http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16212 Tue, 13 Oct 2026 01:49:10 GMT 2026-10-13T01:49:10Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/17305 Effects of Integrated Nutrient Management on Maize (Zea Mays L.) Production and Soil Properties in North-Western Ethiopia Ashenafi, Mitiku xv Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the main and most popular cereal crops because of its high value as a stable food as well as its stover demand for animal feed, fuel, and even construction purposes. It is used as human food, a source of cash income, fuel, feed for livestock, and for industrial purposes. In Ethiopia, maize is a staple food and one of the main sources of calories in the major maize-producing regions. Approximately 88% of the maize produced in Ethiopia is used as food, in both green cobs and grain. In Ethiopia, maize is grown in 13 agroecological zones in the southern, south-central, and southwestern parts of the country. However, national (Ethiopia), regional (Amhara), and local (West Gojam) yields are 4.179, 4.272, and 2.5 tonnes ha -1 , respectively. These yields are significantly lower than the global average yield (5.8 t ha -1 ), with yield gaps of 1.621, 1.528, and 3.3 t ha -1 , respectively. This low productivity in Ethiopia in general and in the study area in particular is caused by nutrient mining as a result of continuous cropping, abandoning fallowing, completely removing crop wastes, applying little or no manure, using crop and animal waste as fuel, and erosion. Declining soil fertility was the major factor in the lower productivity of maize, and to combat these problems, commercial fertilizers have been applied. However, the rising costs of inorganic fertilizers may not encourage smallholder farmers. Therefore, in sourcing an alternative that reduces the cost of production while increasing productivity in the research areas, the effect of integrated inorganic fertilizer and manure use on crop yield and soil quality indicators is ambiguous. Instead, producers rely heavily on chemical soil fertilization, which has a poor reputation in terms of long-term viability and cost-benefit ratio. There is little consistency in the research on the effects of combining organic and inorganic fertilizers. To address these limitations, in 2016/17 and 2017/18, an assessment survey was done in three sites (Bahir Dar Zuria, Jabi Tehnan, and Mecha) and field research was undertaken in two places (Jabi Tehnan and Mecha districts), with the objective of assessing the sustainability of maize production in North-Western Ethiopia by characterizationof maize production and evaluating the effects of integrated nutrient management on maize yield and soil properties. To characterized maize production, maize farm assessments and farmer interviews were carried out, and a field trial was conducted to investigate the integrated use of NPSBZn blended fertilizer and farmyard manure on maize growth parameters, yield, and yield components. A total of 250 farmers in the study area were selected and interviewed to gather data on demographic characteristics, land resource and agronomic practices, inputs, and pest management based on maize production capacity, coverage, and the importance of maize in farmers' lives. Three, two, and one 10-km by 10-km X and Y geographic coordinate regions have been transferred to the newly constructed main grid from the districts of Mecha, Jabi Tehnan, and Bahirdar Zuriya, respectively. Within the main griframe, a quadrangle was established, providing a grid cell 1 km by 1 km square. The field experimentwere laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in a factoriaarrangement: five NPSBZn blended fertilizer rates (100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 kg ha ), four cow manure rates (0, 12, 16, and 20 t ha -1 ), one control (0, 12, 16, and 20 t ha -1 ), and one blankerecommendation (DAP and Urea). A maize hybrid variety called "BHQPY-545" was used as a test cropAccording to the survey findings in the three areas, the majority of respondents are married males oworking age with substantial agricultural experience. Small, fragmented parcels placed close to the homwere typical. Urea is the most commonly used fertilizer, but its availability from regular sources provedifficult at the right time of year. The majority of farmers in the study area use improved seeds rather thalocal seeds. Weed and insect pest infestations in corn fields were common. The field research resushowed that, only the main effect of blended (NPSBZn) fertilizer and farmyard manure was significant a both locations for the days to silking, leaf area index, and ear diameter at both locations and the days t 90% physiological maturity, Number of ears per plant, and ear length at Mecha. While main aninteraction effects on the remaining parameters were significant at both sites (Jabi Tehnan and Mecha)The main effects of NPSBZn blended fertilizer and farmyard manure were significant on days to physiological maturity, ear number per plant, ear length, and diameter at Mecha. Grain yield showed positive correlation with growth and yield components, and the combined application of 250 