Plant Tissue Nutrient Concentration and Major Soil Nutrients Influenced by NPSB Fertilizer Rates and Plant Population of Maize (Zea Mays L.) at Bako, Oromia National Regional State

Abstract

Plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur are the nutrients frequently limit the yields of maize over the world. Nutrient recommendation should be based on the optimum yield and environmental save that can be through plant tissue analysis and soil test. This experiment was conducted at Bako Agricultural Research Center west region of Ethiopia Gobu Sayo using split plot desighn with three levels of plant population 53.333,66,666 and 76,923 plants per hectare on main plot and five level 0,100,150,200,250 kg/ha of NPSB fertilizer rates on sub-plots. Soil sample was taken from the plots pre-harvesting for composite sample and post-harvest from each plot and analyzed at Bako soil laboratory and Ethiopia water work design Addis Ababa for soil fertility management. Nutrient in plant tissue was analyzed at Holota Agricultural Research Center soil laboratory. Collected data was analyzed using Genstat computer statistical soft-ware package. The result of pre planting soil analysis showed soil of the study area was categorized as clay soil with medium and stable organic matter and low organic carbon and low total nitrogen that shows low soil fertility. The ANOVA result showed addition of fertilizer reduced soil pH from 5.7 to 5.47 and bellow. 150 kg/ha of NPSB which gave economically feasible yield 9460kg/ha moderately acidified the soil. This soil analysis result showed that the level at which fertilizer boost yield of maize. Only percent of phosphorus was changed due to plant population density. Plant tissue concentration at silking was significantly influenced by fertilizer rates. Potassium is at sufficiency range for all level of supplied fertilizer. Sufficient range nitrogen at silkin was recorded from the plot received 100-150 kg/ha which gave economically feasible yield. It is better to use fertilizer rate of 150kg/ha which shows sufficiency range for nutrient concentration of soil and plant tissue in leaf at silking stage. This finding is not the end for the area and further research should be carried out for feature. Keywords: plant tissue, soil, Zea mays L., Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur, potassium DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-13-04 Publication date: July 31 st 2022