Blended Fertilizer Research Articles

Effects of Blended NPSB and N Fertilizer Rates on Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) Grain Yield and Yield Components in Chora District, Buno Bedele Zone, South Western Ethiopia

Maize is a significant cereal crop in Ethiopia. However, the yield of this crop is declined from time to time due to continuous use of DAP and urea for a long season, which resulted in deficiency of other important nutrients and due to absence of the right fertilizer with the right rate at the right time. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at chora district during the 2021 main cropping season to assess the effect of blended NPSB fertilizer rates supplemented with inorganic N fertilizer on maize grain yield and yield components and to determine the economically optimum levels of blended NPSB and N required to give higher yield of maize. The treatment consisted of factorial combination of five levels of blended NPSB (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200kg/ha) and four levels of N (0, 23, 46 and 69kg/ha) fertilizer rates. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Analysis of the results revealed that, plant height (PH), above ground dry biomass (AGDB kg/ha), grain yield (GY kg/ha) and stalk yield (SY kg/ha) were highly significantly affected by main effect of blended NPSB and N rates, as well as by their interaction, while number of cob per plot (NCPP), cob length (CL), number of grains per cob (NGPC), thousand kernel weight (TKW gm) and harvest index (HI%) were significantly affected by main effect of blended NPSB and N rates, as well as by their interaction. Only number of rows per cob (NRPC) was not significantly affected by both main effects of blended NPSB and N rates, as well as their interaction. The result showed that, the highest grain yield (7026.4kg/ha) and net benefit (89020 ETB/ha) with an acceptable marginal rate of return (1010.9%) was obtained from the plot treated with 200kg/ha of NPSB and 69kg/ha of N fertilizer rates. Therefore, based on the result obtained from this study, application of 200kg/ha of blended fertilizer supplemented with 69 kg/ha of N fertilizer can be suggested as profitable for production of maize at the study area and their similar soil conditions and agro-ecologies.

Effect of Blended Fertilizer Rates and Planting Density on Yield and Yield Components of Irish Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) at Gombora Condition, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Effect of Blended Fertilizer Rates and Planting Density on Yield and Yield Components of Irish Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) at Gombora Condition, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Effects of Blended Fertilizer Type and Rates of Application on Yield and Quality of Durum Wheat (<i>Triticum turgidum var. durum</i>) in Southeastern Ethiopia

There are several biotic and abiotic factors that hindered the yield and quality of durum wheat in Ethiopia. To solve the problem, the field experiment was conducted during the 2020/21 cropping season to determine the effect of blended fertilizer type and rate of fertilizer application on the yield and quality of durum wheat in South Eastern Ethiopia. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in factorial arrangement of three different blended fertilizer type (NPS, NPSB and NPSZnB) and four different rates (50 kg/ha, 100 kg/ha, 150 kg/ha and 200 kg/ha) of fertilizer application and one control in each replication. The results indicated that straw yield, Gluten content and protein content were significantly (P>0.05) affected by the main effect of different blended fertilizer type and rates of fertilizer application significantly (P>0.05) whereas harvest index of the wheat are significantly affected only by the different rates of fertilizer application but the productive tiller number, number of seed per spike and spike length were non significantly (P>0.05) affected by the different blended fertilizer type and rates of fertilizer application. More over the interaction effect of different blended fertilizer type and rate of fertilizer application on wheat yield and quality was affects the plant height, biomass yield, thousand seed weight and Grain yield was significant difference (P>0.05) but all other parameters were not affected by the interaction of different fertilizer type and rates of fertilizer application. Therefore based on the result of yield and quality of the durum wheat sown with NPS had better protein quality than the other fertilizer applied. The interactive effect of NPSZnB with 200 kg ha^-1 fertilizer rate was superior for achieving higher yield in the study area. However, further study has to be done under different locations based on the soil test with a wide range of different micronutrients and rates of fertilizer application to exploit the tentative recommendation of the present study.

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

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.

