The Effects of Green Manures Integrated with In-Organic Fertilizer on Yield of Bread Wheat [Triticum Aestivum] in Middle Awash, Ethiopia

Abstract

Green manures integrated with inorganic fertilizers are well known for improving productive capacity of soil and rehabilitation of the degraded farm lands. An experiment was conducted during 2016 -2018 at Fentale woreda, Oromia region and Amibara woreda, Afar region; to evaluate the integrated effect of green manures with nitrogen fertilizer rates and identify appropriate forage legumes for green manure. Randomized complete block design was employed with three replications. Three forage legumes: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and Lablab (Lablab purpureus) in factorial arrangement with four levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 11.5, 23, and 34.5 kg ha^-1 N); while, 46 kg ha^-1 of nitrogen fertilizer was applied as a control. Pre-sowing and after harvest soil samples were collected and analyzed following the standard procedures. Twenty one days prior to wheat seed sowing, the forages were harvested at early flowering stage, chopped and incorporated in to the soil; while, 100 g of the fresh field weight was took for laboratory analysis. Wheat grain yield and other parameters were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS software. The analysis of variance revealed that, year, location and treatment effects were significant (P < 0.001). The highest mean grain yields (3079.87, 3015.99, 3000.16, and 2964.79 kg ha^-1) were recorded at 34.5 kg ha^-1 N + Alfalfa, 34.5 kg ha^-1 N + Lablab, 23 kg ha^-1 N + Lablab, 11.5 kg ha^-1 N + Alfalfa) respectively. As a result, Alfalfa or Lablab integrated with 34.5, 23, and 11.5 kg ha^-1 nitrogen fertilizer were suggested as alternative management options.

Keywords/Phrases: bread-wheat, fertility, green manures, integrated, middle awash, nitrogen fertilizer

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/13-1-01

Publication date: January 31^st 2023