Yield Response and Nutrient Use Efficiencies under Different Fertilizer Applications in Maize (Zea mays L.) In Contrasting Agro Ecosystems
Tesfaye Balemi *
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, P.O.Box. 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Jairos Rurinda
International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI), C/O IFDC – East and Southern Africa Division, ICIPE Compound, Duduville – Kasarani, Thika Road, P.O.Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
Mesfin Kebede
ILRI/CIMMYT, Gurd Shola, P.O.Box. 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
James Mutegi
International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI), C/O IFDC – East and Southern Africa Division, ICIPE Compound, Duduville – Kasarani, Thika Road, P.O.Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
Gebresilasie Hailu
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, P.O.Box. 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tolcha Tufa
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, P.O.Box. 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tolera Abera
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, P.O.Box. 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tesfaye Shiferaw Sida
ILRI/CIMMYT, Gurd Shola, P.O.Box. 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Variability in crop response and nutrient use efficiencies to fertilizer application is quite common under varying soil and climatic conditions. Understanding such variability is vital to develop farm- and area- specific soil nutrient management and fertilizer recommendations. Hence the objectives of this study were to assess maize grain yield response to nutrient applications for identifying yield-limiting nutrients and to understand the magnitude of nutrient use efficiencies under varying soil and rainfall conditions. A total of 150 on-farm nutrient omission trials (NOTs) were conducted on farmers’ field in high rainfall and moisture stress areas. The treatments were control, PK, NK, NP, NPK and NPK+ secondary and micronutrients. Maize grain yield, nutrient uptake, agronomic and recovery efficiencies of N and P differed between fertilizer treatments and between the contrasting agro-ecologies. The AEN ranged from 24.8 to 32.5 kg grain kg-1 N in Jimma area and from 1.0 kg grain kg-1 N (NK treatment) to 10.2 kg grain kg-1 N (NPK treatment) at Adami Tullu and from 0.1 kg grain kg-1 N (NK treatment) to 8.3 kg grain kg-1 N (NPK treatment) at Bulbula. The differing parameters between the agro-ecologies were related to difference in rainfall amount and not to soil factors. Grain yield response to N application and agronomic efficiencies of N and P were higher in the high rainfall area than in the moisture stress areas. Grain yield responded the most to nitrogen (N) application than to any other nutrients at most of the experimental sites. Owing to the magnificent yield response to N fertilizer in the current study, proper management of nitrogen is very essential for intensification of maize productivity in most maize growing areas of Ethiopia.
Keywords: Ethiopia, Zea mays L., nutrient omission trials, agronomic efficiency, apparent recovery efficiency, nutrient uptake