Ethiopian Journal of Science and Sustainable Development

e-ISSN 2663-3205 Volume 7 (1), 2020

Journal Home Page: www.ejssd.astu.edu.et ASTU

Research Paper

Combination of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer to Improves Tef (Eragrostis tef)

Yield and Yield Components and Soil Properties on Nitisols, in the Central Highlands

of Ethiopia

Girma Chala


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

Article Info Abstract

Keywords:

Compost

Farm yard manure

Nitrogen Phosphorus

Tef

A field experiment was made to evaluate combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers on yield

and yield components of tef and soil properties. The study was conducted for three consecutive

cropping seasons (2015-2017) on farmers’ fields in Welmera district of Oromiya Regional State. The

objective of this study was to evaluate the response of organic and inorganic nutrient source on growth

and yield of tef under balanced fertilizers. The treatments included eleven selected combinations of

organic and inorganic nutrient sources (Farm yard manure, Compost, Nitrogen and Phosphorus). The

design was randomized complete block with three replications. Results revealed that tef yield and

yield components were significantly affected by the application of organic and inorganic fertilizer

sources. The highest tef grain yield (2042.6 kgha-1) was obtained from the applications of 25%

compost with 75% recommended nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer. While, highest biomass yield

(8535.4 kgha-1) was obtained from the applications of full doses of recommended N and phosphorus

fertilizers. Application of the different organic fertilizers improves the organic matter, Total N,

available P and pH of the soil in the study area. The result also showed that the highest marginal rate

of return was obtained from application of 50% FYM (farm yard manure) + 50% recommended

nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer, which is economically the most feasible alternative for tef

production on nitisols of central Ethiopian highlands. Therefore, based on the MMR application of

50% FYM (farm yard manure) + 50% recommended nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer can be

recommended for tef production for the study areas.

1. Introduction

Cereals are an important dietary protein and energy

source throughout the world (Bos et al., 2005). Tef is

grown as important cereal in Ethiopia (Abeba, 2009). It

is national obsession and is grown by an estimated 6.3

million farmers (Claire et al., 2014). It has also recently

been receiving global attention particularly as a ‘health

food’ due to the absence of gluten and gluten-like

proteins in its grains (Spaenji et al., 2005). Tef has

significantly highest share in Ethiopia in area of

production and it was reported that tef covered 27.02%



Corresponding author, e-mail: chalagirma4@gmail.com

https://doi.org/10.20372/ejssdastu:v7.i1.2020.145

of the total area under cereal production followed by

maize 17.3% (CSA, 2017/18).

Tef performs well at an altitude of 1800-2100 mater

above sea level annual rainfall of 750-1100 mm, a

temperature of 10°C-27°C it can adapt wide range of

agro-climatic conditions (Ketema, 1993). Moderately

fertile clay and clay loam soils are ideal for tef. It can

also withstand moderate water logged conditions

(National Soil Service, 1994). Regardless of its wider

adaptation, productivity of tef is low in the country with

http://www.ejssd.astu.edu/
https://doi.org/10.20372/ejssdastu:v7.i1.2020.145

Girma Chala . Ethiop.J.Sci.Sustain.Dev., Vol. 7 (1), 2020

the national average grain yield of 1.65 tons ha-1 (CSA,

2017/18). This is mainly because of low soil fertility

(Negassa et al., 2013) and severe organic matter

depletion (IFPRI, 2010) aggravated by low rate of

chemical fertilizer application. The rate of chemical

fertilizer application is low in the country due to

unaffordable price for resource-poor smallholder

farmers (Endale, 2011). The continued use of chemical

fertilizers is also not recommendable as it causes for

health and environmental hazards such as ground and

surface water pollution by nitrate leaching (Pimentel D.,

1996).

