Effect of Blended Fertilizer and Lime Application on Yield of Finger Millet, and Soil Properties of Acidic Soils in Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) is a small seeded cereal grown in low rainfall areas of Ethiopia. It is tolerant of drought. Nutritionally, the grains are a good source of quality protein and various minerals. However, production of finger millet is constrained by poor soil fertility and low input production systems. An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of different fertility management on yield of finger millet and soil physicochemical properties under limed and unlimed conditions of acidic soils in western Ethiopia. The treatments comprised of NP and different formula blended fertilizers under limed and unlimed conditions were laid in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The result revealed that amelioration of soil acidity and application of N and P nutrients are a key intervention that should be sought in the study area. K, S, Zn and B are not limiting nutrients for the production of finger millet in the study area.Contribution/Originality: This paper serves as the most recent study on the use of blend fertilizer in acid prone highlands of Ethiopia in giving sight whether it has a comparative advantage or not than the recommended N and P fertilizer.In addition to previously diagnosed ones (N and P), a recent study on Ethiopian soils revealed a depletion of many soil nutrients to a level limiting crop performance in most areas of Ethiopia [6]. Soil nutrients such as K, S,

Integrating multiple soil management practices: A system‐wide approach for restoring degraded soil and improving Brachiaria productivity

“…(2018) and Mosissa et al. (2021) reported that the application of lime to acidic soils increased soil pH by increasing Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ and reducing Al 3+ , H + , Mn 2+ , and Fe 2+ in the soil solution. Previous findings have revealed that mineralization of organic amendments produces organic acids, which accelerate the complex Al and Fe formation and exchangeable acidity reduction, improving soil pH (Melese & Yli‐Halla, 2016; Zewide et al., 2018).…”

“…This approach includes the use of lime, organic amendments, tillage practices, soil–water conservation (SWC) methods, and suitable crops (Erkossa et al., 2018; Hishe et al., 2017; Krauss et al., 2020; Liu et al., 2021; Mkhonza et al., 2020; Tanto & Laekemariam, 2019). The use of lime increases the soil pH and thereby improves nutrient availability and microbial activity (Bekele, Kibret, et al., 2018; Islam et al., 2021; Mosissa et al., 2021). Organic amendments such as manure and compost are nutrient sources that are used as an alternative to chemical fertilizers to maintain soil health and productivity by improving soil properties (Islam et al., 2021; Krauss et al., 2020; Walie et al., 2022).…”