The faba bean is among the major grain legumes cultivated in Ethiopia and is used extensively as a break crop in the highlands. Although a blanket application of DAP (diammonium phosphate) at the rate of 100 kg · ha−1 has been practised in faba bean production in the country, this was not based on research results. In addition, little information is available on the response of the crop to N and P fertilizers under diverse environmental conditions. Hence, field experiments were carried out at three locations in 1991, seven locations during 1992 and 1993 and at one location in both 1993 and 1995 to determine faba bean response to N and P fertilization. Five levels of N (0, 9, 18, 27 and 36 kg N · ha−1 as urea) in factorial combinations with four levels of P (0, 23, 46 and 69 kg P2O5 · ha−1 as TSP [triple super phosphate]) were studied in a randomized complete block design with four replications in the first year. In the remaining years four levels of N (0, 18, 27 and 36 kg N · ha−1 as urea) in factorial combinations with four levels of P (0, 23, 46 and 92 kg P2O5 · ha−1 as TSP) were used in a randomized complete block design with three and four replications at one and seven locations, respectively. Results indicated that a positive linear response of faba bean seed yield was noted at all locations (except Debre Zeit and Burkitu) to P fertilization, while a significant quadratic response was also found at Holetta. In addition, plant height, above ground biomass and number of pods per plant were positively influenced by P application while the effect of N on these was mostly nonsignificant. Faba bean seed yield response to N was noted at only two out of eight locations; in most cases, nonsignificant and inconsistent seed yield responses to N fertilization were obtained. There was nonsignificant N × P rate interaction. In conclusion, we do not recommend supplemental N application to faba bean at six out of eight locations but we recommend the application of P fertilizer to faba bean at almost all locations (with the exception of Debre Zeit) and for other soils deficient in available P. Further work is recommended on the determination of critical levels for soil‐available P, below which P fertilization should be practised for optimum faba bean seed yield.

Many un-updated reports indicated that potassium was not deficient in Ethiopian soils. However, it was later proved that many Ethiopian soils are potassium deficient. Hence, the Ethiopian Soil Information System (EthioSIS) has initiated potassium fertilizer demonstrations in 2014 using K containing blended fertilizers in different parts of the country. But, there were no evidences about the K in the blended fertilizer is enough for wheat demand or not. Thus, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of wheat to additional K rates on top of the K containing blended fertilizers. The experiments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with 4 levels of potassium (0, 30, 60, 90, of K 2 O kg/ha) replicated 3 times. Data on yield and yield components of wheat crop were collected and analysis of variance was done. Results depicted that plant height and harvest index were not significant. However, spike length, grain yield and straw yields of wheat were significantly affected by K application rates. Hence, the highest spike length was obtained at a rate of 90 kg/ha K 2 O but the highest grain and straw yield of wheat were obtained at 30 kg/ha K 2 O. Besides, the highest apparent K recovery and agronomic use efficiency were found at 30 kg K 2 O/ha. Therefore, potassium fertilization is important and its level in the blended formula did not meet the wheat requirement in the study area.

Keeping in view of lack of recommended rates of N and NPS fertilizers, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the newly introduced NPS fertilizer and nitrogen on growth, physiology and above ground biomass of garlic. Four NPS (0-0-0, 78.75-69-12.75, 105-92-17 and 131.25-115-21.25 kg N-P-S ha-1) and three nitrogen fertilizer rates (114.13, 228.26 and 278.33 kg N ha-1) were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Significantly highest plant height (28.02 cm), leaf diameter (1.27 cm), dry and fresh weight (4.71 g and 6.11 g) and leaf length were recorded on garlic plants supplied with 105-92-17 kg N-P-S ha-1 and also the highest plant height (27.75 cm), leaf length (24.02 cm), fresh and dry weight (6.23 g and 5.04 g) were recorded on garlic plants supplied with 278.33 kg N ha-1. The interaction effect also show a significant effect in almost all the growth parameters; the early day to 50% emergence was recorded from a plot which received 228.26 kg N ha-1 and 105-92-17 kg NPS ha-1 and the highest plant height, leaf length, fresh and dry above ground biomass and leaf diameter were 29.62 cm, 25.60 cm, 6.93 g, 5.59 g and 1.4 cm, respectively were observed by the interaction of 278.33 kg N ha-1 and 105-92-17 kg N-P-S ha-1 with no significant difference with 228.26 N and 78.75-69-12.75 kg N-P-S ha−1. From this one season experiment, fertilizer rates 307.01-69-12.75 kg N-P-S ha−1 could be recommended for garlic production.