Linking crop productivity, market participation and technology use among smallholder farmers: Evidence from Uganda

Rising demand for agricultural commodities coupled with population growth, climate change, declining soil fertility, environmental degradation and rural poverty in the develop-ing world call for strategies to sustainably intensify agricultural production. Sustainable in-tensification refers to increasing production from the same area of land while reducing its negative environmental consequences. Most of the adverse conditions are particularly preva-lent in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where rates of undernutrition are the highest worldwide, while agricultural productivity is still far below global averages. An important factor in ex-plaining productivity deficits among smallholders in SSA is the slow adoption of new agri-cultural technologies. Recently, governments and international donors especially concentrate on the promotion of ‘system technologies’, i.e. packages of technologies that should be ap-plied jointly due to synergistic effects. Yet, evidence shows that farmers delay in particular the uptake of system technologies, and tend to scatter practices across plots instead of com-bining them on the same plot. Hence, analyzing how to effectively enhance the adoption of technology packages is crucial, but still understudied. In addition, comprehensive studies on the plot- and household level effects of system technologies that use micro data from farmer surveys are still scarce when it comes to impacts beyond traditional outcomes, such as crop yields and income, but important to understand the consequences of adoption for farmers.
\nThis dissertation addresses these gaps by studying the adoption and effects of ‘Integrated Soil Fertility Management’ (ISFM). ISFM is a system technology comprised of a set of site-specific soil fertility practices which should be applied in combination. Its core is the inte-grated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers with improved seeds. Practices should be adapted to local conditions, accompanied by a general improvement of agronomic tech-niques and, depending on the context, by other technologies such as crop rotation, agroforest-ry or reduced tillage. The general aim of ISFM is an improvement of the soil’s fertility by replenishing its nutrient stocks and organic matter level. Enhanced soil fertility is likely to improve food security, incomes, and ultimately, livelihoods of the rural population depend-ing on small-scale agriculture. In addition, healthier and more fertile soils can contribute to restoring and conserving natural resources by providing crucial ecosystem services, such as the storage of soil carbon, erosion control and the prevention of further deforestation. Thus, they can make an important contribution to the sustainable intensification of smallholder agricultural systems. However, ISFM commonly also goes along with increased demand for capital and labor, which often prevents smallholders from adopting it. In addition, ISFM is considered knowledge-intensive, as combining several practices and adapting them to local conditions requires at least a basic understanding of biological processes. 
\nAgainst this background, the dissertation addresses two broad research objectives: Firstly, to assess the role of ‘farmer-to-farmer’ and non-traditional forms of agricultural extension to enhance knowledge and adoption of ISFM as a pathway to sustainable intensification. And secondly, to assess the productivity and welfare implications of adopting ISFM practices at the plot and household level. The thesis comprises three essays. The first essay concentrates on knowledge and adoption of ISFM as a complex agricultural technology, while the second and third essay analyze the effects of ISFM at the plot, respectively household level. All three essays build on primary data collected among 2,382 farm households in the three Ethi-opian regions Amhara, Oromia and Tigray. The research was carried out in cooperation with the ‘Integrated Soil Fertility Management Project’ (ISFM+ project) of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), launched in 2015 in 18 districts in the three highland regions. 
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\nThe first essay focusses on the role of agricultural extension in the dissemination of ISFM. In recent decades, decentralized and participatory extension models have become dominant in SSA. In these ‘famer-to-farmer’ approaches, only a few ‘model farmers’ are trained directly by extension agents and should then train other farmers, often organized in groups. From there, information should trickle down to all other households in a community. Yet, evidence suggests that information diffusion is a complex process and does not automatically reach all farmers. On the contrary, knowledge is likely to be transmitted incompletely from model farmers to extension group members and from there to ‘ordinary’ farmers. This applies in particular to complex system technologies, where farmers have to learn about each individu-al practice as well as the necessity of applying them jointly. In this article, we assess the ef-fects of a farmer-to-farmer extension model and an additional intervention in form of a video on farmers’ knowledge and adoption of ISFM. We implemented a cluster randomized con-trolled trial, using 161 microwatersheds (mws) as primary units of randomization. 