Evaluation of blended fertilizer type on improving the productivity of onion (Allium cepa L.) in Bena Tsemay district, Southwestern Ethiopia

Evaluation of blended fertilizer type on improving the productivity of onion (Allium cepa L.) in Bena Tsemay district, Southwestern Ethiopia

Determination of Rates of NPSB Blended Fertilizer for Better Production of Maize in Debub Ari District, Southern Ethiopia

Determination of Rates of NPSB Blended Fertilizer for Better Production of Maize in Debub Ari District, Southern Ethiopia

Exploring the limitations of forward osmosis for direct hydroponic fertigation: Impact of ion transfer and fertilizer composition on effective dilution

There is a need for water reuse technologies and applications to minimize the imminent water crisis, caused by the world population growth, the reduction of freshwater resources and the increasing water pollution. Fertilizer-drawn forward osmosis (FDFO) is a promising process capable of simultaneously extracting fresh water from low-quality sources as feed water (e.g., wastewater or greywater), while diluting fertilizer solutions for direct fertigation, avoiding the demand for freshwater for irrigation. Achieving an adequate level of dilution for direct fertigation is a key element to be evaluated for the implementation of FDFO. This study assessed the performance of the forward osmosis process to dilute fertilizer solutions to be applied directly in hydroponic systems. Experiments were carried out under conditions close to osmotic equilibrium to evaluate the process performance up to the maximum dilution point. Tests were carried out with individual and blended fertilizers (i.e., (NH4)2HPO4 or DAP, and KNO3) used as draw solution (DS) and with deionized water or individual salts (NaCl, MgCl2, Na2SO4, MgSO4) in the feed solution (FS). Water fluxes and reverse salt fluxes indicated that both fertilizer DS composition and concentrations play a fundamental role in the process. Suitable nutrient concentrations to be directly applied without further dilution for N, P and K (119, 40, 264 mg.L−1 respectively) were obtained with deionized water as FS and blended DAP (0.025 M) and KNO3 (0.15 M) as DS. However, important fertilizer losses from DS to FS were observed, being the highest for NO3− (33–70% losses from DS to FS). The presence of salts in FS decreased the water fluxes and the DS dilution due to the osmotic equilibrium caused by a greater loss of nutrients from DS to FS (up to 100%), compared with tests using just deionized water as FS. This study points out the potential limitations of the FDFO process, due to the high solute fluxes and low water fluxes in conditions close to osmotic equilibrium.

Effect of Blended Fertilizer on Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Economy of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Assosa District, Western Ethiopia

Effect of Blended Fertilizer on Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Economy of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Assosa District, Western Ethiopia

Evaluation of Blended NPS Fertilizer Rates and Inter Row Spacing on Yield Components and Yield of Maize (Zea Mays L.)

Corn is an important cereal crop in Ethiopia due to its use as a source of food security. However, its productivity is limited by insufficient application of the NPS fertilizer and different row spacing. A field trial was carried out to assess the effects of the application of different NPS fertilizer quantities and inter row spacing on the growth, yield components and yield of maize and the cost-benefit analysis of the NPS compound fertilizer application on the yield of maize in the main growing season 2019/2020.The study was arranged in a factorial combination of five levels of NPS fertilizers (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg NPS ha-1) and four inter row spacing (55 cm, 65 cm, 75 cm and 85 cm). in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The consequence showed the main result of the NPS fertilizer had a highly significant (p <0.01) effect on days up to 50% anthesis, days up to 50% silk formation, 90% physiological maturity, leaf area, leaf area index, number of plants at harvest, the number of grains per ear was determined from the main effects of NPS fertilizer of 200 kg NPS ha-1. The interaction effects of NPS and row spacing have highly significant (p <0.01) effects on the number of ears per plant, number of ears per hectare, ear length, agronomic effectiveness and grain yield were obtained when using 150 kg. measured NPS ha-1 at 75 cm row spacing. The highest economic (91,608 Birr ha-1) and a higher MRR (1745%) resulted from the 150 kg NPS ha-1 and 75 cm row spacing. Thus, it should be noted that the application of 150 kg NPS ha-1 with a row spacing of 75 cm was both agronomic and cost-effective for the grain yield of the Melkassa-II in the study area.

