Evaluation of NPSZnB fertilizer levels on yield and yield component of maize (Zea mays L.) at Laelay Adiyabo and Medebay Zana districts, Western Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

The use of right amount of fertilizer based on crop requirement has a significant importance for sustainable crop production. Study was undertaken to investigate the effects of NPSZnB blended fertilizer for maize yield production at Laelay Adiyabo and Medebay Zana districts. Seven treatments were used for the field experiment. Treatments were without fertilizer, blanket recommended NP (64 kg N ha -1 +69 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ) and five treatments of blended fertilizer rates (150, 200, 250, 300, and 350 kg NPSZnB ha -1 ). Treatments were laid out in RCBD design with three replications. The results revealed that among fertilizers rates significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected almost all the maize traits tested except tasseling, silking and maturity in Laelay Adiyabo district. However, in Medebay Zana district except tasseling, silking and maturity, plant height and thousand seeds weight, the rest parameters of above ground biomass yield, stover yield grain yield and harvest index were found significantly (P<0.05) affected by the fertilizer treatments. Highest stover yields (11.12 and 11.76 t ha -1 ) were obtained from application of 150 and 250 kg NPSZnB ha -1 for Laelay Adiyabo and Medebay Zana districts, respectively. At both districts of Laelay Adiyabo and Medebay Zana areas the highest grain yields (3.20 and 2.97 t ha -1 ) were obtained, respectively from application of NPSZnB fertilizer at the rate of 300 kg ha -1 , while the minimum grain yields of both districts were obtained from the control checks. The highest marginal rate of returns of 242 and 255% were obtained from application of 150 kg NPSZnB ha -1 in both Laelay Adiyabo and Medebay Zana districts, respectively. Therefore, based on the result obtained from this study 150 kg NPSZnB ha -1 can be recommended as profitable for the production of maize at both districts of the study areas.

Effect of Blended Fertilizer on Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Economy of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Assosa District, Western Ethiopia

“…The increase in the harvest index due to the application of micronutrients may be attributed to their role in enhancing the photosynthesis process and translocation of photosynthetic products to the economic part. Generally, application of blended fertilizers had significant effects on the harvest index of maize crop than recommended N and P. This result agrees with the findings of previous study 17 who reported that harvest index of teff was found to be highest in blended fertilizer treatments. This report was also slightly similar with 18 those reported the harvest index of maize was found to be significantly higher in plots that received blended fertilizers at a rate of 150 kg NPSZnB haG 1 as contrasted to the control treatment but, it was signed in par with 300 kg NPSZnB haG 1 and recommended NP fertilizers.…”

Performance evaluation of intermediate maturing maize hybrid variety under different nitrogen levels and plant population density in West Shewa and East Wellega zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia

“…From the result, as plant population increased the plant and ear height of BH546 Maize hybrid increased linearly. Similarly, Tekulu et al (2019) [47] reported that plant height of maize was significantly influenced by NPSZnB levels in Laelay Adiyabo district but not in Medebay Zana district. Plant growth and development probably retarded if any of the nutrient is under its threshold value in the soil or not sufficiently balanced with other nutrient.…”

“…High N and P nutrient elongates basal internode which in turn maximize the ear and plant height of maize (Rajkumara 2008) [42] . Moreover, increment in plant height is probably due to increase in cell elongation and greater vegetative growth at the return of different nutrient contained in NPSZnB fertilizer contribute for plant growth (Tekulu et al, 2019) [47] . Higher plant population density lead to the weaker plants of more height (Chandiposha and Chivende, 2014) [12] .…”

“…Dias et al (2019) [16] reported an optimum plant population density of 78,500 plants ha -1 for maize hybrid DKB390 and 71,000 plants ha -1 for BG7049YH maize hybrid from different plant population densities ranging from 60,000 to 90,000 pph in Brazil. At Laelay Adiyabo district maize grain yield was significantly influenced by NPSZnB fertilizer rates whereby unfertilized plots gave lower yield as compared to 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 rates of NPSZnB kg ha -1 (Tekulu et al 2019) [47] . Akbar et al (2016) [3] reported that optimum plant population density gave greater yield due to soil nutrients utilization more powerfully.…”

Malaria vector feeding, peak biting time and resting place preference behaviors in line with Indoor based intervention tools and its implication: scenario from selected sentinel sites of Ethiopia

“…The main rainy season with high rainfall intensity, which is locally called kiremit, extends from July to September with a unimodal rainfall pattern. The annual amount of rainfall ranges from 500 to 937 mm ( Kinfe et al., 2019 ).…”