African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6863

Full Length Research Paper

Fertilizer-nitrogen use optimization for Tef in South Wollo Zone of Ethiopia

Abebe Getu Asfaw
  • Abebe Getu Asfaw
  • Sirinka Agricultural Research Center (SARC), P. O. Box 74, Woldia, Ethiopia.
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Samuel Adissie Gedamu
  • Samuel Adissie Gedamu
  • Sirinka Agricultural Research Center (SARC), P. O. Box 74, Woldia, Ethiopia.
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Habtemariam Teshome Abushe
  • Habtemariam Teshome Abushe
  • Sirinka Agricultural Research Center (SARC), P. O. Box 74, Woldia, Ethiopia.
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Tilahun Taye Mekonen
  • Tilahun Taye Mekonen
  • Sirinka Agricultural Research Center (SARC), P. O. Box 74, Woldia, Ethiopia.
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Seid Belay Muhamed
  • Seid Belay Muhamed
  • Sirinka Agricultural Research Center (SARC), P. O. Box 74, Woldia, Ethiopia.
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Tadesse Hailu Shibeshi
  • Tadesse Hailu Shibeshi
  • Sirinka Agricultural Research Center (SARC), P. O. Box 74, Woldia, Ethiopia.
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  •  Received: 20 March 2020
  •  Accepted: 08 May 2020
  •  Published: 30 June 2020

Abstract

Tef [Eragrotis tef] is a major staple cereal crop in Ethiopia but yields are low due to inadequate nutrient supply and other constraints. A field study was conducted in 2014 and 2015 in Jamma district of South Wollo Zone of Amhara Region to determine the economic optimum rate of fertilizer-N for tef. Fertilizer-N rates of 0, 23, 46, 69, 92, 115 and 138 kg ha-1 were evaluated. The randomized complete block design with three replications was used. The fertilizer-N rate means fit a quadratic yield response function with R2=0.25**. The maximum mean grain and straw yields were recorded with 138 kg N ha-1 which was not statistically different from the 92 and 115 kg ha-1 N rates. The net economic returns to N were optimized with the 115 and 92 kg ha-1 N rates with respective net benefits of Ethiopian Birr 30508 and 28971 ha-1 and with marginal rate returns of 236 and 288%, respectively. The highest value to cost ratio (VCR) and highest benefit to cost ratio (BCR) of 10.9 and 5.2, respectively were obtained with 46 kg N ha-1. Using the yield response function determined, the profit-maximizing optimal rate of N was found to be 117 kg N ha-1. Therefore, for financially constrained farmers 46 kg N ha-1 is recommended, while for farmers without financial constraints 92 to 117 kg N ha-1 can be recommended for economic optimum return from tef production on the Vertisols in Jamma District and similar agroecologies.

Key words: Economic optimum, Jamma district, nitrogen fertilizer, yields response of tef.