Blended Fertilizer Research Articles

Effects of NPSB and foliar application of copper fertilizers on yield and yield components of maize in Halaba, Southern Ethiopia

Maize is one of the most economically important cereal crops produced by millions of farmers in Ethiopia. It is believed that practical information on the use of multi-nutrient fertilizer blends involving the actual limiting nutrients for specific site and crop may improve maize production and contribute to food security. Hence, an experiment was conducted in 2016 and 2017 cropping season to evaluate NPSB with and without Cu fertilizer and to determine the optimum rate for maize production in Halaba area. NPSB fertilizer with and without Cu was arranged in nine treatments. The treatments were:(1) no fertilizer (control), (2) NPSB: 69 kg N + 23.5 kg P + 10 kg S + 1.07 kg B/ha, (3) NPSB: 92 kg N + 31 kg P + 13 kg S + 1.4 kg B/ha, (4) NPSB: 115 kg N + 39 kg P + 17 kg S + 1.7 kg B/ha, (5) NPSB: 138 kg N + 15.7 kg P + 10 kg S + 1.07 kg B/ha, (6) NPSBCu: 69 kg N + 23.5 kg P + 10 kg S + 1.07 kg B + 0.625 kg Cu/ha, (7) NPSBCu: 92 kg N + 31 kg P + 13 kg S + 1.4 kg B + 0.625 kg Cu/ha, (8) NPSBCu: 115 kg N + 39 kg P + 17 kg S + 1.7 kg B + 0.625 kg Cu/ha and (9) NPSBCu: 138 kg N + 15.7 kg P + 10 kg S + 1.07 kg B + 0.625 kg Cu/ha. Two farms were used for the trial and the treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. Different crop parameters were measured and analyzed using SAS 9.3 program. Economic analysis was also performed to investigate thefeasibility of fertilizer treatments for maize production. Based on statistical analysis, ttreatment 5 (NPSB: 138 kg N + 15.7 kg P + 10 kg S + 1.07 kg B/ha) gave significantly higher maize yield compared to all other fertilizer treatments and the control. The highest net benefit (33,329 ETB/ha) was also obtained from this treatmentwith acceptable marginal rate of return (557%) even under the projected 20% input price increment.

Silvicultural Treatments Affect Growth and Foliar Nutrients in a Young Ponderosa Pine Stand

Abstract Foliar nutrient status, diameter, and height growth were investigated for young ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) stands grown under six fertilizer and herbicide treatments (including control) in southeast Washington to diagnose foliar nutrient status and evaluate the effects of silvicultural treatments on growth rates. Two application methods of fertilizer (one “best guess” multi-nutrient fertilizer blend) and herbicide applications (broadcast or spot) were used in the study. Broadcast herbicide application produced higher tree growth responses than spot application. The two broadcast application methods improved diameter increments by 43.3%, whereas the average response of the three spot application methods during the third growing season was only 14.5%. Height growth response for these same two treatments was much less than the diameter response. Fertilizer application in addition to herbicide did not significantly increase tree growth over herbicide alone. Foliar nutrient response to fertilization based on foliar vector analysis was inconsistent, possibly due to nutrient imbalances resulting from the one multi-nutrient blend used in our experiment. Control of grass completion produced a rapid posttreatment early growth trajectory and suggested that stand establishment was successful in this plantation. Our results should also be useful in naturally regenerated young ponderosa pine forests subject to heavy grass competition. Study Implications: Given the increasing need for reforestation in the western United States, results from our study should provide useful information for forest managers. Stand establishment is a critical phase for ponderosa pine stands. Broadcast herbicide application in a recently established plantation produced a rapid early growth trajectory. In this experiment, reducing severe sod grass competition was the most important factor that increased tree growth. Our results may also apply to naturally regenerated ponderosa pine stands. Fertilization with a multi-nutrient fertilizer blend did not significantly increase tree growth as a separate treatment or when combined with herbicide. Foliar nutrient response to fertilization was inconsistent, possibly due to nutrient imbalances resulting from the multi-nutrient fertilizer blend used in our experiment. Fertilization rate and nutrient composition trials are needed to develop effective fertilization treatments in young ponderosa pine stands. Based on our results, fertilizing without vegetation control is not recommended when there is heavy grass competition. The grasses proliferated following only fertilization to the detriment of the trees. For the conditions in our study, we cannot recommend adding fertilizer in addition to the herbicide as a treatment because fertilization did not significantly increase tree growth over herbicide alone. We feel fertilization rate and nutrient composition trials are needed to develop effective fertilization treatments in young ponderosa pine stands. The establishment of ponderosa pine forests is vital for the future timber they may produce and the ecological benefits they provide. We recommend broadcast herbicide as an effective silvicultural treatment to control competing vegetation (from grasses in our experiment) during the stand establishment of ponderosa pine. As demonstrated in our study, the rapid posttreatment early growth trajectory from vegetation control suggests that stand establishment was successful.

