Effect of Blended Fertilizer on Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Economy of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Assosa District, Western Ethiopia

Bakala Anbessa, Girma Abera and Sofiya Kassas

Background and Objective: Soil fertility depletion and soil acidity are critical problems for maize (Zea mays L.) production in western Ethiopia. Because of this, a field experiment was conducted on acidic Nitisols of the Assosa area to investigate the response of maize to different blended fertilizer rates and types. Materials and Methods: The treatments consists of control, three rates of N and P (92/46_, 115/57 and 138/69 N/P₂O₅ kg ha^–1) and two blended fertilizers with three rates (100 kg NPSB+73.9 kg N ha^–1, 150 kg NPSB+110.8 kg N ha^–1, 200 kg NPSB+147.8 kg N ha^–1, 100 kg NPSZnB+75.1 kg N ha^–1, 150 kg NPSZnB+112.6 kg N ha^–1) and 200 kg NPSZnB+150.2 kg N ha^–1. The experiment was laid out as a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Results: The results revealed that fertilizer types and rates significantly (p<0.01) affected grain yield, stover yield and harvest index. However, there was no significant difference between the two blended fertilizer types (NPSB and NPSZnB). The highest grain yield (7056.2 kg ha^–1) was recorded with 200 kg NPSZnB+150.2 kg N ha^–1 application. Blended fertilizers had improved nutrient concentration and uptake of maize. Application of 150 kg NPSB+110.8 kg N ha^–1 recorded the highest marginal rate of return and net benefit. Conclusion: The study demonstrates high improvement in grain and stover yield and nutrient uptake of maize in response to blended fertilizers implying that N, P, S, Zn and B are deficient in Assosa soils, hence external application of these nutrients are vital as a blend for sustainable maize production.

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