Potato Productivity Enhancement by Combined Use of Blended Fertilizer (NPSB), Cattle Manure, Vermicompost, and Mineral NP in Acidic Soil

Potato Productivity Enhancement by Combined Use of Blended Fertilizer (NPSB), Cattle Manure, Vermicompost, and Mineral NP in Acidic Soil

Effect of Blended (NPSB) Fertilizer Rates and Plant Population on Yield and Yield Components of Maize (Zea mays L.) at Bako, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the major cereal crop in Ethiopia and plays a crucial role in ensuring food security. However, its productivity is constrained by a number of problems, among which use of high or low plant population and poor soil fertility management are the most critical once. Therefore, a field experiment was undertaken to determine the optimal NPSB fertilizer rate and plant population for maize at Bako. The experiment was laid out in split plot design distributing three levels of plant population [53,333 plants ha -1 (25 x75 cm), 66,666 plants ha -1 (60x25cm) and 76923 plants ha -1 (65x20cm)] in the main plots and five levels of NPSB fertilizer rates (0,100,150,200 and 250 kg NPSB ha -1 ) and recommended NP rates as sub-plots. The interaction of plant population and NPSB rates influenced significantly (P<5 %) leaf area index, number of cobs plot -1 , number of kernel cob -1 , dry biomass and thousand kernel weight. The highest leaf area index 6.661 was recorded on the combination of 66,666 plants ha -1 with 200 kg NPSB fertilizer rate. The highest number of cob plot -1 (115.3) and dry biomass yield 28,299 kg ha -1 were recorded from 66,666 plant ha -1 with 150 kg NPSB ha -1 , and 53,333 plant ha -1 with standard check 92/69 kg NP ha -1 , respectively. The highest grain yield 9954 kg ha -1 with net profit of 76,038 Birr with marginal rate of return 598% was obtained from 150 kg NPSB ha -1 with 66666 plants ha -1 (60 cmx25 cm). Therefore, application of 150 kg NPSB ha -1 with 66666 plants ha -1 for farmers in the study area and with similar agro-ecology can use and can improve maize productivity. However, the experiment need to be further verified in multi-locations for better usage at different agro-ecologies. Keywords: plant population, blended fertilizer, maize, yield DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-21-04 Publication date: November 30 th 2021

Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Usage Ofclimate Driven Seed Maize in Zimbabwe

The study sought to analyze the factors influencing the use of climate specific certified seeds by maize farmers in Zimbabwe. In terms of the specific objectives the study determined the level of certified seeds produced and utilized in Zimbabwe and examined the factors that influence the level of climate specific certified seeds by farmers in Zimbabwe (2010-2016) farming seasons. In terms of the research methodology, the study adopted an explanatory and gathered data from 53 participants within the maize value chain using a questionnaire. Drawing from the findings, the study revealed that the certified seed maize production increased significantly although utilization declined in the same 2010-2016 period and the surplus gap between supply and demand of certified seed was exported due to low local utilization level. The research concluded that 11.38% of the variance in certified seed maize utilized by farmers under unions are explained by the price of hybrid seed maize, quantities of fertilizer, seed maize, herbicides produced by agricultural companies as well as age differences, educational differences, backward and forward markets within the maize value chain. In order to address the gap between seedmaize produced and adopted by farmer unions, the government, must develop exist strategies which involves rural financing and lending options and prioritize a culture of investing innovations among farmer unions. Such investment strategies must provide access to climate specific certified seeds such as high analysis maize blend fertilizers, hybrid seeds, herbicides and irrigation equipment required as a package to improve maize production in Zimbabwe.

Effect of blended fertilizer types for improving production of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) in Bena Tsemay district, Southwestern Ethiopia

Depletion of soil organic matter, depletion of macro- and micronutrients, lack of local specific fertilizer recommendation per commodity are among core constraints in Ethiopian soils that hinders crop production including sorghum. The experiment was conducted to evaluate blended fertilizer type effect on improving production of sorghum in Bena Tsemay district, Southwestern Ethiopia. The experiment was carried out in 2018 and 2019 main cropping season and laid out in RCBD following three replications with spacing of 75cm between rows and 20cm between plants. It was done by using control, (46N+68.7P2O5) kgha-1 , (142NPS+141Urea) kgha1 , (150NPSB+141Urea) kgha-1 , (160NPSBZn+144Urea) kgha-1 , (155NPSZn+141Urea) kgha1 , (197NPSBK+141Urea) kgha-1 and (207NPSBZnK+141Urea) kgha-1 treatments. Full dose of blended fertilizer, phosphorus, boron and potassium chloride fertilizers were applied at planting time and urea was applied in two split. Partial budget analysis with dominance and marginal analysis was done for economic evaluation. The result has revealed that sorghum has responded well to the application of macronutrients with micronutrients (Zn and B) than unfertilized. Application of 150kgha-1NPSB+141kgha-1Urea resulted in highest grain yield, while the lowest grain yield was recorded from the control. The highest economic returns of 230.06% was obtained from application of 150kgha-1NPSB+141kgha-1Urea; and it gives 43.85% yield increment and 31.86% increment in economic return over the control. Application of 150kgha-1NPSB+141kgha-1Urea was recommended for farmers and investor’s to produce sorghum on the study area and similar agro ecologies, as it was optimum for improving sorghum production. Further investigation should be done on plant nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency and optimization.

