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Policy Brief

Andersen, M.N., Arthur, E., Bolwig, S. (2020). Technology for small-scale farmers doubles crop yield - Stepping stones on the road to food security in Ghana. New Research - Policy Brief. 

Peer-reviewed articles

2020:

Ahmed, F., Arthur, E., Liu, H., Andersen, M.N. 2020. New Rootsnap sensor reveals the ameliorating effect of biochar on in-situ root growth dynamics of maize in sandy soil. Front. Plant Sci. 11, 949. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00949

Amoakwah, E., Arthur, E., Frimpong, K.A., Parikh, S.J., Islam, R. 2020. Soil organic carbon storage and quality are impacted by corn cob biochar application on a tropical sandy loam. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 20, 1960-1969. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-019-02547-5

Bolwig, S., Baidoo, I., Danso, E.O., Rosati, F., Ninson, D., Hornum, S.T., Sarpong, D.B. 2020. Designing a Sustainable Business Model for Automated Solar-PV Drip Irrigation for Smallholders in Ghana. UNEP DTU Working Paper Series, No. 1., Copenhagen.

Danso, E.O., Yakubu, A., Arthur, E., Sabi, E.B., Abenney- Mickson, S., Andersen, M.N. 2020. Effect of rice straw biochar and irrigation on growth, dry matter yield and radiation-use efficiency of maize grown on an Acrisol in Ghana. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science 206, 296-307. https://doi.org/10.1111/jac.12383

Eduah, J.O., Henriksen, S.W., Nartey, E.K., Abekoe, M.K., Andersen, M.N. 2020. Nonlinear sorption of phosphorus onto plant biomass-derived biochars at different pyrolysis temperatures. Environmental Technology and Innovation 19, 100808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2020.100808

Eduah, J.O., Nartey, E.K., Abekoe, M.K., Henriksen, S.W., Andersen, M.N. 2020. Mechanism of orthophosphate (PO4-P) adsorption onto different biochars. Environmental Technology & Innovation 17, 100572. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2019.100572

Eduah, J.O., Nartey, E.K., Abekoe, M.K., Andersen, M.N. 2020. Changes in phosphorus fractions in three tropical soils amended with corn cob and rice husk biochars. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 51, 1331- 1340. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2020.1763393

Razzaghi, F., Obour, P.B., Arthur, E. 2020. Does biochar improve soil water retention? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Geoderma 361, 114055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.114055

Obour, P.B., Danso, E.O., Pouladi, N., Abenney-Mickson, S., Sabi, E.B., Monnie, F., Arthur, E. 2020. Soil structure characteristics, functional properties and consistency limits response to corn cob biochar particle size and application rates in a 36-month pot experiment. Soil Research 58, 488-497. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR19296

Yakubu, A., Oppong Danso, E., Arthur, E., Kugblenu-Darrah, Y.O., Sabi, E.B., Abenney-Mickson, S., Ofori, K., Andersen, M.N. 2020. Rice straw biochar and irrigation effect on yield and water productivity of okra. Agronomy Journal 112, 3012-3023 https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20230

2019:

Arthur, E., Oppong Danso, e., Beiranvand, M., Pouladi, N., Yakubu, A., Abenney-Mickson, S., Sabi, E.B. 2019. Rice straw biochar effects on Atterberg limits and aggregate characteristics of an Acrisol in Ghana. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340.2019.1699240

Danso, E.O., Yakubu, A., Kugblenu-Darrah, Y., Arthur, E., Manevski, K., Sabi, E.B., Abenney-Mickson, S., Ofori, K., Plauborg, F., Andersen, M.N. 2019. Impact of rice straw biochar and irrigation on maize yield, intercepted radiation and water productivity in a tropical sandy clay loam. Field Crops Research 243, 107628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2019.107628