One of the possible options to make use of low rate

of chemical fertilizer application without nutrient

deficiency of the soil could be recycling of organic

wastes. But it is also difficult to attain sustainable

productivity either by inorganic fertilizers or organic

sources alone (Godara, 2012). The best remedy for soil

fertility management is, therefore, a combination of both

inorganic and organic fertilizers, where the inorganic

fertilizer provides nutrients and the organic fertilizer

mainly increases soil organic matter and improves soil

structure and buffering capacity of the soil (Godara,

2012). The combined application of inorganic and

organic fertilizers is also widely recognized as a way of

increasing yield and improving productivity of the soil

sustainably (Mahajan et al., 2008). Nutrient management

has major role to play in obtaining higher productivity

and sustainable production of crops cannot be

maintained by using chemical fertilizers alone, because

of deterioration in soil physical and biological

environments (Khan et al., 2008). Several researchers

(Singh et al., 2001) have demonstrated the beneficial

effect of integrated nutrient management in mitigating

the deficiency of many secondary and micronutrients.

There are also some research reports in Ethiopia that

revealed the combined effect of organic (Vermicompost,

compost and manure) and chemical (NP) fertilizer

enhanced the yield of tef and reduced the amount of

recommended chemical fertilizer by half (Girma et al.,

2017). Similarly, effect of organic sources (compost

and manure) and chemical (NP) fertilizer enhanced the

yield of teff and reduced the amount of recommended

chemical fertilizer by half (Kassahun et al., 2012 and

Agegnehu et al., 2014) Though there is a huge variation

in crop response to different NP fertilizer rates, 64/46

N/P2O5 kgha-1 was given by Ministry of Agriculture

and Rural Development as national blanket

recommendation (Yadeta et al., 2012). Farmers in

Ethiopia have also awareness about compost and have

been preparing and using huge amount especially in

central highlands of Ethiopia (personal comminution).

However, there is little information about the rate of

application of compost and chemical fertilizer in the

study area either to apply in sole or in combination. This

work, therefore, aimed to determining the effect of

organic and inorganic fertilizers and their combinations

on the yield and yield components of tef.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Experimental Site

The experiment was conducted in the District of

Welmera and Ejere, West Shewa Zone of Oromia

National Regional State for three consecutive cropping

seasons (2015, 2016 and 2017). The experiment site is

located at 090 03′ N latitude and 380 30′ E longitude and

altitude 2400 meter above sea level for welmera and 090

02′ N and 380 26′ E (Figure 1) and an altitude of 2200

meter above sea level for Ejere. Distance of Welmera

and Ejere 30 and 45 km west of Addis Ababa

respectively. The mean annual rainfall of the study area

was 1100mm of which about 85% falls from June to

September and the rest from March to May (Holeta

Agricultural Research unpublished Metrological data).

The mean annual temperature is about 14.30c, with the

mean maximum and minimum temperatures of 21.70c

and 6.90c respectively (Figure 2).

The major soil types of the trial sites are Eutric

Nitisols (FAO-WRB, 2006). The crops widely grown in

the study area include wheat (Triticum aestivum L.),

barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), tef (Eragrostis tef), faba

bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and potato (Solanum

tuberosum L.)(Personal communication).

2.2. Experimental materials and layout

The experimental Compost and farm yard was

prepared following the standard procedure for compost

preparation (Suparno et al. 2013). The weight of the

compost and farm yard manure was measured for each

level at air dried (at 10.5% moisture) bases right before

application. The teff variety named kuncho (DZ-Cr-

387), which was developed and released by Debrezeit

Girma Chala . Ethiop.J.Sci.Sustain.Dev., Vol. 7 (1), 2020

Figure 1: Map of the study area

10.0

11.0

12.0

13.0

14.0

15.0

16.0

17.0

0.0

50.0

100.0

150.0

200.0

250.0

300.0

350.0

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

RF(mm)

Tem(0C)

Figure 2: Annual rainfall and average mean of temperature in Holeta from 2006 to 2017 (Source: Holeta Agricultural

Research Center Meteorological Report).

