Evaluation of Different Blended Fertilizer Type and Rate for Better Production of Wheat in Meskan Woreda, Guraghe Zone Ethiopia

Eyerusalem Mohammed; Jemal Mohammed; Sasahu Lewot

Abstract

In Ethiopia, wheat accounts the fourth level from the total cultivated area and production. Application of balanced essential elements is required to improve production of wheat. However, its productivity is mainly constrained by lack of site-specific fertilizer (NPSB) recommendation in the study area. Therefore, field experiment was conducted at Meskanworeda during 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 main cropping season to evaluate the effect of different blended fertilizers on yield and yield components of wheat. The experiment consisted of seven treatments and laid out in randomized complete block design with three times replication. The treatments were control, three rates of NPSB (150, 200 and 250) and three rates of NPSZnB (160, 213 and 267). Analysis of the results revealed that application of blended fertilizer had significant influence on yield and yield components of wheat. The highest above ground dry biomass yield (13325 Kg ha-1) and highest grain yield (3276.8 Kg ha-1) was recorded from additional application of S, B, and Zn at T7 (267 NPSZnB + 152 urea kg ha-1 fertilizer). The highest net return (36007.86 ETB ha-1) with MRR (309.4%) was obtained from application of the same treatment. It is clearly observed from collected agronomic data that application of Zn and B fertilizer is not responsive with minimum rate of NP but, S, B and Zn application is responsive when NP rate is high. This shows that NP is the most limiting nutrient in the study area. Therefore, based on yield response and economic analysis, application of 267 NPSZnB + 152 urea kg ha-1 is recommended in MeskanWoreda.

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