Data on the vegetative response of cowpea to fertilizer application on three selected benchmark soils of the Upper West region of Ghana

Declining soil fertility among smallholder farmers in the Savannah zones of Ghana, among other issues, is triggered by continuous cultivation, low fertilizer use and low soil organic matter content. The area is faced with insufficient domestic production, food insecurity and poverty, all of which constitute major constraints to national development. Continuous cultivation leads to low soil organic matter levels. To build up the soil organic matter levels, residue incorporation is a major factor to be considered. Cowpea is grown in these areas for the grain yield while the residue is incorporated into the soil to gain maximum benefits of the nitrogen fixation. We present the physical and chemical properties of three benchmark soils in the Savannah zones of Ghana as well as their vegetative response to NPK fertilizer application. The FAO soil classification also helps in the thorough understanding of the soil and an appropriate management option for optimal productivity is recommended.