Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Investigation of Response of Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to Blended NPSB Fertilizer in Fogera and Libo Kemkem Districts of Amhara Region

Received: 18 November 2023     Accepted: 27 March 2024     Published: 17 April 2024
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Abstract

A field experiment was conducted for three years to evaluate and determine economic optimum rate of NPSB blended + urea fertilizers for upland rice production in Fogera and Libokemkem districts of Amhara Region. Blended NPSB fertilizer rates of 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1 were factorially combined with 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg urea ha-1. Zero fertilizer as control treatment and recommended NP as a reference treatment were included in the study. The treatments were laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results show that, in Libokemikem district, the maximum grain yield of 4.9 t ha-1 was obtained from 200 kg NPSB + 250 kg Urea ha-1, while the maximum dry biomass yield of 10.2 t ha-1 was recorded from 250 kg NPSB + 250 kg Urea ha-1. In Fogera district, the maximum grain and biomass yields of 6.1 and 15 t ha-1, respectively were obtained from 250 kg NPSB + 200 kg Urea ha-1. The partial budget analysis of the pooled data indicate that at Libokemikem district, the maximum net economic return (NER) of Ethiopian birr (Birr) 48,529.70 with marginal rate of return (MRR) of 1284.9% was obtained from 200 kg NPSB + 250 kg urea ha-1. At Fogera district, the maximum NER of Birr 62,323.60 with MRR of 959.7% was obtained from 100 kg NPSB + 250 kg urea ha-1. However, it is not possible to draw conclusions that the significant yield increment recorded was due to the contribution of S and B blends in the NPSB blended fertilizer. Because, there were confounding effects of N and P nutrients in the NPSB blended fertilizer. As it is revealed in the results, the significant yield response recorded, however, was due to the increasing levels of N. Therefore, we recommend further investigation of the response of NERICA-4 (upland rice) to each nutrient (P, S and B) through nutrient omission studies.

Published in American Journal of Plant Biology (Volume 9, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajpb.20240902.11
Page(s) 23-34
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Yield Limiting, Blended Fertilizer, Upland Rice

1. Introduction
Studies show that the use of chemical fertilizers in Ethiopia has made a contribution to crop yield growth to date although there is a potential for further improvement. Fertilizer is applied by less than 45% of farmers, on about 40% of area under crop, and most likely at below optimal dosage levels . However, recent study reports indicated that nutrients like potassium (K), sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and all micro-nutrients except iron (Fe) are becoming depleted. Deficiency symptoms are reported on major crops in different areas of the country . Recently acquired soil inventory data from EthioSIS (Ethiopian Soil Information System) revealed that in addition to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), S, born (B), zinc (Zn) and K deficiencies are widespread which all potentially limit crop productivity despite continued use of N and P fertilizer as per the recommendation . Studies indicated that nutrient mining due to sub-optimal fertilizer use on one hand and unbalanced fertilizer uses on other hand have favored the emergence of multi nutrient deficiency in Ethiopian soils that in part may have contributed to fertilizer factor productivity decline experienced over recent past . Hence, following an extensive soil fertility assessment survey in the country, district and kebele-based blended fertilizer recommendations have been developed by EthioSIS .
Two blended fertilizer types, NPSB and NPSZnB, are recommended almost for entire areas of Fogera and Libokemkem Districts in South Gondar Zone of Amhara Region (Figure 1). However, fertilizer trials involving multi-nutrient blends that include micronutrients are rare in Ethiopia. Although there is general perception that the new fertilizer blends are better than the conventional fertilizer recommendation (Urea and DAP), their economic and agrnomic advantages are not examined and understood under various production environments.
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) production is a recent phenomenon in Ethiopia, as compared to other cereals crops. However, rice production has brought a significant change in the livelihood of farmers and created job opportunities for a number of citizens in different areas of the country. Currently, Amhara, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), Oromiya, Somali, Gambella, Benishangul Gumuz, and Tigray regions are rice producing areas in Ethiopia . The Amhara region takes the lion’s share of rice production in the country and accounted for 65-81% of the area coverage and 78-85% of the production in the years 2016-2018 . At present, Fogera and Libokemkem Districts are the two major rice growing districts in Amhara Region. The area coverage in rice production has increased considerably linked with expansion of production in the wetland and upland areas with the introduction of suitable rice varieties for the different agro-ecologies. Even though there is huge potential and increasing demand of the crop, lack of high yielding varieties, terminal moisture stress and low soil fertility, disease and cold effect are the constraints that hinder the expansion and productivity of the crop . This study was therefore conducted with the objectives of determining optimum NPSB blended fertilizer rates for rice and assessing economic feasibility of the recommended blended fertilizer rates.
2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Site Description

