Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties to Potash Fertilizer Rates Under Irrigation Condition in Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Response of three maize varieties (Local/Berihu, Melkassa I and Katumani) to four rates (0, 50, 100 & 150kg/ha) of Potash fertilizer was examined under irrigated condition. The result of the physic-chemical analysis of the soil from the test plots has shown that the soil is potassium deficient (0.106 cmol(+)/kg). Application of the potash fertilizer (50kg/ha K₂O) has brought about a significant difference (P<0.05) in yield and yield components namely thousand grain weight, grain number per cob, grain yield per plant, grain yield per hectare and total above ground biomass/ha. But the application of the potash fertilizer beyond 50kg/ha has no significant effect on maize yield and yield components. Melkassa I and Katumani were found to be more responsive to this fertilizer rate than the local variety. Therefore, optimum rate for application of potash fertilizer in the study area is 50kg K₂O/ha above which amount of fertilizer added was not agronomically and economically efficient.

Keywords: Maize varieties, Potash fertilizer, irrigation