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Journal of Horticulture

Journal of Horticulture
Open Access

ISSN: 2376-0354

+44-20-4587-4809

Short Communication - (2021)Volume 8, Issue 2

Evaluation of Balanced Fertilizer Types and Validation of Soil Fertility Map Based on Fertilizer Recommendation in South East Arsi, Ethiopia

Almaz Admasu1, Kassu Tadesse1, Dawit Habte1, Gobena Negasa1 and Tolessa Debele2
 

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Abstract

A field experiment to evaluate blended fertilizer types and validation of soil fertility map based on fertilizer recommendation was conducted at 10 sites on-farmers’ fields in Lemu Bilbilo and Asasa districts during 2014 and 2015 cropping seasons. The experiment was conducted to compare the effects of multi-nutrient blends that included macro- and micro-nutrients (N, P, K, S, B, and Zn) among each other and against the conventional N and P rate recommendation from Urea and DAP fertilizers. The experiment consisted of six treatments viz. recommended NP and five different types of blended fertilizers laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The P and S containing fertilizers were drilled along seed line at planting while N was split applied in such a way that half was applied at planting and the remaining half was applied at tillering stage. All management practices in respect of sowing, seed rate, weed control, pest and disease control were done according to agronomic best practices. Combined analysis over locations and years indicated that wheat grain yield, test weight and hectoliter weight were not significantly increased by blended fertilizer application at both Lemu Bilbilo and Asasa areas. The highest wheat grain yield of 4694 kg/ha and 4286 kg/ha were recorded from application of recommended rate of fertilizer at Lemu Bilbilo and Asasa, respectively.

Keywords

Bread wheat, blended fertilizer, grain yield

Introduction

Ethiopia is one of the largest producers of wheat in sub-Saharan Africa [1] with an estimated area of one million hectare under wheat production (CSA, 2000) and a projected potentially suitable area of 1.3 million hectare. Wheat grows in the Ethiopian highlands, at altitudes ranging from 1500 to 3000 m [2] and is produced exclusively under rainfed conditions.

The most suitable area, however, falls between 1900 and 2700 m [3]. Wheat is the second most important crop in area and third in total production in Ethiopia (CSA, 2000), and its production is increasing more rapidly than all other cereal crops in the country [4]; CSA, 2000.

Balance use of fertilizers and agronomic measures are needed to raise production of crop. The role of macro and micro nutrients is crucial in crop nutrition for achieving higher yields [5]. Balanced nutrition is an essential component of nutrient management and plays a significant role in increasing crop production and its quality.

For the major processes of plant development and yield formation the presence of nutrients like N, P, K, S and Mg etc in balance form is essential [6]. S deficiency in crops has only recently become widespread. Previously, sufficient S to meet crop requirements was obtained from the frequent incidental additions of S to soils when N and P fertilizers, such as ammonium sulphate and single superphosphate were applied. The experiment was conducted to compare the effects of multi-nutrient blends that included macro- and micro-nutrients (N, P, K, S, B, and Zn) among each other and against the conventional N and P rate recommendation from Urea and DAP fertilizers.

Materials and Methods

Description of the Study Site:

This Experiment was conducted on farmers field at Gedeb Asasa and Lemu-bilibilo district in Arsi zone of Ethiopia during2 014 and 2015. Experimental site is located in an altitude of 2340 meters above sea level (masl) and 2780 masl respectively. The long term average annual rainfall is 620mm and 1020 mm respectively and soil type is Gleysol and Nitosol respectively.

Experimental Treatments, Design and Procedures:

The experiment was conducted to compare the effects of multi-nutrient blends that include macro and micronutrients (N, P, K, S, B, Zn, etc) among each other and against the conventional N and P recommendations from Urea and DAP fertilizers.

The experiment consisted of six treatments viz. recommended NP and five different types of blended fertilizers laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications.

The seedbed plowed four times using traditional plough, locally called maresha drawn by ox before planting. The P and S containing fertilizers were drilled along seed line at planting while N was split applied in such a way that half was applied at planting and the remaining half was applied at tillering stage.