The experiment was executed from 2017-2019 in Fogera plain on two districts, Fogera and Libokemkem districts of Amhara Region in Ethiopia. It was conducted on farmers’ fields and on a research station at Fogera National Rice Research and Training Center (FNRRTC) in Amhara Region. Fogera plain, which covers Fogera district and part of Libokemkem district, is an extended wetland area around Lake Tana and is situated between latitude 11°49’55’’ N and longitude 37° 37′ 40’’ E at an altitude of 1815 meters above sea level (Figure 2). The dominant soil type of the study area is classified as Pellic Vertisol. Rainfall of the area is uni-modal, usually occurring from June to September, and its average annual total rainfall is 1363.7 mm. The mean minimum and maximum temperature of the study area is 12.7°C and 27.4°C, respectively. The ecology and type of rice cultivation practiced in Fogera and Libokemkem districts is categorized as rain-fed lowland and rain-fed upland rice culture.
Figure 2. Location map of the study Districts (Fogera and Libo kemkem Districts).
Treatments and Experimental Design
Four rates of NPSB blend fertilizer (100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1) and four rates of urea (100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1) were factorially combined. In the first year, 17 (seventeen) treatments including control treatment (without fertilizer) were evaluated; while in the second year, the previous recommended NP (69/23 N/P2O5 kg ha-1) was included to form eighteen (18) treatments (Table 1). The treatments were laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The blended fertilizer was band-applied as basal and N fertilizer was applied in split; 1/3 at planting, 1/3 at mid-tillering and 1/3 at panicle initiation stages. Upland rice variety NERICA-4 was planted with 20 cm spacing at seed rate of 100 kg ha-1. The gross and net plot sizes were 2 m * 3 m and 1.2 m * 3 m, respectively. The other crop management practices were applied uniformly for all plots as per the recommendations.
Table 1. Treatment set up.

Treatment

2017

2018 & 2019

N, P2O5, S, B (kg ha-1)

NPSB (kg ha-1)

Urea (kg ha-1)

NPSB (kg ha-1)

Urea (kg ha-1)

1

0

0

0

0

0, 0, 0, 0

2

100

100

100

100

64.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

3

100

150

100

150

87.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

4

100

200

100

200

110.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

5

100

250

100

250

133.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

6

150

100

150

100

73.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

7

150

150

150

150

96.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

8

150

200

150

200

119.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

9

150

250

150

250

142.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

10

200

100

200

100

82.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

11

200

150

200

150

105.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

12

200

200

200

200

128.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

13

200

250

200

250

151.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

14

250

100

250

100

91.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

15

250

150

250

150

114.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

16

250

200

250

200

137.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

17

250

250

250

250

160.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

18

-

-

50 kg DAP

150

69, 23, 0, 0

2.2. Soil Sampling and Analysis

One composite surface soil sample by taking five sub-samples at a depth of 0-20 cm was collected before planting from each testing site. The collected soil samples were analyzed for texture, pH, Electrical conductivity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, extractable zinc and cation exchange capacity (CEC) following the standard soil analysis procedure.

2.3. Data Collection

Rice plants were harvested above ground level from net plot area to determine biomass and grain yields. Biomass yield of rice was weighed with graduated balance after sun drying of harvested plants and each plot biomass yield was converted into hectare basis. After sun drying and threshing, grains of each plot were sorted out from straw and debris, and weighted with sensitive balance. Rice grain yield obtained from each net plot area was adjusted to 14% moisture content and converted into hectare basis.

2.4. Data Analysis

The collected data were subjected to analysis of variance (GLM procedure) using SAS software version 9.00 (SAS, 2004). The mixed model procedure was used for the combined analysis over the testing sites and years with treatments as a fixed variable and with site, replication and year as random variables. Treatment means separation was done with Duncan’s Multiple Range test (DMRT) at P ≤0.05. The farm-gate prices of Ethiopian Birr (ETB) 12.50, 15.62 and 16.66 per kg for variable factors; paddy rice, Urea fertilizer and NPSB blended fertilizer, respectively, were used for partial budget analysis following the CIMMYT procedure . The other factors were constant as they were applied uniform to all treatments. The mean grain yields used in the partial budget analysis were adjusted to 90% of the measured yield.
3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Soil Physico-Chemical Characteristics of the Study Sites

The physico-chemical characteristics of surface soil (0-20 cm) of the study sites are presented in Table 2 below. The surface soil of the study sites had moderately acidic to neutral soil reaction , non-saline (James et. al., 1982), low to medium organic carbon, medium total N , very low to very high available P , high to very high CEC , high exchangeable potassium , medium extractable zinc (Jones, 2003) and clay to heavy clay soil texture.
Table 2. Physico-chemical properties of the composite surface (0-20 cm) soil samples collected from the study sites before planting in 2017 and 2019.