Yield response of common bean to different types and rates of blended fertilizers in Hawassa Zuria Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

Despite the importance of common bean to farmers and its contribution to the national economy, limited information is available on the use of inorganic fertilizers containing macro and micro nutrients for its production in Hawassa area. A trial was conduct to evaluate different fertilizer types containing macro and micro nutrients and to determine their optimum rates for common bean production in Hawassa zuria woreda during the main cropping seasons of 2016 and 2017.Three fertilizer types (NPS, NPSB and NPSBCu) were arranged in different levels and tested on two farms. The experiment consisted of a total of ten treatments: control (no fertilizer) and three levels of each NPS, NPSB and NPSBCu. The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Besides crop parameters, economic analysis was also performed to investigate feasibility of the fertilizers for common bean production. In general, it was observed that application of inorganic fertilizers increased grain yield, where economically feasible treatments improved yield by 34% to 36% over the control plot. The highest net benefit was obtained from NPS at nutrient ratio of 23: 16.5: 7kg/ha with acceptable marginal rate of return of 120%, even under the projected input price, which was sufficient to justify the additional investment needed for this treatment. Similarly, NPSB with 23 kg N + 15.7 kg P + 6.7 kg S + 0.71 kg B/ha also gave the required economic return. Therefore, both treatments could be recommended for common bean production in Hawassa area.

Soil Test Based Fertilizer Calibration for Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Varieties of the Southern Ethiopia

Blended Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Boron fertilizer calibration foxr optimum common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties yield was used to assess the effect of different rates of blended fertilizer on growth, yield and yield components, and nutrient use efficiency of common bean varieties and to identify economically feasible rates of blended fertilizer at Meskan District, Southern Ethiopia during 2020 crop season. The experiment had six treatment levels of blended fertilizer (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 kg·ha−1), and two common bean varieties were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Soil samples of the experimental plots were analyzed and used as blended fertilizer calibration to estimate soil nutrient supplies and recommend fertilizer. The results revealed that growth, yield, and yield components were highly significantly p ≤ 0.05 affected by the main effect of varieties and application of blended NPSB rates. The interaction of varieties and blended fertilizer shown a significant p ≤ 0.05 effect on all parameters. The partial budget analysis indicated that the highest net benefit of 67665 ETB ha−1 was obtained from the Nasir variety with the application of 100 kg·ha−1. Therefore, growing the Nasir variety with blended fertilizer rates of 100 kg·ha−1 is economically feasible for the studied soil type and different locations.

