Effects of Methods and Rates of Phosphorus Fertilizer Application and Planting Methods on Yield and Related Traits of Maize (Zea mays L.) on Soil of Hawassa Area

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine optimum rate and efficient method of phosphate fertilizer application and planting arrangement in maize at Hawassa. The treatment included one and two seeds per hill planting, spot and strip method of P fertilizer application and P levels of  0, 23, 46, 69 and 92 kg P₂O₅/ha. The results showed that higher mean values were obtained with one seed per hill planting which gave 5.1% grain yield advantage over two seeds per hill planting. Strip method of application had highly significant effect on grain yield and had 25 % yield advantage over spot method. However, P fertilizer rates had no significant effect and were negatively correlated with grain yield (r² = -0.7). One seed plating per hill planting is recommended whereas applying P fertilizer beyond 20kg P₂O_5/ha is not advisable for production of maize at Hawassa and surrounding area.