The use of fertilizers in balanced and adequate amounts is a prerequisite for increasing crop productivity and production. Unbalanced plant nutrient management continues to be a major factor contributing to low maize (Zea mays L.) yields due to lack of information on the dose–responses to macronutrients on different soil types in Ethiopia. This study was carried out to quantify maize yield response and agronomic efficiency of varying application rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S) under balanced application of other nutrients across two soil types in Ethiopia. Field trials were set up on 29 farmers’ fields in four districts of Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR) for three consecutive cropping seasons (2014–2017). The treatments consisted of six rates of N, P and S each and eight rates of K combined with balanced application of the remaining macronutrients, zinc (Zn) and boron (B). The treatments were laid out in randomised complete blocks design with three replicates per farm. Using nutrient dose–response modelling, the agronomic optimum rates of N, P, K and S were estimated at 46, 40, 17 and 10 kg ha−1 on Nitisols, with balanced application of the other nutrients. On Andosols, the optimum rates of N, P and S were estimated at 184, 20 and 30 kg ha−1, respectively, but the optimum K rate could not be estimated. The predicted maximum yields obtained with balanced nutrient application were lower on Andosols (3397–3640 kg ha−1) than on Nitisols (4630–6094 kg ha−1). Using the Mitscherlich dose–response model, the percentage deficiencies of N, P, K and S were estimated to be 1.3–3.3 times more on Nitisols than Andosols. Consequently, agronomic efficiencies of N, P, K and S were significantly lower on Andosols than on Nitisols. It is concluded that balanced application of 46 kg N ha−1, 40 kg P ha−1, 17 kg K ha−1, 10 kg ha−1 S, 2 kg Zn ha−1 and 0.5 kg B ha−1 could be recommended for maize on Nitisols in the study area. Although this recommendation may also apply to Andosol, further research is needed as the productivity of Andosols appears to be limited by constrains other than N, P, K, S, Zn and B. We also recommend a shift from the blanket fertilizer recommendations to site-specific nutrient management based on good understanding of the variations in crop response with soil type and agroecology and appropriate soil and plant analyses.

均衡和足量的肥料使用是提高作物产量和产量的先决条件。不平衡的植物养分管理仍然是导致玉米（Zea maysL.) 由于缺乏关于埃塞俄比亚不同土壤类型对常量营养素的剂量反应信息的产量。本研究旨在量化在埃塞俄比亚两种土壤类型平衡应用其他养分的情况下，不同施用量的氮 (N)、磷 (P)、钾 (K) 和硫 (S) 的玉米产量反应和农艺效率。连续三个种植季节（2014-2017 年）在奥罗米亚州和南方民族和民族地区（SNNPR）四个区的 29 个农田进行了田间试验。这些处理包括 6 种比例的 N、P 和 S，以及 8 种比例的 K，并结合平衡施用剩余的大量营养素锌 (Zn) 和硼 (B)。处理采用随机完整区组设计，每个农场三个重复。-1在 Nitisols 上，平衡应用其他营养素。在 Andosols 上，N、P 和 S 的最佳比例分别估计为 184、20 和 30 kg ha -1，但无法估计最佳 K 比例。Andosols (3397–3640 kg ha -1 )的预测最大产量低于Nitisols (4630–6094 kg ha -1 )。使用 Mitscherlich 剂量反应模型，Nitisols 的 N、P、K 和 S 的百分比缺陷估计为 Andosols 的 1.3-3.3 倍。因此，N、P、K 和 S 在 Andosols 上的农艺效率显着低于 Nitisols。得出的结论是，平衡施用 46 kg N ha -1、40 kg P ha -1, 17 kg K ha -1 , 10 kg ha -1 S, 2 kg Zn ha -1和 0.5 kg B ha -1可推荐用于研究区 Nitisols 上的玉米。尽管此建议也可能适用于 Andosol，但需要进一步研究，因为 Andosols 的生产力似乎受到 N、P、K、S、Zn 和 B 以外的约束条件的限制。我们还建议从一揽子肥料建议转向现场施肥- 基于对作物响应随土壤类型和农业生态学的变化以及适当的土壤和植物分析的充分了解的特定养分管理。