Determination of Optimal Balanced Fertilizer Rate and Irrigation Scheduling for Onion Under Vertisol Soil Type

Onion is one of vegetable crops grown under irrigation. In order to improve crop production and productivity irrigation is the only solution for contributing towards food security, self-sufficiency and export market.. The Experiment was conducted in Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center with determination of optimal balanced fertilizer rate and irrigation scheduling for Onion under Vertisol soil type to determine the optimum rate of balanced fertilizers and irrigation intervals and identify the interactive effect of nutrient and moisture levels on yield and yield quality of onion.The experimental treatments had three irrigation intervals, viz., 80%MAD, 100%MAD and 120%MAD and three Fertilizer rates of application, viz., 100kgha -1 NPSB, 150kgha -1 NPSB and 200kgha -1 , and a control fertilizer rate of 100kgha -1 urea. The design of the experimental plot was split plot in RCBD arrangement. The experimental study result showed that Crop Growth and Physiology Parameters, Yield Parameters and Water productivity had no significance difference under blended fertilizer rate application. But in irrigation intervals plant height, marketable yield and total bulb yield of onion was significantly affected. The highest total bulb yield of onion was recorded on the control irrigation (100% MAD) of the interval. Keywords: Blended fertilizer, Onion, Manageable Allowable Depletion (MAD), Irrigation Scheduling. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-4-02 Publication date: February 28 th 2023

Evaluation of various blended fertilizer types and rates for better maize (Zea mays) crop production in Yeki woreda, Sheka Zone, South West Ethiopia

Appropriate fertilization methods for a particular crop based on real limiting nutrients and crop demands are cost-effective and wise utilization of fertilizers for long-term agricultural productivity. An experiment was done to assess alternative fertilizer types and rates for better maize production during main cropping season of 2018 and 2019. The fertilizers were set depending on the study area's limiting nutrients, which include NPS and NPSB at various rates. There are seven treatments in the experiment: (1)no fertilizer; (2) NPS: 69N, 54P2O5, 10S; (3) NPS: 92N, 72P2O5, 13S; (4) NPS: 115N, 90P2O5, 17S; (5) 69N, 54P2O5, 10S, 1.05B NPSB; (6) 92N, 72P2O5, 13S, 1.4B NPSB and (7) 115N, 90P2O5, 17S, 1.7B NPSB. Treatments were placed out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times on two farmers' fields. The study showed that using NPS mixed fertilizer had a substantial impact on maize output when compared to the control. Treatment 2 (NPS; 69N, 54p2o5, 10S) yielded significantly greater maize yield over control at (P<0.05). Similarly, with an appropriate marginal rate of return (128.2%), treatment 2 (NPS; 69N, 54P2O5, 10S) had the largest net benefit (30908.5 ETB/ha). As a result, maize producers in the area of study should use NPS with the nutrient ratios of 69N, 54P2O5 and 10S. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 12(2): 56-59, December 2022

Evaluation of blended fertilizer rate for better production of maize at Siltie Zone Sankura Woreda

For sustainable crop production, the use of right fertilizer type at right amount based on crop need has a substantial significance. A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019) to identify the best fertilizers formulae and rate for production of maize at Silte Zone Sankura Woreda. Nine different fertilizer types and rates were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. Treatments were fixed based on limiting nutrients (NPSB) of the area identified by Ethiosis. The treatments are; Control (no fertilizer), 150 kg NPSB+41 kg urea-top dress/ha, 2 00 kg NPSB+72 kg urea-top dress/ha, 250 kg NPSB+102 kg urea-top dress/ha ,100 kg NPSB + 260 kg urea top dressing, 150 kg NPSB+41 kg urea-top dress/ha+ Cu foliar application, 200 kg NPSB+72 kg urea-top dress/ha + Cu (FA) ,250 kg NPSB+102 kg ureatop dress/ha) + Cu (FA) ,100 kg NPSB + 260 kg urea top dressing + Cu (FA). Statistically significant effects (P<0.05) were observed on yield parameters studied due to applied fertilizers while growth parameters were not significantly affected. The highest grain yield (6689 kg/ha) was obtained from treatment application of 100 kg NPSB + 260 kg urea top dressing + Cu. The economic analysis also revealed that application of 100kg NPSB+260kg urea top dressed + Cu resulted with the highest net return of 43344.5 Eth-birr ha-1 with MRR having lowest total cost compared to others. Therefore, based on yield response and economic analysis application of 100kg NPSB+260kg urea top dressed + Cu is recommended for Sankura Woreda.

