Research Interests

I have a strong foundation in plant litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics in soils, integrated soil fertility management, tree-crop interactions in agroforestry systems and the use of agroforestry and climate models. I have over twelve publications in different peer-reviewed journals. My ambition is to lead a team through farming systems research and learning using participatory technology development approaches, methodologies in soil fertility improvement, field crop improvement, multi-environmental fertility evaluations for crops and agricultural system modeling under the changing climate of Africa. My research interest is to develop agricultural systems that enhance sustainable soil productivity and resilient to climate changes.

As the Head of the Soil Chemistry Section coordinating the activities of the Analytical Service Laboratory, I offer data interpretation and fertilizer recommendations based on nutrient analysis of samples for clients. My team facilitated the establishment of a unit named ‘Environmental Analytical Laboratory’ within the Soil Chemistry laboratory of SARI with the assistance of the Soybean Innovation Laboratory Project (SIL) and trained technicians on the monitoring of environmental quality.

Educational Background

Theses Written

PhD. Thesis title: Biomass, carbon, nutrient stocks and litter decomposition in Ghanaian cocoa ecosystems, 267 pp.

M.Phil. Thesis title: Decomposition of some plant residues and soil organic carbon mineralization under varying moisture conditions, 100 pp.

B.Sc. Dissertation title: Determination of surface area of molecules, 24 pp.

Awards

1. University of Reading ‘Environmental Science Research Division Publication Award, 2016’
2. Asian Research Journal of Agriculture ‘Certificate in Reviewing Award, 2016’. No: SDI/HQ/PR/Cert/ 2016/ARJA/28907
3. International Journal of Plant and Soil Science ‘Certificate of Excellence in Reviewing Award, 2017’. Certificate No: SDI/HQ/PR/Cert/34271/ASK
4. PhD Study Scholarship by ‘Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Scholarship Award, 2010’.

Other Relevant Training

I have working knowledge on PC and mainframe systems including various word processors, spreadsheets, and graphics, internet, and use of models including WaNuLCAS model, RiceAdvice, CurveExpect, SigmaPlot, GenStat, MiniTab and SPSS softwares.

Employment History

Workshops / Training Opportunities

• March, 2018: Workshop on Soil Sampling, Analyses, and Making Fertilizer Recommendations. 26^th - 29^th March, 2018, at IFDC, Tamale, Ghana.
• March, 2017: Workshop on the Launching of a Regional Project for the Promotion of the Use of Organic Fertilizers. 6^th - 8^th March, 2017, at Dakar, Senegal.
• March, 2016: Workshop on the Preparation of a Regional Project for the Promotion of the Use of Organic Fertilizers. 1^st – 3^rd March, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
• February, 2016: Refresher training on TEEAL and AGORA Train-the-Trainer Workshop. CSIR-SARI, Nyankpala, Tamale, GHANA.
• November, 2015: TEEAL and AGORA Train-the-Trainer Workshop. CSIR-SARI, Nyankpala, Tamale, GHANA.
• December, 2014: Procurement and contract management training. Institute of local government, Tamale, GHANA.
• November, 2014: TEEAL and AGORA Train-the-Trainer Workshop. CSIR-SARI, Nyankpala, Tamale, GHANA.
• February, 2009: Proposal Writing Workshop. CSIR-SARI, Nyankpala, Tamale, GHANA.
• January, 2009: Workshop on Modelling Water Movement and Solute Transport in the Vadose Zone using HYDRUSID. The UNU, Institute for Natural Resources in Africa, GHANA.
• May, 2008: Refresher Course on Analytical Instrumentation. University of Cape Coast, GHANA.
• February, 2006: Training Program on Trade-of-Analysis (TOA) and DSSAT Models. Carbon Sequestration component of SM CRSP TOA. Accra, GHANA. M-Plaza Hotel, Accra.

