Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.,) is an important smallholder crop grown in Ethiopia. Its yields are low because of a decline in soil fertility, insufficient use of fertilizers, and blanket use of fertilizer. However, there is no Nitrogen and Phosphorus fertilizer recommendation for Maize in Yeki District. A three-year field experiment was conducted to verify the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer rates for maize. The experiment consisted of three treatments; 92 kg N ha-1 + 69 kg P2O5 ha-1, 64 Kg N ha-1 + 46 kg P2O5 ha-1and no fertilizer (control) laid out using a randomized complete block design with four replications. The replication represents the four locations selected for the test. The results of the study showed that the application of 92 kg N ha-1+ 69 kg P2O5 ha-1significantly increased the growth parameters and yield of maize when compared to the other treatments. The highest maize grain yield (10052.9 kg ha-1) was obtained from the application of 92 kg N ha-1 with 69 kg P2O5 ha-1. This study further confirms the significant role of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers for maize production. From the result of the study, the application rate of 92 kg N ha-1 + 69 kg P2O5 ha-1 is recommended for increasing maize yield, particularly in the study area, and also it is economically feasible.
Highlights
Poor soil fertility is recognized as the major constraint to food production and food security in the world
Nitrogen and Phosphorus fertilizer recommendations are determined for maize in different agroecology of Ethiopia
The present study aimed at validating the NP fertilizer rate recommended for maize (92 N and 69P2O5) kg ha-1 Wakene et al, [5] at Oromia Region on Nitisol of Jimma District to SNNPR state at Yeki District (Figure 1)
Summary
Poor soil fertility is recognized as the major constraint to food production and food security in the world. Ethiopia has potentially rich land resources but agricultural productivity has been below optimum yield. This is mainly due to a range of factors including soil erosion, acidity and nutrient depletion, lack of soil fertility replenishment, nutrient mining, and lack of balanced fertilization [1,2,3]. The proper rates of plant nutrients requirements are determined by knowledge about; the nutrient requirement of the crop and supplying capacity power of the soil. There is no fertilizer recommendation rate for maize production in Yeki District. The present study aimed at validating the NP fertilizer rate recommended for maize (92 N and 69P2O5) kg ha-1 Wakene et al, [5] at Oromia Region on Nitisol of Jimma District to SNNPR state at Yeki District (Figure 1)
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