EFFECTS OF LIME AND BLENDED FERTILIZER RATE ON YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF BREAD WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) IN BASOLIBEN DISTRICT, NORTHWESTERN ETHIOPIA

Bread wheat is an economical important crop for most farmers of Basoliben district. However, the productivity of the crop has been declined from year to year mainly due to the intensity of soil acidity and nutrient depletion. Liming and fertilization has vital role for sustainable crop production. This field experiment was conducted in 2021 main season using factorial combination of five lime rate (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 t/ha) and three rates of NPSB fertilizer (50, 100 and 150 kg/ha) treatments were laid out in RCBD and replicated three times to determine the optimum application rate. Most crop parameters were highly significantly (p<0.01) affected by main effects of lime and the blended fertilizer but days to heading, number of grains per spikes, grain yield, straw and biomass yield and harvest index were also highly significantly influenced by interaction effect. The delayed matured crop and the longest plant height crops were recorded from maximum application rates while early matured and shortest plant height crop observed from minimum rate. The highest number grains per spike and spike length observed from individual effects of 2 t/ha lime and 150 kg/ha NPSB fertilizer rates. The highest grain yield (5.8 t/ha) recorded from combined 2 t//ha lime and 150 kg/ha NPSB blended fertilizer treatment then followed by the treatment that received combined 3 t/ha lime and 150 NPSB blended fertilizer. However, the highest straw (7.23 t/ha) and biomass (12.86 t/ha) yield was obtained from the combining 3 t/ha lime with150 kg/ha NPSB blended fertilizer but the lowest yields from the control treatment. On the other hand, the economic analysis disclosed that maximum net profit of 110,873 Birr/ha obtained from the treatment received combined 2 t/ha lime and 150 kg/ha NPSB blended fertilizer with acceptable marginal rate of return (27.8%) then followed by dominated treatment (integrated 3 t/ha lime and 150 kg/ha NPSB fertilizer application). Thus, integrated use of 2 t/ha lime with150 kg/ha NPSB blended fertilizer is found optimum for the study area and to the areas with similar agro-ecological conditions. However, as the study of one season, such an investigation has to be repeated over seasons to draw a comprehensive recommendation.

Optimizing time and split application of nitrogen fertilizer to harness grain yield and quality of bread wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) in northwestern Ethiopia.

Improper nitrogen application time during the crop growing period is one of the most limiting factor for wheat production. A field experiment was conducted in Northwestern Ethiopia with the objective of determining the appropriate N fertilizer application time for improving bread wheat production. Twelve treatments (½ urea at 50% emergence + ½ urea at tillering, ½ urea at tillering + ½ urea at booting, 1/3rd urea at 50% emergence + 1/3rd urea at tillering + 1/3rd urea at booting, 2/3rd urea at tillering + 1/3rd urea at booting, all urea at tillering, all urea at booting, all N at tillering, all N at booting, ½ N at sowing+ ½ N at tillering, ½ N 50% emergence + ½ N at tillering, 1/3rd N at 50% emergence + 1/3rd N at tillering + 1/3rd N at booting, ½ N at tillering + ½ N at booting) were lied out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The study showed that wheat grain yield and protein content was highly influenced by the environment and indirectly correlated with each other as affected by N time of applications. The grain yield at Adet, Wonberema and Debre Elies was increased by 31%, 14% and 18%, respectively when N was applied with DAP at sowing over the blanket recommendation. At all locations, grain protein content decreased as the number of N split application increased 1 to 3 times. Thus, depending on the purpose of the producers, it can be concluded that application of ½ urea at 50% emergence + ½ urea at tillering with the application of DAP at sowing gave maximum wheat grain yield, while optimum grain protein content was obtained when N was applied after the crop is emerged and would be used in most dominant wheat producing areas of northwestern Ethiopia. Further study should be conducted on split application of blended fertilizers (NPS, NPSBZN etc.).