List of Publications

Published Journal Articles

• Dzomeku, I. K., Illiasu, O., Mohammed, A. M. (2018). Effects of Integrated Use of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer on Soil Chemical Properties in the Guinea Savannah Zone of Ghana. Vegetos 31:2. doi:4172/2229-4473.1000404.
• Kanton, R. A. L., Buah, S. S. J., Larbi, A., Mohammed, A. M., Bidzakin, J. K. and Yakubu, E. A. (2017). Soil Amendments and Rotation Effects on Soybean and Maize Growths and Soil Chemical Changes in Northern Ghana. International Journal of Agronomy, vol. 2017, Article ID 4270284, 9 pages. doi:1155/2017/4270284.
• Mohammed, A. M., Robinson, J. S., Midmore, D., Verhoef, A. (2016). Carbon storage in Ghanaian cocoa ecosystems. Carbon Balance and Management. doi:1186/s13021-016-0045-x.
• Kanton, R. A. L., Prasad, P. V. V., Mohammed, A. M., Bidzakin, J. K., Ansoba, , Asungre,  A. P., Lamini,  S., Mahama,  G., Kusi,  F. and Sugri, I. (2016). Organic and inorganic fertilizer effects on the growth and yield of maize in a dry agro-ecology in northern Ghana. Journal of Crop Improvement, doi: 10.1080/15427528.2015.1085939.
• Mohammed, A. M., Robinson, J. S., Midmore, D. J. and Verhoef, A. (2015). Biomass stocks in Ghanaian cocoa ecosystems: the effects of region, management and stand age of cocoa European Journal of Agriculture and Forestry Research 3 (2): 22 – 43.
• Tahiru, F., Mathias, F., Thomas, G., Mathias, B., Baba, I. I. Y., Abubakari, M., Buah, S. S. J., Williams, K. A. and Mohammed, A. M. (2015). Fertilizer and genotype effects on maize production on two different soils in the northern region of Ghana. Sustainable Agriculture Research 4 (4): 76-87.
• Abubakari, M., Wilson, D., Baba, I. I. Y., Mohammed, A. M. and Tahiru, F. (2015). Performance and trace element uptake of rice varieties under different fertilizer application. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare 5 (4): 97 – 103.
• Mohammed, A. M., Naab, J. B., Nartey, E. K. and Adiku, S. G. K. (2014). Carbon mineralization from plant residue-amended soils under varying moisture conditions. Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences 1 (7): 491 – 498.
• Mohammed, A. M., Nartey, E. K., Naab, J. B. and Adiku, S. G. K. (2013). A simple model for predicting plant residue decomposition based upon their C/N ratio and soil water content. African Journal of Agricultural Research 8 (19): 2153 – 2159.
• Mohammed A. M., Baba, I. I. Y., Wilson, D., Abudulai, M., Abubakari, M., and Haruna, M. (2013). NERICA intercrop systems and their influence on yield components and productivity of NERICA and partner crops in the Guinea Savannah Zone of Ghana. International Journal of AgriScience 3 (12): 881–
• Baba, I. Y., Abudulai, M., Mohammed, A. M., Wilson, D. and Haruna, M. (2013). Effects of NERICA - cowpea intercropping systems on yield components and productivity of NERICA and cowpea. African Journal of Agricultural Research 8 (48): 6323 – 6331.
• Dzomeku, I. K., Baba, S., Abudulai, M., Mohammed, A. M. and Abdulai, A. L. (2018). ­­­­­­Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea ) Response to Phosphorus and Weed Management in the Guinea Savannah Zone of Ghana. Tropicultura, (In press).

Conference Papers, Abstracts, & Posters

• Mohammed, A. M., Robinson, J. S., Verhoef, A., and Midmore, D. Biomass, carbon and nutrient stocks in cocoa ecosystem of Ghana: effects of region, management & stand age: SHES Research Students Conference, University of Reading, UK; Oral presentation. April, 2013.
• Mohammed, A. M., Robinson, J. S., Midmore D., Paul H. and Verhoef A. Biomass and C and N in Ghanaian cocoa ecosystems: the influence of region, management system, and stand age; Soil Science and Food Security, British Society of Soil Science Annual Meeting, 4^th – 5^th September, 2012, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, UK;
• Mohammed, A. M., Robinson, J. S., Midmore, D., Paul, H. and Verhoef, A. Biomass and carbon stocks in cocoa ecosystems of Ghana: SHES Research Students Conference, University of Reading, UK; Poster presentation. April, 2012.
• Mohammed, A. M., Robinson, J. S., and Verhoef, A. Macronutrient uptake by different cocoa varieties: SHES Research Students Conference, University of Reading, UK; Poster presentation. April, 2011.
• Mohammed, A. M., Nartey, E. K., Naab, J. B., and Adiku, S. G. K. (2009). Carbon mineralization in some crop residue-amended Ferric Lixisol under varying moisture conditions in northern Ghana. Journal of Ghana Science Association, 26^th Biennial Conference Programme and Book of Abstracts Paper No. 19.

