http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/1774 2026-07-13T15:02:20Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16898 Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Bread Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) in Response to N and P Nutrients on Vertisols of North Central Highlands of Ethiopia Yalemegena Gete Ethiopia is intensifying efforts to boost wheat production with effective nitrogen (N) andphosphorus (P) management. However, low soil fertility and the lack of recommendationson optimal N and P application rates remain major constraints limiting wheat production.The effects of different N and P nutrient rates on the yield and nutrient uptake of breadwheat were evaluated on Vertisols of Moretina Jiru District, North Shewa Zone, AmharaRegion, Ethiopia. The study was conducted using a factorial arrangement of treatments in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments werefive N rates (69, 115, 161, 207, and 253 kg ha -1 ), three phosphorus rates in the form of P 2 O 5 (46, 69, and 92 kg ha -1 ), and one control (0N- 0P 2 O 5 ) treatment. Data were collected on growth, yield parameters, nutrient uptake of N and P, soil sampling and analysis, and analyzed using R statistical software version 4.3. The results showed that wheat grain yieldwas highly significantly affected by N rates (p<0.001) and significantly (p<0.05) by P rates, with the highest grain yield being five times greater than the control. Applying N orP alone significantly increased wheat grain yield, but their interaction did not affect thegrain yield. The main effects of N and P, and their interaction, significantly influencednutrient use efficiency. Both higher N rates and the combined application of N and Pimproved P use efficiency. Application of 253 kg N ha -1 resulted in the highest grain yield(4891 kg ha -1 ), straw yield (6690 kg ha -1 ), soil plant analysis development (SPAD) value (47.96), total N uptake (113.50kg ha -1 ), total P uptake (44.12 kg ha -1 ) and protein content(10.82%) of wheat compared to the application of other N rates. The optimum P 2 rate was 69 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 which resulted in the highest grain (3869 kg ha -1 ) and straw yields(5210 kg ha -1 ). Moreover, the economic analysis showed that the combined application of253 kg N with 69 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 was profitable having the highest Benefit:Cost ratio value of3.60. Therefore, combined application of 253 kg N ha -1 and 69 kg P 2 was theoptimum rate and recommended for wheat production on Vertisols of Moretina Jirudistrict and similar agroecologies and moisture domains until further N rate is determined based on multilocation studies. O 5 ha -1 O 5 2024-11-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16897 Effects of Acacia Abyssinica and Croton Macrostachyus Trees in Farmlands on Selected Soil Properties in Alemsaga Watershed North Western Ethiopia. Woretaw Gebrei Planting trees on farmlands has become a common agroforestry activity because of its widespread use and possible advantages. This study was carried out in the Alemsaga watershed in northwestern Ethiopia. Its primary objective was to evaluate the effect of different farmland tree species on selected soil properties and assess farmers' perceptions of farmland trees. Three representative farmlands with similar physiographic conditions and land use histories having, indigenous Acacia abyssinica and Croton macrostachyus tree standings, were selected in the watershed. Soil samples were collected at two soil depths (0– 15 and 15–30 cm) under each tree canopy from three different radial distances (1.53, 3.06, and 16 m) away from the tree trunk in four directions. A total of 36 composite soil samples (2 tree species x 3 horizontal distance x 2 soil depths x 3 replications) were collected for the study. The soil's physicochemical properties were analyzed following standard laboratory procedures. The soil data was analyzed by a three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS software version 9.4. The result revealed that soil bulk density (BD), organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (Av.P), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and exchangeable cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K,+ and Na)+ were significantly (p<0.001) affected by distance from the trees, soil depth, and between trees species, whereas soil texture and soil pH were not significantly ( p>0.05) different between tree species. Except for soil BD and sand content, all the selected soil physicochemical properties declined with increasing distance from the tree trunks of the two tree species. Assessment of farmer’s perceptions and knowledge about soil fertility and crop productivity under farmland trees indicated that 63.26% of respondents responded to the positive impact of farmland trees on soil fertility and crop productivity. Generally, the physical and chemical properties of the soils were better under the tree canopy than in the open fields. Therefore, in order to enhance soil fertility, farmland tree canopies should be managed and protected on cultivated lands. 