Journal of Horticulture
Open Access

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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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.

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.

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

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