Soil parameter

2017

2019

Libokemikem

Fogera

Libokemikem

Fogera

pH (H2O)

6.20

5.98

6.65

5.08

Electrical conductivity (ds m-1)

0.059

0.067

0.141

0.112

Organic carbon (%)

1.60

1.95

0.66

1.25

Total nitrogen (%)

0.13

0.16

0.11

0.16

Available phosphorus (mg kg-1)

7.80

2.08

17.2

48.5

Exchangeable potassium (Cmolc kg-1)

Nd

Nd

0.63

0.67

Extractable zinc (mg kg-1)

Nd

Nd

0.74

0.41

Cation Exchange Capacity (Cmolc kg-1)

50.0

36.0

Nd

Nd

Texture

Sand (%)

7

13

12

18

Silt (%)

15

20

16

30

Clay (%)

78

62

72

52

Nd: Not determined.

3.2. Effect of NPSB Blended and Urea Fertilizer on the Yield of Upland Rice

The data analysis shows that there was a significant (p<0.05) effect of the combined use of the NPSB blended and urea fertilizer on the grain and biomass yields of upland rice in Fogera and Libokemkem districts (Tables 3, 4 and 5). At Libokemikem district, the data analysis in the first experimental year (2017) and the pooled analysis over the second and third experimental years (2018 and 2019) show that the highest grain yield was obtained from 200 kg NPSB + 250 kg urea ha-1 (151.2N, 72.2P2O5, 13.4S, 1.4B kg ha-1) (Tables 3 and 4). However, the highest biomass yield was recorded from 250 kg NPSB + 250 kg urea ha-1 (160.25N, 90.25P2O5, 16.75S, 1.75B kg ha-1) with no significant difference from the biomass yield recorded from 200 kg NPSB + 250 kg urea ha-1 (151.2N, 72.2P2O5, 13.4S, 1.4B kg ha-1).
At Fogera district, in the first experimental year (2017), the highest grain yield was recorded from 150 kg NPSB + 150 kg urea ha-1 (96.15N, 54.15P2O5, 10.05S, 1.05B kg ha-1) (Table 3). But, the pooled analysis over the second and third experimental years (2018 and 2019) show that the highest grain and biomass yields were recorded from 250 kg NPSB + 200 kg urea ha-1 (137.25N, 90.25P2O5, 16.75S, 1.75B kg ha-1) with no significant difference from the grain yield recorded from 100 kg NPSB + 200 kg urea ha-1 (110.1N, 36.1P2O5, 6.7S, 0.7B kg ha-1) (Table 5).
In line with the result of the present study, showed that 300 and 200 kg NPSB ha-1 blended fertilizers along with the recommended NP fertilizers gave the highest wheat yield. Application of different blended NPSB fertilizer rates were reported to significantly affect crop phonology, yield and yield components of tef reported that application of K, S, Zn, Mg and B significantly increased yield of bread wheat as compared to the control (no fertilizer). According to , blended fertilizers had a significant effect on the aboveground biomass, grain yield and straw yield of food barley. also reported that supplementation by S, Zn, B and K nutrients increased maize yields by 40% over the standard NP fertilizer recommendation. Similar study indicated that maximum grain, stover, and total biomass yields of maize were obtained by applying blended fertilizers .
However, in the present study and in the other studies mentioned above, there was a confounding effect of increasing levels of N and P as the level of the NPSB blended fertilizer were increasing. Thus, with all the aforementioned studies including the present study, it is hardly possible to identify which nutrients had significant effect for the recorded higher yields. Therefore, yield response studies to each nutrient should be investigated through nutrient omission trials.
Table 3. Mean table of effect of the combined use of NPSB blended and urea fertilizer on the grain and biomass yield (kg ha-1) of upland rice in Libokemikem and Fogera districts in 2017.

NPSB-blended + Urea (kg ha-1)

N, P2O5, S, B (kg ha-1)

