Effect of NPSZn and Nitrogen Rates on Yield and Yield Components of Maize (Zea mays L) in Eastern Hararghe, Ethiopia

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L) cannot produce maximum yields unless sufficient nutrients are available. There are a number of factors which are responsible for the low production and productivity of maize. Among these factors, inappropriate crop nutrition management and poor soil fertility are the most important factors responsible for low yield of maize.  When the soil does  not  supply  sufficient  nutrients  for  normal  plant  growth, application  of  supplemental  nutrients  are  required. The activity was done with the objective of to determine the optimum application rate of NPSZn and Nitrogen fertilizers for yield and yield components of maize. The three levels of NPSZn (75, 100, and 125) kg ha^-1 were combined with three level of N (21.2, 28.3, and 35.4) kg ha^-1 after deducting the amount of N found in NPSZN were used for the field experiments. Treatments were laid out in RCBD design with three replications. The highest grain yield (4359 kg ha^-1) was obtained from combined application of 75 kg NPSZn with 28.3 kg ha^-1 and nearly followed by (4348 kg ha−1) which obtained from combined application of 100 kg NPSZn with 35.4 kg ha^-1 whereas the lowest grain yield (2475 kg ha^-1) was obtained from plots treated without fertilizer. The highest grain yield (4359 kg ha^-1) and nearly followed (4348 kg ha⁻¹) was obtained from plots fertilized with the higher N application (35.4 kg). The result of partial budget analysis suggested that the higher marginal rate of return (12822.71%) was obtained from the combined application of 100 kg NPSZn with 35.4 kg N ha^-1. Therefore, based on this result it can be concluded that the combined application of 100 kg NPSZn with 35.4 kg N ha^-1 can be recommended in the study areas and for other similar agro-ecologies it can be agronomically optimum and economically affordable levels to increase improved maize production.

Keywords: NPSZn, Nitrogen, Fertilizer rate, Yield, Yield components, Maize

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-10-03

Publication date:May 31^st 2021