Evaluation of Balanced Fertilizer Types and Validation of Soil Fertility Map Based on Fertilizer Recommendation in South East Arsi, Ethiopia

Abstract

A field experiment to evaluate blended fertilizer types and validation of soil fertility map based on fertilizer recommendation was conducted at 10 sites on-farmers’ fields in Lemu Bilbilo and Asasa districts during 2014 and 2015 cropping seasons. The experiment was conducted to compare the effects of multi-nutrient blends that included macro- and micro-nutrients (N, P, K, S, B, and Zn) among each other and against the conventional N and P rate recommendation from Urea and DAP fertilizers. The experiment consisted of six treatments viz. recommended NP and five different types of blended fertilizers laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The P and S containing fertilizers were drilled along seed line at planting while N was split applied in such a way that half was applied at planting and the remaining half was applied at tillering stage. All management practices in respect of sowing, seed rate, weed control, pest and disease control were done according to agronomic best practices. Combined analysis over locations and years indicated that wheat grain yield, test weight and hectoliter weight were not significantly increased by blended fertilizer application at both Lemu Bilbilo and Asasa areas. The highest wheat grain yield of 4694 kg/ha and 4286 kg/ha were recorded from application of recommended rate of fertilizer at Lemu Bilbilo and Asasa, respectively.