Response of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L) to nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient on Nitisols in Yilmana Densa district Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract In Ethiopia the two major yield limiting nutrients are Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P). Existing NP rates for the production of cereal crops, including wheat, are very old and critically need revisiting and updating the economic and biological optimum rates. Thus, this research was conducted to determine the economical optimum rate of N and P for bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) in 2023 rainy season in the Nitisols of Yilmana Densa district, Northwest Ethiopia. The treatment consisted of five levels of nitrogen (69, 115, 161, 207 and 253 kg ha −1 ) that were factorially combined with three levels of P 2 O 5 (46, 69 and 92 kg ha −1 ). A pilot treatment with no N and P was also added as a control to evaluate the overall performance of wheat under no fertilizer input. TAY bread wheat variety, which is widely adapted to the study area, was used as a test crop. Randomized complete block design with three replications was used for treatment arrangement. Soil samples disturbed and undisturbed were collected before planting. SAS version 9.0 software was used for analyzing and LSD at P ≤ 0.05 used for separating treatment means. The result revealed that N and P 2 O 5 significantly ( P < 0.05) increased grain yield, straw yield, and other yield components of the bread wheat. T he minimum grain (349.2 kg ha −1 ) and straw (446.8 kg ha −1 ) yield were obtained from the unfertilized plot. T he combined application of 207 kg N and 69 kg P 2 O 5 ha −1 gave the maximum grain (3737 kg ha −1 ) and straw (3606 kg ha −1 ) yield. Finally, 207 N combined 69 kg P 2 O 5 ha −1 is economically feasible with a net benefit of (208,612.1 ET Birr) and 898.3% MRR and is therefore recommended for the production of bread wheat in the Nitisols of Yilmana Densa district. Furthermore, the findings provide a basis for updating the N and P₂O₅ application rates and developing site-specific fertilizer recommendations, which can help farmers achieve higher economic returns while maintaining soil fertility across variable soil conditions.