Understanding the Dynamics of Soil Nutrient Balance and Its Management Option of a Common Bean Farm: The Case of West Arsi, Ethiopia

Abstract

: The yield of Common bean [Phaseolus vulgaris], the important legume crop for large percentage of the world's population is challenged by soil fertility declining in the most growing regions. The survey was conducted in Goto Onomo kebele, West Arsi Zone, Ethiopia during June 15, 2017 to understand the dynamic of soil nutrient balance in common bean farm and its management option. The Combinations of field observation and semi-structure interview data collection methods and NUTMON [nutrient monitoring for tropical farming systems] method of FAO data analysis in micro level approach were applied. Accordingly, a total of 10kg/day of cow dung was recorded. Total inputs of 45.75kg/season was recorded as Nitrogen sources from different inputs. Additionally, 48.83kg/season of nutrient out flow was recorded. As a result, negative nutrient balance [-3.08kg/season] was exhibited due to the high nutrient removal rates by harvested biomass that leads to poor nutrient management and low use efficiency. Hence, the farm has been exposed for nutrient deficiency by -3.08kg/season that farm level nutrient management such as crop residue management, addition of farmyard manure, and inorganic fertilizer sources are recommended as better alternative management options for legume crop production.