Effect of NP Fertilizer Rate and Bradyrhizobium Inoculation on Nodulaton, N-Uptake and Crude Protein Content of Soybean [Glycine Max (L.) Merrill], At Jinka, Southern Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted at Jinka Agricultural Research Center to determine the effect of NP fertilizers application rate and bradyrhizobium inoculation on nodulation, N-uptake and crude prtein content of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] at Jinka under rain fed conditions in 2008. The experiment was conducted with two levels of nitrogen in the form of urea (0 and 46 kg ha-1), two levels of bradyrhizobium (0 and Str-TAL-379) and four levels of phosphorous fertilizer in the form of TSP (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg ha-1). The experimental design was split-split plot with four replications where, N was arranged as main plot factor, bradyrhizobium and P were arranged as sub and sub-sub plot factors, respectively. Nodulation parameters, N-uptake and crude protein content of soybean were studied.  Nitrogen application significantly affected N uptake by soybean except straw N uptake. Application of 46 kg N ha-1, inoculation or P fertilization of 25 kg P ha-1 resulted in higher net benefit and maximum MRR (%). Therefore, it can be concluded from this result that nitrogen application of 46 kg N ha-1, inoculation or phosphorous application at the rate of 25 kg P ha-1 is advisable  and could be appropriate for soybean production in the test area even though further testing is required to put the recommendation on a strong basis. Key words: Inoculation, Nitrogen fertilizer, Phosphrous fertilizer and Soybe

The Response of Haricot Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Phosphorus Application on Ultisols at Areka, Southern Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted at Areka Agricultural Research Center in Bolosso Sore Woreda, Wolaita Zone of Southern Nations Nationalities and People's Regional State (SNNPRS) to evaluate the response of haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to P fertilizer. Seven levels of P (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 kg ha-1) in RCBD with four replications were used in the study. Recommended rate of N (60 kg ha-1) was applied to all treatments. The full doses of P and N were applied at sowing. Data on crop phenology, growth parameters, grain yield and yield components, and total biomass were recorded during specific physiological stages of the crop. At harvest, the plants were partitioned into grain and straw to determine total P uptake, apparent recovery and nutrient use efficiency by crops. The effect of P was significant in hastening physiological maturity of crop, whereas its effect was not significant on flowering and growth parameters such as plant height and number of branches plant-1. Although the effect of P application was not significant on number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, thousand seed weight and straw P content, its application had significantly increased grain yield. The grain yield ranged between 15.58 dt ha-1 at 0 kg P ha-1 (control) and 25.47dt ha-1 at application of 40 kg P ha-1. Besides, total biomass was also significantly influenced by P, and ranged between 30.27dt ha-1 at control to 45.97 dt ha-1 at rate of 40 kg P ha-1. The levels of P application did not affect available P, total N, OC contents and EA of soil. The highest total P uptake (32.59 kg ha-1) was obtained at 30 kg P ha-1 and increased with increasing rates of P application, whereas apparent P recovery was found to be highest at 20 kg P ha-1. Both agronomic and physiological P use efficiencies of the crop were highest at the rate of 10 kg P ha-1. Therefore, application of 10 kg P ha-1 is recommended for better haricot bean production at Areka. Key words: Phosphorus, Haricot bean, Arek

Effect of Zinc Fertilizer Rates on Grain and Straw Zn Content, and Grain Yield of Chickpea Varieties in Southern Ethiopia