Agricultural Research Centre in 2006 was used for the

experiment. It is a high yielding white-seeded cultivar

adapted to a wide range of altitudes. Urea (46% N) and

DAP (18% N and 46% P2O5) were used as a source of

nitrogen and phosphorus. The experiment was laid out

in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in

factorial arrangement and treatments were replicated

three times. The trial was carried on permanent plots

during the experimental period. The gross plot size was

3 m × 3 m (9 m2) and the net plot size was 2.6m × 2.5 m

(6.5 m2). Compost was incorporated to the soil on

prepared seedbeds twenty one days before planting and

chemical fertilizers (NP) were applied during planting

and seeds were row planted at the rate of 12 kgha-1. All

other cultural practices were uniformly applied as per

the recommendations.

2.3. Treatment Combinations

T1= Negative control

T2= Recommended NP

T3= Recommended FYM based on N equivalency

T4= Recommended Compost based on N

equivalency

T5= 25% Recommended FYM based on N

equivalency + 75% Recommended NP

Girma Chala . Ethiop.J.Sci.Sustain.Dev., Vol. 7 (1), 2020

T6= 50% Recommended FYM based on N

equivalency + 50% Recommended NP

T7= 75% Recommended FYM based on N

equivalency + 25% Recommended NP

T8= 25% Recommended Compost based on N

equivalency + 75% Recommended NP

T9= 50% Recommended Compost based on N

equivalency + 50% Recommended NP

T10=75% Recommended Compost based on N

equivalency + 25% Recommended NP

T11=33% FYM +33% Compost +33%

Recommended NP

Samples were collected from well decomposed

farmyard manure and compost before they were applied

to the field. Then their N and P contents were analyzed

in the laboratory to determine the rate of application of

each treatment, which was based on recommended N

equivalent rate for the test crop. The contents of N and

P before application in the analyzed samples were

0.88% N and 0.68% P for conventional compost both on

55% dry weight basis and 1.72% N and 0.76% P for

farm yard manure on 50% dry weight basis. Manure and

compost were applied to the field three weeks before

sowing and thoroughly mixed in the upper 15 to 20 cm

soil depth. Nitrogen and P fertilizers were applied in the

form of Urea and DAP respectively. To minimize the

loss and increase its efficiency half rate of N was applied

as split at planting and the remaining half was side

dressed at tillering stage of the crop whereas all P rates

were applied as basal application during planting time.

The seed was drilled at the recommended seed rate of

15kg/ha in row on 5th, 8th and 6th July of 2015, 2016 and

2017 respectively. To avoid variability came by sowing

date, the trial was planted at the same date at both

districts because of Welmera and Ejere districts were

classified under similarly agro-ecology and crop

planting calendar for both districts from July 1- July 12

are the critical time for tef. All recommended agronomic

management practices were carried out during the crop

growth period as per needed.

2.4. Data Collection and Analysis
Composite surface soil samples were collected from

experimental fields (0-20 cm depth) before treatment

application. Similarly, soil samples were collected after

harvest of the crop from each plot and then composited

by replication to obtain one representative sample per

treatment. The collected samples were analyzed for the

determinations of pH, organic carbon (OC), total N and

available P. Soil pH was determined with a pH meter

from soil: water of 1:1 (w/v) (Carter, 1993). Organic

carbon was determined by the method of Walkley and

Black (1934) and total N using Kjeldahl method

(Jackson, 1958). Available P was determined following

the procedures of Bray and Kurtz (1945).

Collected plant samples include grain yield, above

ground total biomass, plant height and panicle length.

Grain and biomass yield were measured based on plant

samples taken from ten central rows (2.6m x 2.5m=

6.5m2), plant height was measured (in cm) by taking five

randomly selected plants per plot from the soil surface

to the tip of the crop at full maturity stage. Grain yield

was adjusted to a moisture content of 12.5% before

taking sample weight.

