A study was carried out to evaluate the integrated use of compost and low rates of NP fertilizers under farmers' conditions in western Oromia. Training was organized for the farmers, development agents and subject matter specialists on the method of compost preparation and its use. The treatments used were no NP and compost, 0/0 N/P + 5 tons (t) compost ha-l, 25/11 kg N/P +5 t compost ha-l, 55/10 kg N/P + 5 t compost ha-l, and the recommended rate of NP (110/20 kg N/P ha-l) in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiment was conducted on four different locations for two cropping seasons using a hybrid maize (BH-660) variety. Laboratory analysis of the compost showed that 171 kg total N, 41 kg total P, 11 kg exchangeable K, 21 kg exchangeable Ca, and 8 kg exchangeable Mg ha-1 in addition to the micronutrients were applied from the 5 t compost. Statistical analysis for each location revealed significant differences (p ~ 0.05) among the treatments on the maize grain yield. The 5 t compost ha-l, 25/11 kg N/P plus 5 t compost ha-l, 50/10 kg N/P plus 5 t compost ha-1 and the recommended rate of NP (110/20 kg N/P ha-l) provided 5.38, 6.34, 6.88, and 7.42 t ha-1 of average grain yield, respectively, as compared to 3.97 t ha-1 under the control treatment. Likewise, the economic analysis showed that the highest marginal rate of return (382%) was recorded for the use of 5 t compost ha-1 alone, followed by 151% for the 55/10 kg N/P + 5 t compost ha-1 treatment, and 136% for the application of 5 t compost ha-1 + 25/11 kg N/P ha-l. Except for the control treatment and the recommended rate of NP fertilizers, the use of 5 t compost ha-1 alone or integrated with low rates of NP fertilizers considered in this study is economical for maize production in western Oromia.

Global Maize Program

English

0410|AGRIS 0401|AL-Maize Program

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CFDE01

CIMMYT Staff Publications Collection