Abstract
Tef [Eragrotis tef] is a major staple cereal crop in Ethiopia but yields are low due to inadequate nutrient supply and other constraints. A field study was conducted in 2014 and 2015 in Jamma district of South Wollo Zone of Amhara Region to determine the economic optimum rate of fertilizer-N for tef. Fertilizer-N rates of 0, 23, 46, 69, 92, 115 and 138 kg ha-1 were evaluated. The randomized complete block design with three replications was used. The fertilizer-N rate means fit a quadratic yield response function with R2=0.25**. The maximum mean grain and straw yields were recorded with 138 kg N ha-1 which was not statistically different from the 92 and 115 kg ha-1 N rates. The net economic returns to N were optimized with the 115 and 92 kg ha-1 N rates with respective net benefits of Ethiopian Birr 30508 and 28971 ha-1 and with marginal rate returns of 236 and 288%, respectively. The highest value to cost ratio (VCR) and highest benefit to cost ratio (BCR) of 10.9 and 5.2, respectively were obtained with 46 kg N ha-1. Using the yield response function determined, the profit-maximizing optimal rate of N was found to be 117 kg N ha-1. Therefore, for financially constrained farmers 46 kg N ha-1 is recommended, while for farmers without financial constraints 92 to 117 kg N ha-1 can be recommended for economic optimum return from tef production on the Vertisols in Jamma District and similar agroecologies. Key words: Economic optimum, Jamma district, nitrogen fertilizer, yields response of tef.
Highlights
Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.)] is the most important cereal crop in Ethiopia covering 30% of the area and 20% of the total cereal production (CSA, 2015)
Vertisols account for 23% of the cropland in Ethiopia and are the dominant soil type in the highlands where Jamma District of South Wollo Zone is located (Kamara and Haque, 1988)
The grain yield was increased from 0.6 - 0.8 t ha-1 to 1.3 - 1.4 t ha-1 while the straw yield was increased from 1.6 - 1.8 t ha-1 to 2.7 - 3.4 t ha-1 by applying N115
Summary
Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.)] is the most important cereal crop in Ethiopia covering 30% of the area and 20% of the total cereal production (CSA, 2015) It is an excellent source of essential amino acids, including lysine which is commonly deficient in cereal grain (Doris, 2002). Vertisols account for 23% of the cropland in Ethiopia and are the dominant soil type in the highlands where Jamma District of South Wollo Zone is located (Kamara and Haque, 1988). These soils are characterized by very low water infiltration rate or low saturated hydraulic conductivity and, are susceptible to waterlogging under high intensity rainfall conditions.
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