The agronomic data were subjected to analysis of

variance (GLM procedure) using SAS statistical

computer package (SAS, 2002). The total variability for

each trait was quantified using separate and pooled

analysis of variance over years using the following

model (Gomez and Gomoz, 1984):

Pijk =µ+Yi + Rj (i) + Tk + Ty (ik) + eijk

Where pijk is total observation, µ = grand mean, yi=

effect of the ith year, Rj (i) is effect of the jth replication

(with in the ith year), Tk is effect of the Kth treatment

with ith year TY (ik) is the interaction of kth treatment

with ith year and eijk is the random error. Duncan

multiples range test (DMRT) at 5% probability level

was used to detect differences among means.

2.5. Economic Analysis
Economic data was collected to assess the costs and

benefits associated with different treatments, partial

budget, dominance and marginal analyses following

technique described by CIMMYT (1988). The average

yield was adjusted downwards by 10% to reflect the

difference between the experimental yield and the

expected yield of farmers from the same treatment. This

is because, experimental yields even from on-farm

experiments under representative conditions, are often

higher than the yields that farmers could expect using

the same treatments. For calculation the three years

average market grain price of teff (ETB 20 kg-1), farm-

gate price of Urea and DAP fertilizers (ETB 11kg-1 and

Girma Chala . Ethiop.J.Sci.Sustain.Dev., Vol. 7 (1), 2020

13.5 kg-1) respectively. Variable cost ratio (VCR) was

calculated as a ratio of value of increased crop output to

the cost of fertilizer applied. VCR measures the average

gain in the value of crop output per kg of fertilizer

applied.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Effects of combination nutrient use on soil

chemical properties
Mean soil chemical properties such as pH, organic

carbon (OC), N and P measured for samples was taken

after harvesting. The result showed that higher

concentrations of pH, total nitrogen (TN) and organic

carbon (OC) were recorded from full dose application

of farm yard manure (FYM) (Table 1). The lowest soil

pH, TN, and OC were recorded from the negative

control and the highest value of available phosphorus

was obtained from full dose of compost. Though the

values of OC were generally rated as low (Jones, 2003),

the highest OC, 1.72% was recorded from plots treated

with full doses of farm yard manure and the least

(1.22%) was from the negative control treatment (Table

1). Likewise, the total N and available P determined

after harvesting is rated medium (Tekalign, 1991). As

mentioned above for OC, the highest soil total N (0.

26%) was recorded from plots treated with full doses of

farm yard manure. The lowest soil N content 0.18% was

obtained from negative control treatment as usual.

Similarly, the highest soil available P (17.2 mg kg-1) was

recorded from plots treated with full doses of compost.

The highest pH value 5.2 was recorded from full

doses of farm yard manure .The average soil pH of the

experimental field after harvest was found to be 4.87,

which is indicate some improvements but the soil still in

acidic range. The lowest soil pH (4.26) was recorded

from negative control treatment. Similarly, Ano and

Ubochi (2007) reported that application of animal

manure and compost increased soil pH. According to

Murphy (2007) rating, CEC content of soil after

harvesting was very low (<6), low (6 to 12), medium (12

to 25), high (25 to 40), and very high (>40). The result

showed that the cation exchange capacity of study areas

was medium (22.8 Cmolckg
-1). While the highest value

of sulfur was obtained from application of full doses of

farm yard manure (3.66 ppm). This may due to

combination organic and inorganic sources nutrient

provides excellent opportunities to overcome all the

imbalances besides sustaining soil health and enhancing

crop production. According to Vanlauwe et al. (2001)

the direct interactions between chemical fertilizer and

organic matter can improve soil fertility by restocking

nutrients lost through leaching and by modifying the pH

of the rhizosphere and making unavailable nutrients

available. Generally, the above results indicate that

combination use of organic and inorganic nutrient

sources have significant improvement in the overall

condition of the soil as well as agricultural productivity

if best alternative option is adopted in the tef production

area.