The use of recovered struvite and ammonium nitrate in fertigation in a horticultural rotation: agronomic and microbiological assessment

ABSTRACT Phosphorus and nitrogen recovery from wastewater as struvite and ammonium nitrate (AN) may be viable alternative fertilizers to boost circularity in horticulture. A 2-year fertigated crop rotation in soil under greenhouse conditions was evaluated to determine the efficiency of both recovered products as raw materials for a nutrient solution (NS) manufacture. The effects of these treatments versus synthetic fertilizers were compared in terms of crop performance, plant nutrient uptake, soil chemistry and microbiota. This is the first study to implement struvite through fertigation as the sole source of P in soil crops. Results showed that both recovered products can be used as fertilizers in NS, due to the similar response to the control for different parameters and crops (tomato, lettuce, and cauliflower). However, the AN treatment showed lower yield in the first tomato crop, which results may depend on the cultivar ammonium tolerance. Besides, the concentration of heavy metals in fruits/leaves was below the permissible limits. Total and Olsen phosphorus soil analysis revealed no differences among treatments, resulting in a similar performance of P-struvite to commercial phosphate. Bulk soil bacteria structure, richness and relative dominance were increased over time, while archaea only showed lower evenness, both despite the fertilization strategy. Shannon diversity was not significantly affected. A predominance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) versus archaea (AOA) was observed, while nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), dominated by Nitrospira, increased with fertigation. Our results demonstrate that fertilizer blends for NS containing recovered nutrients are a feasible alternative to synthetic fertilizers.

Evaluation of Blended Fertilizer Rates for Improved Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor, (L.) Moench.] Yield in Derashe District, Southern Ethiopia

Sorghum is one of the main grains grown in Derashe district, southern Ethiopia. However, its production is limited by many factors. Of these, less fertile soil is predominant. In the region, the rational use of fertilizers has not been studied. In addition, the type of fertilizer required and the optimal fertilizer rate for the area have not been quantified. Field trials were carried out in Derashe district to evaluate the ratio of compound fertilizers to improve sorghum yield. The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design, with three replications, using Melkam sorghum variety. The experiment had thirteen treatments consisting of control (no fertilizer), four different types of blended fertilizers (NPS, NPSB, NPSZn and NPSZnB) each with three rates. Our analysis show that the highest grain yield was recorded from the plot that receive 225 kg∙ha-1 NPSZnB + 117 kg∙ha-1 urea in the first year, In the second year, the highest yield was recorded from the plot that received 150 kg∙ha-1 NPS + 88 kg∙ha-1 urea. In both years, the lowest grain yield wasmeasured from the plots treated with no fertilizer (control). The marginal analysis showed that application of 112 kg∙ha-1 NPSZnB + 59 kg∙ha-1 urea is economically the most profitable than the other treatments. Based on our findings, it is recommended to apply 112 kg∙ha-1 NPSZnB + 59 kg∙ha-1 urea for the profitable production of Melkam sorghum variety in the study area.

Interaction Effect of Blended (NPSB) Fertilizer Rates and Seed Sources on Yield Components and Seed Quality of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L) Varieties in Southern Ethiopia

Interaction Effect of Blended (NPSB) Fertilizer Rates and Seed Sources on Yield Components and Seed Quality of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L) Varieties in Southern Ethiopia

Agronomic Response of Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] Variety to Density, Nitrogen and Blended Fertilizer Rates for Yield Components and Seed Quality in Southern Ethiopia

Agronomic Response of Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] Variety to Density, Nitrogen and Blended Fertilizer Rates for Yield Components and Seed Quality in Southern Ethiopia

