Abstract
Field experiment was conducted in Chora District of south western Ethiopia, to evaluate the effect of different rates of coffee husk compost (CHC) and 18.9N + 37.7P + 6.94S + 0.15B (NPSB) in the form of NH4, P2O5, SO4−, and B2O5, repectively, blended fertilizer on selected soil chemical properties of potato field during 2021. The treatment consisted of four rates of CHC (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 t ha−1) and four rates of blended NPSB fertilizer (0, 112.5, 150, and 187.5 kg ha−1). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Postharvest soil data were collected and subjected to ANOVA using SAS version 9.4. All the soil parameters analyzed were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the main factors of CHC and NPSB blended fertilizer except exchangeable K+ and Na+ which were affected by main factors but not by factors interaction. The maximum pH (5.3), OC (6.0%), and CEC (14.10 meq 100g−1) were obtained from application of sole 7.5.t CHC ha−1 which is at par with combined 7.5.t CHC and 112.5 kg NPSB ha−1, while the maximum TN (26%), Av. P (3.57%), and Av. S (4.36%) were obtained from combined application of 7.5.t CHC and 112.5 kg NPSB ha−1. The sole application of either of 150 kg or 187.5 kg NPSB ha−1 was resulted in high exchangeable acidity. Therefore, combined application of CHC and NPSB fertilizers raised the pH, improves the OC%, total N, available P and S, reduced the exchangeable acidity, and raises the CEC and exchangeable bases of potato field soil as compared to the control and sole NPSB fertilizer.
Highlights
Introduction eEthiopian economy heavily relies on agriculture [1] and the sector has contributed approximately 44% to the GDP of the country [2]
Description of Study Area. e field experiment was conducted at Chora District, Oromia regional state south western Ethiopia during 2021 under supplementary irrigation. e district is located 8° 9′, 49° 51′ in the North and 35° 6′ and 35° 38′ East with an elevation ranging from 1450–2300 m.a.s.l and situated at about 515 km from Addis Ababa capital city of the country to the south western direction [3]. e experimental field is located at an elevation of 1858 m.a.s.l. and geographic coordinate of 92° 71′ 70′′ N and 19° 11′ 15′′ E (Figure 1). e experimental field land use history shows it was cultivated twice a year by irrigation and main rainy season for more than five years
Soil pH. e soil pH was high significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the main factors of coffee husk compost (CHC) and NPSB fertilizers as well as their interaction (Table 3). e result of the analysis revealed that the highest soil pH (5.30 H2O) was recorded from application of 7.5 t ha−1 CHC alone, while the lowest soil pH (4.03 H2O) was recorded from sole application of NPSB fertilizer at a rate of 187.5 kg ha−1. e result shows improvement in soil pH by 24% and 31.5% due to application of 7.5 t ha−1 CHC alone with reference to the control and highest rate of NPSB fertilizer applied treatment
Summary
Potato is cultivated in the District both under irrigation and rain fed condition, but more it is produced by irrigation From irrigated crops, it ranks first in terms of land coverage [21] and soil chemical properties of potato field. E variety was evaluated by participatory variety selection in North West Ethiopia It was preferred and cultivated by many farmers in the study District. It is characterized by medium early maturity; high water use efficiency; nice looking tubers; and long-term storability and it is predominant variety in submoist agroecology and adaptation to low soil fertility [27]. All the required management practices were done uniformly for all plots as per farmer’s experience
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