Effect of Blended Fertilizer Formulas on Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] Yield and Soil Chemical Properties on Acidic Soils Under Limed Conditions at Nedjo, Western Ethiopia

Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter], is a cereal crop species unique to Ethiopia, where it is an important staple food crop. It is grown for its tiny nutritious seeds. Even though, it is highly adapted to different agro-ecological conditions, its yield is constrained by different factors including declining soil fertility and improper utilization of fertilizer. An experiment was conducted to validate blended fertilizer formulas and levels under limed and unlimed conditions on teff grain yield and soil chemical properties of Nedjo area, west Wollega, Ethiopia. The treatments were comprised of eleven different types and levels of fertilizers[Blanket NP recommended(RNP), NPSB, NPSZnB, modified NPSZnB, NPKSZnB, RNP+lime, NPSB+lime, NPSZnB+lime, modified NPSZnB+lime, NPKSZnB+lime (after Agricultural Transformation Agency, ATA) and Control(0)]. The most yielder teff variety Kuncho was used as a test crop and planted in 20cm row spacing. The experiment was laid out in RCB design with three replications. The result revealed that application of balanced fertilization (macro and micro nutrients) + lime (treatment no, 11) has significantly increased grain yield compared with other treatments. Treatment no 7 (Recommended NP + lime) gave better grain yield. Treatment number 11 and 7 increased the grain yield 1322% and 978% respectively compared to the control. Blended fertilizers which have lime in addition showed a gradual pH increase and a sharp decline of exchangeable acidity. The available phosphorous of the soil was improved from 5.508 to 6.748 ppm with the application of recommended NP and lime (treatment 7).Calcium content of the soil has showed an improvement with the application of lime. It is concluded that balanced fertilization with lime has significant and positive response to teff yield and improves some acid soil parameters in the study area. Hence, it is recommended to apply macro and micro nutrients (balanced fertilization) with lime in order to attain optimum grain yield of teff around Nedjo area western wollega. Keywords: Acidic soil, blended fertilizer, Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter , lime DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/9-1-0