72 mws received the farmer-to-farmer extension treatment, with model farmers who maintain ISFM demonstration plots and train so-called ‘farmer research and extension groups’ as core ele-ments. 36 out of these treatment mws received an additional video intervention, explaining the underlying reasons for adopting the ISFM package, and featuring documentaries on suc-cessful ISFM adoption. 89 mws did not receive any intervention and serve as control group. In each of the three groups, 15 households per mws were randomly selected to be included in the sample. Findings show that farmer-to-farmer extension, both alone and in combination with video, increases ISFM adoption, both of its individual components as well as their com-bined adoption on the same plot. Effects are stronger for farmers who are involved in group-based extension activities, but exist to a weaker extent also for farmers in the same commu-nities who are not involved. On average, we find no significant additional effect of the video intervention on adoption. However, the video does show a significant additional effect for farmers in treatment mws who are not members of extension groups, in particular when it comes to the integrated use of the practices on the same plot. Further, while both farmer-to-farmer extension alone and in combination with the video induce gains in ISFM knowledge, effects are significantly stronger for the combined treatment. A causal mediation analysis reveals that increases in knowledge explain part of the treatment effects on adoption. Over-all, these results suggest that farmer-to-farmer extension can effectively foster technology adoption; both among extension group members as well as among non-members residing in the same communities, probably a sign of information spillovers. Yet, for the non-members, providing complementary information via video seems a valuable method to counterbalance incomplete information diffusion and ultimately, foster the adoption of complex system technologies such as ISFM.
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\nEssay two analyzes of the effects of different combinations of ISFM practices on land productivity, net crop value, labor demand, labor productivity and financial returns to unpaid labor at the plot level. To date, evidence on the profitability of ISFM in smallholder settings is scarce, in particular when it comes to labor investments. The study differs from previous research by looking into a broader range of outcome indicators, and into the effects of dis-tinct combinations of inorganic fertilizer, organic fertilizer and improved seeds. We employ a multinomial endogenous switching model to account for endogeneity, and data from over 6,000 teff, wheat and maize plots. Results show that both partial and complete ISFM adop-tion lead to significant increases in land productivity and net crop value, in particular when improved seeds are used. On average, the largest effect on land productivity stems from adopting complete ISFM, i.e. improved varieties with inorganic fertilizer and organic ferti-lizer, followed by the combinations containing only one fertilizer type. Analyses for two different agroecological zones suggest that in moister regions, complementing improved varieties with inorganic fertilizer is most important, while in drier regions, enhancing it with organic fertilizer is crucial, most probably due to its water-retaining effect. Regarding net crop value, average effects of combining improved seeds with either one or both fertilizer types are similar, despite the larger effect of the complete package on land productivity; probably due to reduced input costs when only one of the two fertilizer types is used. Further, as expected, ISFM is related to higher labor demand, but also significantly increases labor productivity and financial returns to labor. Hence, despite the additional demand for labor and capital, results suggest that ISFM can be a profitable technology for smallholders, at least when assessed at the plot level. 
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\nThe third essay complements the picture on ISFM effects by analyzing its impacts at the household level. This is important since additional demand for resources associated with a technology (package) may imply a reallocation of labor from one income-generating activity to another, leaving net effects for a household uncertain. Therefore, we study whether adopt-ing ISFM on at least one teff, wheat or maize plot increases income obtained from these crops, as well as total household income and household labor demand, and whether ISFM adoption is related to the probability of pursuing other economic activities. In addition, we assess impacts on food security, m

