Response of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties to Blended Fertilizer Rates on Quality Attributes and Economic Advantages

Abstract

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) quality is an important component of the crop productivity as it improves both food security and income sources for farmers. However, its grain quality and economic yields are mainly constrained by poor soil fertility and lack of site specific fertilizer recommendation in the study area for specific variety. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted in Tiyo district of Arsi Zone, Ethiopia, on farmer's field in 2018 main cropping season in response of bread wheat varieties to blended fertilizer rates on quality attributes and its economic advantages. Factorial combination of two improved bread wheat varieties (Wane and Kingbird) and seven fertilizer treatments [Control, Recommended NP (150 kg ha-1 TSP (69%P2O5 ) + 158.7 kg ha-1 Urea (73 N)), 100 kg NPSB + recommended urea (46 kg N) , 150 kg NPSB + recommended urea, 200 kg NPSB + recommended urea, 250 kg NPSB + recommended urea, 300 kg NPSB + recommended urea.] were laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that grain protein content and hectoliter weight were significantly affected by the main effect of varieties and fertilizer rates with highest grain quality obtained from Wane variety at 200 kg NPSB + 100 kg Urea ha-1 , and recommended NP fertilizer application. The partial budget analysis results revealed that the application of 200 kg NPSB ha1 + 100 kg Urea ha-1 on Wane and Kingbird varieties gave maximum marginal rates of return of 992.8% and 546.3% with highest net benefits respectively. Therefore, application of NPSB at the rate of 200 kg NPSB ha-1 + 100 kg Urea ha-1 in the production of Wane and Kingbird varieties produced better bread wheat quality and economic advantages for the experimental area of wheat production.