The problems of low soil fertility resulting from continuous monocropping, crop residue removal and limited fertilizer use represent key challenges to produce surplus food for the ever increasing population of Ethiopia. However, the practices of crop rotation and integrated sources of fertilizer uses could potentially improve soil fertility and productivity. In 2012 and 2014, soybean with different trials consisting of two soybean varieties (Boshe and Ethio-ugozilavia), three levels of farm yard manure (FYM) (3, 6 and 9 t/ha) and three phosphorus levels (8, 16 and 24 kg P ha −1 ) were combined in 2 × 3 × 3 factorial arrangements. Two soybean varieties receiving no fertilizer application followed by finger millet receiving a recommended rate (20 kg P/ha) were included. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. In 2013 and 2015, finger millet was planted on each soybean plot as per previous treatment arrangements to evaluate the effect of the precursor crop (soybean) and integrated fertilizer application on yield performance of the subsequent finger millet. Soil pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphorus before planting and after crop harvest of soybean in each year showed treatment differences. Both precursor crop and fertilizer application had a positive effect on soil fertility status and, hence, improved the performance of the subsequent finger millet. On the other hand, since the rainfall amount and distribution were different in the 2012 and 2014 seasons, the response of soybean varieties to applied fertilizers was significantly affected, and the correlation between soybean yield and annual rainfall was strongly positive. Use of an early maturing soybean variety (Boshe) with the lowest rates of organic and inorganic fertilizers gave significantly higher yield in 2012 (short rainy season) compared with other treatment combinations. In the 2014 cropping season, however, 'Ethio-ugozilavia' showed greater yield performance with the combined application of 3 t FYM/ha and 1616 kg PP/ha followed by 3 t FYM and 88 kg P/ha. Hence, it is recommended to use the 'Boshe' variety under a short rainy season and under a low soil fertility status, while variety the 'Ethio-ugozilavia' can be used under good rainy and soil fertility management conditions. Considering residual effects, the use of the early maturing soybean variety as a precursor with 3 t FYM/ha and 8-16,816 kg P/ha during the short rainy season could enhance the yield of the subsequent finger millet. On the other hand, the use of the late maturing soybean variety as a precursor with higher organic fertilizer rates (6-9 t FYM/ha) resulted in a significant yield increase of the subsequent finger millet. The use of a late maturing variety of soybean with lower rates of organic manure resulted in a finger millet yield comparable to farmers' practice, indicating that this option can be adopted by smallholder farmers who cannot produce sufficient organic manure. This study showed that plantin...

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted in the wheat growing belt of southeastern Ethiopia to assess effects of rate and in-season N application on seed and seedling performance of local and improved bread wheat varieties. For the field experiments, a factorial combination of four N levels, two bread wheat varieties, and three times of N application were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. Laboratory tests were conducted in a Completely Randomized Design with four replicates to evaluate seed germination capacity and seedling vigor. The rate and timing of N application had significant (P = .01) effects on seed hectolitre weight, seed germination capacity and seedling vigor index. 1000-kernels weight was not affected by the rate of N application but significantly influenced by time of N application. Three times split application of N at 120 kg ha -1 resulted in significantly (P = .01) higher hectolitre weight, percentage of normal seedlings, seed germination speed, seedling dry weight and vigor index compared to the other treatments. The results revealed that application of 120 kg N ha -1 in three-split doses with ¼ dose at planting, ½ dose at mid-tillering and ¼ dose at anthesis led to enhanced seed quality and seedling performance of the crop.

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