Poor transplanting practices causing low tree seedling survival rates — Horticultural Expert
Horticulturalist warns against use of fresh manure in tree planting
Richard Akazotiyele Ala-itba, Chief Executive Officer of Green Gold Horticultural Gardens.The Chief Executive Officer of Green Gold Horticultural Gardens, Richard Akazotiyele Ala-itba, has attributed the low survival rate of tree seedlings in Ghana to poor transplanting methods and improper handling practices.
Speaking in Bolgatanga, Ala-itba explained that many tree planting exercises fail not because of poor seed quality, but due to transplanting seedlings into narrow holes that restrict root growth and reduce the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients.
Richard Akazotiyele Ala-itba, Chief Executive Officer of Green Gold Horticultural Gardens.“When the hole is too small, the roots become restricted and the young plant struggles to adapt to the new environment,” he said.
He also warned against the use of fresh organic manure in planting holes, noting that the heat generated during decomposition can damage or kill young seedlings.
According to the horticultural expert, farmers and tree planters should dig wider and deeper holes, refill them with topsoil, and transplant seedlings at the onset of the rainy season to improve survival rates.
Ala-itba, who is also a member of the Ghana Institute of Horticulturists, blamed the low survival rates recorded under Ghana’s national tree planting initiatives on poor timing and stress imposed on seedlings during transportation and transplanting.
He encouraged farmers in northern Ghana to prioritise drought-resistant and economically beneficial trees such as mango, cashew, moringa, shea, neem, and baobab.
The horticulturalist further stressed the importance of proper management practices after planting, including regular watering, mulching, weeding, and protecting seedlings from animals and bushfires.
“Planting is only the beginning; management determines survival,” he emphasised.
Ala-itba lectures at the Bolgatanga Technical University and is actively involved in commercial mango and cashew production in Kintampo.
He says adopting scientifically proven planting techniques is essential to ensuring successful tree planting and environmental sustainability in Ghana.
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