Next to drought, poor soil fertility is the single major cause of crops nutrient starvation in Tigray specifically at Mereb-lekhe district. Farmers of the study area use different organic and inorganic fertilizers separately and in combination to overcome soil fertility problems for sorghum production. However, the pace of sorghum production stays constant and occasionally decreases with time. Fertilizer efficiency; the type, rate and method of fertilizer application they use were thought to be the reasons for the steady or declining sorghum production. Hence, this study was initiated to determine the yield response of sorghum to microdose fertilizer application. The experiment was set in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were; farmers’ practice or blanket recommended nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) (50kg ha-1 Urea & 100 kg ha-1 DAP), recommended compost at a rate of 7ton ha-1, 75% of recommended NP, 50% of recommended NP, 25% of recommended NP, 75% recommended NP+25% recommended compost, 50% recommended NP+50% recommended compost and 25% recommended NP+75% recommended compost. All treatments were applied with microdosing method except the recommended N and P is broadcasting method. The highest sorghum grain yield (4201 kg ha-1) and straw yield (19107 kg ha-1) were obtained from treatment recommended compost at a rate of 7 ton/ha and 50% recommended NP+50% recommended compost, respectively. This study showed that combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer gave a better economic advantage for sorghum crop. Hence, it could be concluded that use of compost at a rate of 7 ton ha-1 and the 75% recommended N and P could increase production and productivity of sorghum by the application of micro dosing than broadcasting method.
To increase groundnut yields, integrated agronomic techniques must be implemented. The current study focuses on using starter nitrogen fertilizer in conjunction with earthing up for groundnut cultivation. Three replications and a factorial combination were used in the complete randomized block design of the experiment. Two types of earthing up (no earthing up and earthing up) and four levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 15, 30, and 45 kg ha-1) were used in the treatment combinations. For each of the Hamedo 1 and Hamedo 2 experimental sites, two undisturbed and two disturbed composite soil samples were collected at a depth of 20 cm before sowing. The data analysis showed that neither the combination application of N fertilizer and earthing up nor the individual independent applications of N fertilizer and earthing up had a significant effect on groundnut flowering and maturity. Groundnut plant height, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, seed weight per plant, and haulm yields were not significantly affected by earthing up alone or by the co-application of nitrogen fertilizer and earthing up. On the other hand, the exclusive use of nitrogen fertilizer significantly affected groundnut plant height, the number of branches per plant, the number of pods per plant, the number of seeds per plant, seed weight per plant, and haulm yield. Applying 45 kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer to the Hamedo 1 and Hamedo 2 trial sites enhanced the haulm yield by 70.53% and 78.76%, respectively, compared to the unfertilized plots. Individual applications of nitrogen fertilizer, earthing up, or a combination of both had a significant effect on groundnut pod and kernel yields. In comparison to plots that received a combined application of 45 kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer and earthing up, the Hamedo 1 and Hamedo 2 trial sites exhibited increases in pod yields of 57.73% and 55.97%, respectively, when earthing up was combined with 15 kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer. In the same way, applying 15 kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer to the earthing-up soil in the Hamedo 1 and Hamedo 2 experimental sites boosted the kernel yields by 70.05% and 75.43%, respectively, in comparison to soil earthing-up plots that received 45 kg ha-1 nitrogen. The findings of the economic and agronomic analyses showed that applying nitrogen fertilizer and earthing up together greatly increases groundnut yields and revenues. Therefore, to increase groundnut yields and receive more financial advantages, farmers can consider the combined application of 15 kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer and earthing-up.
Aim: The nutrient content of current fertilizer recommendations is unbalanced and is based on a very general and blanket recommendation for all soil and crop types, and their economic benefit is low. Therefore, this study was initiated to validate the recommendations regarding blended fertilizers applied to the soil and to identify the best fertilizer dose that ensures optimal yield and maximum economic return. Study Hypotheses: significance effect of blended NPKSZnB fertilizer on onion yield and yield components. Study Design: The experiment was designed using a randomized complete block design with three replications and seven treatments. Place and Duration of the study: The field experiment was conducted in the off-season of 2018 and 2019 in Tahtay Koraro (two farmers), and Laelay adyabo (two farmers) districts of in northern Ethiopia. Methodology: Seven treatments with NPKSZnB fertilizer rates (25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg·ha-1) were tested under irrigation conditions. Thus, for each plot nitrogen from Urea was applied at a rate of 150 kg ha-1. Surface soil samples were collected before planting onion harvesting at a depth of 0-20 cm to analyze selected soil chemical properties such as pH, extractable electric conductivity (ECe), cation exchange capacity (CEC), total nitrogen (TN), available P and exchangeable bases (K, Mg, Ca, and Na). Results: The application of different doses of NPKSZnB under irrigation conditions had a statistically significant (P < 0.05) impact on onion phenology, yield and yield components. The highest average onion yield (10,329 and 19,196 kg ha-1) was obtained after applying compound fertilizer doses of 200 and 250 kg ha-1 in Teahtay Koraro and Laelay Adyabo districts, respectively. However, the use of NPKSZnB fertilizer at a dose of 100 and 50 kg ha-1 for onion cultivation under irrigated conditions in T/koraro and L/adyabo districts was found to be economically viable. Thus, growers in both districts should use NPKSZnB compound fertilizer at these rates for onion production and productivity. Conclusion: Therefore, farmers in both districts should use NPKSZnB compound fertilizer at these rates for optimum onion production.
