Impact of Mixed Fertilizer Applications under Different Planting Methods and Seed Rates on Yield, Yield Components and Nutrient Use Efficiency of Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter]

Abstract

Inappropriate agronomic and input management practices such as continuous utilization of DAP and urea with surface broadcast method of application has led to inefficient nutrient use, which could finally cause low productivity of tef. Thus, this study was conducted on two soil types (Vertisol and Cambisol) in Northern Ethiopia during the 2011 main crop season to examine the different compound fertilizer applications under different planting methods and seed rates. An improved tef variety ‘Quncho’ (Dz-Cr-387) was used as a test crop and 5 treatments evaluated using RCBD with 3 replications. The treatments were: 1) band application of complete fertilizer under drill seed in row at 5 Kg ha^–1 seed rate; 2) broadcast complete fertilizer and seed (at 25 Kg ha^–1 seed rate); 3) band application of DAP and urea under drill seed in row at 5 Kg ha^–1 seed rate; 4) broadcast DAP and urea and seed (at 25 Kg ha^–1 seed rate); 5) broadcasting tef at 25 Kg ha^–1 seed rate with no fertilizer application (control). The treatments showed significant post harvest residual effects on the soil available P, but insignificant effect on total N in both trials. Band application of complete fertilizer under the row planting tef at 5 Kg ha^–1 seed rate significantly improves agronomic efficiency, nutrient uptake, nutrient recoveries and crude protein content as compared to the other treatments.

Keywords: Band application. Complete fertilizer. DAP + urea. Crude protein. Nutrient uptake. Nutrient recoveries. Marginal rate of return. Soil types.