Effect of Phosphorus Fertilizer for Maize Production in Gimbo Woreda at Kafa Zone Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The current use of commercial fertilizers in Ethiopia is not in harmony with the economics. Although, there have been nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer rates for the production of maize, sometimes this recommendation does not work outside the experiment sites largely due to the variation of the soil fertility levels on farmer’s field. Therefore, site specific fertilizer recommendation and continual updating and re-evaluation of this recommendation are a vital step for optimizing the maize grain yield. Although field experiment results are more reliable, soil test calibration research could alleviate this problem with much more benefit to farmers and the environment the average national yield. The objective of this study was to assess and evaluate phosphorus fertilizer requirement for Maize. Seven levels of P (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60) combined with sufficient amount of N 46kg and laid down in RCBD with two replication. The experiment was conducted for two consecutive years at Kaffa Zone Gimbo Wereda.TSP was used as a source of P and Urea was used as a source a common combined N. All dose of P was applied at planting while N was applied as splitting half at planting and half after 45 days of planting crop data such as plant highest, stand count at emergency, stand count at harvest,biomass,grainyield,cobelength and 1000seedweight was collected and analyzed using SAS computer software . Composite surface soil samples (0-20 cm) were collected before planting, at harvest from each treatment. The highest maize production of grain yield was obtained from 30kg P ha^-1and 50kg P ha^-1 on two 2005/6 and 2006/7 consecutive years respectively. So that these levels are better for maize production .but for economic value 30kgPha^-l1 should be recommended for better maize production approach.

Keywords: P fertilizers, Maize production

DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/85-05

Publication date:March 31^st 2019