Abstract
Integrated plant nutrient management is the application of inorganic fertilizer in combination with organic fertilizer to maintain soil fertility and balance nutrient supply in order to boost up the crop yield per unit area. A study was conducted in Bedele District on farmers' fields to find out the combined effects of vermi-compost (organic fertilizer) and NPS (inorganic fertilizer) rates on soil chemical properties and maize production. The treatments consisted of three levels of vermi-compost (0, 1.5 and 3 t ha-1) and three levels of NPS fertilizer (0, 100 and 200 kg ha-1). The experiment was laid out in RCBD design in factorial combination with three replications. laboratory analysis results of composite soil samples collected before sowing showed deficiency in soil chemical properties. However, analysis of variance of post harvest composite soil samples collected from each plot indicated significant differences on soil available P, OC, TN and CEC while, soil pH and exchangeable acidity showed positive improvement as compared to initial soil sample. The analysis of variance among the treatments showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) on almost all the maize characters tested. The highest and lowest maize grain yield (7932.1 kg ha-1) and (1944.4 kg ha-1) were obtained from the treatment combination of 3 t ha1 vermi-compost with 200 kg ha-1 NPS and 92 kg ha-1 N, and control plot, respectively. However this combination was statically at par with the treatment combination of 1.5 t ha-1 vermi-compost with 200 kg ha-1 NPS and 92 kg ha-1 N, which gave maize grain yield (7577.2 kg ha-1). Therefore, the present study showed that combined fertilization of vermi-compost and NPS fertilizer enhanced maize productivity and soil fertility status in the study area; indicated that maize productivity in the study sites were reduced due to high demand for external nutrient inputs. Hence combined fertilization of 1.5 t ha1 vermi-compost with 200 kg ha-1 NPS and 92 kg ha-1 N could improve maize productivity and soil chemical properties, and recommended for the study area (Bedele District) and similar agro-ecology. The result also showed that the soils of the study sites had poor chemical fertility and integrated soil fertility management practices can improve the current situation.
Highlights
The loss of soil fertility from continual nutrient mining by crop removal without adequate replenishment, combined with imbalanced plant nutrition practices, has posed a serious threat to agricultural production [1]
The results indicate that there were no significant (P < 0.05) differences in soil pH and exchangeable acidity among the different vermi-compost and NPS fertilizer rates
The status of soil pH and exchangeable acidity were improved in this study indicated that, addition of lime and Vermi-compost to the experimental sites were effective in increasing soil pH, which realized that soil pH is considered a master variable in soils as it controls many chemical processes that take place
Summary
The loss of soil fertility from continual nutrient mining by crop removal without adequate replenishment, combined with imbalanced plant nutrition practices, has posed a serious threat to agricultural production [1]. Continuous cultivation of soils for many years without replenishing the nutrients mined has negatively affected fertility and availability of nutrients. The low nutrient levels in the soil are caused by crop removal of nutrients from the soil, little or no fertilizer application, and total removal of crop residues from the farmland and burning. Shortage of grasslands (grazing areas) has forced the farmers to remove crop residues for animal feed. These lead to agricultural soil degradation with detrimental effects on the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils [5]
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