The effects of organic fertilizers, based on Tithonia diversifolia, and in-organic fertilizers, based on hydroponics fertilizer, were evaluated on the performance, leaves, and fruit mineral concentrations of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants grown under soilless medium in a screen house. The treatments comprised six levels of liquid organic fertilizer (5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 mL), in-organic fertilizer, and a control. Both organic and in-organic fertilizers increased the growth, yield, leaf nutrient concentration, and the mineral contents of tomato and cucumber fruits in comparison with the control. In-organic fertilizer enhanced the performance and mineral concentrations of tomato and cucumber fruits in comparison with organic fertilizer. However, leaf analyses showed that all the essential elements for both tomato and cucumber crops were within the adequate ranges in the organic fertilizer treatments suggesting that this organic fertilizer can be used as an alternative to the expensive and scarce in-organic fertilizer. For organic fertilizer, the highest yield and mineral contents in fruits were attained at doses of 35 mL and 25 mL for tomato and cucumber plants, respectively. At these doses, the fruit weights of tomato and cucumber were increased by 137 and 198%, respectively, in comparison with the control. For a good yield of tomato and cucumber crop with a high fruit mineral content under the soilless medium of coco peat and rice husk, 35 mL and 25 mL of our tested organic fertilizer are recommended.

To clarify the effects of organic fertilizer application on crop yield and soil properties in rice-wheat rotation system in China, we carried out a meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate the effects of organic fertilizer types (ordinary organic fertilizer, biochar, and straw), fertilization regimes (organic fertilizer alone, organic fertilizer + partial chemical fertilizer, and organic fertilizer + full amount of chemical fertilizer), and experiment duration (short term, medium term, and long term) on soil properties and the yield of rice and wheat, as well as their responses to soil conditions (acid, neutral, basic). Results showed that the application of organic fertilizer had similar yield-increase effect on rice yield (3.1%) and wheat yield (3.0%) compared to chemical fertilizer application alone. The effect of organic fertilizer application on soil quality was more obvious, significantly reducing soil bulk density by 5.7%, and increasing the concentrations of soil organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, microbial biomass carbon, and microbial biomass nitrogen by 11.7%-38.4%. Among different types of organic fertilizer, the effects of ordinary organic fertilizer and biochar on soil properties improvement were better than straw. Compared to the organic fertilizer application alone, the effects of organic fertilizer combined with chemical fertilizer on crop yield was better, but poorer on soil property improvement. With the increasing duration of organic fertilizer application, crop yield and soil fertility gradually increased. Under the condition of acid soil, the effect of organic fertilizer application on crop yield was the best. The annual yield of rice and wheat showed significant negative correlation with soil bulk density, but a significant positive correlation with the concentrations of soil total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, and microbial biomass nitrogen.

The debate surrounding organic versus inorganic fertilizer application in agriculture has long been a topic of discussion among researchers, farmers, and policymakers. Both types of fertilizers have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them depends on various factors such as crop type, soil conditions, and environmental considerations. Organic fertilizers, derived from natural sources such as compost and animal manure, provide nutrients to plants slowly as they decompose, contributing to long-term soil health and fertility. On the other hand, inorganic fertilizers, also known as chemical fertilizers, contain concentrated forms of essential nutrients and provide readily available nutrients to plants, promoting rapid growth and high yields. However, excessive use of inorganic fertilizers can lead to soil degradation and environmental pollution.Numerous studies have compared the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on crop yield, quality, and soil health. Research has shown that organic farming systems can achieve comparable or even higher yields than conventional systems using inorganic fertilizers while enhancing soil organic matter content and carbon sequestration. However, the choice between organic and inorganic fertilizers depends on various factors, and integrated nutrient management approaches, which combine organic and inorganic fertilizers, Offer a balanced approach to nutrient supply while minimizing environmental impacts.The combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers in agriculture offers a promising strategy to improve produce quality while reducing the chemical load in the soil. Research studies have demonstrated that integrated nutrient management optimizes nutrient availability to plants, resulting in improved yield and quality. By judiciously combining the benefits of both types of fertilizers, farmers can achieve sustainable cultivation practices that ensure higher yields, better quality produce, and long-term soil health.Turmeric holds a significant position in Indian agriculture, both culturally and economically. India is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric globally, contributing substantially to the spice's global market.This article reviews the findings of experiments conducted at various location and agro-climatic condition to assess the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers on yield and quality characteristics of turmeric crop. The overall results indicating that the combined application of organic and inorganic application not only increase the yield but also improve the quality parameters like curcumin, essential oil content and antioxidant activity in turmeric. These findings highlight the importance of adopting INM strategies to enhance turmeric production sustainability and quality in a different agro-climatic regions.