Treatments N P2O5 K2O S Zn B
T1= Recommended NP (150 kg/ha urea + 100 kg/ha DAP) 88 38 0 7 0 0
T2= Formula 1: 100 kg + 150 kg urea top dressed 88 38 0 7 0 0
T3=Formula 2: 100 kg/ha+ 155 kg/ha urea top dressed 89 36 0 6.7 0 0.71
T4= Formula 4: 100 kg/ha+ 155 kg/ha urea top dressed 88 34 0 7.3 2.23 0.67
T5 = Formula 6 : 150 kg/ha+ 134  kg \/ha urea top dressed 88 52 0 11.4 3.35 0.38
T6 = Formula 6 : 150 kg/ha+ 150 kg/ha urea top dressed 88 39 21 7.3 3.35 0.38

Data Collection

Agronomic data on grain yield and yield components grain and biomass yields were collected at the recommended time. Analysis of variance was carried out for each of the measured or computed parameters following the method described by Gomez & Gomez (1984). All yield, yield component data were subjected to analysis of variance using PROC GLM of SAS version 9.0 (SAS Institute, 2008) statistical software.

Results and Discussion

It is evident from the data that the application of balanced fertilizer was a non-significant (P> 0.05) effect on Grain yield and biomass yield on bread wheat at Gedeb Asasa and Lemubilibilo (Table1). Thus, the highest grain yield was recorded with the conventional source of N and P from DAP and urea. The highest wheat grain yield was recorded from application of recommended rate of fertilizer at Lemu Bilbilo and Asasa. Based on this study there is general perception that the new fertilizer blends didn't bring better yield increment that than the traditional fertilizer recommendation (urea and DAP) at Gedeb Asasa weredas of Arsi zone on bread wheat showed.

Table of means for the effects of balanced fertilizers on bread wheat grain and biomass yields at Gedeb Asasa and Lemu-Bilbilo weredas of Arsi Zone during.

Treatments Grain Yield (kg ha-1) 2014 Grain Yield (kg ha-1) 2015
Lemu-Bilbilo Asasa Lemu-Bilbilo Asasa
Recommended NP (150 kg DAP ha-1 + 100 kg urea ha-1 top dressed) 4560 4860 4828 3714
Formula 1 (100 kg ha-1 + 99 kg urea ha-1 top dressed) 4601 4528 4666 3609
Formula 2 (95 kg ha-1+ 100 kg urea ha-1 top dressed) 4408 4523 4607 3504
Formula 4 (89 kg ha-1+ 102 kg urea ha-1 top dressed) 4286 4455 4459 3580
Formula 6 (138 kg ha-1 + 82 kg urea ha-1 top dressed) 4632 4487 4663 3648
Formula 7 (103 kg ha-1 + 97 kg urea ha-1 top dressed) 4718 4423 4691 3547
Mean 4534 4546 4652 3600
CV 10.61 11.59 15.7 12.6
Loc*Trt *** *** ns ns

Conclusion

Blended fertilizer should be re - evaluated in different location with appropriate soil and methods of application fertilizers. Based on this study all parameters were occurred enhanced from traditional fertilizer sources of N and P with DAP and urea.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported financially by SARD-SC project. The authors would like to thank all involved in the provision of funding for the execution of this research activity. The authors are thankful for Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center for the provision of logistics. All members of Natural Resource Management Research team are gratefully acknowledged for their technical assistance during the entire experimental periods.

References

  1. Tanner, D.G., and W.M.  Mwangi.  Current issues in wheat research and achievements.1992; 17-36.
  2. Bekele Geleta, Amanuel Gorfu and Getinet Gebeyehu.  Wheat production and research in Ethiopia:  constraints and sustainability. 1994n
  3. Hailu Gebremariam, Tanner, D.G.  and Mengistu Hulluka (eds.).  Wheat Research in Ethiopia:  A Historical Perspective.  IAR/CIMMYT, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.1991n
  4. Amsal Tarekegn, D.G. Tanner and Getinet Gebeyehu. Improvement in yield of bread wheat cultivars released in Ethiopia from 1949 to 1987. African Crop Sci. 1995;  3: 41-49n
  5. Raun, W.R. and H.J. Barreto. Maize grain yield response to sulfur fertilization in Central America. Sulphur in Agric. 1999; 16:26–29n
  6. Randdhawa P.S. and Arora C.L. Phosphorus-sulfur interaction effect on dry matter yield and nutrient uptake by wheat. J. ISSS. 2000; 48(3): 536-540.
  7. Central Statistical Authrotity.“Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Statistical Abstract on Agricultural inputs from 1999.” 2000

Author Info

Almaz Admasu1, Kassu Tadesse1, Dawit Habte1, Gobena Negasa1 and Tolessa Debele2
 
1EIAR, Kulumsa Research Center, USA
2SARD-SC Wheat Project, USA
 

Received: 05-Feb-2021 Accepted: 18-Feb-2021 Published: 24-Feb-2021 , DOI: 10.35248/2376-0354.21.8.276

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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