On farm evaluation of integrated application of liquid and inorganic fertilizers on yield of tef (Eragrostis tef) in Habru district, eastern Amhara Region

Liquid fertilizers emerged as a fertilizer source in Ethiopia very recently. From those Eco-green, Wuxal-macromix, Mela and ESSERA liquid fertilizers are widely disseminated by the respective companies. The research was initiated to evaluate the effects of liquid fertilizer application (Wuxal, Eco-green, Mela and ESSERA) on the yield of tef. This experiment consisted of twelve (12) treatments which include T1 = 100% recommended Nitrogen and phosphorous (NP) containing fertilizer (control), T2 = 100% recommended NP + Wuxal, T3 = recommended NPS fertilizer + Eco-green, T4 = 50% recommended NP + Mela, T5 = 50% recommended NP + ESSERA, T6 = 75% recommended NP + Wuxal, T7 = 75% recommended NP + Eco-green T8 = 75% recommended NP + Mela, T9 = 75% recommended NP + ESSERA, T10 = 100% recommended NP + Eco-green, T11 = 100% RNP + Mela and T12 = 100% recommended NP + ESSERA. The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at each farm. R software was used to analyze agronomic data and when, there is treatment variation Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used to determine mean separation analysis at 5% probability. A partial budget analysis was also performed following CIMMYT procedures. Analysis of variance indicated that the grain yield of tef was affected by the main effects of inorganic fertilizer rates but not by foliar application of liquid fertilizers. The combined application of inorganic and liquid fertilizer applications wasn’t significantly (P > 0.05) affecting the grain yield of tef. The highest grain yield (1392.2 kg ha−1) was recorded from application of 100% recommended NP + Eco-green while the smallest grain yield (766.3 kg ha−1) was obtained from application of recommended NPS fertilizer + Eco-green. Based on partial budget analysis, the highest net benefit was 162,735.8 Birr ha−1 with application of recommended nitrogen and phosphorus-containing fertilizer alone. Therefore, application of recommended NP containing fertilizers alone (without liquid fertilizer) significantly affected tef grain yield more than the combined application of inorganic NP and liquid fertilizer. As a result, application of recommended NP (without liquid fertilizer) is recommended for the study district.