Abstract
Low soil fertility and nutrient unavailability due to loss of soil organic matter content and low fertilizer input are among the major maize crop production constraints in Ethiopia, particularly, in Toke kutaye Woreda. An integrated use of vermicompost and NPS fertilizers are indispensible to improve this condition of soil. Cognizant of this fact, a study was conducted in 2019/2020 to assess the effect of combined use of vermicompost and NPS fertilizer on soil physicochemical properties and yield of maize. In order to achieve this objective field experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The treatments consist of different combinations of vermicompost and NPS fertilizer rates. The results of the study showed that all the treatments applied were improved soil moisture and total porosity over control or NPS fertilizer alone, while, bulk density was decreased below the control due to the different rates of organic amendments. The higher pH value of vermicompost caused relative increase in soil pH over the control. It was observed that the application of vermicompost along with NPS fertilizers increased the contents of organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available sulfur, exchangeable potassium over the control. Moreover, increasing doses of amendments applied to soil increased grain yield, than that of control treatment, sole use of vermicompost and NPS fertilizer, and low rate application. It can be concluded that the application of vermicompost along with NPS fertilizers were improved organic matter and nutrient contents of the soils which in turn increased crop yields. Hence, in order to maintain soil fertility and sustain maize crop production, farmers of the study area and similar agro ecologies are advised to make integrated use of vermicompost at (5 t ha-1) and NPS inorganic fertilizer at (50 kg ha-1) tentatively. Nevertheless, to develop a concrete recommendation further research studies are needed over long seasons, soil types and crop varieties.
Highlights
Low soil fertility and nutrient unavailability due to loss of soil organic matter content and low level of fertilizer input are among the major maize crop production constraints in Ethiopia [1]
The low contents of total N, available S, available P observed in the soil of the study area are in agreement with the results reported by Tekalign and Haque [54] and Tilahun [55] for most Ethiopian soils
The result of this study showed that soil particle size distribution was 15.1% sand, 35.3% silt and 49.6% clay which is suitable for maize production
Summary
Low soil fertility and nutrient unavailability due to loss of soil organic matter content and low level of fertilizer input are among the major maize crop production constraints in Ethiopia [1]. An organic farming or chemical fertilizers are used as solution for such situations, there are some problems related to chemical fertilizer such as inadequate supply or even unavailability of fertilizer at the time of need and becoming very costly for farmers to apply the full recommended rates [2]. Sole application of organic matter is constrained by access to sufficient organic inputs, low nutrient content, high labor demand for preparation and transporting [3]. Tesfaye [4] stated that neither inorganic nor organic fertilizers alone can result in sustainable productivity. Integrated use of organic sources such as vermicompost and inorganic sources such as NPS fertilizer are better than
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