2024-05-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16896 The Integrated Effect of Vermicompost and Inorganic Fertilizerson Soil Properties and Bread Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Yield on the Nitisols of Yilmana Densa District, Northwestern Ethiopia Abere Tenagne Ethiopia’s soils are experiencing a continuous decline in essential plant nutrients and organic matter, which has become one of the major constraints to agricultural productivity in the country. This experiment was therefore conducted to evaluate the effects of integrating vermicompost (VC) and inorganic nitrogen-phosphorus (NP) fertilizer on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and soil physicochemical properties in the Yilmana Densa district during the 2025 cropping season on Nitisol at two sites. Sixteen treatments consisting of a factorial combination of four vermicompost (VC) rates (0, 3, 6, and 9 t /ha) and four NP fertilizer rates (0/0, 46/46, 92/69, and 138/92 kg N/P 2 O were arranged in a RCBD with three replications. All collected agronomic and soil data were analyzed using R statistical software version R.4.3.3. Treatment means were separated using LSD at 5% probability level, while economic feasibility was assessed using partial budget analysis. The results of this trial revealed that the highest soil pH, total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (Ava.P), organic carbon (OC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and the lowest bulk density (BD) were recorded at 9 t / ha VC at both experimental sites while the lowest were from the control. The highest plant height (PH), spike length (SL), kernels per spike (KS), thousand-seed weight (TSW), grain yield (GY), biomass (BM), and straw yield (SY) were recorded from 9 t/ha VC + 138N/92P 5 2 O kg /ha, while the lowest were from the control at both experimental sites. Harvest index (HI), nitrogen, and phosphorus agronomic use efficiency were also significantly (P≤ 0.05) influenced by the combined application of VC and NP fertilizers. The highest net benefit with an acceptable MRR value was gained from 9t/ha VC +138 N/92 P 2 O 5 5 kg /ha. Therefore, 9t/ha VC combined with 138/92/ ha NP fertilizer is effective for enhancing soil fertility and wheat productivity while providing economically viable returns for the study area. 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16895 Effect of Integrated Application of Vermicompost and Inorganic Fertilizer on Soil Properties and Yield of Bread Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) on Vertisol of Mekaneselam District, Amhara, Ethiopia Shumye Ali Soil fertility depletion and the unavailability of nutrients due to a decline in soil organic matter content and improper fertilizer application are limiting bread wheat productivity in Ethiopia. Hence, a field experiment was conducted in 2023 to determine the effects of integrated use of vermicompost and inorganic fertilizer (NPS and urea) on soil physicochemical properties, yield, and yield components of bread wheat in the Vertisol of Mekaneselam District, North-East Ethiopia. A factorial combination of four levels of vermicompost (0, 3, 6, and 9 t ha ) and three levels of inorganic fertilizer (NPS and urea) (0%, 50%, and 100% kg ha xv -1 ) from the blanket recommendation of 120 kg ha -1 of NPS and 100 kg ha -1 of Urea fertilizers for wheat growing in the study area. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. All collected soil data, yield, and yield components of bread wheat data were analyzed using SAS software. After the bread wheat harvest, the soil analysis of variance showed that the soil bulk density (BD), moisture content (MC), soil pH (pH), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (Av.P), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and exchangeable calcium (Ex.Ca) were significantly (p<0.05) affected by the combined application of vermicompost and inorganic fertilize (NPS and urea). The highest MC (46%), pH (6.77), Av.P (19.26 ppm), TN (0.27%), CEC (29.77 cmolc kg -1 ), and SOC (2.84%) were obtained from the application of 6 and 9 t ha -1 vermicompost with 100% ha of inorganic fertilizer and 9 t ha -1 vermicompost with 50% (combined fertilizer of NPS and urea). However, the lowest MC (40.67%), pH (5.87), Av.P (10.57 ppm), TN (0.18%), CEC (21.00 Cmolc kg ), and SOC (1.68%) were obtained from the control plot (0% inorganic fertilize (NPS and urea) with 0 t ha -1 vermicompost). The results of bread wheat analysis showed that the grain yield, thousand-grain weight, number of seeds per spike, number of effective tillers, and harvest index were significantly (p<0.05) affected by the combined application of vermicompost and -1 -1 -1 inorganic fertilize (NPS and urea). The maximum bread wheat grain yield (4066.67 kg ha ), thousand-grain weight (52.67 g), number of seeds per spike (49.8), number of effective tillers (426.35 m 2 ), and harvest index (40.43%) were obtained from the use of 6 t ha vermicompost with 50% ha -1 of inorganic fertilize (NPS and urea). However, the minimum grain yield (1900 kg ha -1 ), thousand seed weight (42g), number of seeds per spike (30.33), number of effective tillers (292.67 m 2 ), and harvest index (26.4%) were obtained from the control plot (0% inorganic fertilize (NPS and urea) with 0 t ha -1 vermicompost). Moreover, the combined application of 6 t ha -1 vermicompost with 50% inorganic fertilize (NPS and urea) produced the highest bread wheat grain yield and maximum net benefit with a marginal rate of return (965.75%), while the sole application of 50% inorganic fertilizes (NPS and urea) provided the highest marginal rate of return (1241.66%). Thus, it can be concluded that the combined applications of 6 t ha -1 vermicompost and 50% ha -1 of inorganic fertilize (NPS and urea) were the most recommended and economically feasible for bread wheat production and soil fertility 2024-06-01T00:00:00Z