አህፅሮት  የዚንክ ንጥረ-ይዘት ለሚያጥርባቸው የእርሻ መሬት የዚንክ ማዳበሪያ መጨመር በምርትም ሆነ በምርት የዚንክ ንጥረ-ይዘት ላይ አወንታዊ እመርታ እንደሚያሰገኝ ይታመናል፡፡ ሆኖም የሚጨመረውን የማዳበሪያ መጠን የሚወስነዉ የአፈር ውስጥ የዚንክ ንጥረ ይዘት እጥረት መጠን፣ የአፈሩ ዓይነት፣ የስብል ዓይነትና ዝርያ እንዲሁም የአጨማመር ዘዴ ነዉ፡፡ የዚህ ጥናት ዓላማ የሽምብራን ምርትና የምርት ዚንክ ንጥረ-ይዘት መጠንን የሚያሻሽል የዚንክ ማዳበሪያ መጠንን ለዚንክ ንጥረ-ይዘት መጠን አነስተኛ ለሆነ መሬት ለመወሰን ነው፡፡ የአፈር ዚንክ መጠን ዝቅተኛ ከሆነበት የእርሻ መሬት እና ከዚሁ ማሳ በተሰበሰበ አፈር ላይ ሶስት የሽምብራ ዝርያዎች በሰባት የዚንክ ማዳበሪያ መጠን  በ2004 እና በ2005 የምርት ዘመን ተጠንቷል፡፡ በማሳ ላይ የተደረገው ጥናት ውጤት የሚያመለክተው ሁለተኛ ጮሮቆ ከጣባም ሆነ ከጆሌ አንደኛ አካባቢዎች በ46.67 በመቶ የተሸለ የምርት ዚንክ ንጥረ-ይዘት የተገኘበት ሲሆን  በልዩ መደብም ሆነ በማሳ ላይ  የተደረገው ጥናት ውጤት የሚያመለክተው ከዝርያዎቹ ማስተዋል የተባለ የሽምብራ ዝርያ ከሌሎቹ የተሸለ ምርት ሲገኝበት፣ ሀብሩ ደግሞ በገለባ የዚንክ ንጥረ-ይዘት ተሸሎ ተገኝቷል፡፡ የአካባቢው ዝርያ በምርት የዚንክ ንጥረ-ይዘት ከፍተኛ ሲሆን የዝርያና የማዳበሪያ ዉህደት በሽምብራ ምርትና በምርት ንጥረ-ይዘት ላይ እመርታዊ ጭማሪ ያስገኘ ሲሆን 25 ኪሎ ግራም ዚንክ ማዳበሪያ በሄክታር በሁሉም ዝርያዎች ከፍተኛ መሆኑን ያሳያል፡፡ ከዚህ በላይ የማዳበሪያ መጠኑን መጨመር የተለየ ዉጤት አላሳየም፡፡ ስለዚህ ይህ ጥናት የሚያረጋግጠው ሽምብራን በዚንክ ንጥረ-ይዘት ለማበልፀግ ዝርያና ማዳበሪያ አጠቃቀምን በመመጠን እንደሚቻል ነዉ፡፡   Abstract  Application of Zn had a significantly positive effect on grain Zn concentrations and also on grain yield especially under Zn deficient conditions. The amount of Zn required to alleviate Zn deficiency varied with severity of deficiency, soil types, nature of crops and cultivars. The response of chickpea varieties to Zn nutrition was studied in pots and on fields using zinc deficient soils during 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons to determine zinc fertilizer rate which improve zinc content and productivity of the crop. A factorial combination of three chickpea varieties and seven zinc fertilizer rates were laid in Randomized Complete Block design with three replications for both pot and field experiments. The result of pot experiment revealed that, variety Mastewal produced the highest grain yield (5.9 g pot-1) and Habru produced highest (35.99mg kg-1) straw zinc content. Conversely, local chickpea provided the highest (36.1mg kg-1) grain Zn. Chickpea varieties and zinc fertilizer rates interaction on grain yield was significant where 25kg ha-1 produced highest regardless of the varieties. Similarly, location had significant (p<0.01) effect of grain zinc content where Choroko produced 46.6 % more grain zinc content than both Taba and Jolle. Highest straw zinc (24.96 mg kg-1) obtained from variety Habru, while highest grain zinc obtained from the application of 25 kg ZnSO4 .7H2O ha-1 with either of the varieties which was at par with the highest Zinc rate (30kg ha-1). Significant interaction effect of variety by location on grain yield and straw zinc content was observed. The variety Mastewal was superior in grain yield at Jolle and Choroko, while landrace performed better at Taba. The landrace and Habru were higher in straw zinc content across locations. Moreover, 25 kg ZnSO4 .7H2O ha-1 resulted in 7 and 8% more grain and straw zinc content over the control, in that order. Thus, the current research inveterate a possibility of agronomic intervention for zinc fortification of chickpea through zinc fertilizer management. &nbsp

Agronomic Approach to Increase Seed Zinc Content and Productivity of Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) Varieties on Zinc Deficient Soils of Southern Ethiopia

