Scientific information with regards to the response of maize (Zea mays L.) to different blended fertilizer rates for its optimum production in Nitisols of Assosa area is limited. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted on Nitisols of Assosa Agricultural Research Centre during 2016/17 cropping season to investigate the response of growth, yield and nutrient use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) to different blended fertilizer rates and types. The treatments consists of: control, three rates of N and P combined (92/46, 115/57 and 138/69 N/P2O5 kg ha-1 and two formula of blended fertilizers with different rates, formula 2 consists of 100 kg NPSB+ 73.9 N, 150 kg NPSB +110.8 N and 200 kg NPSB + 147.8 N kg ha-1 and formula 4 consists of 100 kg NPSZnB + 75.1 N, 150 kg NPSZnB + 112.6 N 1 and 200 kg NPSZnB +150.2 N kg ha-1. The treatments were laid out as a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Application of blended fertilizers (NPSB, NPSZnB) hastened days to tasseling silking and maturity by 10, 7 and 15 days, respectively as compared to combined N and P rates. Application of blended fertilizer increases significantly (p < 0.01) the plant height, cob weight, ear length, 100 kernels weight, number of kernels per row and ear height as compared to combined N and P and the control. The analysis of variance revealed that fertilizer types and rates significantly (P < 0.01) affected on grain yield, straw yield and harvest index. However there was no significant difference between the two blended fertilizer types. Maximum grain yield (7056.2 kg ha-1) was recorded with 200 Kg NPSZnB + 150.2 N kg ha-1 application, while minimum grain yield 2996.0 kg ha-1 was recorded from control treatment. The application of 150 kg NPSB + 110.8 N kg ha-1 had highest Marginal rate of return (MRR%) and net benefit. Therefore, we recommended the treatment (150 Kg NPSB + 110.8N kg ha-1) since it produced high marginal rate of return, high net benefit and relatively small total cost of production, for maize production in Asossa area. Furthermore, based on yield, net benefit and relatively low total cost of production the farmer of Asossa area also can use 150 kg NPSZnB + 112.6 N in case of absence of NPSB in market.
Published in | American Journal of BioScience (Volume 12, Issue 6) |
DOI | 10.11648/j.ajbio.20241206.15 |
Page(s) | 191-202 |
Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Blende Fertilizer, Rate, Yield, Yield Components, Net Benefit, Marginal Rate Return
[1] | Rasheed, M., H. Ali and T. Mahmood, 2004. Impact of nitrogen and sulfur application on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) crop. J. Res. Sci., 15: 153-157. |
[2] | CSA Central Statistical Agency., 2015/16. Agricultural Sample Survey Report on area and production of major crops, 1, Addis Ababa. |
[3] | Hagos K, Y. Haddis, T. Ykaalo, T Zebrhe and J. Jemal, 2016, Pre-extension Popularization of Improved Maize Varieties: In Raya-AzeboWoreda South of Tigray, Ethiopia. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, ISSN 2222-1700 (Paper) ISSN 2222-2855 (Online) Vol. 7, No. 9, 2016. |
[4] | GetacheA., A. Dejene., E. Zewdu and I. Fisseha. 2013. The state of science and technology in soil fertility and plant nutrient management research in Ethiopia. Conference: The State of Agricultural Science and Technology in Ethiopia. pp. 373- 412. In: BerhaneGebrekidan, SemeDebela, Solomon Bekure, TayeBezuneh, Solomon Hailemariam and GeteZeleke (eds.) 28-30 Nov. 2011, Ethiopian Academy of Sciences. ISBN: 978-99944-882-1-6. At: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. |
[5] | Ryan, J., 2008. A Perspective on Balanced Fertilization in the Mediterranean Region. Turky journal of Agriculture, 32: 79-89. |
[6] | Hati, K. M., K. G. Mandal,, A. K., Misra, P. K. Ghosh, and K. K., Bandyopadhyay, 2006. Effect of inorganic fertilizer and farmyard manure on soil physical properties, root distribution, and water-use efficiency of soybean in Vertisols of central India. Bioresource Technology 97(2): 2182-2188. |
[7] | Dobermann, A. R., 2005. "Nitrogen Use Efficiency – State of the Art. Agronomy & horticulturefacultypublications. Paper 316. |
[8] | Fageria, N. K., V. C. Baligar, & C. A. Jones, 2011. Growth and Mineral Nutrition of Field Crops 3 Edition., Taylor & Francis Group. Available at: |
[9] | Bationo, A., T. Fairhurst, K. Giller, V. Kelly, R. Lunduka, A. Mando, Z. Shamie, 2012. Handbook for Integrated Soil Fertility Management. Africa Soil Health Consortium Fairhurst,., CAB International 2012. |