Obour, P.B., Oppong Danso, E., Yakubu, A., Abenney-Mickson, S., Sabi, E.B., Darrah, Y.K., Arthur, E. 2019. Water retention, air exchange and pore structure characteristics after three years of rice straw biochar application to an acrisol. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 83, 1664-1671. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2019.07.0230

2018:

Ahmed, F., Arthur, E., Plauborg, F. Razzaghi, F., Kørup, K. & Andersen, M. N., 2018. Biochar amendment of fluvio-glacial temperate sandy subsoil: Effects on maize water uptake, growth and physiology. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science 204, 123–136. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jac.12252

Bornø, M.L., Eduah, J.O., Müller-Stöver, D.S., & Liu, F. (2018). Effect of different biochars on phosphorus (P) dynamics in the rhizosphere of Zea mays L. (maize). Plant and Soil 431:257–272.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-018-3762-y 

Dorvlo, S.Y., Addo, A., Kemausuor, F., Abenney-Mickson, S., Ahrenfeldt, J. & Henriksen, U. (2018). Evaluating the effect of two chimney configurations on the overall airflow and heat transfer of a biomass cook stove. JOCET 6(5):353-356. https://doi.org/10.18178/JOCET.2018.6.5.488

Eduah, J.O., Narteya, E.K., Abekoe, M.K., Breuning-Madsen, H., Andersen, M.N. (2019). Phosphorus retention and availability in three contrasting soils amended with rice husk and corn cob biochar at varying pyrolysis temperatures. Geoderma 341: 10-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.01.016

Oppong Danso, E.; Atta-Darkwa, T.; Plauborg, F.; Sabi, E.B.; Kugblenu-Darrah, Y.; Abenney-Mickson, S. & Andersen, M.N. (2018). Development of a Low-Cost Solar-Powered Water Supply System for Small-Scale Drip Irrigation Farms in Sub-Saharan Africa: Dosing Tank and Bell Siphon Perspective. Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering (144) 7https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0001315

2017:

Ahmed, F., Arthur, E., Plauborg, F., Razzaghi, F, Kørup, K. & Andersen, M.N. (2017). Biochar amendment of fluvio-glacial temperate sandy subsoil: Effects on maize water uptake, growth and physiology. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jac.12252/abstract   

Amoakwah, E., Frimpong, K.A., & Arthur, E. (2017). Corn cob biochar improves aggregate characteristics of a tropical sandy loam. Soil Science Society of America Journal 81, 1054–1063. https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/sssaj/articles/81/5/1054

Amoakwah, E., Frimpong, K.A., Okae-Anti, D. & Arthur, E. (2017). Soil water retention, air flow and pore structure characteristics after corn cob biochar application to a tropical sandy loam. Geoderma. 307, 189–197. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016706117309710

Arthur E. & Ahmed, F. (2017). Rice straw biochar affects water retention and air movement in a sand-textured tropical soil. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, doi:10.1080/03650340.2017.1322196 

2016:

Baidoo, I., Sarpong, D.B., Bolwig, S. and Ninson, D. (2016). Biochar amended soils and crop productivity: A critical and meta-analysis of literature. International Journal of Development and Sustainability 5 (9), 414-432 

Frimpong, K.A., Amoakwah, E, Osei, BA & Arthur, E. (2016) Changes in Soil Chemical Properties and Lettuce Yield Response Following Incorporation of Biochar and Cow Dung to Highly Weathered Acidic Soils Journal of Organic Agriculture and Environment, vol 4, no. 1, pp. 28-39.

Theses

PhD thesis:

Fauziatu Ahmed (2017): Biochar amendment to temperate and tropical sandy soils: Effect on crop physiology under drought and salinity stress 

Emmanuel Amoakwah (2018): Effects of Corn Cob Biochar on the Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of a Weathered Tropical Soil 

Selorm Yaotse Dorvlo (2018): Development of a Biomass Cook Stove for Palm Oil Clarification and Biochar Production 

Joseph Osafo Eduah (2018): Phosphorus Reactions in Three Contrasting Soils Amended with Biochar

Isaac Baidoo (2019): Economics of Biochar with Solar Drip Irrigation Technology for Smallholder Vegetable Farming in South Eastern Ghana. PhD-thesis. University of Ghana.