Low dietary intake of Zn is the major reason for the prevalence of Zn deficiency in the majority of the population in the Southern Ethiopia. Fertilizer application is one of the agronomic approaches that enhance nutrition quality of grains in addition to its role in raising productivity. Field experiment was conducted in three locations with zinc deficient soils of Southern Ethiopia during 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons to determine zinc fertilizer rate which improve seed zinc content and productivity of chickpea varieties. A factorial combination of three chickpea varieties (Habru, Mastewal and Local) and seven zinc fertilizer rates (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 kg ZnSO4.7H2O ha-1) were laid in Randomized Complete Block design within three replications. Results revealed that Habru (the improved Kabuli type) was taller (9%) than Mastewal (the improved desi type) and the local landrace. Landrace produced 7% more pods per plant than Habru. Inversely, Habru had 60% heavier seed weight than the landrace. The significant interaction effect of variety by location on grain yield, seed zinc yield and straw zinc content indicated that Mastewal was superior in grain yield at Jolle andegna and Huletegna Choroko, while landrace performed better at Taba. The landrace and Habru were superior in seed zinc yield and straw zinc content across locations, in that order. There was no significant effect of zinc fertilization on agronomic performance of chickpeas. Seed zinc content and seed zinc yield significantly varied among zinc rates.  25 kg ZnSO4.7H2O ha-1 resulted in 7, 8, and 10% more seed zinc and straw zinc content and seed zinc yield over the control, respectively. Therefore, application of 25 kg ZnSO4.7H2O with either of the varieties can be recommended for chickpeas zinc enrichment under zinc deficient soil condition of southern Ethiopia. Keywords: seed zinc, zinc content, zinc deficient, enrichment, micronutrient, agronomic approach

Nutrient Utilization and Yield Response of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) to Rhizobium Inoculant and Sulphur Fertilization

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) is a major food crop in Ethiopian. It is affordable protein source and important in sustaining soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. However, its current national productivity of 1.46 t ha-1 is lower than its potential due to inadequate agronomic management practices, nutrient imbalance and lack of indigenous or commercial Rhizobium strains of lentil. Therefore, the field experiment was conducted at Ada’a district under rain-fed condition during 2016/17 main cropping season to assess the role of S and Rhizobium inoculant on nodulation, nutrient utilization and yield response of lentil. The experiment consisted of three levels of S (0, 20 and 40 kg ha-1) and Rhizobium inoculant (un-inoculated and inoculated) in a factorial combination using Alemaya lentil variety as a test crop. The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design with three replications. The result showed the interaction of sulphur fertilization and Rhizobium inoculant were significant on days to flowering, number of nodules plant-1, nodule dry weight plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, aboveground dry biomass, seed yield, seed S uptake, haulm S uptake, total S uptake, sulphur agronomic and recovery efficiency as well as sulphur harvest index. Application of 40 kg S ha-1 without Rhizobium inoculant led to produce the highest seed yield (2.27 t ha-1) and delayed days to flowering (46 days) of lentil whereas, the highest nodule dry weight plant-1 (1.1mg) and sulphur harvest index (17.68%) were obtained at the rate of 40 kg S ha-1under Rhizobium inoculations. On the other hand the maximum number of nodule plant-1 (15.60), number of seed pod-1 (1.99), total aboveground dry biomass (8.22 t ha-1), Sulphur agronomic efficiency (32.11kg ha-1), sulphur recovery efficiency (66.00 kg ha-1) were obtained in response to sulphur application at 20 kg ha-1 under Rhizobium inoculations. Moreover, Rhizobium inoculation without S fertilization gave the highest seed (3.88kg ha-1), haulm (23.33kg ha-1) and total S uptake (24.89 kg ha-1). Rhizobium inoculation without S application had high net benefit, relatively low variable cost with an acceptable and maximum MRR for lentil production in Ada'a district. However, since the experiment was conducted only for one season and one site, repeating the trial at different sites as well as in the same trial site would be important in order to draw sound recommendation

Combined application of macro and micro nutrients and Rhizobium inoculation to nodulation and yield response of chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) at Halaba Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

