPORT (JULY-SEPTEMBER 2015)

Report presented by Dr. George Awuni – SMART Farm Manager, Northern Ghana

10/8/2015

SUMMARY

This report covers soybean agronomic and production activities undertaken in Northern Ghana by the MRA 3 unit of the USAID Soybean Innovation Laboratory (SIL) from the months of July to September, 2015. The soybean agronomic and production activities centered on the concept of Soybean Management with Appropriate Research Technology (SMART). Experimental plots were established in the 3 Northern Regions. This is the second year running of SMART Farm establishment at Manga (Bawku East District) in Upper East Region; Bamahu (Wa East District) in Upper West Region; and Nyankpala (Tolon District) in Northern Region. These 3 regions considered savanna and constitute 41% of the land mass of Ghana. The savanna zone is the mandate of SARI to improve soil fertility and boost agricultural productivity to increased income and nutrition of farm families in northern Ghana. Soybean is one of the low input and prominent crops that has the potential to turn around the fortunes of smallholder farmers in the north. As a non-native and cash crop, research continue to focus on finding better options in soybean variety, soil nutrient amendment, and a better planting window to scale up soybean production.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

In this 2015 SMART Farm season, four (4) trials were established namely: 1. Nutrient amendment (Inoculum +/-phosphorus) trial; 2. Varietal trial; 3. Planting date trial; and 4. Phosphorus calibration and collaboration trial. The objective of these trials were;

Ø Variety trial – to assess the agronomic and yield potential of 10 commonly existing varieties planted in Ghana. The varieties included one early variety (Suong-Pungun), one late variety (Salintuya II), and 8 medium varieties (Afayak, Jenguma, Songda, Quarshie, Salintuya I, TGX 1448-2E, TGX 1844-22E, and Anidaso). Jenguma is used here as the control check because of its farmer preference due to its high shattering resistance.

Ø Nutrient amendment (Phosphorus +/-inoculum) trial – to assess the agronomic and yield advantage of using phosphorus and/or rhizobium inoculum on 5 released soybean varieties from the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI). The varieties are; Afayak, Jenguma, Songda, Quarshie, and Suong-Pungun. The control check here is varieties planted without phosphorus and no rhizobium inoculum.

Ø Planting date trial – to evaluate 5 SARI released soybean varieties namely Afayak, Jenguma, Songda, Quarshie, and Suong-Pungun for agronomic and yield advantage at four planting dates at weekly intervals. It is assumed here that no yield performance differences should occur between varieties and planting dates.

Ø Phosphorus calibration and collaboration trial – to assess the agronomic and yield response of Jenguma variety on varying rates of phosphorus application at 0, 76, 153, 229, 305, and 382 P2O5 kg/ha.

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SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES

Land Preparation As part of the collaboration, experimental fields were provided in all three locations by Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) at no cost. Fields were prepared mechanically with tractor and accessories in all 3 locations but planted at different dates due to differences in the rainfall pattern between locations (Table 1). Plot Design and Planting Plots were laid out and drill seeded based on trial design from June 4, 2015 through to July 24, 2015 at different date in the three locations (Table 1). Date of planting was dependent on rain fed, resulting in regional differences in planting dates. The trial area represent two agro-ecological zones of Ghana. Nyankpala and Wa trial locations are in the Guinea Savanna and Bawku in the Sudan Savanna. Each trial had 6 row plots of 22.5m 2 in all three experimental locations. Soybeans seeds were planted on 5 m row length at 5 cm spacing within row, and 75 cm spacing between rows. Nyankpala and Manga were planted on ridged beds, but on flat beds at Bamahu. There are four trials established at Nyankpala location, but two trials each at Bamahu (Wa) and Manga (Bawku) locations namely; variety and phosphorus calibration trials (Table 1). The phosphorus calibration trial is in its first year of experimentation, while the variety, phosphorus/inoculum (nutrient amendment), and planting date trials all are in the second year experimentation.

Table 1. Field location, experiment and date planted.