[10] | Chapman HD., 1965. Cation exchange capacity. In: C. A. Black, L. E. Ensminger and F, E Clerk (Eds). Methods of soil analysis. American society of Agronomy, 9: 891-901. |
[11] | Fageria NK (2009). The use of nutrients in crop plants. Taylor and Francis Group, LLC CRC Press. |
[12] | CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center), 1988. From Agronomic Data to Farmer Recommendations: An Economics Training Manual. |
[13] | SAS (Statistical Analysis system) Institute Inc., 1998, SAS Campus Drive, Cary, North Carolina 27513. |
[14] | Dagne C., 2016. Blended Fertilizers Effects on Maize Yield and Yield Components of Western Oromia, Ethiopia. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Vol. 5, No. 5, 2016, pp. 151-162. |
[15] | Fageria, N. K., V. C. Baligar & R. B. Clark 2002. Micronutrients in crop production. Adv. Agron. J. 77: 185–268. |
[16] | Landon J. R., 1991. Booker Tropical soil manual, a hand book for soil survey and agricultural land evaluation in the tropics and subtropics. Longman, Booker. 474p. |
[17] | Boorboori, D., A. M. Eradatmand & J. Tehrani, 2012. Advances in Environmental Biology., 6, 2, 740. |
[18] | Singh U I, J. K., E. C. Ladha, G. Castillo, A. Panzalon, Tirol-Padre & M. Dugueq., 1998. Genetyphic variation in nitrogen use efficiency in medium and long duration rice. Field Crops Res. 58: 35-53. |
[19] | Sallah, P. Y., N. J. Ehlke & J. L. Geadelmann, 1998. Progress from Selection in Maize Population Evaluated Under Three Nitrogen Fertiliser Levels. African J. Crop Sci. 6: 241-248. |
[20] | TekleL., and H. Wassie (2018). Response of tef (Eragrostistef (Zucc.) Trotter) to blended fertilizers in Tembaro, Southern Ethiopia. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare 8(13): 34-39. |
[21] | Doyle, A. D. & I. C. R., Holford, 1993. The uptake of nitrogen by wheat, its agronomic efficiency and their relation ship to soil and fertilizer. J. Agric. Res. 44: 1245-58. |
[22] | Sandana, P., 2016. Phosphorus Uptake and Utilization Efficiency in Response to Potato Genotype and Phosphorus Availability Mean temperature (°C) Precipitation (mm) Mon ths. European Journal of Agronomy j, 76, pp. 95–106. |
[23] | Brady N. C& R. R. Weil, 2002. The nature and properties of soil, 13th Ed. Preason Education, Asia. 960p. |
[24] | Kirsten A., 2014. The Agronomy Guide: Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, pp. 41–58. |
[25] | Cras well ET, DC. Godwin, 1984. The efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers applied to cereals in different climates. In: Tinker B, Launch A. (Eds.), Advance in Plant Nutrition, vol. 1 Preager, New York. pp. 1-55. |
[26] | Singh U I, J. K., E. C. Ladha, G. Castillo, A. Panzalon, Tirol-Padre & M. Dugueq., 1998. Genetyphic variation in nitrogen use efficiency in medium and long duration rice. Field Crops Res. 58: 35-53. |
[27] | Borrell, A. K., A. L Graside, S. Fukai, & D J Reid, 1998. Plant type affect nitrogen uptake and nitrogen use efficiency in rice. Aust. J. Agric Res. 49: 829-843. |
[28] | Dobermann, A. R., 2005. "Nitrogen Use Efficiency – State of the Art. Agronomy & horticulturefacultypublications. Paper 316. |
[29] | Karim, A. A., & C. Ramasamy, 2000. Expanding frontiers of agriculture: contemporary issues. Kalyani Publishers, Ludhiana, India. |
[30] | Mengel, K., C. A. Kirkby, H. Kosegarten & T. Appel, 2006. Principles of Plant Nutrition. 5th Edn., Springer Publishers, New York, ISBN-13: 9781402000089, Pages: 849. |
[31] | Stephen, K. & M. Nicky, 2007. In-Service training on partial budgeting techniques. Mount Makulu, Lusaka, Zambia. |
APA Style
Anbessa, B., Abera, G. (2024). Maize Fertilizer Requirement Estimates Through Nutrient Use Efficiency and Economic Analysis from Assosa, Western Ethiopia. American Journal of BioScience, 12(6), 191-202. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20241206.15
ACS Style
Anbessa, B.; Abera, G. Maize Fertilizer Requirement Estimates Through Nutrient Use Efficiency and Economic Analysis from Assosa, Western Ethiopia. Am. J. BioScience 2024, 12(6), 191-202. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbio.20241206.15
AMA Style
Anbessa B, Abera G. Maize Fertilizer Requirement Estimates Through Nutrient Use Efficiency and Economic Analysis from Assosa, Western Ethiopia. Am J BioScience. 2024;12(6):191-202. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbio.20241206.15
