Evaluation of Eco-Green Liquid Fertilizer Rate and Application Methods on Growth and Yield of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Northeastern Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the major chief food crops, supplying food and income for millions of homes worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions where these pests are most prevalent. This study evaluated the effect of Eco-Green liquid fertilizer rate and application methods on the growth and yield of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Borena District, Northeastern Ethiopia, during the 2023 main cropping season. A factorial combination was conducted using five Eco-Green rates (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 L ha⁻¹) and three application methods (foliar spray, soil application, and seed treatment), arranged in RCBD with three replications. Results showed that Eco-Green significantly (p < 0.05) improved most growth and yield parameters compared to the control. The highest eco green fertilizer rate (40 L ha⁻¹) produced the tallest plants (86.5 cm), longest spikes (9.2 cm), and maximum kernels per spike (57.4), leading to the highest grain yield (6200 kg ha⁻¹), biomass yield (9990 kg ha⁻¹), and straw yield (6411 kg ha⁻¹). Among application methods, seed treatment consistently outperformed foliar and soil application, resulting in superior tillering, kernel number, and grain yield (5870.7 kg ha⁻¹).