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Maize and sorghum nutrient response functions for Ethiopia

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Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) are important intermediate and low elevation crops in Ethiopia but yields are low. The information for determination of nutrient rate recommendations with site specificity is scarce. On-farm and on-station trials were conducted to determine the yield responses to N and P and to diagnose K–Mg–S–Zn–B deficiencies in central, northern and western Ethiopia. Mathematical functions for grain yield response to applied nutrients were fitted, the economical optimum rates (EOR) were determined, and profit potential for fertilizer use was assessed. Maize and sorghum grain yields were inconsistently affected by N and P application across trials with no response in some cases. The overall mean EOR for N were 47 and 60 kg ha−1 for maize and 23 and 37 kg ha−1 for sorghum with high and low cost fertilizer-N, respectively. The overall maize response to P was linear with EOR of P > 30 kg ha−1 for all fertilizer-P costs. The overall sorghum response to P was too inconsistent to fit a response function and the results indicated an EOR of 0 kg ha−1 for all fertilizer costs considered. The overall maize and sorghum responses to N were curvilinear to plateau implying that the profit to cost ratio can be improved by applying fertilizer-N at less than EOR giving an opportunity to farmers who are financially-constrained in fertilizer use.

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Abbreviations

CP:

kg of maize or sorghum required to equal the cost of 1 kg of nutrient applied

EOR:

The economically optimal rate of nutrient application or the rate expected to maximize net return per hectare to nutrient application

PCR:

Profit to cost ratio, or the net benefit divided by the added costs due to application of a nutrient

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Acknowledgements

The work was implemented as part of a network of research institutions in 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa to improve farmers’ profit potential of fertilizer use for diverse food crops. It was financially supported by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (Grant No. AGRA SHP 2013-3) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Grant No. AGRA SHP 2013-3). It had technical and scientific advisory support from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. We acknowledge the contributions of research support technicians and the farmers who cooperated in conducting field trials.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, P. O. Box, 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Feyera M. Liben, Tigist Adisu, Obsa Atnafu, Israel Bekele & Hayelom Berhe

  2. Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583-0915, USA

    Charles S. Wortmann

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  1. Feyera M. Liben
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  2. Tigist Adisu
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  3. Obsa Atnafu
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  4. Israel Bekele
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  6. Charles S. Wortmann
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Correspondence to Feyera M. Liben.

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Liben, F.M., Adisu, T., Atnafu, O. et al. Maize and sorghum nutrient response functions for Ethiopia. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 117, 401–410 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-020-10077-7

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