Libokemikem

Fogera

Grain yield

Biomass yield

Grain yield

Biomass yield

0 + 0

0, 0, 0, 0

1088g

2977h

1637c

4804f

100 + 100

64.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

1683f

5285g

3575ab

11033abc

100 + 150

87.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

1868def

5757efg

3015ab

8210de

100 + 200

110.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

1863def

6400def

3427ab

10362abcd

100 + 250

133.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

2352bc

7157cd

3567ab

11104abc

150 + 100

73.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

1754ef

5551fg

2889ab

6800ef

150 + 150

96.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

1834def

5741efg

3888a

11027abc

150 + 200

119.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

2105cde

7059cd

3041ab

11078abc

150 + 250

142.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

2183cd

7877bc

3251ab

10529abcd

200 + 100

82.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

1876def

5756efg

3853a

10164bcd

200 + 150

105.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

2016cdef

6655de

2884ab

8300de

200 + 200

128.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

2225bcd

7346cd

3478ab

11376abc

200 + 250

151.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

2733a

8443ab

3117ab

11830ab

250 + 100

91.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

2113cde

7335cd

3166ab

9045cde

250 + 150

114.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

1967cdef

6858d

2988ab

7642e

250 + 200

137.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

2868a

8645ab

3555ab

11102abc

250 + 250

160.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

2575ab

9029a

2703b

12721a

Rec. NP

69, 23, 0, 0

-

-

-

-

Mean

2056.6

6772.7

3181.7

10001.7

CV (%)

9.5

7.6

15.3

12.1

Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at 5% probability level. Rec. NP = Recommended nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer.
Table 4. Mean table of effect of the combined use of NPSB blended and urea fertilizer on the grain and biomass yield (kg ha-1) of upland rice at Burah testing site in Libokemikem district in 2018 and 2019.

NPSB-blended + Urea (kg ha-1)

N, P2O5, S, B (kg ha-1)

2018

2019

Pooled over two years

Grain yield

Biomass yield

Grain yield

Biomass yield

Grain yield

Biomass yield

0 + 0

0, 0, 0, 0

1396i

3393h

1426f

3241j

1411i

3317i

100 + 100

64.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

4010g

6574fg

1902def

3981ij

3167defgh

5278h

100 + 150

87.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

3992g

8152e

2120bcdef

4907ghi

3056fgh

6530fg

100 + 200

110.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

4807cdefg

10107d

2278abcde

5000ghi

3542cdefg

7554cdef

100 + 250

133.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

5260bcdef

10024d

2694abc

7037bc

3977c

8531bc

150 + 100

73.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

3974g

7929ef

2364abcde

5463efgh

3169defgh

6696efg

150 + 150

96.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

4029g

8292e

2347abcde

5185fgh

3188defgh

6739efg

150 + 200

119.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

4986cdefg

10704cd

2595abcd

6296bcdef

3790cde

8059bcd

150 + 250

142.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

5439abcde

11040bcd

2258abcde

5648efgh

3849cd

7805cde

200 + 100

82.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

4207fg

8319e

1684ef

5139fgh

2945gh

7047def

200 + 150

105.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

4673defg

10820bcd

2001cdef

5000ghi

3070fgh

7328def

200 + 200

128.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

5769abcd

11889bc

2338abcde

6018cdefg

3710cdef

8954b

200 + 250

151.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

6301ab

14560a

2942a

6944bcd

4957a

10752a

250 + 100

91.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

4566efg

9801d

1842def

4815hi

3204defgh

7308def

250 + 150

114.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

4074g

10137d

2199abcde

6389bcde

3137efgh

8638bc

250 + 200

137.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

5859abc

12252b

2417abcde

8148a

4138bc

10200a

250 + 250

160.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

6534a

14295a

2813ab

7407ab

4674ab

10851a

Rec. NP

69, 23, 0, 0

2637h

5670g

2516abcd

5833defgh

2576h

5735gh

Mean

4570.1

9594.4

2255.3

5686.3

3412.7

7640.3

CV (%)

12.6

8.3

16.8

10.3

14.4

10.9

Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at 5% probability level. Rec. NP = Recommended nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer.
Table 5. Mean table of effect of the combined use of NPSB blended and urea fertilizer on the grain and biomass yield (kg ha-1) of upland rice at the research station in Fogera district in 2018 and 2019.

NPSB-blended + Urea (kg ha-1)

N, P2O5, S, B (kg ha-1)

