Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Land Use Efficiency in Finger millet and Common Bean Cropping Systems

Abstract

ABSTRACT Based on the efficiency of applied nutrients and land use there is no fertilizer rate recommendations for finger millet–common bean cropping systems. A field experiment was conducted in Northwestern Ethiopia on nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and land use efficiency in finger millet and common bean cropping systems. Factorial combinations of three cropping systems (monoculture finger millet, monoculture common bean and their intercropping) and five fertilizer levels (0, 50%, 100%, 150% and 200% of the recommended N and P fertilizer rate of each monoculture crop) were laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that in both cropping systems, finger millet grain yield was increased in line with fertilizer levels of which maximum grain yield was obtained in an intercropping with the application of 200% N and P2O5. Application of 100% P2O5 in monoculture common bean gave maximum seed yield, while in an intercropping, application of P2O5 had no significant effect. The highest N and P partial factor productivity and agronomic efficiency of the component crops were recorded in an intercropping with the application of 50% P2O5 and N. Among the cropping systems finger millet–common bean intercropping at 50% P2O5 and N saved 0.91 ha of land over monocultures. In conclusion, intercropping finger millet and common bean at 2:1 ratio with the application of 50% of their blanket recommended N and P2O5 improved the N and P use efficiency thereby increasing the land use efficiency compared to the component monoculture.