Table 1: physical and chemical soil characteristics (0-20cm depth) of the experimental site after crop harvesting

Treatments Soil physic-chemical properties

Textural

class

(H2O)

(%)

Av.P (ppm) Sulfur

(ppm)

OC (%) CEC

Cmolckg
-1

Negative Clay 4.26 0.18 10.6 2.82 1.22 18.6

RNP Clay 4.6 0.20 14.5 2.86 1.61 19.1

FYM Clay 5.2 0.26 15.4 3.66 1.72 22.8

Com Clay 5.06 0.24 17.2 2.74 1.64 18.2

25%FYM + 75% RNP Clay 4.8 0.22 13.6 2.16 1.48 20.4

50%FYM + 50% RNP Clay 4.9 0.22 14.8 3.08 1.58 18.8

75%FYM + 25% RNP Clay 5.02 0.25 16.4 3.24 1.66 20.6

25% Com + 75% RNP Clay 4.8 0.22 15.6 3.28 1.63 19.7

50% Com + 50% RNP Clay 5.0 0.21 14.2 2.66 1.58 18.5

75%Com + 25% RNP Clay 4.8 0.23 15.6 3.17 1.62 21.8

33%FYM +33% Com +

33% RNP

Clay 5.18 0.24 16.8 2.91 1.64 22.2

Ground mean 4.87 0.225 14.97 2.96 1.58 20.06

TN=Total; Av.P=Available phosphorus; OC=Organic carbon; CEC=Cation exchange capacity

Girma Chala . Ethiop.J.Sci.Sustain.Dev., Vol. 7 (1), 2020

3.2. Effects of combination organic and inorganic

nutrient on Tef yield and yield components

The combined analysis of variance over three years

showed that the effect of combination organic and

inorganic nutrients was highly significant (p<0.01) on

grain yield, biomass and day to physiological maturity

but significantly affected at (p<0.05) plant height,

panicle length and harvest index. The highest grain yield

and plant height of tef (2042.6 kg ha-1 and 101.7cm

respectively) were obtained from the application of 25%

compost and 75% recommended rate of nitrogen and

phosphorous. While the highest biomass yield

(8535.4kg-1) was obtained from application of full dose

of recommended nitrogen and phosphorus. The result of

date physiological maturity was high at application of

full dose of farm yard manure (146.8) and compost

(146.3) and followed by negative control treatment

(table 2). The application of 25% compost with 75%

recommended N and P has also given comparable grain

yield as compared to application of full dose of

recommended N and P from inorganic fertilizer.

Negative control treatment was given the lowest grain

and biomass yields under all tested parameters (table 2).

Therefore, the results of this study has clearly indicated

that it is possible to fairly increase tef yield through

combined or multiple nutrient application approach,

rather than applying nutrient from one source. In line

with the current result, research findings of Tekalign

Mamo et al. (2001), Getachew Agegnehu et al. (2011)

and Girma et al., (2017) indicated that wheat has

showed significance response to the combined soil

fertility management treatments containing both organic

and inorganic forms under farmers’ field condition that

they could be considered as alternative options for

sustainable soil and crop productivity in the degraded

highlands of Ethiopia.

The highest (37.9cm) panicle length was recorded

from application of 25% FYM + 75% Rec NP, whereas

the lowest (29.0cm) panicle length was obtained from

negative control treatments. This result is in line with

many authors (Ejaz et al. 2002; Wakene et al., 2014)

reported that panicle length of cereals were increase

with increasing as NP rates increased. Harvest index

shows the physiological efficiency of plants to convert

the fraction of photo-assimilates to grain yield. Harvest

index was significantly affected at (P< 0.005) to the

combination of organic and inorganic nutrient sources,

the highest (32.6%) and lowest (23.3%) harvest index

was obtained from control treatments and recommended

nitrogen and phosphorus respectively. In contrast, a

mean HI of about 50% with a positive trend due to

increasing nitrogen rate had previously reported in

Ethiopia (Taye et al., 2002). There was substantial

variation in harvest index of different from verities to

varieties.

