Declining soil fertility was the major factor for lower productivity of maize and to combat these problems, commercial fertilizers have been applied. However, rising costs of inorganic fertilizers may not encourage the smallholder farmers. Therefore, in sourcing for an alternative that reduces the cost of production while increasing the productivity, integrated soil fertility management has been recommended. Several research attempts have been made to optimize the integrated uses of organic and inorganic fertilizers at different locations. An experiment conducted in Bako concluded use of 12 t ha −1 of FYM with 28/12 NP 2 O 5 kg ha −1 saved up to 75% cost of commercial fertilizer. A trial at Wolaita recommended combined use of compost (5 t ha −1 ) with 50 kg urea and 100 kg DAP ha −1 . Another field experiment conducted in Western Oromiya, application of 150/50 kg ha −1 of the Urea and DAP with 4 t FYM ha −1 was recommended for sustainable production of maize. An experiment conducted at Wujiraba concluded better yield and quality obtained with the application of 120 kg N and 15 kg S ha −1 with 10 t ha −1 of compost. Another trial conducted on an acidic nitosol of Southwestern Ethiopia concluded application of 50% recommended NP and 50% compost gave the highest grain yield. A field experiment at Wolaita also indicated, using compost at 5 t ha −1 fortified with urea is Habtamu Yigermal ABOUT THE AUTHORS Habtamu Yigermal Temie is MSc. Student at Bahir Dar University in Agronomy and Academic Staff in Debre Markos University at Burie Campus. He is professionally Agronomist under the department of horticulture in Burie Campus. His key research interest is on soil fertility management and other production technologies of agronomic crops. Kelemu Nakachew Baleh is MSc. holder in Agronomy and Lecturer in Debre Markos University at Burie Campus. He is professionally Agronomist under the department of plant science in the Campus. His key research interest is on soil fertility management and other production technologies of agronomic crops. Fenta Assefa Bogale is MSc. Student at Bahir Dar University in Horticulture and Academic Staff in Bahir Dar University at College of Agriculture and Environmental Science. His key research interest is on nutrient use efficiency of cereal crops and enhancing their productivity.

Water hyacinth is free-floating, stoloniferous and perennial herb. It is an aquatic invasive species; native to South America and most aggressive invasive species worldwide. It profoundly invaded the tropical and subtropical region of the world, as a result of ornamental properties and reproductive capability of the weed. In addition, it is recognized as one of the worst weeds due to its rapid proliferation rate, ecological adaptability and detrimental effects on environment, human health and economic development. It poses serious socioeconomic and environmental problems includes destruction of biodiversity, hindrance to water transport and recreation, oxygen depletion and reduction of water quality, breeding ground for pests, vectors and their effect on human health, hampering agriculture and fisheries, affect hydropower and water supply systems and increased evapo-transpiration. Therefore deferent management strategies such as physical, chemical and biological methods had been used to control the weed. Accordingly manual removal was used in South Africa; Zimbabwe Lake Mutirikwi; Ethiopia Wonji-Shewa Sugar Factory and Owen fall hydropower in Jinja at Lake Victoria. Chemical control was practiced in Zimbabwe Lake Chivero using 2-4-D; Southwest Nigeria Ere fishing channel by glyphosate; South Africa larger dams and river systems by using glyphosate; Zimbabwe acetic acid and glyphosate control the weed at experimental site. Biological control was practiced in Zimbabwe Lake Chivero through combination of weevil and fungi; Kenya Lake Victoria and China by two types of weevils (Neochetina bruchi and Neochetina eichhornia) and Ethiopia Neochetina bruchi and fungi at Rift Valley and in green house at experimental level respectively.