Refereeing of Scientific Papers

1. Reviewed in time, a manuscript entitled “Potentiality of mango-sweet gourd-based agroforestry system in the Myemensingh district of Bangladesh” for Asian Research Journal of Agriculture, 2016/ARJA/28907.
2. Reviewed in time, a manuscript entitled “Influence of fruit-based agroforestry systems on soil properties for sustainable soil health in hill zone of West Bengal, India” for International Journal of Plant and Soil Science, 2017/IJPSS/34271
3. Reviewed in time, a manuscript entitled “Effect of Indigenous Organic Materials and Inorganic Fertilizer on Soil Chemical Properties in the Guinea Savannah Zone of Ghana” for Ghana Journal of Science, Technology and Development, 2017/GJSTD/

Supervision of Student Work

• Wahab, A. (2009). Effects of nitrogen on the performance of NERICAs 1 and 2 in the savannah upland. University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana. Thesis, 36pp.
• Amenuvor, P. (2016). Concentrations of heavy metals in selected agricultural lands of Nyankpala in the northern region of Ghana. Accra Polytechnic, Accra, Ghana. Bachelor of Technology Degree Thesis, 82 pp.

Attraction of Funding Through Submission of Research Proposals/Contract Research

1. WAAPP 1A. 2009 - 2012: Co-Investigator for WAAPP 1A Competitive Research Grant Scheme on “Determining mineral fertilizer requirements for yam on benchmark soils in Northern and Upper West Regions of Ghana.” (GH¢121,000.00) in collaboration with Dr. B. D. K. Ahiabor (Soil Microbiologist, Principal Investigator), Dr. J. Adjebeng-Danquah (Breeder), Dr. S. S. Buah (Agronomist), Dr. J. M. Kombiok (agronomist), J. B. Naab (Soil Scientist), Dr. Mathias Fosu (Soil Scientist), Dr. S. K. Asante (Entomologist), Dr. Alexandra N. Wiredu (Economist) and Mr. Asieku Yahaya (Technician).
   Role of applicant: I contributed to the design of the experiment and writing of the proposal.
2. AfricaRice 2015: Principal Investigator for AfricaRice Project Competitive Research Grant Scheme on “Conducting on-farm validation trial for RiceAdvice (VAT) in the Savelugu and Navrongo hubs of Ghana” ($7,000.00) in collaboration with Dr. D. Wilson (Soil Scientist), and Mr J. Yirzagla (Agronomist).
   Role of applicant: I contributed to the coordination and implementation of the experiments.
3. AfricaRice 2015: Principal Investigator for AfricaRice Project Competitive Research Grant Scheme on “Conducting nutrient omission trials on rice growth in the Savelugu and Navrongo hubs of Ghana” ($5,000.00) in collaboration with Dr. D. Wilson (Soil Scientist), and Mr J. Yirzagla (Agronomist).

Role of applicant: I contributed to the coordination and implementation of the experiments.

4. WAAPP 2A. 2015 - 2016: Principal Investigator for WAAPP 2A Competitive Research Grant Scheme on “Up-scaling tied-ridging and fertilizer micro-dosing technologies to small-holder farmers in some selected districts in Northern Ghana” ($36,679.50) in collaboration with R. A. L. Kanton (Agronomist), Dr. S. S. Buah (Agronomist), Ms. F. Tahiru (Soil and Water) and Mr. M. Abubakari (Postharvest).

Role of applicant: I contributed to the design of the experiment, implementation and coordinated all activities.

5. USAID Direct Support Project. 2015 - 2016: Team leader for USAID Direct Support Project Competitive Research Grant Scheme on “Conducting maize, rice and soybean response to fertilizer rates trials” ($41,000.00) in collaboration with R. A. L Kanton (Agronomist), Dr. S. S. Buah (Agronomist), Dr. G. Y. Mahama (Agronomist), Dr. A. A. Issah (Agronomist), Mr. E. Krofa (Chief Technical Officer) and Mr. M. S. Iddrisu (Chief Technical Officer).