Pre-extension demonstration of blended fertilizer rate for maize crop production in Debub Ari Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

Pre-extension demonstration of blended fertilizer rate for maize crop production in Debub Ari Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

Suitability of Blended Minjingu Fertilisers for Flue-Cured Tobacco Production in Tanzania's Sandy Soils

Objective: To evaluate the suitability of minjingu N10P18K24 top-dressed with minjingu CAN27% N fertilizer blends for tobacco yield and quality. Methods: The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in 3 sites during the 2020-2021 farming season at Mtanila (Chunya), Tumbi (Tabora) and Songambele (Urambo). The experiment was done 3 times and used 5 types of treatment as described below: T1=standard N10P18K24+standard CAN27%, T2=minjingu N10P18K24+minjingu CAN27%, T3=minjingu N10P18K24 standard CAN27%, T4=standard N10P18K24 minjingu CAN27% and T5=Absolute control. The plot measured was 6m×6m. Tobacco variety (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. K326) seed sourced from the Tobacco Research Institute of Tanzania was used in the experiment. Seedbeds were first raised in a nursery with a spacing of 1.5×20m before being transplanted in field plots after 60 days. Basal application of N10P18K24 fertilizer was done a week after transplanting tobacco seedlings, followed by top-dressing CAN27N% fertilizer 2 weeks after application of N10P18K24 fertilizer. All agronomic management procedures were strictly observed. Results: Across the sites, the tobacco plants fertilized with minjingu basal N10P18K24 fertilizer and top-dressed with minjingu CAN27% (T2) yielded 1942.59kg ha-1 of dry tobacco leaf, which did not significantly (P≤0.001) differ with the yield of 2033.64kg ha-1 from plots fertilized with the standard N10P18K24 and top-dressed with the standard CAN27% (T1). The tobacco plants fertilized with standard N10P18K24 and top dressed with minjingu CAN27% produce higher yields of dry leaf (1738.88kg ha-1). This indicates that minjingu CAN27% fertilizer significantly contributed to the increased yield when applied in combination with minjingu N10P18K24. Conclusion: Minjingu N10P18K24 and minjingu CAN27% yielded tobacco plants that were not significantly different to those yielded by application of standard N10P18K24 and standard CAN27%. Additionally, the minjingu CAN27% contributed significantly to the dry leaf yield and quality of the tobacco.

Teff growth and yield response to blended fertilizer type and rate in Debub Ari and Bena Tsemay Districts, Southwestern Ethiopia

Depleting of soil fertility, soil organic matter, macro-and micro-nutrients and crop nutrient imbalances are among the primary biophysical limitations that reduce the production of teff. The experiment was conducted to evaluate teff response to blended fertilizer types and rates in Debub Ari and Bena Tsemay districts. Control, Recommended NP, 3 dosages of NPS and NPSB blended fertilizer rates each were used that is laid out in RCBD following three replication. The full dose of blended and P fertilizers was applied at planting and urea was applied in two splits. The result was revealed that application of 200 kg ha-1 NPSB + 127 kg ha-1 Urea resulted in the highest grain yield of 2299.5 kg ha-1 in Debub Ari and 200 kg ha-1 NPS + 117 kg ha-1 Urea gives 1809.2 kg ha-1 in Bena Tsemay, while the lowest grain yield was recorded from the nil in both districts. However, the highest economic return was obtained in response to the application of 64 kg ha-1 N + 20 kg ha-1 P in both districts. Application of 64 kg ha-1 N + 20 kg ha-1 P gives 57.24% and 14.42% yield increment in Debub Ari and Bena Tsemay, respectively; also 54.47% and 7.57% increment in economic return in Debub Ari and Bena Tsemay in the same order over the control. Application of 64 kg ha-1 N + 20 kg ha-1 P was recommended for the production of teff on the study area and similar agro-ecologies, as it was optimum for improving teff production. Further investigation should be done on plant nutrient uptake and using efficiency and grain quality. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 12(1): 145-154, June 2022

