Influence of balanced nutrients on growth performance and yield of Teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.)) in the midland of Bensa, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia aapplication of suboptimal levels of mineral fertilizers aggravates the decline in soil fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate different blended fertilizer formulation and provide site and crop specific recommendations for teff production at Bensa in southern nation nationality and people regional state of Ethiopia. The experiment consists of five blended fertilizers (1) recommended NP (64 kg N + 30 kg P ha-1 ) (2) 150 kg NPS (63N, 25P, 10.5 S) + 34.5 kg N ha-1 (3) 150 kg NPSB (64N, 23P,10.1 S, 1.06 B) + 36.8 kg N ha1 (4) 150 kg NPKSB (64N, 18P, 18K, 7.1S, 0.75B) + 43.24 kg N ha-1 (5) 150 kg NPSZnB(63N, 15P,7.6S, 2.23Zn, 0.37B) + 36.8 kg N ha-1 and (6) 150 kg NPKSZnB(63N, 17P, 18K, 7.6S, 2.23Zn, 0.37B) + 36.8 kg N ha-1 .The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design using 4 m by 4 m plot size and replicated across five farms. Agronomic data, including plant height, tiller number, straw yield, total biomass and grain yield were measured and using the SAS statistical package program version 9.0. The least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability level was used to establish the difference among the means. To investigate the economic feasibility of the blended fertilizers, partial budget and benefit cost ratio were used. The current experiment revealed that balanced nutrient alone without appropriate proportion could not increase teff yield in the study area to the required level. On the other hand, blended fertilizer contain apposite P rate gave highest grain yield. Application of 150 kg NPS (63:25:10.5) + 34.5 kg N ha-1 gave highest biological yield and the result was economically feasible. Therefore, application of 150 kg NPS + 34.5 kg N ha-1 is recommended to use by farmers as an alternative soil management option for teff production around Bensa.