kg ha oNPSBZn blended fertilizer with 20 t ha -1 of yard manure resulted in grain yields of 5,618.5 and 5,421 kg ha -1 and above-ground dry biomass yields of 10,895.0 and 10,787.9 kg ha -1 at Jabi Tehnan and Mecharespectively. Thus, 250 kg ha -1 of NPSBZn blended fertilizer with 20 t ha -1 of farmyard manure irecommended for effective maize production in both study areas. -1 -1 Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/17305 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/17304 Intensification of Tef [Eragrostis Tef (Zucc.) Trotter] Production through Soil Amendments and Intercropping With Lupine (Lupinus Albus L.) in the Highlands of Northwestern Ethiopia Hunegnaw, Yirsaw Tef is the major staple food and cash crop in Ethiopia, but the yield is very low as compared to other major cereals. The major constraints to increase agricultural productivity have been identified as soil fertility degradation and soil acidity. As a result, alternative, low-cost technologies are required. Therefore, three field experiments were conducted in the cropping seasons of 2016 and 2017 in Gozamine District to evaluate the effects of soil amendments and lupine based intercropping on the productivity of tef fields in the acidic soils of East Gojam Zone, northwest Ethiopia highlands. The present study revealed that the farmers can increase the production and productivity per unit area of land. Additional yield could be produced by optimization with respect to spatial arrangements and relative planting time of intercrop components which can contribute complementarities of the crops in the mixture. The intercropping experimental results showed that both relay and intercropping significantly increased the productivity of tef fields. The results showed that tef-lupine intercropping at 40 and 15 cm inter and intra-row spacing increased tef equivalent yield by 32% when compared to tef sole cropping. Furthermore, tef-lupine relay intercropping at 40 cm inter-row spacing and two weeks after tef planting resulted in the highest value of tef equivalent yield (2.45 t ha-1) and net benefit (2712.9 USD ha-1) with acceptable range of marginal rate return. A tef lupine relay and intercropping system could be economically and environmentally propitious in the Ethiopian highlands, a region characterized by high population density, small farm size and low farm income. The growth, yield and yield components of tef responded significantly to the integrated application of lime with organic and inorganic fertilizers. Total nitrogen, available phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, organic carbon, soil pH and CEC were significantly increased with full combination of lime, organic and inorganic nutrient sources. Thus, highest yield of tef (2.31 t ha-1) was obtained with integrated use of 10 t ha-1 cattle manure together with full recommended dose of lime and inorganic NP fertilizers. Application of 2 t ha-1 lime, 10 t ha-1 cattle manure and 46-20 kg ha-1 NP gave the highest net return (2252.91 USD ha-1) with acceptable range of marginal rate return which is advisable for farmers to maximize tef grain yield ha-1. Therefore, in the highlands of northwest Ethiopia where acid soils are a major production constraint, application of 2 t ha-1 lime and 10 t ha-1 cattle manure with 46-20 kg ha-1 NP were recommended for optimum tef grain yield production. Fri, 01 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/17304 2022-07-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/17303 Legume Intercropping and Soil Amendments For Striga (Striga Hermonthica) Control and Increasing the Productivity of Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor) in Northwest Ethiopia Gebremedhin, Zenebe Sorghum production is negatively influenced by abiotic and biotic stresses. Striga hermonthica, an obligate root-parasite, has been identified as one of the major biological threats to sorghum production. Despite the many Striga management methods available, sorghum yield in Northwest Ethiopia remains below potential. Three field experiments to assess the efficacy of Striga management on Sorghum performance were conducted in Striga hermonthica hot spot areas of Northwest Ethiopia in the 2017/18 cropping season, at Gondar agriculture research centers in Metema and Sanja. A randomized complete block design with three replications in a factorial arrangement, three nitrogen and cattle manure rates, and two sorghum varieties, Striga resistant 'Berhan' and susceptible 'Deber,' intercropped with sorghum and soybean at different dates of sowing (2 weeks, one week before, and at the same date with sorghum) and soybean 'Afgat' were treatments and the test crop. All treatments in the experiment reduced Striga count and Striga dry matter to a varying degree. Grain yield, above-ground biomass, and thousand seed weight all revealed a very significant difference in the main effects and their interactions. N 92 kg and manure 20 tons h-1 gave the highest grain (1.23 tons) and biomass (13.49 tons h-1) yields and the lowest Striga counts (81.3 at 4.8 m2). Sorghum/cowpea and sorghum/soybean had substantially higher mean LERs, 1.45 and 1.34, respectively. "Berhan" variety