Effect of Blended Fertilizer Application on Bread Wheat Yield and Profitability on Andosols of Southwestern Highlands of Ethiopian

ABSTRACT Continuous use of only nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) containing fertilizers is claimed to be the causes of other secondary and micronutrients depletion, resulting in low crop productivity in Ethiopia. In this study, on-farm trials were conducted to compare the effect of multi-nutrient blended fertilizer – also called Sulfur (S) zinc (Zn) boron (B) (NPSZnB: 17.7 N – 35.3P2O5 – 7.6S – 0.25B-2.2Zn) on the yield and yield components of bread wheat grown in Andosols in south western Ethiopia during 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons. Seven treatments involving five levels of sulfur-zinc-born-blend fertilizer (50, 100, 150, 200, 300 kg NPSZnB kg ha−1) were compared against a compound fertilizer (100 kgha−1 NPS) and the conventionally used 150 kg ha−1 di-ammonium phosphate (DAP). For all treatments, 100 kg ha−1 was applied. The seven treatments were replicated three times using farm fields as replicates and arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results revealed no significant yield advantages of applying micronutrient containing fertilizers compared to fertilizers without micronutrients. The marginal rate of return analysis showed that the application of 100 NPSZnB kg ha−1 was the most profitable. Season had a significant (p < .001) effect on bread wheat yield. ZnB blended fertilizer was advantageous when applied during good rainy seasons in Andosols of Ethiopian highlands. For good performances of ZnB blended fertilizers, taking into account, the soil moisture availability is advised for better productivity and profitability.

Effect of Blended Fertilizer Types and Rates on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Wondo District, Southern Ethiopia

Soil fertility decline is one of the principal factors contributing to low productivity of crops and food insecurity in Ethiopia. The information available with regards to effect of blended fertilizer type and rates on growth and yield performance of bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. ) for optimum production on loam soils of Wondo district is very limited. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted on loam soils of Wondo district Bachel Gigissa Peasant Association Farmers training center during 2018 cropping season to assess the effect of different blended fertilizer types and rates on growth, yield and yield components of bread wheat. The treatments studied consist of: control and three blended fertilizer formula NPS, NPSB, and NPSBZn each with four different rates (50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha -1 ). Recommended rate of Urea (100 kg ha -1 ) was used equally for all treatments in spilt application and Danda’a variety was used as a test crop. The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Soil and crop data were collected and analyzed using the SAS statistical package program version 9.4 and LSD at 5% probability level was used to establish the difference among the means. The soil result revealed that the experimental soil site texture was classified as loam. The highest (30.06 kg kg -1 ) agronomic efficiency obtained from150 kg ha -1 NPSB. The results revealed that application of blended fertilizers (NPS, NPSB and NPSBZn) delayed days to flowering, and physiological maturity by (13, 9, 10) and (15, 14 and 11) days, respectively as compared to control plot. Leaf Area Index and Straw yield were significantly (p ≤0.01 ) affected by the application of different blended fertilizer rates and significantly (p ≤0.05) by the main effect of blended fertilizer types and interaction effect. Grains per spike and grain yield were significantly (p ≤0.01 ) affected due to the main effects of blended fertilizer types and rates, they were also significantly (p ≤0.05) affected due to the interaction effect. Above ground biomass was significantly (p ≤0.01 ) affected due to main effect of blended fertilizer rates and the interaction effect however, non-significant (p &gt;0.05 ) due to blended fertilizer types. This study also revealed that, blended fertilizer types and rates significantly (p ≤0.05 ) affected DH, NFTm -2 , DPM, PH, SL and HI while TSW was significantly (p ≤0.05 ) affected only by the main effect of blended fertilizer rates. Blended fertilizers had improved Agronomic nutrient use efficiency of wheat as compared to the control treatment. The highest (6.17t ha -1 ) grain yield was obtained from 200 kg ha -1 NPSB +100 kg ha -1 urea application followed by (6.11 t ha -1 ) from150 kg ha -1 NPSB + 100 kg ha -1 urea, while minimum (1.95t ha -1 )grain yield was attained from the control treatment. However, the application of 150 kg ha -1 NPSB + 100 kg ha -1 urea had highest marginal rate of return (MRR %) and Net benefit. Therefore, it would be advisable to use blended fertilizer 150 kg ha -1 NPSB + 100 kg ha -1 , for wheat production in Wondo area. Furthermore, based on yield, net benefit and relatively low total cost of production the farmers of Wondo area also can use 100 kg ha -1 NPSB+ 100 kg ha -1 urea. However, since the experiment was conducted only for one season and one site, repeating the trial at different site as well as in the same experimental site would be important in order to draw sound recommendation. Keywords: Blended fertilizer, Grain yield, Net benefit, Nutrient use efficiency DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/13-13-03 Publication date: July 31 st 2022

