Response of Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) to Blended Fertilizers in Tembaro, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

These days there is an increasing concern that other soil nutrients in addition to nitrogen and phosphorus are becoming limiting to crop production and productivity in Ethiopia. This argument is being substantiated by increasing research evidences indicating presence of responses of some crops to potassium (K), sulphur (S) and some micronutrients such as boron (B) and zinc (Zn). The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of different blended fertilizers containing some macro and micronutrients on the yield and yield components of tef in three locations on farmers’ fields at Mudula, Kembata Zone. Treatments were control, recommended NP fertilizers, NPS, NPSB, NPKSB, NPSZnB-1, NPSZnB-2 and NPKSZnB. The experiment was laid out in RCB design with three replications. Tef variety, Kuncho was planted in 3 x 4 m plot size with row spacing of 0.5cm apart. All the necessary agronomic practices were applied. Data on the yield and yield components of tef were collected and subjected to ANOVA using SAS software. The results revealed that blended fertilizers containing three or more nutrients produced significantly higher yield and yield components of tef compared to that produced in the control and NP fertilizer treatments suggesting that soil S, K, B and Zn levels are low for optimum production of tef in the area. The highest yield was produced by NPSZnB-1, NPSB, NPSZnB-2 and NPKSB in that order. These treatments increased the grain yield by 91, 80, 77 and 67 % over that produced by the recommended NP fertilizers respectively. This suggests that blended fertilizers containing S, B and Zn in addition to NP is more beneficial for improving yield of tef compared to the remaining other blended fertilizers tested in this experiment. But, boron seems most deficient in the soils of the study area. Location by fertilizer interactions were significant for most parameters considered. The blended fertilizers were also found to be economically feasible to be used for tef production area. Further verification and demonstrations of blended fertilizers involving more famers in the area is recommended.

Keywords: Soil fertility decline, Potassium, Sulphur, Micronutrients