Response of Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] Varieties to Different Blended NPSZnB Fertilizer Rates in Haro Limmu District, Western Ethiopia : A Pilot Study

Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] plays a crucial role in achieving food and nutritional security in Ethiopia being predominant staple food. Lack of high yielding varieties suitable to the area and inadequate site-specific blended fertilizers are the major constraints to higher tef productivity. Hence, a field experiment was conducted during 2020 main cropping season to identify high yielding variety and determine economically feasible blended NPSZnB fertilizer rate at Farmers Training Center in Ucha Kebele, Haro Limmu district. Experiment included five different NPSZnB fertilizer rates (0, 50,100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1) and three Tef varieties (Negus, Tesfa and local). Treatments were factorially combined and laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that thousand seed weight of Tef was significantly influenced by main effect of varieties, blended NPSZnB fertilizer rates and their interactions. Panicle length, dry biomass yield, lodging index, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index of Tef were significantly (P<0.001) affected by main effect of blended NPSZnB fertilizer rates and the interactions of the two factors, while the panicle length, dry biomass yield, lodging index and grain yield, straw yield and harvest index of Tef were significantly (P<0.01; 0.05) affected by main effect of varieties respectively. Highest (118.20 cm) plant height, dry biomass yield (9. 64 t ha-1), straw yield (7.02 t ha-1), grain yield (2.62 t ha-1), thousand seed weight (0.42 t ha-1) and harvest index (27.1%) were recorded from Tesfa variety with 150 kg NPSZnB ha-1 blended fertilizer rate. Similarly, the highest (7.42 t ha-1), straw yield, dry biomass yield (9.76 t ha-1), grain yield (2.34 t ha-1), thousand seed weight (0.4 g) and panicle length (44.20 cm) were recorded from Tesfa variety with application of 200 kg NPSZnB ha-1 blended fertilizer rate and the highest total number of tillers (10.1) and effective number of tillers (9.7) were recorded with 150 kg NPSZnB ha-1 blended fertilizer rate. Grain yield of Tef showed increment by 91.22% with the application of 150 kg NPSZnB ha-1 with Tesfa variety over the control. Highest net profit of ETB 83229.4 with marginal rate of return of 1553.71% was recorded from Tesfa variety with application of 150 kg NPSZnB ha-1 blended fertilizer rate. Therefore, farmers of the study area should use Tesfa variety based on the grain yield and net profitability benefits achieved with 150 kg NPSZnB ha-1 fertilizer rate to enhance Tef production and productivity.

Alkaline Wood Ash, Turbulence, and Traps with Excess of Sulfuric Acid Do Not Strip Completely the Ammonia off an Agro-waste Digestate

The present study combined two nutrient management strategies to improve the marketability of a waste-derived fertilizer: (a) isolation of ammoniacal nitrogen and (b) preparation of a bulk soil amendment. The wood fly ash with low content of pollutants was added to an agrowaste anaerobic digestate as alkaline stabilizer, which promoted the volatilization of ammonia and adsorption processes, and as nutrient supplement. The 39.71 ± 1.44 g blend was incubated for 60 hours at 20°C and 100 rpm in a closed chamber (250-mL Schott Duran® bottle) with a 5.21 ± 0.10 mL sulfuric acid trap of 10 different concentrations (0.11, 0.21, 0.32, 0.43, 0.54, 0.64, 0.75, 0.86, 0.96, and 1.07 mol/L). For analytical purposes, the sulfuric acid, water-soluble, and water-insoluble fractions of the blend were isolated after the incubation. The 1.07 mol/L sulfuric acid solution contained 23.69 ± 5.72 % more of ammonical nitrogen than the 0.11 mol/L solutions. However, in all cases the amount of nitrogen in the H2SO4 compartment was lower than the one in the water-soluble and water-insoluble fractions. Only the 15.52 ± 2.13 % of the nitrogen accounted after the incubation was found in the H2SO4 trap. The bottleneck of the NH3 stripping process was the rate of mass transfer at the interface between the blended fertilizer and the headspace of the closed chamber. The organic phosphorus was more susceptible to be adsorbed during the alkaline treatment with non-intrusive acidification than the nitrogen and carbon. Activation of the ash as adsorbent before mixing with the digestate should improve the properties of the blend as slow release fertilizer, since more nutrients would end in the water-insoluble fraction.