Low oil fertility was one of the major limiting factors for wheat yield reduction. As a result, inorganic fertilizers are commonly supplied to the crop. However, continuous and sole use of inorganic fertilizers may lead to; deterioration in soil chemical, physical and biological properties. Therefore, the study aimed at investigation of integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers on crop yield and yield components, which was conducted in a field experiment in Lume district, East Shoa Zone Ethiopia during 2018 cropping season. The organic sources used were compost and vermincompost and urea and NPS were used as an inorganic source of fertilizers. These treatments consist of: T1= 5.64t/ha compost, T2= 5.68t/haVC, T3=100% recommended NP inorganic fertilizers, T4=50% recommended NP inorganic fertilizers + 2.82t/ha compost, T5=50% recommended inorganic fertilizers + 2.84t/havermincompost, T6=No fertilizers application (control). The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design replicated three times per treatment. Data were collected on wheat grain yield and yield components. Economic analysis was also performed by estimating the costs of alternative uses of organic and inorganic fertilizers as well as grain and straw prices. The results showed that the application of organic fertilizer in combination with recommended rates of inorganic NP significantly increased the grain yield of food wheat over the application of 100% mineral NP alone and the control. The application of 2.84t/ha vermicompost in combination with 50% recommended rates of NPS+urea fertilizers increases 0.58t/ha wheat yield difference over the application of 100% recommended rate of inorganic NPS alone. It can be concluded that the application of 2.84t/ha vermicompost with 50% recommended rate of inorganic NPS fertilizers has maximum rate of return and can improve soil fertility status and increase the yield of wheat than other treatments. This experiment has to be repeated over seasons and locations to make conclusive recommendations for the study area.

Ammonium Exchange Behavior and Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Yield Affected by Inorganic NPK and Organik Fertilizer Planting in an Ultisol soil of Gedung Meneng – Nitrogen plant availability in the form of ammonium (NH4+) can be influenced by the availability of other cations such as availability of K, Ca, Mg in soil solutions. Increasing crop production by no excepetion of sugarcane requires both organic and inorganic fertilizers. The objectives of this research are to study: (1) the effect of inorganic and organic fertilizers on sugarcane production, (2) behavior of NH4+ exchange in soil given NPK inorganic and organic fertilizers in sugarcane planting plots and (3) correlation of NH4+ Q/I parameters with harvested N and sugarcane biomass. The results of this study indicate that: (1) Giving a combination of inorganic and organic fertilizers(treatment C = 100% NPK + 50% organic) has a significant effect on biomass, harvested N and C by sugarcane but not significantly different from the treatment of only inorganic fertilizers ( treatment A = 100% NPK). (2) Giving inorganic and its combination with organic fertilizers (A, C, and D) affect the parameters of the (Q/I) NH4+ which is increasing the easily released adsorption of ammonium(∆NH40) and the ammonium activity ratio in balance (ARNH40) but decreases ammonium buffer capacity (PBCNH4) and the selectivity coefficient of ammonium (Kv) compared to the treatment of only organic fertilizer (B = 100% organic) and without fertilization (E). (3) Harvested N and sugarcane biomass are positively correlated with the easily release of ammonium (∆NH40-non-specific adsorbed), ammonia activity ratio in equilibrium with other cations in soil solution (AR NH40) and cation exchange capacity (CEC), but not significantly negative correlated with ammonium potential buffer capacity (PBC NH4).