A study was conducted in Tahtay Adyabo northern Ethiopia to assess the salinity and irrigation water quality at farmer-level irrigation sites in the year of 2012. irrigation sites was identified and sampling units was assigned. 38 soil samples were collected from 19 plots (Dugub, Endaserawat, Mytewldish, Egum dima, and scattered wells in Mentebteb district ) at depths of 0-30cm and 30-50cm, along with, 21 water samples from 14 wells and 7 rivers. These samples were then analyzed at the Shire Soil Laboratory for salinity and fertility parameters. The results showed that the salinity status of surface soil at 0-30cm depth for dugub, scattered wells, and Myteweldish was 75% non-saline and 25% slightly saline. For Endaserawat, 50% was slightly saline, 25% moderately saline, and 25% strongly saline. Egum Dima showed 67% slightly saline and 33% moderately saline. In subsurface soil at 30-50cm depth, dugub, scattered wells, and Myteweldish were 75% non-saline and 25% slightly saline, while Endaserawat was 25% slightly saline and 75% moderately saline, and Egum Dima was 67% slightly saline, 16.5% moderately saline, and 16.5% strongly saline. Water analysis for the wells showed that out of 14 samples, 21% were non-saline, 21% were slightly to moderately saline, and 57% were severely saline. For the rivers, out of 7 samples, 43% were slightly to moderately saline and 57% were severely saline. Overall, out of 21 water samples from wells and rivers, 14% were non-saline, 29% were slightly to moderately saline, and 57% were severely saline. In general, the salinity status in Dugub, Endaserawat, Mytewldish, and Egum Dima varies from non-saline to strongly saline, but the severity is more pronounced in Endaserawat and Egum Dima. This salinity is attributed to the parent material and the water table. Crop selection, integration of organic matter, applying extra irrigation water and regular salinity monitoring is recommended, to optimize the productivity of the soils in the irrigation site.
Recently, the beauty of the environment, native forest plants, and crops were encroached with invasive weeds, and thus scientific community was concerned with searching for optional management of these horrible weeds. Accordingly, vermicomposting of invasive weeds with the purpose of utilization management was evaluated as an alternative option and cost-effective management. Utilization management included keeping the environment safe from expanding invasive weeds by using these weeds as vermicomposting materials. Consequently, vermicompost was produced from L. camara invasive weed and this produced vermicompost was interactively used with chemical fertilizer to appraise its effect on soil chemical properties after the tef crop was harvested. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a factorial combination with three replications. Four levels of L. camara vermicompost amendment (0, 2, 4, and 6 t·ha −1 ) and four levels of NPS fertilizer (0, 100, 150, and 200 kg·ha −1 ) were used in the combination of the treatments. Disturbed composite soil sampling at a depth of 20 cm was carried out, one sample before planting and 48 samples after harvesting of the tef crop. The results showed that the combined addition of vermicompost and NPS fertilizers at the rate of 6 t·ha −1 and 200 kg·ha −1 , respectively, significantly increased plant-available phosphorus (Av. P). Reversely, the pH of the soil remained unchanged when the soil was treated with the integration of vermicompost and NPS fertilizer or at their separate individual application. Most of the soil chemical properties, i.e. soil organic carbon (SOC), electrical conductivity (EC), Av. P, total nitrogen (TN), carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C : N), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were found to be improved when the soil was amended with the highest dose of sole L. camara vermicompost fertilizer. The two-year consecutive organic fertilizer fertilization rate increased SOC from 63.64% to 107.56%, EC from 8.70% to 22.22%, Av. P from 40.87% to 143.13%, TN from 50% to 100%, C : N ratio from 8.14% to 11.58%, and CEC from 42.11% to 63.67% versus untreated plot. Single-application NPS chemical fertilizer has only an encouraging effect on Av. P and CEC of soil. The principal driving factor for any change in soil chemical properties was the L. camara vermicompost amendment. Therefore, using L. camara weed as a vermicompost can enhance soil fertility. This study offers the opportunity to convert the large biomass of L. camara weed into vermicompost through vermicomposting.