Rethinking Blended High Yielding Seed Varieties and Partial-Organic Fertilizer Climate Smart Agriculture Practices for Productivity and Farm Income Gains in the Drylands of Zimbabwe

Most blended climate smart agriculture (CSA) technologies focusing on seed-fertilizer combinations have either been marginally adopted or dis-adopted by smallholder farmers due to the nature of design and implementation. A data science research approach was used with 380 households in the mid-Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe. The study examines impact of adopting a farmer initiated CSA practice combining improved sorghum seed variety and partial-organic fertilizer on household income and productivity among smallholder farmers in the drylands of Zimbabwe. A cross sectional household survey using multi stage sampling with purposive and stratified proportionate approaches was conducted. A structured questionnaire was utilized for data collection. Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR) model was utilized to account for self-selection bias of sampled farmers. Overall, a combination of farm specific factors (arable land, variable costs) and external factors (distance to the market, value of aid) have a bearing on the adoption decision and the associated impact on productivity and income. The counterfactual analysis shows that farmers who adopt the technology are relatively better off in productivity and income. Our findings highlight the significance of improving access to CSA practices which are initiated by the farmers using a bottom-up approach since they suit their operating contexts better. Tailor-made supporting programs including farmer networking platforms and decentralized markets need to be designed and scaled up by policymakers to encourage farmers to adopt blended soil fertility CSA practices in their farming practices. Networking arrangements need to be strengthened through local, government and private sector partnerships along the sorghum value chain.

Modelling of the Contribution of Different Blended Fertilizers to Potato Production in Basketo Special Woreda, Gamo-gofa Zone, Ethiopia

Potato is important for food security in developing countries such as Ethiopia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the contribution of varied fertilizers to potato yields at Basketo Special Woreda, Gamogofa Zone, Ethiopia. To attain this objective, a generalized linear mixed model was used to differentiate the factors that affect the marketable yield of potatoes by considering variability within three replications. In addition, this study used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to check the goodness of fit tests of normal distribution. The collected data were analyzed using statistical software, SAS version 9.4. The mean of plant tallness, number of plants per plot, number of plants per slope, and number of tubers per slope were 73.65 (SD = 12.2), 155.2 (SD = 112.2), 3.23 (SD = 1.31), and 10.91 (SD = 3.15.2), respectively. The result reveals that 6% of variation existed in potato yield between plots, and the remaining 94% existed within plots. Apart from a linear mixed model, a random intercept model was applied to this data. The findings reveal that fertilizer types, number of plants per plot, and numbers of tubers per hill were significant at 5% level of significant. Thus, the expected marketable yield of potatoes decreased by 0.7819 tons/hectare when the number of tubers per hill increased by 1 unit. On the other hand, the expected marketable yield of potatoes has increased by 0.0175 tons/hectare when the number of plants per plot increased by 1 unit.