Location Trial Type Date Planted Manga (Bawku) Varietal trial July 4, 2015

Phosphorus calibration July 8, 2015 Bamahu (Wa) Varietal trial July 17, 2015

Phosphorus calibration July 17, 2015 Nyankpala (Tolon) Variety trial July 4, 2015

Phosphorus/Inoculum July 6, 2015 Phosphorus calibration July 7, 2015 First planting date trial July 4, 2015 Second planting date trial July 10, 2015 Third planting date trial July 17, 2015 Fourth planting date trial July 24, 2015

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Inoculation Before planting soybean seeds were inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicium (NoduMax) at 7g of rhizobium inoculant to 1 kg of soybean seeds, air dried under shade for about 10 minutes as per instruction (Figure 1). NoduMax was purchased at SARI supplied from International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) (Figure 1). Gum Arabic was included as a sticker which was dissolved in 300 ml. The same inoculants were acquired and used in all three locations. All trials were inoculated except the phosphorus calibration trial.

Germination (50%) Emergence of planted soybeans monitored across trials at Nyankpala location observed 50% emergence occurring on day 5 of planting date (Figure 2) at an average soil temperature of 84oF. Emergence is defined by full appearance above ground level the two cotyledon leaves.

Figure 1. NoduMax legume inoculant with user instructions

Figure 2. Emergence of soybean monitored at Nyankpala location

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Thinning and fertilizer application An average of 130 seeds were planted per 5 m row length and thinned to 20 plants per meter at 50% vegetative 2 (V2) stage (Figure 3).

This yielded 600 plants/22.5 m2 plot with an estimated plant population of 266,000 plants/ ha. Phosphorus was applied to each trial plot by band application immediately after thinning in the form of triple superphosphate (46 % TSP) (Figure 4). All trials received a base phosphorus application of 60 P2O5 kg/ha except the phosphorus calibration trial. The following phosphorus treatment ratings of 0, 76, 153, 229, 305, and 382 P2O5 kg/ha were applied to the phosphorus calibration trial. Crop Management Crop management practices were the same across locations. The day to day management of Bamahu (Wa) and Manga (Bawku) locations was under the supervision of the SARI officers and staff manning the stations while the day to day management of Nyankpala location was under the SMART farm manager. The SMART Farm Manager however, makes periodic monitoring visits to Bawku and Wa to be up-dates on crop management situations and events. Of all the soybean crop stages, insect and disease pressure occur during the flowering stage through to pod filling stage. This is the critical stage for economic loss can occur due to these pest infestation. Close and timely crop monitoring is essential during this stage to take management strategies to improve yields.

Labor Requirements and Payments Casual labor was employed as and when needed at planting, weeding, fertilizer application and other day to day farm management activity.

Figure 3. Thinning

Figure 4. Triple Superphosphate (50 kg bag)

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Weed and Insect Management (Nyankpala Location) Alligator (Pendimethalin), a pre-emergent herbicide (reported previously) and GLYKING 480 SL (Glyphosate), a non-selective and post emergent herbicide (Figure 5) mixture was applied to plots after 2 days of planting (Figure 6) to suppress week growth. Thereafter, weeds were controlled manually by hoeing at 50% V4 stage as first weeding. At 50% V1, isolated incidence of chewing insects mainly caterpillars were observed and controlled using a pyrethroid (Lambda Super 2.5 EC) after 2 weeks of planting. No disease incidence observed during this period.

Field Monitoring Field monitoring of SMART Farms at Wa and Bawku are made by field visits. Within the reporting period 3 field visits were made to Wa SMART Farm and 4 to Manga SMART Farm. The latest of these field visits was made with Dr. Dan Reynolds on September 9, 2015 to Bawku SMART Farm and September 10, 2015 to Wa SMART Farm. Dr. Dan Reynolds also visited the Nyankpala SMART Farm on September 8, 2015. Soybean fields were all doing well at Nyankpala (Figure 7a & b) and Wa (Figure 8a & b) locations except Bawku location. Soybean plants at Bawku location were suspected to be infected either by soil fungi or leave fungi (Figure 9) or by herbicide injury. At this location plants were characterized by low plant density, yellowing of leaves and with or without necrosis. Not sure of what is going on at Bawku soil, Dr. Reynolds recommended soil samples be taken for analysis in all locations for analysis soon as possible. Dr. Reynolds had three souvenir caps each from Mississippi State for all three stations (see Figure 8b).