Deployment of Maize technologies in Western Kenya: An outcome case study report. TAAT MEL working document No. 002

The Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation ( TAAT ) is a program initiated by the African Development Bank (AfDB) as part of its Feed Africa Initiative. The main objective of the program is to improve the business of agriculture across Africa by raising agricultural productivity and improving farmer livelihoods by mitigating risks and promoting diversification and processing across nine agricultural commodity value chains within eight identified Priority Intervention Areas (PIA). The program is implemented by IITA in close partnership with other CGIAR Centers, specialized technical centers (e.g. African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) etc), Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES) and private sector partners. TAAT is not a research program but is rather an initiative focused on scaling high-performance food production technologies to millions of farmers in a commercially sustainable way through a network of strategic partners. Technical coordination of the program is provided by the TAAT Clearinghouse, a semi-autonomous unit in the program's management structure serving as an honest broker in the identification and assessment of proven technologies and products that are ready for widespread dissemination, as well as linking these technical opportunities to wider national investment development agendas. The TAAT program increases agricultural productivity through the deployment at scale of and high-performance agricultural technologies along selected value chains. TAAT operates as a network of interacting with nine devoted to specific commodity value chains, and six others serving as Enablers that provide needed specialist services. The nine (9) value chain Compacts are rice, maize, cassava, wheat, sorghum & millet, orange-flesh sweet potato, high-iron beans, small ruminants & poultry, and aquaculture. The six (6) enabler Compacts are soil fertility management, water management, capacity building, seed policy, fall army worm control, and youth in agribusiness Compacts each of which provides enabling services to the nine commodity value chains. The TAAT Maize Compact is led by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). The TAAT Maize Compact aims to disseminate water-efficient maize hybrids as a climate-smart option across the continent to improve the productivity of maize farmers. Included in the technology package deployed by the Maize compact is licensing of hybrids to seed producers that provide an avenue for mass dissemination. Through outreach campaigns and knowledge-sharing efforts, the Compact deploys across agro-ecological zones to reach the Compact's intended 2,000,000 million beneficiaries. The establishment of technology demonstrations in the fields stimulates interest by showing the positive impact of the technologies to the farmers and then used to leverage resources from African Countries for long-term implementation and sustainable national programs. Implementation through national agricultural investment programs is the only way to ensure the sustainability of technology delivery. It shall be noted that the TAAT Maize Compact technologies are supported by a very strong ecosystem of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) seen through the participation of commercial seed companies working in partnership with farmer groups, commodity associations, and National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS). Primary beneficiaries of the maize technology dissemination efforts are smallholder farmers. The technologies deployed and promoted include: Elite Water Efficient Maize for Africa varieties (WEMA) Appropriate fertilizer blends Optimal maize planting density Efficient pest and weed management Post-harvest management Supportive marketing Mechanization Promoting good agricultural practices on the field. In Kenya, maize is the main staple food, yet it continues to face several challenges undermining its production to meet full self-sufficiency including drought, diseases, and pests such as the Fall Armyworm (FAW), Striga parasitic weed, and the Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND). In collaboration with its partners, the TAAT Maize Compact deployed several climate-smart maize technologies, optimal planting density, weed management, fertilizer blends, and pest and disease management technologies to facilitate the delivery mechanism of such technologies to farmers and scale them out across the country. The ground-truthing mission team observed that the intervention of the TAAT Maize Compact has benefited from a strategic ecosystem of partnerships that have contributed to increased yields for farmers that has, in turn, resulted in strong linkages and trust with local millers. Millers offer to farmers ready markets to sell out their produce When compared to maize landraces, farmers are also expecting to sell a bag of 90Kg of grains for 3,000KES giving them a marginal benefit (profit) of 1,000KES. This expected high price is due to the current maize shortages. To back up testimonials and information given by farmers during the TAAT Maize MEL mission in Western Kenya, the team opted to review journals from previous studies on the farmer adoption and on-farm performance of DroughtTEGOTM (We1101).

