Title:
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT RATES OF ERYTHRINA BIOMASS TRANSFER COMBINED WITH DIFFERENT NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS RATES ON YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF WHEAT AT MASHA WOREDA, SOUTH-WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Authors:
Abiy Gebremichael and Getahun Yakob

Abstract:
An experiment was conducted at Masha Woreda, Sheka zone, Southwestern Ethiopia for two consecutive years to investigate the effect of Erythrina bruci biomass transfer combined with nitrogen and phosphorus rates on yield and yield components of wheat. Ten rates of combination (two rates of Erythrina bruci biomass calculated based on N equivalence (50% Erythrina and 100% Erythrina in N equivalence) combined to three rates of NP (50% Rec. NP, 100%Rec. NP and only Rec.P) as well as two controls (negative and positive control) were applied in randomized complete block design with four blocks. Data collected on growth and yield parameters were analyzed using SAS 9.2 software. The result of first year was non-significant on yield and also dry biomass weight. The result obtained at second year was however significant (p < 0.05) indicating the effectiveness of using erythrina transferred biomass for soil fertility management. The soil property also showed slight change in content of nutrients as well as texture. Application of 50% Erythrina in N equivqlence (2t/ha) has 109% yield increment at first year relative to control and 139% yield increment at second year to be economic organic treatment that could change soil fertility status in the area for sustainable wheat production. However, due to high acidity of soil, the effect of Phosphorous was not explained in this experiment as it was fixed or/ and due to microelements deficiency. Therefore, application of 50% Erythrina in N equivalence (2t/ha wet biomass) should be used in the area in connection to further study on economic importance and acidity problem solving.