2018

2019

Pooled over two years

Grain yield

Biomass yield

Grain yield

Biomass yield

Grain yield

Biomass yield

0 + 0

0, 0, 0, 0

3979g

6116h

1783h

3611f

3101g

4863h

100 + 100

64.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

5423f

9500g

3586cdefg

10000bc

4505ef

9750fg

100 + 150

87.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

5938cdef

12216gf

3556cdefg

6852de

4747def

9534fg

100 + 200

110.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

6558abcde

13590cdef

4220abcdefg

8426cd

5389abcd

11008def

100 + 250

133.1, 36.1, 6.7, 0.7

7137ab

15853abcd

4933ab

12130ab

6035a

13991ab

150 + 100

73.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

5650ef

12682ef

2932g

5556ef

4291f

8406g

150 + 150

96.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

5996bcdef

11774fg

3922abcdefg

6296de

4959bcdef

9035fg

150 + 200

119.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

7083abc

16880ab

3407defg

6852de

5245abcde

10863ef

150 + 250

142.15, 54.15, 10.05, 1.05

6956abcd

18263a

4279abcdef

7685cde

5617abc

12974bc

200 + 100

82.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

5875def

11840fg

3744abcdefg

5556ef

4810cdef

8698g

200 + 150

105.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

6718abcde

14730bcdef

3705bcdefg

5278ef

5211abcde

10004fg

200 + 200

128.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

6853abcd

15547abcde

4655abcd

10000bc

5754ab

12773bcd

200 + 250

151.2, 72.2, 13.4, 1.4

7140ab

17982a

4239abcdefg

7778cde

5690ab

12880bcd

250 + 100

91.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

6357bcdef

13060def

3288efg

6019def

4823cdef

9539fg

250 + 150

114.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

6708abcde

15559abcde

5051a

6667de

5879a

12002cde

250 + 200

137.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

6904abcd

16252abc

4873abc

13056a

6092a

14973a

250 + 250

160.25, 90.25, 16.75, 1.75

7697a

18489a

4457abcde

8704cd

6077a

13596abc

Rec. NP

69, 23, 0, 0

7102ab

12303fg

2991fg

7361cde

4636def

10326efg

Mean

6436.3

14254.4

3888.8

7607.7

5174.7

10964.6

CV (%)

9.1

10.7

17.1

17.5

12.3

13.2

Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at 5% probability level. Rec. NP = Recommended nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer.

3.3. Yield Response Curve to N at Different Levels of P, S and B

The trend of the two years pooled grain yield responses to N at uniform levels of P2O5, S and B, as shown on the graphs below, indicate that there were significant grain yield responses to the increasing levels of N. At Libokemikem district (Graph 1a), the maximum grain yield was obtained from N level 5 (151.2 kg N ha-1) with 72.2 kg P2O5 + 13.4 kg S + 1.4 kg B ha-1. At Fogera district, the maximum grain yield was obtained from N level 4 (137.3 kg N ha-1) with 90.3 kg P2O5 + 16.8 kg S + 1.75 kg B ha-1 (Graph 1b.). This indicates, irrespective of the amount of the blended fertilizer (PSB), the yield was increasing as the level of N increased, which imply the increasing yield response was only due to the increasing levels of N.
Table 6. Level of N from NPSB.

N levels (kg ha-1)

Levels of P2O5/S/B in kg ha-1

36.1/6.7/0.7

54.1/10.0/1.05

72.2/13.4/1.4

90.2/16.7/1.75

1

0

0

0

0

2

64.1

73.15

82.2

91.25

3

87.1

96.15

105.2

114.25

4

110.1

119.15

128.2

137.25

5

133.1

142.15

151.2

160.25

Figure 3. Pooled grain yield response curves to N at different levels of P, S and B at a. Libokemikem district and b. Fogera district.

3.4. Yield Responses to Different Levels of NPSB Blended Fertilizer

The bar graphs, shown below, indicate that the significant yield difference obtained at both districts was not due to the effect of NPSB blended fertilizer (Graph 2a. and 2b.). Because, as the bar graphs reveal, the yield responses to different levels of the blended fertilizer at different levels of N was almost similar except at N level 5 in Libokemikem district and at N level 3 in Fogera district where there were some yield differences to the different levels of the blended fertilizer. Instead, the bar graphs reveal a significant yield raise as the level on N increased from level 1 to 5.
Figure 4. Effect of NPSB blended and N fertilizer on the pooled grain yield of upland rice at a. Libokemikem district and b. Fogera district.

3.5. Partial Budget Analysis

The partial budget analysis result at Libokemikem district indicates that the maximum net economic return of Ethiopian birr (Birr) 48,529.70 with marginal rate of return (MRR) of 1284.9% was obtained from 200 kg NPSB + 250 kg urea ha-1. The other treatments are dominated (Table 7). At Fogera district, the maximum net economic return of Birr 62,323.60 with MRR of 959.7% was obtained from 100 kg NPSB + 250 kg urea ha-1 (Table 8).
Table 7. Partial budget analysis of the combined use of the NPSB blended fertilizer with urea for the grain yield of upland rice (pooled over 2018 and 2019) at Libokemikem district.