with N 92 kg and manure of 20 tons h-1, sorghum: cowpea intercropping and sowing soybeans two weeks before sorghum is recommended for effective sorghum production and Striga management in the study area. Sun, 01 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/17303 2021-08-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/17302 Impacts of Climate Change and Management Practices on Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Production in Tropical Highland Regions of Ethiopia Ademe, Dereje xv Various adaptation options are available to the anticipated climate change and variability impacts on potato production systems in the study area. However, impact estimation and adaptation potential evaluation are critical tasks to identify the most viable adaptation options. This study was thus designed to (i) perform climate analysis, (ii) evaluate the performance of SUBSTOR-Potato model, (iii) evaluate impacts of climate change and management practices, and (iv) assess the adaptation role of management practices on potato production in various agroecosystems (AESs) found in the Choke Mountain Watersheds of Northwest Ethiopian highlands. A simulation study conducted for climate change and management practices impacts assessment using a crop simulation model. Two potato varieties (medium maturing and late maturing), three planting dates (March 01, April 01 and June 01) determined based on information from climate analysis and key informants, and four nitrogen rates (0 kg/ha, 40 kg/ha, 80 kg/ha, and 120 kg/ha N) were selected to evaluate their adaptation impacts on potato yield in three climate periods and two scenarios. Input data needed for the study collected from primary and secondary sources. Climate analysis performed at landscape level, whereas the model calibrated and evaluated using field measured data from three AESs. Water limited potential yield, yield gap, and climate change and management practices impact assessment performed using a validated model. Results revealed that all AES warmed significantly in all seasons over the historical analysis period (1981–2016) with higher magnitude of trend in high elevation AES. Rainfall variability was also large across AES, with largest interannual variability found in the dry season. Trends in temperature extremes are generally consistent across sites and AES, but with different implications for agricultural activities in the different AES. Future projections showed significant wetting and increase in precipitation (8–1015 mm additional rainfall) and temperature extremes (More summer days, few chill days, and higher day and night temperature) across AES. High inter-annual variability of rainfall onset (49–84 days) and cessation (41–66 days) dates was observed, and length of the growing period exhibited a significant trend (extended by 6–17 days in some areas and shortened by up to 7 days in other sites) in some AES and greater variability in higher elevation AES (78 – 102 days). Significant increasing trends and variability in dry spells and onset date may severely affect crop production that necessitate the revision of AES specific crop production calendar to minimize crop failure. The results also emphasize the importance of AES-based improved seasonal weather forecasts and tailored climate information services to guide farm decisions. It also concluded that AES level analysis could better provide actionable information for decision makers and growers than site specific and scattered studies. Model evaluation results confirmed that SUBSTOR-Potato model has strong ability to reproduce observed values and is suitable to simulate tuber yield in tropical highlands and similar agroecologies. Results of simulation studies showed that planting season temperature and rainfall had increased in the future climate periods with possible impacts on potato yield. Results further revealed that climate change in the area showed a wider range yield impact (0.25% to 281%) across periods and sites compared to the current practice (6 – 41 t/ha) and major benefit is found in high altitude AESs and in the mid-century period. Future climate change will also resulted in change in water limited potential yield that ranges from –7 t/ha (in AES 3 ) to 40 t/ha (in AES 5 ) in mid-century climate period under RCP8.5. Adaptation option assessment results showed that switching to late maturing variety (-15.4%–180.3%), delayed (June 01) planting time (4.7 – 21.8%) and high nitrogen (120 kg/ha) rate (9.55–28.8%) gave better results. Adaptation role assessment showed that late and mid-planting of late variety with higher nitrogen rates had positive impacts under the current climate and strong adaptation impact in the near-term period. In the mid-century climate period, mid-planting of both varieties with higher nitrogen rates had impact in the current climate with adaptation role in the future climate. Thus, moving the planting time to mid-planting time would have strong adaptation role and minimize GHG emissions, thereby balances trade-off between productivity and mitigation activities. Fri, 01 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/17302 2022-04-01T00:00:00Z