Agronomy/ Soil Science

Overview of Agronomy/Soil science Division

The Agronomy/Soil Science Division is involved in the development of appropriate technological packages that address farmers’ problems with respect to the establishment of CRIG’s mandate crops, cocoa (Theobroma cacao), coffee (Coffea spp.), kola (Cola nitida), shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) and cashew (Anacardium occidentale), and the efficient management of young farms until they come into full bearing. In addition, the division addresses all aspects of the management of mature crops with the view to realizing their full potential and also appraises the risk and cost effectiveness of technologies in order to make recommendations to farmers. The division has 10 (ten) research-grade staff including two deputy directors and 63 (sixty three) supporting staff.

Research activities of Agronomy/Soil science Division

All aspects of the pre-harvest phase of the aforementioned crops are studied. Notable among these are:

• Nursery studies to raise vigorous seedlings for transplanting, methods and techniques to ensure seedling survival and establishment.
• Studies into plant population density and planting pattern to maximize planting density and minimize competition for resources for plant growth including light, water and nutrients.
• Plant nutrition studies to determine the nutritional status and appropriate nutrient requirement for healthy growth and optimum yield, testing of fertilizer formulations and the types suitable for mandated crops.
• Weed control studies to develop cost-effective weed control methods and techniques and the testing of appropriate herbicides.
• Tree canopy manipulation studies notably pruning to minimize intra- and inter-plant competition for light and also prevent the build up of pests and diseases.
• Studies on shade-fertilizer-crop yield relationships and the identification of suitable permanent and temporary shade for cocoa.