@article{10.11648/j.ajbio.20241206.15, author = {Bakala Anbessa and Girma Abera}, title = {Maize Fertilizer Requirement Estimates Through Nutrient Use Efficiency and Economic Analysis from Assosa, Western Ethiopia }, journal = {American Journal of BioScience}, volume = {12}, number = {6}, pages = {191-202}, doi = {10.11648/j.ajbio.20241206.15}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20241206.15}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajbio.20241206.15}, abstract = {Scientific information with regards to the response of maize (Zea mays L.) to different blended fertilizer rates for its optimum production in Nitisols of Assosa area is limited. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted on Nitisols of Assosa Agricultural Research Centre during 2016/17 cropping season to investigate the response of growth, yield and nutrient use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) to different blended fertilizer rates and types. The treatments consists of: control, three rates of N and P combined (92/46, 115/57 and 138/69 N/P2O5 kg ha-1 and two formula of blended fertilizers with different rates, formula 2 consists of 100 kg NPSB+ 73.9 N, 150 kg NPSB +110.8 N and 200 kg NPSB + 147.8 N kg ha-1 and formula 4 consists of 100 kg NPSZnB + 75.1 N, 150 kg NPSZnB + 112.6 N 1 and 200 kg NPSZnB +150.2 N kg ha-1. The treatments were laid out as a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Application of blended fertilizers (NPSB, NPSZnB) hastened days to tasseling silking and maturity by 10, 7 and 15 days, respectively as compared to combined N and P rates. Application of blended fertilizer increases significantly (p -1) was recorded with 200 Kg NPSZnB + 150.2 N kg ha-1 application, while minimum grain yield 2996.0 kg ha-1 was recorded from control treatment. The application of 150 kg NPSB + 110.8 N kg ha-1 had highest Marginal rate of return (MRR%) and net benefit. Therefore, we recommended the treatment (150 Kg NPSB + 110.8N kg ha-1) since it produced high marginal rate of return, high net benefit and relatively small total cost of production, for maize production in Asossa area. Furthermore, based on yield, net benefit and relatively low total cost of production the farmer of Asossa area also can use 150 kg NPSZnB + 112.6 N in case of absence of NPSB in market. }, year = {2024} }
TY - JOUR T1 - Maize Fertilizer Requirement Estimates Through Nutrient Use Efficiency and Economic Analysis from Assosa, Western Ethiopia AU - Bakala Anbessa AU - Girma Abera Y1 - 2024/11/29 PY - 2024 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20241206.15 DO - 10.11648/j.ajbio.20241206.15 T2 - American Journal of BioScience JF - American Journal of BioScience JO - American Journal of BioScience SP - 191 EP - 202 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2330-0167 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20241206.15 AB - Scientific information with regards to the response of maize (Zea mays L.) to different blended fertilizer rates for its optimum production in Nitisols of Assosa area is limited. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted on Nitisols of Assosa Agricultural Research Centre during 2016/17 cropping season to investigate the response of growth, yield and nutrient use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) to different blended fertilizer rates and types. The treatments consists of: control, three rates of N and P combined (92/46, 115/57 and 138/69 N/P2O5 kg ha-1 and two formula of blended fertilizers with different rates, formula 2 consists of 100 kg NPSB+ 73.9 N, 150 kg NPSB +110.8 N and 200 kg NPSB + 147.8 N kg ha-1 and formula 4 consists of 100 kg NPSZnB + 75.1 N, 150 kg NPSZnB + 112.6 N 1 and 200 kg NPSZnB +150.2 N kg ha-1. The treatments were laid out as a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Application of blended fertilizers (NPSB, NPSZnB) hastened days to tasseling silking and maturity by 10, 7 and 15 days, respectively as compared to combined N and P rates. Application of blended fertilizer increases significantly (p -1) was recorded with 200 Kg NPSZnB + 150.2 N kg ha-1 application, while minimum grain yield 2996.0 kg ha-1 was recorded from control treatment. The application of 150 kg NPSB + 110.8 N kg ha-1 had highest Marginal rate of return (MRR%) and net benefit. Therefore, we recommended the treatment (150 Kg NPSB + 110.8N kg ha-1) since it produced high marginal rate of return, high net benefit and relatively small total cost of production, for maize production in Asossa area. Furthermore, based on yield, net benefit and relatively low total cost of production the farmer of Asossa area also can use 150 kg NPSZnB + 112.6 N in case of absence of NPSB in market. VL - 12 IS - 6 ER -