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important and widely cultivated vegetable crops in Ethiopia. The application of organic and inorganic fertilizers highly influence yield and quality attributes of potato. In this article, the effects of different inorganic and organic fertilizers on potato yield and quality were reviewed. Potato yields explained in different terms like total tuber yield, marketable tuber yield, storage tuber weight, and unmarketable tuber yield. And qualities were dry matter, specific gravity, and starch. Fertilizers like nitrogen, phosphorous potassium, and blended fertilizers; like NPSB, NPS, NPSZB, NBS, KCL, and organic fertilizer cattle manure is major fertilizer used in potato production in Ethiopia. These fertilizers are influence yield and quality of potato in both combined and alone application forms. The application of inorganic and organic fertilizer was positively affected yield and quality attributes of potato. However, the combined application form enabled to obtain higher yields and quality than sole application. However, it enhances productivity; the sole application of inorganic fertilizer has a negative impact on soil characteristics. Cattle manure improves soil structure and increases the yield. During the combined application of inorganic and organic fertilizer, the yield and quality obtain were high and soil structure might not be affected that's why a low amount of inorganic fertilizer is utilized. Therefore, the integrated use of inorganic and organic fertilizers was suggested as the better option in obtaining higher yields, improvement in the quality of potato, and soil structure. Keywords: Cattle manure, Dry matter, Inorganic fertilizer, Starch, Total tuber yield. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-22-01 Publication date: November 30 th 2020

In order to investigate the general tendency of soil microbial community responses to fertilizers, a meta-analysis approach was used to synthesise observations on the effects of inorganic and organic fertilizer addition (N: nitrogen; P: phosphorus; NP: nitrogen and phosphorus; PK: phosphorus and potassium; NPK: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; OF: organic fertilizer; OF+NPK: organic fertilizer plus NPK) on soil microbial communities. Among the various studies, PK, NPK, OF and OF+NPK addition increased total phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) by 52.0%, 19.5%, 334.3% and 58.3%, respectively; while NP, OF and OF+NPK addition increased fungi by 5.6%, 21.0% and 8.2%, respectively. NP, NPK and OF addition increased bacteria by 6.4%, 9.8% and 13.3%, respectively; while NP and NPK addition increased actinomycetes by 7.0% and 14.8%, respectively. Addition of ammonium nitrate rather than urea decreased gram-negative bacteria (G–). N addition increased total PLFA、bacteria and actinomycetes in croplands, but decreased fungi and bacteria in forests, and the F/B ratio in grasslands. NPK addition increased total PLFA in forests but not in croplands. The N addition rate was positively correlated with the effects of N addition on gram-positive bacteria (G+) and G–. Therefore, different fertilizers appear to have different effects on the soil microbial community. Organic fertilizers can have a greater positive effect on the soil microbial community than inorganic fertilizers. The effects of fertilizers on the soil microbial community varied with ecosystem types. The effect of N addition on the soil microbial community was related to both the forms of nitrogen that were added and the nitrogen addition rate.

Fertilizer plays a vital role in crop cultivation as a source of nutrients and affect the soil health. Microbes present in soil is a biological parameter of soil and important indicator of soil health. The plant’s nutrition depends not only on chemical availability but also on nutrient movement and plant characteristics. Nutrient addition causes a significant improvement, in comparison with the control plants. Soils are populated by plant roots, small animals, and many kinds of microbes: protozoa, algae, fungi, and bacteria. Each group is important to the soil’s life, but most of the biomass and biological activity is provided by plant roots fungi and bacteria. A field experiment was done at Rajshahi University in 2024 to investigate the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer as source of nutrient and its effect on soil microbes. <i>Amaranthus </i>spp. was cultivated for the study. There were six treatments in this work. T<sub>0</sub>= control, T<sub>1</sub>= recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer (urea-850 g/deci, TSP-700g, MOP-200 g/deci and gypsum-300 g/deci) T<sub>2</sub>= 10% extra from recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer, T<sub>3</sub>=cowdung (10 ton/ha), T<sub>4 </sub>= vermicompost (2.5 ton/ha) and T<sub>5</sub>= trichocompost (2.5 ton/ha). The yield and growth values of <i>Amaranthus</i> spp. were higher in inorganic fertilizer treatment (T<sub>1</sub>) but soil microbial weight was lower in inorganic fertilizer and high in organic fertilizer. The recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer (T<sub>1</sub>) showed the highest values in crop yield but second highest was in trichocompost treatment (T<sub>5</sub>) in addition trichocompost treatment showed best result in case of microbial weight and bacteria culture. Trichocompost may be eco-friendly source of nutrient in amaranth cultivation.

