Response of bread wheat to sulfur and phosphorus fertilizers in the north central Ethiopia

Wondwosen Tena,Shawl Assefa,Wassie Haile

doi:10.1186/s40066-021-00303-y

Wondwosen Tena, Shawl Assefa + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-021-00303-y

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Abstract

BackgroundEmerging research evidences since few years back are indicating that sulfur (S) is becoming a limiting nutrient in some Ethiopian soils. However, these evidences are not sufficient to make a solid conclusion that some soils of Ethiopia have became deficient in S. There is also limited information on the interaction effects of S and phosphorus (P) on bread wheat in Ethiopia. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of S and P fertilizers; and their interaction on yield components and yield of bread wheat grown at Gerba and Deneba locations, Northern central Ethiopia. A factorial experiment consisting of three levels (0, 15 and 30 kg ha−1) of S and four levels (0, 11, 22 and 44 kg ha−1) of P was laid out in RCB design with three replications.ResultsResults revealed that yield components and yield of wheat were significantly affected by both main and interaction effects of S and P fertilizers in both locations. At Gerba, S applied at 15 and 30 kg ha−1 increased grain yield (GY) of wheat by 32 and 44% over untreated control treatment, respectively. The corresponding increases at Deneba were 29 and 37% over untreated control treatment, respectively. However, significantly higher GY was obtained with treatments involving combined application of S and P than that obtained with single application of S or P. GY gains due to S and P interaction effect ranged from 46–65 to 52–75% over untreated control treatment at Gerba and Deneba, respectively. Optimum GY of wheat was obtained with treatment involving 15 kg S ha−1 + 22 kg P ha−1.ConclusionThe results of this experiment revealed that application of P and S fertilizer has significantly increased yield component, grain and straw yield of wheat compared to unfertilized control plot, indicating insufficient soil P and S content for optimum production of wheat and this was confirmed by very low soil test values of S in both sites. Combined application of S and P produced significantly higher yield of wheat than that obtained with single application of S or P indicating synergistic interaction between these nutrients. In all cases, optimum grain and straw yield of wheat was obtained with treatment involving at 22 P + 15 S kg ha−1, while a partial budget analysis result revealed that a combination of 22P and 15S kg ha−1 produced the highest MMR (54.9%). Thus this treatment is found to be economically feasible treatment for bread wheat production in study area of the district.

Highlights

Emerging research evidences since few years back are indicating that sulfur (S) is becoming a limiting nutrient in some Ethiopian soils
The available P content of both locations are slightly higher than 6 mg kg−1, lower than the critical soil available P value established for some Ethiopian soils which is 10 mgkg−1 [30]
The apparent significant response of wheat to S application in both locations found in this study indicates low level soil S for optimum production of wheat in the study areas

Summary

Introduction

Emerging research evidences since few years back are indicating that sulfur (S) is becoming a limiting nutrient in some Ethiopian soils. Declining soil fertility which is caused by soil erosion, continuous cropping of same land year after year, deforestation, inadequate replenishment of nutrients lost through different pathways through application of organic and inorganic fertilizers are the main challenge to wheat production and to the production of all crops [4, 6]. It is an issue of great concern in Ethiopia as soil nutrient depletion is becoming severe and severe with time since little efforts are being made to reverse the problem. Among several composite indexes for food security is a large set of proxies for food security [8]

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Conclusion