Soil fertility depletion is a significant barrier to sustained agricultural productivity in Ethiopia. Maintaining soil fertility necessitates the balanced use of both inorganic and organic nutrient sources. This study was conducted to evaluate the combined effect of vermicompost (VC) and nitrogen fertilizer on wheat yield and yield component. The experimental treatments consisted of five rates of VC (0, 1.5, 3, 4.5 and 6 ton ha-1) and 3 rates of N (0, 69, and 138 kg ha-1) arranged in factorial combinations in RCBD design in 3 replications. Fifteen treatments with 3 replication (15*3 = 45) plots were laid at each site. Totally 90 plots (45 plots at each site) were laid in the experimental design. The data were analyzed using SAS 9.0 computer software. The results indicated that the interaction effects of VC and urea positively influenced yield and yield parameters. The combined application of VC at 138 kg/ha of N and 6 ton/ha VC, the highest yield (3.33 ton ha-1) while the lowest (0.99 ton ha-1) of yield was obtained from control plots, respectively. Full dose application of N fertilizer and half dose of VC provided the highest marginal rate of return and recommended for farmers to produce bread wheat.

Keywords: Combined application of fertilizer, Nutrient management, Wheat production