The study was carried out to determine the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on tomato yield and soil quality. The study was performed in a randomized complete block design consisting of 7 treatments with 3 replications in the research farm, Shaikh Zayed University, Khost, Afghanistan. The fertilizers treatments were T1, organic fertilizer (5 t/ha); T2, organic fertilizer (10 t/ha); T3, urea (150 Kg/ha); T4, urea (200 Kg/ha); T5, mixed fertilizers (organic fertilizer 3 t/ha + urea (100 Kg/ha); T6, mixed fertilizers (organic fertilizer 6 t/ha + urea (70 Kg/ha) and T7 a control. Results indicate that applications of inorganic fertilizers with a combination of organic fertilizers increased tomato yield and improves the nutrient status of the soil. T5 showed the highest yield of tomato and followed by T4 treatment, which were 33.1 and 31.7 t/ha respectively. The lower yield were obtained in T7 and T1 treatments. The highest plant heights (205.0 and 199.0 cm) were obtained in T5 and T4 respectively, while the lowest plant heights were obtained in T1 treatment and followed by T7 treatment. Similarly, we found that a combination of both inorganic and organic fertilizers application also is the best strategy to improve soil nutrients, maintain soil fertility. Soil P2O5 and K2O, where the highest amounts were obtained in T5 and followed by T6, which were 26.5, 22.5 and 44.5 and 41.5 mg/L respectively. The control treatment had the lowest amount of P2O5 and K2O. Therefore, this study suggests that an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer with inorganic fertilizer not only increased tomato yield but also improve soil fertility.

Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) is one of the most important horticultural crops for human consumption and livestock feed. All parts of the plant are found useful to human consumption, animal feed, and industrial uses. Fertilizer applications have been shown to improve vegetative and storage parameters could be enhanced, but inorganic fertilizers are not always readily available, or are too expensive for prevalently subsistent farmers in Nigeria. This study aimed to compare the performance characteristics of four potato varieties using two fertilizers from inorganic and organic sources using morphological characteristics of the plants. The experiment was carried out in the field and laid out as randomized complete block design with three replications. Two treatments that is, inorganic and organic fertilizers with three levels for each treatment were used. The yield and other morphological characteristics were measured. The results showed that Iwo 1 (variety 3) produced the highest number of tubers (16.67 and 16.69; 16.67 and 16.33) with both inorganic and organic fertilizers and levels, respectively. Iwo 1 (variety 3) also produced the biggest tuber weight (4.57 and 4.60 kg; 3.97 and 3.88 kg) with both inorganic and organic fertilizers and levels, respectively. The results showed significantly (P≤0.05) similar levels of performance of organic fertilizers when juxtaposed with inorganic fertilizer applications, suggesting that in the absence of inorganic fertilizers either due to cost and or availability, organic fertilizers which are relatively more available to the farmer could be used to obtain similar yield levels. Given the bulky nature of the fertilizers as suggested by the quantity used in this experiment, further research will need to be done to determine the best rate for organic fertilizer application. Key words: Fertilizers, improvement, productivity, sweet potato.

Cluster bean is one of the significant yet underutilized leguminous vegetables belonging to family fabaceae. It is known by various names across the country such as gaur, chavli kaayi, gori kaayi, khutt, govar, and kothavare. A field experiment on cluster bean was carried out during the summer season of the year 2024 at the farm of P. L. Dodda Rangegowda in Chikkenahalli of Challakere taluk, Chitradurga district, Karnataka. The primary objectives of the study are to examine the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the productivity and growth characteristics of cluster bean; to identify the advantages and disadvantages of these fertilizers in relation to productivity, soil fertility, and environment and further to review the effects of mixed organic and inorganic fertilizers on yield and soil fertility. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with four replications and five treatments which comprised of 100 percent organic (FYM and chicken manure), 100 percent inorganic (NPK), 50 percent organic + 50 percent inorganic, 100 percent organic + jeevamruta and control. The results revealed that, treatment T3 outperformed the others, showing the highest values for plant height, number of branches per plant, days to first flowering, days to first vegetable harvest, pod length, pod width, yield per plant, yield per plot, and yield per hectare, while the control recorded the lowest values. Soil properties such as pH, EC, SOC and NPK levels improved when combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers were applied together. Based on these results, it can be concluded that, the application of organic manures, along with chemical fertilizers, positively enhanced the vegetative growth, reproductive growth, yield, quality of cluster bean and soil parameters.