NPSB + Urea (kg ha-1)

Adj. Yield (kg ha-1)

Gross return

Cost of NPSB/DAP /100 kg

Cost of Urea /100 kg

Total fertilizer Cost

Net return

MRR (%)

0 + 0

1269.9

15873.7

0

0

0

15873.8

 -

Rec. NP (50DAP+134.4Urea)

2318.4

28980.0

830.7

2092

2923.1

26056.9

348.4

100 + 100

2850.3

35628.7

1666.3

1562

3227.9

32400.9

2081.7

100 + 150

2750.4

34380.0

1666.3

2342

4008.6

30371.4

D

150 + 100

2852.1

35651.2

2499.5

1562

4061.1

31590.2

D

100 + 200

3187.8

39847.5

1666.3

3123

4789.4

35058.1

364.8

150 + 150

2869.2

35865.0

2499.5

2342

4841.8

31023.2

D

200 + 100

2650.5

33131.2

3332.7

1562

4894.2

28237.0

D

100 + 250

3579.3

44741.2

1666.3

3904

5570.2

39171.1

608.5

150 + 200

3411.0

42637.5

2499.5

3123

5622.6

37014.9

D

200 + 150

2763.0

34537.5

3332.7

2342

5675.0

28862.5

D

250 + 100

2883.6

36045.0

4165.9

1562

5727.4

30317.6

D

150 + 250

3464.1

43301.2

2499.5

3904

6403.3

36897.9

D

200 + 200

3339.0

41737.5

3332.7

3123

6455.8

35281.7

D

250 + 150

2823.3

35291.2

4165.9

2342

6508.2

28783.1

D

200 + 250

4461.3

55766.2

3332.7

3904

7236.5

48529.7

1284.9

250 + 200

3724.2

46552.5

4165.9

3123

7288.9

39263.6

D

250 + 250

4206.6

52582.5

4165.9

3904

8069.7

44512.8

D

All the cots are in Ethiopian Birr. Adj: Adjusted yield, D: Dominated, MRR: Marginal Rate of Return, Rec.NP: Recommended nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers.
Table 8. Partial budget analysis of the combined use of the NPSB blended fertilizer with urea for the grain yield of upland rice (pooled over 2018 and 2019) at Fogera district

NPSB + Urea (kg ha-1)

Adj. Yield (kg ha-1)

Gross return

Cost of NPSB/DAP/100 kg

Cost of Urea/100 kg

Total Fertilizer Cost

Net return

MRR (%)

0 + 0

2790.9

34886.2

0

0

0

34886.3

 

Rec. NP (50DAP+134.4Urea)