The effects of combining the application of recently introduced blended fertilizer with Rhizobium inoculation on chickpea nodulation and productivity are not being studied in Halaba special woreda. Hence, the application of blended fertilizer and rhizobium inoculation for chickpea production under rain-fed conditions at Halaba Special District, Southern Ethiopia is crucial. Factorial combination of eight fertilizers (Control, NP, NPS, NPSB, NPSB+K, NPS+Zn, NPSB+Zn and NPSB+K+Zn) and inoculation and without inoculation of rhizobium biofertilizer was used as an experimental factor laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Fertilizer application significantly influenced crop phenology, nodulation, growth parameters, yield and yield components, except number of seeds pod-1 and harvest index. Maximum days to 50% flowering (48.33) and 95% physiological maturity (112.3) were obtained on NPSB+K and without fertilizer treatment respectively. The Highest number of nodules (23.25), nodules dry weight (0.13 g), number of branches plant-1 (17.64) and plant height (43.34 cm) were recorded on NPSB, NPSB+K+Zn, NPSB+Zn and NPS+Zn respectively. Similarly, the higher number of pods plant-1(61.6), and hundred seed weight (28.0 g) were observed for blended fertilizer treatments of NPSB+K and NPS+Zn respectively. Maximum grain yield (1.85 ton ha-1) was obtained for blended fertilizer of NPSB+K application with an increment 57.9% over control treatment. Rhizobium inoculation increased the number of nodules plant-1 (23.29), nodules dry weight (0.11 g), number of branches plant-1 (17.70), number of pods plant-1 (59), number of seeds pod-1 (1.17) and hundred seed weight (27.7 g). Maximum grain yield (1.84 ton ha-1) was recorded on rhizobium inoculated and it increased chickpea grain yield by 33.3% over uninoculated. Regarding the economic feasibility of fertilizers greater net benefits with acceptable MRR 1802, 866 and 257 were recorded for blended fertilizers of NPS, NPS+Zn and NPSB, respectively. Given the fact that the three fertilizers had statistically similar grain yields, the blended fertilizer NPS is a better choice among the three alternatives. Similarly, a higher net benefit with acceptable MRR (4189%) was recorded for Rhizobium inoculation. Therefore, blended fertilizer; NPS and Rhizobium inoculation were found to be relevant and recommended for chickpea production in the study area

Maize-Tef Relay Intercropping as Affected by Maize Planting Pattern and Leaf Removal in Southern Ethiopia

Maize-tef (Eragrostis tef (Zuc.) Trotter) relay intercropping is practiced in parts of southern Ethiopia. However, the impacts of maize ( Zea mays L.) planting pattern and leaf stripping by farmers are not yet understood. The efficiency of maize-tef relay intercropping was assessed under different combinations of maize planting pattern and leaf removal. Planting pattern included broadcasting, 60 cm x 37.5 cm, 75 cm x 30 cm, and 100 cm x 22.5 cm, while leaf removal consisted of no leaf removal, leaf removal below the ear, and leaf removal below the ear plus two leaves removal at ten days interval. Tef was sown by broadcasting under the standing maize crop about 35 days from maize silking. Broadcasting and narrow inter-row maize spacing significantly (P<0.05) reduced grain yields of both maize and tef. Maize leaf removal below the ear improved tef grain yield without reducing maize yield significantly. Additional leaf removal above the ear significantly (P<0.05) improved tef straw yield but not grain yield. Leaf removal was accompanied by shortening of days to maturity of maize and tef. Improved performance of tef due to wider inter-row spacing and defoliation was associated with increased vigour and density. Land equivalent ratio values ranged up to 1.3, which indicated an acceptable level of efficiency for the cropping system.L&apos;interculture en relais du maïs - tef [Eragrostis tef [zuc] Trotter] est pratiquée au sud de l&apos;Ethiopie. Cependant, l&apos;impact du modèle de planter le maïs [ Zea mays L.] et la méthode d&apos;effeuillage par les fermiers ne sont par encore compris. L&apos;efficacité de relais inter-culture du maïs - tef était calculée pour différentes combinaisons de modèle de planter le maïs et d&apos;enlèvement des feuilles. Le modèle plante incluait la diffusion, 60cm x 37.5 cm, 75cm x 30cm, et 100cm x 22.5cm, tandis que la méthode d&apos;effeuillage consistait de feuilles non enlevées, feuilles enlevées au-dessous de l&apos;épi, et les feuilles enlevées au-dessous de l&apos;épi en plus de deux feuilles enlevées à dix jours d&apos;intervalle. Tef était ensemencé par la diffusion sous le pied de la culture de maïs à peu près 35 jours à partir des maïs doux. La diffusion et l&apos;étroit espacement des rangés de mais d&apos;une manière significative [P<0,05] avaient réduit les rendements du maïs et de tef. L&apos;enlèvement des feuilles de maïs en dessous de l&apos;épi avait amélioré le rendement de grain tef sans réduire la production de maïs d&apos;une manière significative. L&apos;enlèvement supplémentaire des feuilles au-dessus de l&apos;épi améliora le rendement en matière sèche de la paille et non des graines. L&apos;enlèvement des feuilles était accompagné par une réduction de jours de maturité de maïs et tef. La performance améliorée de tef due à un grand espacement entre rangés et à la défoliation était associée avec l&apos;accroissement de la vigueur et de la densité. Les valeurs de la proportion équivalente de terre ont atteint jusqu&apos; à 1,3, indiquant un niveau acceptable d&apos;efficacité pour le système de culture

