Wheat is the most important cereal crop ranking 4th in total grain production and area coverage in Ethiopia. However, its productivity is low compared to the yield obtained under the research station. Multinutrient deficiency, low/no chemical fertilizer usage, and poor management practices are among the major constraints. Thus, response of bread wheat to NPS and K fertilizer rates was evaluated in the nitisols at Kokate, Wolaita Sodo, Southern Ethiopia, in 2016. Four rates of KCl (0-0-60) (0, 25, 50, and 75 kg·ha−1) and five blended NPS (19N-38P2O5-7S) rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg·ha−1) were investigated using randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement involving three replications. Soil physical and chemical properties, crop phenology, growth parameters, yield components, and yield data were collected. Analysis of variance showed that crop phenology, productive tillers, and straw yield were significantly affected by KCl and NPS fertilizer rates; however, most of growth parameters, yield components, grain yield, and agronomic efficiency were influenced by the interaction effects of KCl and NPS fertilizers. Combined application of 50 kg·ha−1 KCl and 150 kg·ha−1 NPS resulted in highest growth, yield component, grain yield, agronomic efficiency, and economic return, whereas the lowest measured values were recorded from unfertilized plots. The maximum grain yield (4.34 t ha−1) that was recorded from 50 kg·ha−1 KCl and 150 kg·ha−1 NPS was 8.86-fold higher than the minimum yield (0.44 t ha−1) from the control. It is concluded that 50 kg·ha−1 KCl and 150 kg·ha−1 NPS are suggested for better agronomic and economic performance of wheat. As NPS was tested in the blended form, the individual and interaction effects of nutrients under investigation are suggested as future research areas. Additional investigation over season and location is also recommended.

The impact of climate change is a global threat, and its effect is more pronounced in developing countries. It is vital to link physical data analysis with endogenous knowledge and practices of farmers to strengthen their adaptive capacity. This study was conducted to explore spatial variability and temporal trends of temperature and rainfall in association with farmers’ perceptions and their adaptation strategies in Southwest Ethiopia. Daily rainfall and temperature data of twelve weather stations were collected from the National Meteorological Agency of Ethiopia for the period 1983 to 2016. Farmers’ perceptions about climate change and its impact and their adaptation strategies were assessed through a survey. Spatial variability and temporal trends of rainfall and temperature were analyzed using ArcGIS and R software. Sen’s slope estimator and Mann–Kendall’s trend tests were used to detect the magnitude and statistical significance of changes in rainfall and temperature. Spatial analysis of rainfall showed high variability over the region. There were no consistent and significant temporal trends of annual and seasonal rainfall of the area. Significant and upward trends of annual maximum and minimum temperatures were reported for all stations. Accordingly, annual maximum and minimum temperatures were increased by 0.71 and 0.65°C, respectively, over the period 1983 to 2016. Farmers had a good awareness of climate change and its impact. Adaptation strategies used by farmers included soil and water conservation practices (66.21%), crop diversification (62.16%), modifying planting date (42.56%), agroforestry practices (35.13%), use of drought-tolerant variety (33.95%), use of early maturing crop (27.03%), and livelihood diversification (25.42%). As most of these adaptation strategies were familiarized by a small number of farmers, further effort is needed to identify factors limiting the adoption of these strategies. Furthermore, additional planned strategies and supports that widen available options at the farmers’ disposal should be introduced to strengthen their adaptive capacity.

For ensuring food demand of the fast growing population in developing countries, quantification of crop yield gaps and exploring production constraints are very crucial. Sorghum is one of the most important climate change resilient crops in the rainfed farming systems of semi-arid tropics. However, there is little information about yield gaps and production constraints. This study aimed at analysing existing yield gaps and exploring major constraints of sorghum production in Southwest Ethiopia. A crop simulation model approach using AquaCrop and DSSAT was used to estimate potential yield and analyse the yield gaps. Model calibration and evaluation was performed using data from field experiments conducted in 2018 and 2019. Sorghum production constraints were assessed using a survey. The actual and water-limited yield of sorghum ranged from 0.58 to 2.51 and 3.6 to 6.47 t/ha, respectively for the period 2003–17. The regional yield gaps of sorghum for the targeted period were 3.02–3.95 t/ha with a mean value of 3.51 t/ha. Majority of respondent farmers considered seasonal rainfall risk (98%), poor soil fertility (86%), lack of improved varieties (78%) and inadequate weed management (56%) as major factors responsible for the existing yield gaps. The mean exploitable yield gap (2.5 t/ha) between water-limited and actual yield showed the level of existing opportunity for improvement in the actual productivity of sorghum. The gaps also call for introduction of proper interventions such as adoption of improved varieties, planting date adjustment, conservation tillage, fertilizer application and on time weed management.

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A field experiment was conducted at two locations (Bolosso Sore and Damot Sore) in Wolaita Zone of Southern Nations Nationalities and People's Regional State (SNNPRS) to evaluate the response of two varieties of haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to phosphorus fertilizer rates on acidic soils. Combinations of four levels of P (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg ha -1 ) were used on two varieties. The treatments were arranged in factorial RCBD with three replications. Analysis result of soil samples showed that OC, Av.P, TN and soil pH values were very low. Application of lime with P results significant changes on these chemical properties of the soils in the two locations. The maximum values of these parameters were recorded at 30 kg Pha -1 . Growth parameters, yield and yield components were significantly increased with increasing rates of P at the two locations (year1&2). Maximum grain yields (1488.40 and 1523.7 kgha -1 for Hawasa Dume at Gununo and Dolla, respectively and 1242.12 and 1352.01 kgha -1 for Omo-95 at Gununo and Dolla, respectively) were recorded at rates of 30 kgPha -1 in both locations. From the result of this study it could be conclude that it can improve soil pH, Av. P and performance of haricot bean varieties but till now there is some gap on correcting P application of grain yield of the varieties. So application of P could be increased the production of the crops.

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