4172.4

52155.0

833.2

2092

2925.6

49229.4

490.3

100 + 100

4054.5

50681.2

1666.3

1562

3227.9

47453.4

D

100 + 150

4272.3

53403.7

1666.3

2342

4008.6

49395.1

21.2

150 + 100

3861.9

48273.7

2499.5

1562

4061.1

44212.7

D

100 + 200

4850.1

60626.2

1666.3

3123

4789.4

55836.8

884.4

150 + 150

4463.1

55788.7

2499.5

2342

4841.8

50946.9

D

200 + 100

4329.0

54112.5

3332.7

1562

4894.2

49218.3

D

100 + 250

5431.5

67893.7

1666.3

3904

5570.2

62323.6

959.7

150 + 200

4720.5

59006.2

2499.5

3123

5622.6

53383.7

D

200 + 150

4689.9

58623.7

3332.7

2342

5675.0

52948.8

D

250 + 100

4340.7

54258.7

4165.9

1562

5727.4

48531.3

D

150 + 250

5055.3

63191.2

2499.5

3904

6403.3

56787.9

D

200 + 200

5178.6

64732.5

3332.7

3123

6455.8

58276.7

D

250 + 150

5291.1

66138.7

4165.9

2342

6508.2

59630.6

D

200 + 250

5121.0

64012.5

3332.7

3904

7236.5

56776.0

D

250 + 200

5482.8

68535.0

4165.9

3123

7288.9

61246.1

D

250 + 250

5469.3

68366.2

4165.9

3904

8069.7

60296.6

D

All the cots are in Ethiopian Birr. Adj: Adjusted yield, D: Dominated, MRR: Marginal Rate of Return, Rec.NP: Recommended nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers.
4. Conclusion
The study revealed that the grain and biomass yield of upland rice were significantly affected by the combined use of NPSB blended fertilizer with urea. At Libokemikem district, the highest yield and the maximum net economic benefit were obtained from the combined use of 200 kg NPSB + 250 kg urea ha-1 (151.2N, 72.2P2O5, 13.4S and 1.4B kg ha-1). At Fogera district, the highest yield was recorded from the combined use of 250 kg NPSB + 200 kg urea ha-1 (137.25N, 90.25P2O5, 16.75S and 1.75B kg ha-1). But, the maximum net economic benefit was obtained from the combined use of 100 kg NPSB + 250 kg urea ha-1 (133.1N, 36.1P2O5, 6.7S and 0.7B kg ha-1). However, it is not possible to conclude the significant yield differences obtained in this study were due -to the effect of the S and B blends in the NPSB blended fertilizer. Because, there were confounding effects of N and P nutrients in the NPSB blended fertilizer. As it is revealed in the results and discussion, the significant yield response recorded, however, was due to the increasing levels of N nutrient. Therefore, we recommend further investigation of the response of NERICA-4 (upland rice) to each nutrient (P, S and B) through nutrient omission studies.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
References
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[2] Abiye Astatke, Tekalign Mamo, Peden, D. and M. Diedhiou, 2003. Participatory On-farm conservation tillage trial in Ethiopian highland vertisols: The impact of potassium application on crop yield. Experimental Agriculture 40: 369-379.
[3] Asgelil Debebe, Taye Bekele, Yesuf Assen, 2007. The status of micro-nutrients in Nitisols, Vertisols, Cambisols and Fluvisols in major maize, wheat, teff and citrus growing areas of Ethiopia. In: Proceedings of Agricultural Research Fund Research Projects Completion Workshop held on 1-2 February 2007 at EIAR, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. pp 77-96.
[4] Asnakew Woldeab, Tekalign Mamo, Mengesha Bekele and Tefera Ajamo, 1991. Soil fertility management studies on wheat in Ethiopia. pp. 137-172. In: Hailu Gebremariam, D. G. Tanner and Mengistu Hulluka (eds.). Wheat Research in Ethiopia: A historical perspective. Addis Ababa, IAR/CIMMYT.
[5] CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center), 1988. From Agronomic data to Farmers Recommendations: An economic training manual. Revised Edition. Mexico, D. F. 200p.
[6] CSA (Central Statistical Agency), 2017. Report on Areaand Production of Major Crops (Private Peasant Holdings, Meher Season) The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Central Statistical Agency Agricultural Sample Survey Volume I, 2017/18 (2010 E. C.) April, 2018. ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia.
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[8] CSA (Central Statistical Agency), 2019. Report on area and production of major crops (private peasant holdings, meher season). The federal democratic republic of Ethiopia central statistical agency agricultural sample survey 2018/19. Volume i. Statistical bulletin 589.
[9] Dagne Chimdesa, 2016. Blended fertilizer effects on maize yield and yield components of Western Oromia, Ethiopia. Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. 5(5): 151-162.
[10] Dercon, S. and R. V. Hill, 2009. Growth from agriculture in Ethiopia. Identifying key Constraints. Paper prepared as part of a study on agriculture and growth in Ethiopia. DFID, UK.
[11] EthioSIS (Ethiopian Soil Information System), 2015. Fertilizer Recommendation Atlas of the Amhara Regional State. pp.
[12] FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), 2006. Plant nutrition for food security: A guide for integrated nutrient management. FAO, Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition Bulletin 16, Rome, Italy.
[13] Hazelton P. and B. Murphy, 2007. Interpreting soil test results: What do all the numbers mean? 2nd Edition. CSIRO Publishing. 152p.
[14] John l. H. E. Mayorga, E. Tsamakis, M. E. McClain, A, Aufdenkampe, P. Quay, and J. E. Richey, 2000. Organic matter in Bolivian tributaries of the Amazon River: A comparison to the lower mainstream, Limnol. Oceanogr., 45(7) 1449-1466, American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, Inc., Washington NCS. 1992. Ethiopia nation.
[15] Jones J. B., 2003. Agronomic Handbook: Management of Crops, Soils, and Their Fertility. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton, Florida, USA. 482p.
[16] Melkamu Hordofa, Gashaw Meteke, Wassie Haile, 2019. Effects of Different blended fertilizers on yield and yield components of food barley (Hordeum vulgar L.) on nitisols at Hulla District, Southern Ethiopia. Acad. Res. J. Agri. Sci. Res. 7(1): 49-56.
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    Bekele, D., Getu, A. (2024). Investigation of Response of Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to Blended NPSB Fertilizer in Fogera and Libo Kemkem Districts of Amhara Region. American Journal of Plant Biology, 9(2), 23-34. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpb.20240902.11

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    Bekele, D.; Getu, A. Investigation of Response of Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to Blended NPSB Fertilizer in Fogera and Libo Kemkem Districts of Amhara Region. Am. J. Plant Biol. 2024, 9(2), 23-34. doi: 10.11648/j.ajpb.20240902.11

