Comparison of Teff (Eragrostis teff (Zucc.) Trotter) Varieties in Response to Blended NPSZnB Fertilizer On-Farm and on Research Station

Abstract

Teff is an important food crop for the majority of Ethiopian; however, its productivity is constrained by lack of improved varieties and low soil fertility. Thus, field experiments were conducted in 2019/20 and 2020/21 main cropping seasons at Yaya Gulale district on the farm and at Adama district on research station, respectively to assess the response of teff varieties to NPSZnB-blended fertilizer. Three teff varieties (Dagim, Kora, Nigus) and five rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1) of blended NPSZnB fertilizer were evaluated on both sites. The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design of factorial arrangement with three replications at both locations. The highest biomass (7,639 kg ha-1), grain (1,944 kg ha-1), and straw (5,696 kg ha-1) yields were recorded from variety Kora without statistical difference from variety Dagim as compared to variety Nigus on-station. More yields were also recorded from the station compared to on-farm. Highest biomass (7,341 and 8,868), grain (1,767 and 2,477), and straw (5,507 and 6,391 kg ha-1) yields were recorded from on-farm and on-station sites, respectively, at 200 kg ha-1 NPSZnB. Also, the highest mean lodging index (82.56% and 63.89%) was observed on plots supplied with 200 kg ha-1 NPSB on-farm and on-station, respectively. In addition, the partial economic analysis showed that Dagim variety at 200 and 150 kg ha-1 NPSZnB generated better net benefits (533,745 and 106,204 Birr ha-1) with higher marginal rate of returns (6,771.9% and 4,621.9%) on-farm and on-station, respectively. Therefore, it was concluded that the teff variety Dagim grown with 200 kg ha-1 at Yaya Gulale district (on-farm) and with 150 kg ha-1 NPSZnB applications at Adama district (on-station) is promising treatments for production and economic advantages of teff in Ethiopia.