Evaluation of Quality Protein Maize Variety under Integrated Uses of Different Fertilizer Sources in Jimma, South Western Ethiopia

Publisher: Sisay Gurmu

doi:10.7176/alst/88-01

Abstract

Studies on the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers for maize are lacking at Jimma conditions. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of integrated uses of organic with inorganic fertilizers sources on productivity of quality protein maize (QPM) variety BHQPY545 at Kersa, Omonada woreda and Jimma on station, Southwestern Ethiopia during 2016 and 2017 main cropping seasons and one year validation at Omonada woreda. The experiment involved factorial combinations of inorganic and organic fertilizer with negative control, 150 kg ha -1 NPSZnB+140 kg ha -1 urea top dressed, recommended NP 2 O 5 (92/69 kg ha -1 ), 100% compost, 25% compost + 75% recommended NP, 50% compost + 50% recommended NP, 75% compost + 25% recommended NP and 100% compost + 100% recommended NP fertilizer which was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD). The compost was added based on N equivalency of recommended fertilizer rate. Data on yield and yield components of maize were subjected to ANOVA using SAS version 9.3. The over location and year highest grain yield (8443 kg ha -1 ) and above ground biomass (21.52 t ha -1 ) was obtained from 100% compost + 100% recommended NP fertilizer. Partial budget analysis revealed 100% compost + 100% recommended NP fertilizer realized the maximum net return (39,718 ETB) with marginal rate of return (94%). From farmers decision point and current on farm input availability and technical feasibility and economic analysis, 92/69 kg ha -1 N/P 2 0 5 fertilizer application taken as optimal fertilizer application and recommended for production of BHQPY545 in Jimma area and other similar humid agro-ecologies of southwestern Ethiopia. Keywords : Grain yield, inorganic fertilizer, organic fertilizer, recommended fertilizer rate, soil health. DOI: 10.7176/ALST/88-01 Publication date: July 31 st 2021

Highlights

Maize is the primary staple crop in Ethiopia and plays an important role in the livelihood of the people of Ethiopia
Small-scale maize production plays a major role in Ethiopia maize economy and adoption of hybrid technology by small-scale farmers would have the potential to address sustainability and supply issues
The Bray II extractable available P for Omonada woreda was 4.38 mg kg-1, which is below the critical level (8 mg kg-1) for most crop plants whereas, Kersa and Jimma on station sites ranged from 18.16 to 30.14 mg kg-1 which is high in content as described by Tekalign and Haque (1991)

Summary

Introduction

Enhanced maize productivity can be achieved by increased use of modern production techniques such as the adoption of hybrid maize varieties, the use of chemicals and integrated nutrient management. Small-scale maize production plays a major role in Ethiopia maize economy and adoption of hybrid technology by small-scale farmers would have the potential to address sustainability and supply issues. Most soils contain an abundance of elements essential for the plants development, but majority of these elements are rarely available for plant use due to nutrient loss. Nutrient depletion and soil degradation have become serious threat to agricultural productivity in Ethiopia. These soils suffered multi-nutrient deficiencies, application of mineral fertilizers has become mandatory to increase crop yields in such soils (Adeniyan and Ojeniyi, 2005)

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