Role of applicant: I contributed to the design of the experiment, implementation and coordination of all activities.

6. Soil Analytical Services Laboratory IGF. 2015 - 2017: Head of the Soil Chemistry Section coordinating the activities of the Analytical Services Laboratory, generated GH¢139,036.00 being the “Cost of analyzing 862 samples of soil and plant materials” in collaboration with Mr E. Appiah (Marketing Officer), E. K. Vorleto (Principal Technologist), Miss. J. Adjei Adjorko (Principal Technical Officer), Ms. R. Abdulai (Principal Technical Officer), Ms. A. W. Abdul-Samad (Principal Technical Officer), Mr. A. Boadu-Ayeboafo (Principal Technical Officer) and Mr. P. Amenuvor (Principal Technical Officer).

Role of applicant: I offered managerial services to the lab technicians and data interpretation with recommendations to all our clients (research scientists, university lecturers, students, NGOs, international organizations, private entities, and farmers).

7. Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL) Project. 2017: Head of the Soil Chemistry Section coordinating the activities of the Environmental Analytical Laboratory’ within the Soil Chemistry laboratory of SARI, generated GH¢15,360.00 being the “Cost of analyzing 160 water samples of the SIL project, in collaboration with Mr E. Appiah (Marketing Officer), E. K. Vorleto (Principal Technologist), Miss. J. Adjei Adjorko (Principal Technical Officer), Ms. R. Abdulai (Principal Technical Officer), Ms. A. W. Abdul-Samad (Principal Technical Officer), Mr. A. Boadu-Ayeboafo (Principal Technical Officer) and Mr. P. Amenuvor (Principal Technical Officer).
   Role of applicant: I offered managerial services to the lab technicians and data interpretation with recommendations to all our clients (Research Scientists, University lecturers, Students, NGOs, International Organizations, Private entities, and farmers).
8. USAID Direct Support Project. 2017: Team leader for USAID Direct Support Project Competitive Research Grant Scheme on “Conducting on-farm demonstrations on maize, rice and soybean performance with promising fertilizer rates” ($84,000.00) in collaboration with R. A. L Kanton (Agronomist), Dr. G. Y. Mahama (Agronomist), Mr A. I. Zakaria (Principal Technologist) Mr. E. Krofa (Chief Technical Officer) and Mr. M. S. Iddrisu (Chief Technical Officer).
   Role of applicant: I contributed to the design of the experiment, implementation and coordination of all activities.
9. FERTORAO Project. 2017 – 2018: Principal Investigator in-charge of the Guinea Savannah Zone for the FERTORAO Project Competitive Research Grant Scheme from the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development / Conseil Ouest Et Centre Africain Pour La Recherche Et Le Développements Agricole (CORAF/WECARD) on “Sustainable increase in agricultural productivity through integrated management of organic fertilizers in West Africa” ($100,000.00) in collaboration with Dr. F. M. Tetteh (Soil Scientist, CSIR-SRI), Dr. E. Yeboah (Soil Scientist, CSIR-SRI), Mr N. Abdul-Rahman (Agronomist, IITA), Mr A. I. Zakaria (MSc. Biotechnology, CSIR-SARI) and Mr. A. Abutiate (BSc. Lab. Analysis, CSIR-SRI).

Role of applicant: I contributed to the design of the experiments, writing of the proposal and assigned to lead the implementation and coordination of the activities in the Savannah ecological zone.

10. INDORAMA Project. 2017 – 2018: Co-Investigator for the INDORAMA ELEME FERTILIZER & CHEMICAL LIMITED project on “Bio-efficacy trial of Granular Urea (46-0-0)” (($10,467.00) in collaboration with Dr B. D. K. Ahiabor (Soil Microbiologist) and Mr. R. Y. Agyare (Vegetable Breeder).

Role of applicant: I contributed to the design of the experiment, implementation and coordination of all activities.

Professional Membership / Committees

Language Skills

Dagbani– Excellent (Mother tongue); English – Fluent; Mampruli – Fair; & Arabic and French - Reading knowledge.