Deployment of combined technologies to smallholder farmers in Kenya: TAAT Clearinghouse technical report series 002

Deployment of combined technologies to smallholder farmers in Kenya: TAAT Clearinghouse technical report series 002

Determining the Rate of Blended Fertilizers and Urea for Potato Production Under Rain Fed Condition in Kersa Malima, South West Showa, Ethiopia

This experiment was conducted on Belete and Gudenie potato verities reaction to fertilizer rates Control, 150 kg/ha NPSB+80 kg/ha urea, 250 kg/ha NPSB+80 kg/ha urea, 350 kg/ha NPSB+80 kg/ha urea, 150 kg/ha NPSB+140 urea, 250 kg/ha NPSB+140 kg/ha urea, 350 kg/ha NPSB+140 kg/ha urea, 150 kg/ha NPSB +200 kg/ha urea, 250 kg/ha NPSB +200 kg/ha urea and 350 kg/ha N+200 kg/ha urea in Kersa Malima district in 2018-2019 main cropping seasons (June-August) using completely randomized block design arrangement in three replications. The analysis was done using SAS 9.2. This study revealed that there was highly significant difference among the yield and yield components due to main effect fertilizer rates. The interaction did not affect any parameter considered. The highest total and marketable yield (38.75 t/ha and 36.51 t/ha) respectively were harvested from 350 kg/ha NPSB+140 kg/ha urea followed by total and marketable yield of 250 kg/ha NPSB+200kg/ ha urea (37.57 and 35.66 t/ha), respectively. The partial budget analysis indicated that the highest benefit (108,426.5ETB) was fetched from 350kg/ha NPSB+140kg/ha urea followed by 250kg/ha NPSB+200kg/ha urea (106,429ETB). But, the marginal rate of return indicated that highest investment return increment of 24,391.25% was recorded from 250kg/ha NPSB+200kg/ha followed by 150 kg/ha NPSB+80kg/ha urea (3.004.231%). From this it can be concluded that the NPSB+urea rates highly significantly affected the yield and yield component of potato. It is better to apply 250 kg/ha urea+200 kg/ha urea to potato for high yield and high economic return in Kersa Malima district. It is better to repeat the experiment with more replication and higher rates including planting time as the farmer were planting starting from March. Keywords : NPSB, urea, yield and yield components, Belete and Gudenie potato varieties DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-8-01 Publication date: August 31 st 2021

Effect of recycled phosphorus and nitrogen blend fertilizers on the growth of viola (Viola cornuta L.)

ISHS II International Symposium on Growing Media, Soilless Cultivation, and Compost Utilization in Horticulture Effect of recycled phosphorus and nitrogen blend fertilizers on the growth of viola (Viola cornuta L.)

Maize (Zea mays L.) yield response to the effect of blended fertilizer and varieties under supplemental irrigation at Hadero Zuria Kebele, southern Ethiopia

Maize is one of the staple cereal crops in Ethiopia. However, in southern Ethiopia, the productivity of the crop is very low as compared to the average national productivity, which is mainly attributed to poor soil fertility and the use of low yielding varieties. Hence, a field experiment was conducted at Hadero Zuria kebele, southern Ethiopia under supplemental irrigation to investigate the effects of different rates of blended Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulphur, and Boron (NPSB) fertilizer on the performance of maize varieties. Treatments involving three varieties of maize (30G19, BH-546, and BH-547) and six rates of NPSB fertilizer (0, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150) kg ha−1 were tested in RCBD using a factorial arrangement with three replications. Data on crop Phenological, growth, yield, and yield components were collected. The results showed that the blended NPSB fertilizer rates and varieties of maize affected days to physiological maturity, leaf area, leaf area index, hundred kernels weight (HKW), dry biomass yield (DBY), and grain yield (GY). The highest mean values for HKW, DBY, and GY were obtained from the 150 kg ha−1 NPSB rate. Similarly, the highest values for DBY and GY were obtained from the BH-546 variety. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were obtained on days to tasseling, days to silking, and harvest index (HI) due to the interaction effect of NPSB rates and varieties. As the NPSB rates increased from 0 to 150 kg ha−1, HKW and DBY increased consistently from 29.62 to 36.62 g and 31.41 to 43.70 t ha−,1 respectively. Grain yield showed a highly significant and positive correlation with cob length, leaf number, HI, HKW, and DBY. Also, maximized economic profitability was gained at a rate of 150 kg ha−1 NPSB fertilizer. Thus, from this result, the NPSB rate of 150 kg ha−1 with the hybrid maize variety BH-546 could be better for the study area.