Response of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Potassium (K) and Blended NPS Fertilizer Rates in the Nitisols of Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Wheat is the most important cereal crop ranking 4th in total grain production and area coverage in Ethiopia. However, its productivity is low compared to the yield obtained under the research station. Multinutrient deficiency, low/no chemical fertilizer usage, and poor management practices are among the major constraints. Thus, response of bread wheat to NPS and K fertilizer rates was evaluated in the nitisols at Kokate, Wolaita Sodo, Southern Ethiopia, in 2016. Four rates of KCl (0-0-60) (0, 25, 50, and 75 kg·ha−1) and five blended NPS (19N-38P2O5-7S) rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg·ha−1) were investigated using randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement involving three replications. Soil physical and chemical properties, crop phenology, growth parameters, yield components, and yield data were collected. Analysis of variance showed that crop phenology, productive tillers, and straw yield were significantly affected by KCl and NPS fertilizer rates; however, most of growth parameters, yield components, grain yield, and agronomic efficiency were influenced by the interaction effects of KCl and NPS fertilizers. Combined application of 50 kg·ha−1 KCl and 150 kg·ha−1 NPS resulted in highest growth, yield component, grain yield, agronomic efficiency, and economic return, whereas the lowest measured values were recorded from unfertilized plots. The maximum grain yield (4.34 t ha−1) that was recorded from 50 kg·ha−1 KCl and 150 kg·ha−1 NPS was 8.86-fold higher than the minimum yield (0.44 t ha−1) from the control. It is concluded that 50 kg·ha−1 KCl and 150 kg·ha−1 NPS are suggested for better agronomic and economic performance of wheat. As NPS was tested in the blended form, the individual and interaction effects of nutrients under investigation are suggested as future research areas. Additional investigation over season and location is also recommended.

Soil type and fertilizer rate affect wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield, quality and nutrient use efficiency in Ayiba, northern Ethiopia

“…In agreement with the present study, Desta & Almayehu (2020) reported the highest (50.07) NKS under combined application of 150/92 kg NPSB/N ha −1 fertilizer rates. Increasing NKS was also reported by Malghani et al (2010) and Tesfaye, Laekemariam & Habte (2021) due to the increasing rate of NPKS fertilizer. Debnath et al (2011) and Muhammad et al (2009) also reported that Boron application significantly affected wheat’s NKS.…”

“…Other research findings also indicated that the application of NPK fertilizers had a potential role in the number of TT and PT production of wheat ( Abera, Tana & Dessalegn, 2020 ; Baque et al, 2006 ; Getachew & Dechassa, 2014 ; Malghani et al, 2010 ) due to their positive role in stimulating vegetative growth and development. In southern Ethiopia, the higher number of TT and PT from the combined effect of NPS and KCl was reported than the unfertilized plots ( Tesfaye, Laekemariam & Habte, 2021 ). Similarly, the highest number of TT (421 tillers m −2 ) and PT (375.7 tillers m −2 ) were reported with the application of NPSB supplied with N in central highland Ethiopia ( Desta & Almayehu, 2020 ).…”

“…Tillering capacity is an essential trait of plant architecture for grain yields, and the number of tillers per plant determines spike number and affects grain production directly ( Naruoka et al, 2011 ; Shang et al, 2021 ; Tesfaye, Laekemariam & Habte, 2021 ). In this study, the analysis of variance revealed a highly significant ( p < 0.001) interaction effect between soil type and fertilizer rate for both total and productive tillers (m −2 ) of wheat ( Table 5 ).…”

“…The present result also agrees with the finding of Yasir et al (2015) in Pakistan. Recent studies on NPS and K ( Tesfaye, Laekemariam & Habte, 2021 ) and NPKSZn ( Brhane, Mamo & Teka, 2017 ) demonstrated that adding these nutrients together improved photosynthetic activity and enhanced sink transport of the grain and resulted in heavier grains. In the sub-humid environment, Mubeen et al (2021) found a similar result as the highest NKS and heavier TKW was recorded in plots where the integrated application of natural and synthetic sources at equal dose was used.…”

“…Within the agriculture sector, cereals are the principal staple crops in terms of planted area (81.46%) and output volume (88.52%). Wheat ( Triticum aestivum ), along with teff ( Eragrostis teff Zucc), maize ( Zea mays ), sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ), and barley ( Hordeum vulgare ), is one of the key grains that are at the heart of Ethiopia’s agricultural and food economy ( Bishaw, 2004 ; Tesfaye, Laekemariam & Habte, 2021 ). Wheat represents 13.91% of the total cereal planted area and 81% of the total food output volume ( CSA, 2020 ).…”