Verification of Soil Test Based Phosphorus Fertilizer Recommendation for Yield and Yield Components of Wheat in Hintalo-wajirat District, Ethiopia

Abstract

The popularization of urea and DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) fertilizers are increasing from time to time.  However, small holder farmers are facing challenges on the price, amount and type of fertilizers to be applied on their land. These farmers were using blanket type of fertilizer application which is not recommended based on soil fertility status and crop nutrient requirements. Due to this, Mekelle Agricultural Research Centre has developed soil test based phosphorus critical value and phosphorus requirement factor for wheat in Enderta district. So, this trial was conducted in Tigray region Hintalo- wajirate district with the objective of verifying soil test phosphorus calibration findings established at Enderta district using wheat as an indicator crop. This was evaluated using three rates of fertilizer application treatments with no fertilizer applied, blanket type of fertilizer application and soil test based fertilizer recommendation laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with eighteen replications at nine farmer’s field. Data on yield and yield components of wheat was collected and the result reveals  that the straw and grain yield observed in soil test based fertilizer recommendation were 21% and 14% higher than the blanket type of application (50 Urea:100 DAP), respectively. Hence, in this trial there was a significant (p<0.05) grain as well as straw yield difference among the treatments. This shows that it is recommended to use the soil test based phosphorus fertilizer recommendation rate calibrated in Enderta district at similar agro ecological and soil types of wheat growing areas of Hintalo-wajirate district.

Keywords: Soil Test, fertilizer, wheat, Hintalo- wajirate