Effect of Integrated Application of Compost and NPS Fertilizer on Selected Soil Physicochemical Properties and Yield of Barley (<i>Hordeum vulgare</i> L.) at Welmera, Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil nutrient depletion under losing of soil organic matter content as a result of continuous cultivation and low input are among the major problems that constrain the sustainable productivity of yield of barley at Welmera district. Integrated application of compost and NPS fertilizers can be used to resolve this condition of soil. In this context, a study was conducted in 2019/2020 to determine the effect of combined use of compost and NPS blended fertilizer on soil physicochemical properties and yield of barley at Welmera district. In order to achieve this objective, field experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement and replicated three times. The results of this study showed that bulk density and total porosity of study area before planting were in acceptable range for barley crop production. The low content of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and available sulfur made the fertility status of the soils low. To improve this condition of soil conventional compost and NPS fertilizer were applied to study area soil and combined application of compost at (8 t ha^-1) and mineral NPS fertilizer at (150 kg ha^-1) gave yield of 5.96 t ha^-1. Therefore, based on the result of this study it can be concluded that low soil fertility status, which requires an urgent attention, is one of the major factors hampering the production and productivity of food barley at study area. However, the potential barley productivity of study area soil has not yet been exploited. Therefore, solving the soil fertility problems of the soils of study area through integrated application of compost and NPS fertilizer could be one option to reduce the yield gap seen between smallholder farmers and experimental fields. Hence, the current study recommends that in order to maintain soil fertility and sustain barley crop production combined application of compost at 8 t ha^-1 and NPS fertilizer at 150 kg ha^-1 can be the best alternative integrated soil fertility management option in place of the sole application of inorganic fertilizers for barley production at this area tentatively. Nevertheless, further studies at different locations for more than one cropping seasons should be considered to provide more conclusive recommendation for sustainable food barley production.