Integration of Vermicompost and NPS Fertilizer Rates for Sesame (<i>Sesamum indicum L</i>.) Production at Gobu-Sayo District, Western Oromia, Ethiopia

Effect of vermicompost rate and NPS Fertilizer integrated on sesame yield and yield components at Gobu Sayo district was assessed for two years. Different rates of vermicompost and NPS fertilizer were integrated, no treated or control, recommended vermicompost alone, (4.64 tons ha<sup>-1</sup>), and recommended NPS alone fertilizer were also included as checks, 25:25, 25:50, 25:75, 50:25, 50:50, 50:75, 75:25, 75:50, 75:75 (%), vermicompost and NPS fertilizer respectively combined. Growth parameters such as plant height (116.67cm) and branch number (5.230) significantly (P<0.05) affected by the use of integrated vermicompost and NPS fertilizer. Yield parameters biomass yield, (4.61 tons ha<sup>-1</sup>), grain yield (0.45 tons ha<sup>-1</sup>), and composite soil data before planting and postharvest soil data were taken and analyzed. Treatment (50% recommended vermicompost and 50% NPS fertilizer) gave 701kg ha<sup>-1</sup> with (17,814.1 Ethiopia birr ha<sup>-1</sup>), the highest net benefit with an acceptable marginal rate of return (45.52). Soil parameters, soil pH (1:1.2.5), soil organic carbon (SOC), soil organic matter (SOM), and total nitrogen in the soil (TN) were significantly different. Therefore, the results of the study showed that the integration of vermicompost and NPS fertilizers in sesame crop production is recommended and can improve the selected soil chemical properties of the study area and similar ecology.