Kwadwo Kusi Amoah (2019): Enhancing sustainable crop production through the use of biochar under crop rotation and irrigation strategies in the coastal savannah zone of Ghana.

MPhil and Master:

Daniel Ninson (2015): Factors affecting biochar technology adoption by vegetable farmers in the Kwahu East District of Ghana

MSc Adam Yakubu (2016): Estimating Crop Water Requirement and Yield of Okra in Biochar Amended Soil   

Francis Monnie (2016): Effect of Biochar on Soil Physical Properties, Water Use Efficiency and Growth of Maize in a Sandy Loam Soil. MPhil-thesis. University of Ghana.

Nathaniel Parker (2017): Biochar application to highly weathered tropical soils: soil hydraulic and aggregate characteristics. Ghent University

Conference contributions (international)

2019:

Arthur, E., Oppong Danso, E., Pouladi, N., Yakubu, A., Beiranvand, M., Abenney-Mickson., S. 2019. Rice straw biochar improves aggregate characteristics and Atterberg limits of a tropical sandy clay loam. SSSA International Soils Meeting – Soils Across Latitudes 6 - 9 January 2019. San Diego, CA, U.S.A.

Oppong Danso E., Sabi, E. B., Abenney-Mickson, S., Andersen, M. N., 2019. Development of a low-cost automated solar powered drip irrigation system for small-holder farmers in Sub Saharan Africa. The 2nd Congress of the African Scientific, Research and Innovation Council (ASRIC)-Freeing Africa from Poverty, Hunger and Diseases 20 - 23 November, 2019. Abuja, Nigeria.

2017:

Amoakwah, E., Arthur, E., Andersen, M.N., Islam, R.K. and Frimpong, K.A. (2017). Corn Cob Biochar Improves Aggregate Characteristics of a Tropical Sandy Loam. Tropentag 2017. Bonn, Germany, 20/09/2017 - 22/09/2017.

Amoakwah, E, Arthur, E, Frimpong, KA & Khandakar, R. (2017) Corn cob biochar effects on tropical soil aggregate stability and aggregate-associated carbon and nitrogen contents. Poster. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual meeting Tampa, USA, 22/10/2017 - 25/10/2017

Amoakwah, E, Frimpong, K.A., Arthur, E & Khandakar, R. (2017). Biochar effects on microbial community profiling of a tropical sandy loam. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual meeting, Tampa, USA, 22/10/2017 - 25/10/2017

Andersen, MN, Dorvlo, SY, Amoakwah, E, Eduah, JO, Amoah, KK, Danso, EO, Baidoo, I, Plauborg, F, Sabi, EB, Abenney-Mickson, S, Henriksen, UB, Ahrenfeldt, J, Frimpong, KA, Abekoe, M, Breuning-Madsen, H, Taah, KJ, Liu, F, Sarpong, D, Bolwig, S, Ahmed, F & Arthur, E. (2017). Green Cohesive Agricultural Resource Management - The WEBSOC Project. Poster. Tropentag. Bonn, Germany, 20/09/2017 - 22/09/2017

Dorvlo, SY, Addo, A, Kemausour, F, Abenney-Mickson, S, Ahrenfeldt, J, Henriksen, UB & Andersen, MN (2017). Clean Cook Stove Technology for Artisanal Palm Oil Clarification and Biochar Production in Ghana. Tropentag. Bonn, Germany, 20/09/2017 - 22/09/2017

Eduah, JO, Breuning-Madsen, H, Abekoe, M & Andersen, MN (2017). Phosphorus Fractionation and Sorption Characteristics of Biochar Amended Soils of Ghana. i Future Agriculture: Socio-ecological transitions and bio-cultural shifts. Tropentag 2017. Bonn, Germany, 20/09/2017 - 22/09/2017.

