Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on some soil properties and grain yield of maize (BH-140) at Chiro, Western Hararghe, Ethiopia

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during the main rainy seasons of 2008 to 2010 at Haramaya University Chiro Campus to determine the response of BH-140 to N and P application and their interaction on some soil properties. Soil samples were taken from 0-30 cm depth before sowing and were analyzed for soil texture, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), total N, OC and available P. Five levels of each nutrient: 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg N/ha and 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 kg P/ha were arranged in a factorial combination using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Full dose of P and half of N were applied at planting and the remaining half of N was applied 35 days after planting. Total N and available P contents of the soil were determined from samples taken at 45 days after planting the crop. Result from this experiment showed the soil was found clay loam having a CEC of 59.7cmol/kg and highly basic showing a pH of 8.01. The soil contained 0.84%, 5.01% and 47.9 mg/kg of total N, OC and available P, respectively, during pre-planting. Available P content of the soil increased with increase of P application rates up to 20 kg P/ha and then showed slight decline although the interaction between N and P was not significant, grain yield was maximum with the treatment combination of 100 kg N and 80 kg P/ha. The result of the present study indicated that, the application of 100/80 kg/ha of N/P has resulted in the highest grain yield of hybrid maize (BH-140).