Figure 6. Glyphosate and Alligator mix spray

Figure 5. Non-selective and post emergent herbicide

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Figure 7 a& b. Nyankpala (Tolon) SMART Farm. Dr. Reynolds inspecting soybean field.

Figure 8 a & b. Bamahu (Wa) SMART Farm. Dr. Reynolds with Dr. Saaka (middle) and technicians.

Figure 9 a & b. Dr. Reynolds examining diseased plots at Manga (Bawku) SMART Farm. Poor plant development probably due to fungi infect or herbicide injury

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COLLABORATIONS

Visits to SMART Farm / to Development Partners Some collaborative interaction existed between some development partners the SIL in Ghana.

Ø July 6, 2015 – SIL, represented by George Awuni visited with RING at Tamale office at the invitation of the Project Coordinator (Mr. Yunus Abdulai) to familiarize with RING activities in Northern Ghana as a USAID Development partner.

Ø July 8, 2015 – A delegation of USA Faculty Fellowship Program led by Catholic Relief Services paid a day visit to SARI and to the SMART Farm. The purpose of the visit was to engage with researchers and Ghanaian academia relevant to the program. There were team of seven faculty members from seven universities in USA.

Ø July 13, 2015 – The Tolon Governance Officer (Mr. Eric Maasole) for Resiliency In Northern Ghana (RING) visited with SIL office at Nyankpala. The purpose of the visit was an invitation for SIL to make a presentation on behalf of RING to MOFA Extension Agents training on soybean agronomy and production.

Ø August 12, 2015 – The Country Coordinator for N2Africa Project, IITA (Prof. Samuel Adjei-Nsiah) visited with SIL office and SMART Farm at Nyankpala to familiarize with SIL activities. An agreement was concluded on collaboration in varietal research which he agreed to supply soybean lines next year (2016) for testing.

Ø September, 8 – 11, 2015 – The Principal Investigator for SIL MRA3 (Dr. Dan Reynolds) visited with SARI and SMART Farms in all 3 locations; Wa, Bawku and Nyankpala. The purpose of the visit was to familiarize and evaluate MR3 activities in Northern Ghana.

Ø September 20, 2015 – The Principal Investigator for SIL MRA2 (Dr. Kristin Bilyeu) and Ms. Kerry Clark in the company of Zakaria Wohor and Catherine Sobrevega (MEDA) made it to Wa SMART Farm. Unfortunately, they could not meet with Dr. Saaka Buah (SARI Station Officer) who oversees the day to day management of the Wa SMART Farm. The purpose was to see the SMART Farm, measure some agronomic data and compare with other soybean fields.

Ø September 21, 2015 - The Principal Investigator for SIL MRA2 (Dr. Kristin Bilyeu) and Ms. Kerry Clark in the company of Zakaria Wohor visited with SIL office and SMART Farm at Nyankpala. The purpose was to see the SMART Farm and to measure some agronomic data and compare with other soybean fields.

Conferences Attended and Presentations

Ø July 8, 2015 – A presentation titled ‘The SMART Farm Concept in Sub-Saharan Africa (Reference to Ghana)’ was made among others at the SARI conference block at the invitation of Catholic Relief Services on the occasion of USA Academic Delegation Team one day visit to SARI. The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Faculty Fellow Grant Program delegation was part of activities earmarked to engage various research and academic partners in Ghana. The delegation was a seven member delegation from various universities in the US. The delegation was led by The Project Manager of CRS (Mr. Mawuli Asigbee). Faculty members from the US included: Prof. Robin G. Vander - Xavier University of Louisiana; Prof. Nicky Santos – Marquette University; Prof. Amber Aubone – St. Mary’s University; Prof. Hal Culberton – University of Notre Dame; Asst.