Maize-Tef relay intercropping as affected by maize planting pattern and leaf removal in Southern Ethiopia

Maize-tef (Eragrostis tef (Zuc.) Trotter) relay intercropping is practiced in parts of southern Ethiopia. However, the impacts of maize (Zea mayi L.) planting pattern and leaf stripping by farmers are not yet understood. The efficiency of maize-tef relay intercropping was assessed under different combinations of maize planting pattern and leaf removal. Planting pattern included broadcasting, 60 cm x 37.5 cm, 75 cm x 30 cm, and 100 cm x 22.5 cm, while leaf removal consisted of no leaf removal, leaf removal below the ear, and leaf removal below the ear plus two leaves removal at ten days interval. Tef was sown by broadcasting under the standing maize crop about 35 days from maize silking. Broadcasting and narrow inter-row maize spacing significantly (

Waterlogging effects on growth, nodulation and productivity of Desi and Kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Early planting against terminal drought and increase in precipitation extremes due to climate change may expose chickpea production to transient waterlogging. Desi and kabuli type chickpea were subjected to 10 days waterlogging during three phases to assess relative sensitivity among phases and between genotypes and to identify traits that may contribute for performance under the stress. Waterlogging increased stomatal resistance with full conductance recovery made only after relief from early waterlogging. The desi type maintained consistently greater stomatal resistance against waterlogging. Root growth and nodulation were most resilient to early stress while irreversibly destroyed by mid and terminal waterlogging. On the other hand, aboveground vegetative growth suffered most from early and mid waterlogging while it was not affected by terminal stress. A moisture by genotype interaction showed that the desi type suffered a 21% loss in seed yield while the kabuli lost almost twice as much, 39%. The flowering phase was most susceptible to waterlogging followed by seedfilling irrespective of chickpea type with mean reductions of 97% and 56%, respectively. Susceptibility of the flowering phase was due to large flower abortion, severe root and nodule degradation, shortened seed filling duration, detrimental leaf senescence and persistently high stomatal resistance. Relative tolerance of desi type against vegetative waterlogging for yield performance may be associated with fast recovery from chlorosis, increased pod production on the main stem and better nodulation capacity. It seems that the desi genotype, Naatolii, can be a better choice when risk of early waterlogging is anticipated from early planting or weather variability.Key words/phrases: Chickpea, Growth, Nodulation, Seed yield, Waterlogging

Maximizing Bulb Yield and Quality of Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Through Agronomic Management of Phosphorus Fertilizer and Transplanting Date Under Irrigation in Alaba, Ethiopia.

Bulb yield and quality of the onion is constrained by a number of factors, including inappropriate transplanting age and poor fertilizer management practices. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to determine the best transplanting date on quality, combined with phosphorus level, on onion yield of onion. The study was conducted at Alaba, Ethiopia, during 2018/19 season. The treatments consisted of four phosphorus levels, i.e., 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg.ha-1, and three transplanting dates, i.e., 42, 49 and 56 days, from sowing.&nbsp; The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four replications. The result showed that transplanting date and phosphorus rate significantly affected bulb dry weight and marketable bulb yield which includes medium and large sized bulbs.&nbsp; Among these parameters, marketable bulb yield was also significantly affected by the interaction of transplanting date and phosphorus rate. In this study, onion fertilized with P at 60 kg.ha-1 transplanted at 56 days had the highest marketable bulb yield. The economic analysis revealed that the highest net benefit with the lowest cost of production was obtained from the application of P at 40 kg.ha-1 and the transplanting at 56 days.&nbsp; The marginal rate of return for this treatment was economically feasible for producing onion bulb in the districts