Response of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Varieties to NPS Fertilizer Rate in Mid Altitude of Southern Ethiopia

Kamil Temam Mossa

Abstract

Forage legume species adaptation has been done across Ethiopia; however, information on agronomic practice like fertilizer rate is generally scarce. So, the current study was to determine the influence of NPS fertilizer rate and varieties on dry matter yield, agronomic trait and nutritional value of Alfalfa at Werabe Agricultural Research Center (WARC). Experiment was applied factorial arrangement by using randomized complete block design with three replications. Fertilizer rates were (25, 50, 75) kg/ha and Varieties (Magna 801 FG (F), Hairy Peruvian, and FG-10-09(F)). The result indicated that Interaction effect of varieties with NPS fertilizer rate was significant (P>0.05) for number of branches and LSR at Silti and for plant height at Sankura. Variety effect was significant (P>0.05) for number of branches and dry matter yields. Hairy Peruvian had highest number of branches (18 NB/p) and dry matter yield (4 ton/ha) than the rest varieties at Sankura. Plant height and dry matter yield were significantly affected by varieties and NPS fertilizer rate at Silti. According to composite chemical composition, FG-10-09(F) with 25 kg/ha NPS rate (15.49%) and Magna 801 FG (F) with 75 kg/ha NPS rate had higher crude protein (16.89%) value than the rest. In general Both Hairy Peruvian with 50 kg/ha NPS and Hairy Peruvian with 75 kg/ha NPS have not significant difference in quantitative parameters. So, Hairy Peruvian and 50 kg/ha NPS was recommended for both study area.

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