Abstract
Vertisols occur in a wide range of climatic zones but most abundantly in the tropics. Nutrient deficiencies and poor management practices limit the productivity of Vertisols. As soil test methods are unreliable indicators of potassium (K) availability on Vertisols because of the type of clay minerals and surface properties, it is important to assess the response of applied K for plant nutrition. Field experiments were conducted to determine the requirement of K for chickpea and evaluate the impact of K on the uptake and efficiency of nutrients in Vertisols of North West Ethiopia. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replications. Potassium was added at four levels (0, 50,100 and 150 kg ha−1) as muriate of potash (KCl), and a basal dose of NPS. The result indicated that K at a rate of 100 kg ha−1 KCl produced the highest dry matter and grain yield increase (4436.53 and 2289.33 kg ha−1, respectively; p < 0.05) during the 2015 and 2016 main cropping seasons at two sites. The concentration, total uptake of nutrients and total nitrogen were enhanced and agronomic efficiency parameters were improved by the application of K in chickpea plants. The study revealed that fertilization of chickpea by inorganic K could be used to increase grain yield and quality of chickpea in the study sites.
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