Ethiopia’s economy has been significantly influenced by agriculture. However, it is unable to feed the nation’s expanding population. One of the most significant obstacles to improving food production in Ethiopia is the declining soil fertility. Various development measures, including the intensification of agriculture using contemporary agricultural technologies, have been implemented to enhance the underwhelming performance of agriculture. One of the contemporary agricultural technologies introduced into Ethiopian agriculture is fertilizer, which helps smallholder farmers produce more effectively. Although there was a focus on promoting the use of these newly introduced technologies, exploratory findings showed that many farmers did not do so. Hence, this study aimed to review the different effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil fertility and crop production, as well as their economic role in the country, specifically, the importance and value of organic and inorganic fertilizers, the significance of organic fertilizer application to enhance crop production, and the constraints of organic and inorganic fertilizers that affect farmers or users. Regarding soil health, balancing the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers can be beneficial for soil health and sustainable agriculture. Incorporating organic matter through composting and manure application improves soil structure and fertility over time, while judicious use of synthetic fertilizers can provide targeted nutrient supplementation when needed. Additionally, employing practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and soil conservation measures can further enhance soil health and minimize environmental impacts and as a result, it can optimize yields of crops.

A pot experiment was conducted in the rooftop garden to find the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers in soil-based media on growth, yield and antioxidant properties of lettuce. Twelve different soil-based media prepared with different proportion of cowdung, vermicompost and biochar with four replications. Plant height, leaf number, shoot weight increased in the treatments of cowdung either used sole or together with vermicompost and biochar in soil compared to control and T1 (soil 100% + inorganic fertilizer) treatments. The antioxidant compounds of lettuce leaf such as vitamin C, phenolic and flavonoid content increased with the sole application of organic fertilizers and combined use of inorganic and organic fertilizers than control. But these antioxidants content decreased in the treatments treated with inorganic fertilizers. The antioxidants properties were consistent with DPPH activity of leaf extract as measured in IC50 value. Therefore, it is suggested that application of organic fertilizer in soil-based media improves the yield and quality of lettuce grown in the rooftop garden. Bangladesh J. Bot. 55(1): 223-227, 2026 (March)

The present investigation was carried out with title ‘Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)’ at the Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh during Rabi in 2022-23 with a view to identify the effects of different doses of organic and inorganic fertilizers and its role in growth, yield and quality of Broccoli variety Pusa KTS-1. The experiment was laid in Randomized block design with 15 treatments including control and 3 replications with different combinations of plant growth regulators. Under this experiment, overall, 15 treatments were taken including RDF (100 Kg N+80 Kg P+60 Kg K) + FYM @ 25 t . Different Organic and inorganic fertilizers were used comprised of Nitrogen, FYM, Vermicompost and Poultry manure, at different doses. According to the current research, the use of Nitrogen and various organic fertilizers had a significant positive impact on the growth and development of Broccoli. Among the various treatments that were evaluated, T7 (60% N + 13.3% FYM + 13.3% Vermicompost + 13.3% PoultryManure) best in terms of plant height (70.73 cm), number of leaves (17.27), Leaf area (33.87 cm2), days to first curd initiation (55.63 DAT), days to horticultural maturity (68.63 DAT), curd diameter (17.67 cm), curd weight (341.5g), curd yield per plot (3.07Kg), curd yield per hectare (12.64 t), TSS (11.20Brix) and ascorbic acid (105.13mg/100g).