2016:

Ahmed, F., Arthur, E., Plauborg, F., & Andersen, M. N. (2016). Biochar Effects on Maize Physiology and Water Capacity of Sandy Subsoil. International Scientific Conference Conserving Soils and Water. Abstract.

2015:

F. Ahmed, E. Arthur, Y. O. Kugblenu-Darrah, M.N.Andersen (2015). Effect of biochar on dry season shallot yield in the Keta Sand Spit of Ghana. International Biochar Symposium 2015: Biochar - Contribution to Sustainable Agriculture. Abstract.

Frimpong, K.A., Amoakwah, E. (2015). Short term effect of biochar incorporation on selected chemical properties of a highly weathered coastal savanna soil. 7th Biennial Conference, Africa Soil Science Society, Ouagagdougou, Burkina Faso

Conference contributions (national)

Baidoo, I., Sarpong, D.B., Bolwig, S., Ninson, D., Møller, N.F. 2019. Profitabililty of biochar with solar drip irrigation technology for okro production in south eastern Ghana. Poster presentation. Ghana Association of Agricultural Economist (GAAE) conference 23 - 26 July, 2019. UG Legon, Accra, Ghana.

Baidoo, I., Sarpong, D.B., Bolwig, S., Ninson, D., Møller, N.F. 2018. Economics of biochar and solar drip irrigation technologies for smallholder vegetable farming in Ghana. Poster. CBAS Annual Science and Development Platform Conference. Centre for African Wetlands Auditorium 25 - 27 April, 2018, UG Legon Accra, Ghana

Baidoo, I., Sarpong, D.B., Bolwig, S., Ninson, D., Møller, N.F. 2017. Economics of biochar and drip irrigation technologies for okro production in Ghana. Paper. 1st International Conference on irrigation and Agricultural Development (IRAD), at UDS international conference Centre 30 - 31 October 2017, UDS-Tamale, Ghana

Press

Brodam, C., Andersen, M.N. (2020) New solutions for improved agriculture in Africa. Danish Centre for Food and Agriculture, News.

Eric Oppong Danso (2020) Ghanian researchers develop new technique for watering crops

Radio Broadcast by Isaac Baidoo, Daniel Ninson and Eric Danso (2020). Uniiq fm breakfast show, Greater Accra The radio opportunities were used to disseminate information to the general Ghanaian public on the Websoc Solar powered drip irrigation system with biochar, and its wider societal benefit.

Radio Broadcast by Isaac Baidoo, Daniel Ninson, Eric Danso and Ebenezer Amoquandoh (2020). ”Akuafo mmo” show on Obuoba fm, Eastern region The radio opportunities were used to disseminate information to the general Ghanaian public on the Websoc Solar powered drip irrigation system with biochar, and its wider societal benefit.

Kwame Agyei Frimpong (2020) Charcoal could quadruple productivity of maize farms - Scientist

Isaac Baidoo (2017) Biochar-solar drip irrigation technology for smallholder agriculture in Ghana. Newspaper: Weekly Spectator. 22 April 2017.

Selorm Y. Dorvlo (2016) Field demonstration and testing of fabricated biomass cook stove at an artisanal palm oil mill in Ghana (The performance of the fabricated cook stove was tested and also demonstrated to the local processors.) 3 November 2016.

Kwadwo K. Amoah (2016) Interview at open day for innovators in Ghana organised by the Ministry of Science and Innovations. ANGEL TV. September 2016.

Janne Hansen (Mathias N. Andersen) 2013. Biochar and Water to solve problems in West Africa. Danish Centre for Food and Agriculture, News  -- link til artikel: http://dca.au.dk/en/tempside/show/artikel/biochar-and-water-solve-problems-in-west-africa   

Mathias N. Andersen (2013): Trækul skal øge udbytter i Afrika. Effektivt Landbrug, 12 November 2013.