Effects of Diferent Rates of NPK and Blended Fertilizers on Nutrient Uptake and Use Efficiency of Teff [Eragrostis Tef (Zuccagni) Trotter] in Dedessa District, Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

Teff is a major staple food crop in Ethiopia whose yield is constrained by plant lodging, declining soil fertility due to nutrient depletion caused by farming without replenishing nutrients over time, leaching due to inadequate runoff management, removal of crop residue, low level of fertilizer use and unbalanced application of nutrients. Teff is well adapted to highland soils. Yields are low (in average about 1280 kg ha-1) even though fertilization with recommended rate of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers is applied. This experiment was conducted with the objective of evaluating different rates of NPK, and Zn and B blended fertilizers on yield, nutrient uptake (N, P, K and Zn) and nutrient use efficiency of teff crops, during 2013 main cropping season in Dedessa District of southwestern Ethiopia. The local variety of Gero was used as a test crop and 14 treatments (11 different rates of NPK, 2 blended fertilizers and unfertilized plot) were used and laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Results showed that grain and straw yield; nutrient (N, P, K and Zn) uptake and nutrient use efficiency was varied through all treatments significantly. The maximum yields (grain: 2147.7 kg ha^-1 and straw: 5852.8 kg ha^-1); the highest total nitrogen uptake, phosphorus uptake, potassium uptake and zinc uptake; excellent agronomic efficiency and apparent nutrient recovery were recorded with the application of 200kg ha^-1 of 14N 21P₂O₅ 15K₂O 6.5S 1.3Zn 0.5B + 23 kg N ha^-1. These results should be reflected primary until further work is done, either at several locations or at various seasons, for confirmation. Therefore, taking the findings of the present study in to consideration it may be concluding that farmers can be use 200kg ha^-1 of 14N 21P₂O₅ 15K₂O 6.5S 1.3Zn 0.5B + 23 kg N ha^-1 to improve nutrient uptake and fertilizer use efficiency, which are leads  to yield increment.

Key words: Teff, zinc and boron blended fertilizer, NPK, yield, nutrient uptake and use efficiency