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    AMA Style

    Bekele D, Getu A. Investigation of Response of Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to Blended NPSB Fertilizer in Fogera and Libo Kemkem Districts of Amhara Region. Am J Plant Biol. 2024;9(2):23-34. doi: 10.11648/j.ajpb.20240902.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajpb.20240902.11,
      author = {Demsew Bekele and Abebe Getu},
      title = {Investigation of Response of Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to Blended NPSB Fertilizer in Fogera and Libo Kemkem Districts of Amhara Region
    },
      journal = {American Journal of Plant Biology},
      volume = {9},
      number = {2},
      pages = {23-34},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajpb.20240902.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpb.20240902.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajpb.20240902.11},
      abstract = {A field experiment was conducted for three years to evaluate and determine economic optimum rate of NPSB blended + urea fertilizers for upland rice production in Fogera and Libokemkem districts of Amhara Region. Blended NPSB fertilizer rates of 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1 were factorially combined with 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg urea ha-1. Zero fertilizer as control treatment and recommended NP as a reference treatment were included in the study. The treatments were laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results show that, in Libokemikem district, the maximum grain yield of 4.9 t ha-1 was obtained from 200 kg NPSB + 250 kg Urea ha-1, while the maximum dry biomass yield of 10.2 t ha-1 was recorded from 250 kg NPSB + 250 kg Urea ha-1. In Fogera district, the maximum grain and biomass yields of 6.1 and 15 t ha-1, respectively were obtained from 250 kg NPSB + 200 kg Urea ha-1. The partial budget analysis of the pooled data indicate that at Libokemikem district, the maximum net economic return (NER) of Ethiopian birr (Birr) 48,529.70 with marginal rate of return (MRR) of 1284.9% was obtained from 200 kg NPSB + 250 kg urea ha-1. At Fogera district, the maximum NER of Birr 62,323.60 with MRR of 959.7% was obtained from 100 kg NPSB + 250 kg urea ha-1. However, it is not possible to draw conclusions that the significant yield increment recorded was due to the contribution of S and B blends in the NPSB blended fertilizer. Because, there were confounding effects of N and P nutrients in the NPSB blended fertilizer. As it is revealed in the results, the significant yield response recorded, however, was due to the increasing levels of N. Therefore, we recommend further investigation of the response of NERICA-4 (upland rice) to each nutrient (P, S and B) through nutrient omission studies.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Investigation of Response of Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to Blended NPSB Fertilizer in Fogera and Libo Kemkem Districts of Amhara Region
    
    AU  - Demsew Bekele
    AU  - Abebe Getu
    Y1  - 2024/04/17
    PY  - 2024
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpb.20240902.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajpb.20240902.11
    T2  - American Journal of Plant Biology
    JF  - American Journal of Plant Biology
    JO  - American Journal of Plant Biology
    SP  - 23
    EP  - 34
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2578-8337
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpb.20240902.11
    AB  - A field experiment was conducted for three years to evaluate and determine economic optimum rate of NPSB blended + urea fertilizers for upland rice production in Fogera and Libokemkem districts of Amhara Region. Blended NPSB fertilizer rates of 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1 were factorially combined with 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg urea ha-1. Zero fertilizer as control treatment and recommended NP as a reference treatment were included in the study. The treatments were laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results show that, in Libokemikem district, the maximum grain yield of 4.9 t ha-1 was obtained from 200 kg NPSB + 250 kg Urea ha-1, while the maximum dry biomass yield of 10.2 t ha-1 was recorded from 250 kg NPSB + 250 kg Urea ha-1. In Fogera district, the maximum grain and biomass yields of 6.1 and 15 t ha-1, respectively were obtained from 250 kg NPSB + 200 kg Urea ha-1. The partial budget analysis of the pooled data indicate that at Libokemikem district, the maximum net economic return (NER) of Ethiopian birr (Birr) 48,529.70 with marginal rate of return (MRR) of 1284.9% was obtained from 200 kg NPSB + 250 kg urea ha-1. At Fogera district, the maximum NER of Birr 62,323.60 with MRR of 959.7% was obtained from 100 kg NPSB + 250 kg urea ha-1. However, it is not possible to draw conclusions that the significant yield increment recorded was due to the contribution of S and B blends in the NPSB blended fertilizer. Because, there were confounding effects of N and P nutrients in the NPSB blended fertilizer. As it is revealed in the results, the significant yield response recorded, however, was due to the increasing levels of N. Therefore, we recommend further investigation of the response of NERICA-4 (upland rice) to each nutrient (P, S and B) through nutrient omission studies.
    
    VL  - 9
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Fogera National Rice Research and Training Center, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

  • Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Fogera National Rice Research and Training Center, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

  • Abstract
  • Keywords
  • Document Sections

    1. 1. Introduction
    2. 2. Materials and Methods
    3. 3. Results and Discussion
    4. 4. Conclusion
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  • Conflicts of Interest
  • References
  • Cite This Article
  • Author Information