Field studies were conducted in 2015 and 2016 under rain fed conditions in south western Ethiopia, Jimma zone to determine optimum plant population density and NP fertilizer on Maize. The experiment had four NP fertilizer rates; 69/52, 92/69, 115/86, and 138/104 N/P2O5 kg ha-1 and four plant population density; 44,444(75cm*30cm), 53,333(75cm*25cm), 66,666(75cm*20cm) and 88,888(75cm*15cm) plants per hectare. Each treatment was assigned to each plot in split plot design. Grain yield and above ground biomass significantly increased as plant populations and NP fertilizer rates increased. The number of ears per plant was significantly decreased as plant population density increased and increased with the increased rate of NP fertilizer. The greater lodging was recorded in 2015 cropping season when compared with that of 2016 cropping season. The highest grain yield 8752 kg ha-1 and above ground biomass 18.33 ton ha-1 were recorded from 138/104 N/P2O5 fertilizer. Regarding plant population density the highest grain yield 9401 kg ha-1 and above ground biomass 19.90 ton ha-1 were recorded from 88,888 plants ha-1 (75cm*15cm). The highest net benefit 30,669ETB ha-1 with highest MRR 164% was recorded from 115/86 N/P2O5 kg ha-1. Concerning plant population density the highest net benefit 36,705 ETB ha-1 with acceptable MRR 585% was obtained from 88,888 plants ha-1 (75*15cm). Therefore, plant population density 88,888 plants ha-1 (75*15cm a plant hill-1 or 75 x 30 cm two plants hill-1) with N/P2O5 fertilizer rate of 115/86 kg ha-1 can be advisable for farmers in the study area and adjacent woredas’ with similar agro-ecologies.

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Determination of NP Fertilizer Rates and Plant Population Density on Yield and Yield Related Parameters of Quality Protein Maize (Zea mays L.) in Southwestern Ethiopia

This study was conducted evaluate the performance of Lablab genotypes across various locations of Ethiopia. Twelve accessions of L. purpureus obtained from ILRI Genebank and a check registered variety from Bako Agricultural Research Center were sown under a 3 × 13 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) during the rainy season in 2020, across three locations, namely Tepi, Bechi, and Kite sites of South West Ethiopia. The data were collected on the establishment, days to different physiological stages, forage yields, soil properties, and other related parameters. The data were subjected to analysis of variance using the general linear model of SAS and mean comparison via list significance difference test. A significant difference (
 
 p
 ≤
 0.01
 
 ) was observed across locations for most of the studied agronomic traits. The highest average dry matter (DM) forage yield recorded for T6 (accession 11613), T8 (acc. 10953), T5 (acc. 14417), and T4 (accession 11612) was 10.3, 8.7, 6.8, and 7.4 t/ha-1, respectively. Dry matter forage yield was positively associated and regressed with plant height and leaf-to-stem ratio. Lablab accessions are well adapted to the ecology tested. Lablab could also be produced in these locations without any remarkable disease problems. It is recommended that five top forage producing accessions be advanced for the next step of yield evaluation in standard multilocation. This leads to recommending best lablab accessions to be registered for the Tepi area and other similar agroecologies. Furthermore, recommended varieties should be evaluated through animal performance through feeding trials. Refining the main agronomic practice such as time of sowing, application of fertilizer, harvesting time, identifying best food crop-lablab integration methods, and feeding strategies is also vital to address in the future.

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Performance Evaluation of Lablab Genotypes across Various Locations of Ethiopia

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.

/pdf/validation-of-nitrogen-and-phosphorus-fertilizers-2rwyzbtw7s.pdf

Mulisa Wedajo

Papers

Validation of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizers Application Rates for Maize ( Zea mays L.) in Yeki District, Southwest of Ethiopia