Effect of integrated nutrient management on soil nutrient status, nutrient uptake, protein content and yield of chickpea (<i>Cicer arietinum</i> L.) in north western Ethiopia

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016) in north western Ethiopia to test the effect of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on soil nutrient status, nutrient uptake, protein content and yield of chickpea. The experiment comprised of 6 levels of INM treatments (unfertilized, 100% recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (RDF), 6 t compost ha-1 alone or combined with: 75, 50 and 25% RDF). The treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. The result showed that application of full recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (RDF) or integrated application of compost along with 25, 50 or 75% RDF appreciably enhanced soil N and P status, seed and biomass yield, protein content and nutrient uptake of chickpea. Compared to the unfertilized treatment, application of 100% RDF alone; combined application of 6 t compost ha-1 along with 75, 50 and 25% RDF improved seed yield by 44, 38, 37.5, and 38% and seed protein content by 63, 61, 69 and 60%, respectively. All INM treatments produced statistically the same yield to that of RDF. Therefore, INM can be recommended as sustainable nutrient management option for production of chickpea by poor small holder farmers who cannot afford direct monetary expenditure in cash for chemical fertilizers and to maintain the soil healthKeywords: Chickpea, Compost, Fertilizer, Integrated nutrient management, Sustainability, Yield