Abstract:
Low soil fertility status due to erosion, intensive farming and leaching are the
major problems limiting current maize and tef yield. Field experiments were
conducted at Yilmana Desnsa District, Northwestern Ethiopia in 2016/2017 with
the objective of assessing nutrient status of the soil; evaluate the chemical quality
of compost; quantify the effects of integrated fertility management on yield and
yield components of maize and tef; and evaluate changes in soil physico-chemical
properties due to integrated nutrient management in the study area. Maize variety
named BH- 540 and tef variety called Kuncho were used as test crops. The
treatments were factorial combinations of three compost rates (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1)
and three mineral fertilizer rates (0, ½ and full recommended NPSBZn plus
urea).NPSBZn fertilizer was added at the beginning of sowing while urea was
added in split application method half at planting and half at knee-height stage.
The treatments were laid out in RCBD design with three replications. SAS (12.00
version) software was used for analysis of diverse parameters. Soil samples were
taken and analyzed before planting and compared with critical levels from
literature to determine nutrient requirement for study area. Compost samples from
pit and heap piles were also collected and analyzed to evaluate their quality. Soil
samples were also collected from the experimental fields after harvest (0-20cm
depth) to evaluate the effect of compost and mineral fertilizers on some soil
physico-chemical properties. Soils were moderately acidic in pH and low in OM,
N, P, S, B and Zn. However, the soils had sufficient amount of K, Ca and Mg. The
analysis of 18 compost samples collected from farmers' backyards indicated that
the composts were suitable and well matured for application to the field. Results
from the maize and tef field experiments revealed that combined application of
compost and NPSBZn mineral fertilizers improved yield and yield components of
maize and tef. The highest maize and tef grain yield was obtained from the
application of 10 tons ha-1 compost and full recommended mineral fertilizer rate
(150 kg ha-1 NPSBZn + 200 kg ha-1 urea). Similarly, application of 10 t ha-1
compost and full of the recommended mineral fertilizer rate (150 kg ha-1 NPSBZn
and 200 kg ha-1 urea) was found to be economical feasible for maize and tef.
Analysis of soil samples after harvest demonstrated that application of sole
compost, sole mineral fertilizer as well as their combinations affected soil chemical
properties. To get maximum economic benefit farmers should integrate 10 t ha-1
compost and full of the recommended mineral fertilizer.