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Prof. Meghan Clark – St. John’s University; and Dr. Mathew Johnson – Siena College. I learnt in this meeting that CRS apart from collaborating with SIL in soybean production, work with SARI in scaling up the production of cowpea and groundnuts.

Ø July 14, 2018 – The SMART Farm concept presented on July 8 was presented at the invitation of RING as part of monthly training program for MOFA Extension Agents at Tolon District. In attendance were 10 MOFA AEA’s, the District Agriculture Direct of MOFA, RING Governance Coordinator, and the Tolon District Livelihood Officer for RING. I learnt in this meeting that RING does not support the use of inorganic pesticides.

Ø July 15, 2015 – Attended a Regional Policy Dialogue Conference organized by URBANET Gh (Tamale based Local NGO) under the theme: Ensuring Policy and Program Responsiveness for Competiveness of Smallholder Soybean Production. There were over 30 participants from the private sector, NGO’s, MOFA, researchers as well as public sector. The Northern Regional Director of MOFA made a presentation on ‘Policy efforts/actions and interventions in the region in promoting agriculture’. This conference was part of the USAID Feed the Future Initiative under the Agriculture Policy Support Project. In learnt in this workshop that soybean farmers are not even aware of TSP as a fertilizer for soybean. One nucleus farmer gave his testimony of how he used TSP last year on his soybean farm and his yield tripled. So he vowed to support some of his farmers to use TSP.

Ø August 4 - 6, 2015 – Attended the Year 3 Planning Session of the USAID Feed the Future Agriculture Technology Transfer (ATT) Project under IFDC in Kumasi. This retreat workshop was to build on year 2 activities and achievements of the project and to develop a comprehensive framework for year 3 of ATT.

CONCLUSION

Soybean is becoming an important commercial crop in Ghana, but there remains a yield gap in farmer fields. This yield gap is partly due to low soil fertility levels, low management practices, and other cropping options and needs within the resource constraints of the farmer. Additionally, farmers do not just have the patience and time to practice simple agronomic practices that will yield greater plant density, proper placement of fertilizer and other inputs, timely weed control and insect control to ensure maximum yield. Without these interventions and other good management practices, soybean may not yield as much for smallholder farmers. Therefore, the following points are noted:

• So far in these SMART trials, the use of 46% triple supper phosphate (46% TSP) is promising in soybean production. TSP is readily available this year in agro retail stores, but still remain a challenge in cost. While the compound fertilizers are under subsidy, straight fertilizers including TSP are not included in the subsidy package. As long as soybean is thought of as a low input crop, this can be a challenge to small holder farmers as no farmer would be tempted to use the subsidized fertilizers on soybean than other cropping options. This means farmer education on the use of TSP and a push in policy for a cost reduction in TSP is needed.

• Disease and insect pest remain a major challenge in soybean during the flowering stage through to pod filling and maturity. Disease suspected are mostly seed borne fungi and

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bacteria. I am not sure how feasible it is to talk about seed treatment with fungicides before planting at this stage, but it is one possible option in controlling these seed borne diseases. Currently, seeds are physically sorted out off bad/infected seeds and perceived good seeds used for planting. This can be a challenge as some bad seeds can escape sorting and when planted result in multiply effect. Insect pest may be controlled by spraying with broad-spectrum insecticide such as pyrethroid (Lambda Super 2.5 EC).

• Low plant density establishment result in low canopy cover, greater weed infestation, more time and energy spent in weeding (multiple weeding> 3X), and ultimately low grain yields.

• Inoculants are often in limited supply during planting season. I recommend SIL to develop a link that potentially can stabilize the supply of inoculant at the time of need (planting) and also some training in inoculant handling and storage.

• Farmers who do back-pack spray of herbicides and insecticides do not have formal require training in proper disposal of empty containers and personal protection. Again, farmers training in pesticide handling, spraying and disposal of empty containers.

• A general extension education package in soybean production and agronomy is needed to sensitize farmers on the need for input application, the type of input to apply, and management practices that assist improve grain yield in soybean. Considering the savanna soil nutrient requirement for soybean production, most farmers do not even know that TSP fertilizer is a better source of nutrient option for soybean than NPK fertilizers.