Abstract Results of two seasons of on‐farm trials are reported. In 1986/87 yield losses to maize streak disease were 6.5–8.9 kg/ha for each additional 1% increase in incidence of infected plants. In fertilized plots losses to borers ranged from 9.1 to 13.6 kg of maize/ha for each 1% increase in incidence of borer‐attacked plants; in unfertilized plots losses were insignificant. When different parameters of yield loss to streak disease were compared, incidence × symptom severity was more highly correlated with loss than either incidence or severity alone, but the difference was slight, and data on incidence were more easily collected. Sampling of young plants (< 8 weeks old) proved superior to sampling of older plants (> 8 weeks old). Increases in disease incidence and severity and in borer infestation rates were characterized. In 1987/88 the streak‐resistant variety Babungo‐3 generally out‐yielded the local variety and showed lower streak incidence and symptom severity. The average farm family must apply fertilizer in order to meet its food requirements. A dose of 50 kg/ha (N‐P‐K) on the local variety would permit the family to satisfy its own grain requirements and produce a marketable surplus of 600 kg. The same dose applied to Babungo‐3 would give a marketable surplus of 1100 kg.
Introduction: Lantana camara makes available huge nitrogen rich moist biomass, which has potential to be utilized as a substrate for organic recycling. Its biomass has potential for utilization as organic manure, has antimicrobial, insecticidal and medicinal properties. Similarly, Lantana camara is one of the most widely occurring shrubs that have shown alarming growth in recent years, in our mandate areas especially in shire, Axum and Adwa. However, the complete eradication of this weed without further use of its biomass is very difficult and costly.
This study was conducted over the 2015 and 2016 main cropping seasons under rain-fed conditions at T/koraro in the North Western Zone of Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia. The objective was to evaluate the impact of different fertilizer treatments on chickpea agronomic performance and soil properties. The experiment employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments: T1 (control without inoculant), T2 (50 kg DAP), T3 (50 kg DAP + CP inoculant), and T4 (CP inoculant + compost), each replicated three times. Composite soil samples were collected and analyzed for texture, pH, EC, organic carbon, available phosphorus, and CEC before planting. Agronomic data collected included biomass yield, grain yield, days to 50% emergency and flowering, plant height, number of nodules, and harvest index. Results showed that treatments significantly affected soil properties and chickpea growth parameters. T4 (CP inoculant + compost) produced the highest biomass (4412.3 kg/ha) and grain yield (2015.0 kg/ha), indicating a 40.03% increase over the control. The number of nodules per plant was highest in T4, emphasizing the role of phosphorus and inoculants in enhancing nitrogen fixation and plant growth. Days to 50% emergency and flowering were reduced in treated plots, suggesting an accelerated growth rate due to nutrient availability. Plant height and the number of pods per plant were positively influenced by the application of compost and DAP fertilizer. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and LSD tests confirmed significant differences between treatments at a 5% significance level. The study concludes that the combined application of compost and CP inoculant significantly improves chickpea yield and soil health, offering a sustainable approach to crop production in the region.
A field experiment was carried out to evaluate different rates of vermicompost, and inorganic NPS(Nitrogen-Phosphate Fertilizer With Sulphur) fertilizers for wheat production in 2015-2017 main cropping seasons at L/machew district of the Tigray Regional State. There were five systematically combined rates of vermicompost and one rate of NPS treatments during the study. The experimental design was randomized complete block with three replications. Surface soil samples were collected before planting to analyze selected soil properties. The textural class of the soil was clay. The pH of the soil was rated under moderately acidic. Available P was rated under medium in most of the experimental sites while total N was low in all experimental sites. The treatments significantly affected crop phenology, yield and yield components of wheat. Thus tallest plant height was found from treatments that received 100kg/ha NPS, followed by 8.75t/ha vermicompost which resulted in (73.25cm) while the shortest plant (62.73cm) was obtained from control plots, respectively. Highest mean wheat grain yield (2642.8kg/ha) was obtained in response to 100kg NPS from inorganic fertilizer application followed by the second highest dose of vermicompost (7t/ha) with grain yield of 2620 kg/ha. At the wheat plants grown in plot received vermicompost compost at 7t/ha of vermicompost increased the grain yield by 67.78% over the control. Though highest grain yield was obtained from highest dose of vermicompost the partial budget analysis shows that the highest marginal rate of return (456) was obtained from 3.5t/ha VC ha-1 plus 100kg/ha urea at the study area.
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