Table 2: Effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers application on Tef yield and yield components

Treatments GY(kg/ha) BY(kg/ha) Ph(cm) Pl(cm) DPM HI

Negative 746.7e 2505.1g 72.9c 29.0c 146.2a 32.6a

Rec NP 1980.4ab 8535.4a 102.0a 36.0ab 137.4d 23.3b

FYM 1279.1cd 4212.1efg 91.4ab 33.6ab 146.8a 30.9ab

Compost 1028.1cd 3863.6fg 81.8bc 31.6bc 146.3a 26.8ab

25% FYM + 75% Rec NP 1956.0ab 6358.6bcd 100.8a 37.9a 138.1d 23.8b

50% FYM + 50% Rec NP 1804.7ab 7378.8ab 98.4a 34.9ab 140.1cd 24.6ab

75% FYM + 25% Rec NP 1363.3cd 5717.2bcde 91.8ab 34.6ab 143.7ab 24.1ab

25% Comp + 75% Rec NP 2042.6a 7388.9ab 101.7a 35.0bc 137.4d 27.9ab

50% Comp + 50% Rec NP 1608.40bc 6813.1bc 93.0ab 35.6ab 142.6bc 31.7ab

75% Comp + 25% Rec NP 1323.8cd 5222.2cdef 94.3ab 35.3ab 144.8ab 25.8ab

33% FYM + 33% Comp + 33% Rec NP 1319.3cd 4853.5def 90.9ab 34.1ab 144.9ab 27.9ab

Critical range (CR) 405.5 1707.3 14.3 4.56 3.18 8.65

CV (%) 17.4 19.2 9.9 8.52 1.43 20.4

*, **= significant at P< 0.05 and P< 0.001, respectively; ns= not significant. Means in a column with the same letter are not

significantly different from each other; GY= grain yield; BY= biomass yield; Ph= plant height; SL= panicle length; DPM= days
physiological maturity, HI= Harvest index

Girma Chala . Ethiop.J.Sci.Sustain.Dev., Vol. 7 (1), 2020

Table 3: Partial budget and dominance analyses of organic and inorganic fertilizers trial on Tef

Treatments

DAP

(kg/ha)

Urea

(kg/ha)

Ave GY

(kgha-1)

Adj GY

(kgha-

GB (EB

ha-1)

DAP

(cost)

Urea

(cost)

TCV

(EB ha-1)

NB(EB

ha-1)

MRR

(%)

egative 0 0 746.7 672.0 13440.6 0 0 0 13440.6

FYM 0 0 1279.1 1151.2 23023.8 0 0 0 23023.8

Compost 0 0 1028.1 925.3 18505.8 0 0 0 18505.8

75% FYM + 25%

RNP 37.5 32.5 1363.3 1226.9 24539.4 506.3 357.5 863.8 23675.7 598.5

75% Comp + 25%

RNP 37.5 32.5 1323.8 1191.4 23828.4 506.3 357.5 863.8 22964.7D

33% FYM + 33%

Comp + 33%

RNP 50 43.5 1319.3 1187.4 23747.4 675 478.5 1153.5 22593.9D

50% FYM + 50%

RNP 75 65 1804.7 1624.2 32484.6 1012.5 715 1727.5 30757.1 819.9

50% Comp + 50%

RNP 100 65 1956 1760.4 35208 1350 715 2065 33143 706.9

25% FYM + 75%

RNP 100 113.5 1608.4 1447.7 28951.2 1350 1248.5 2598.5 26352.7D

25% Com + 75%

RNP 100 113.5 2042.6 1838.3 36766.8 1350 1248.5 2598.5 34168.3D

RNP 150 130 1980.4 1782.4 35647.2 2025 1430 3455 32192.2D

Ave GY=Average yield; Adj GY=Adjusted yield; GB= Growth benefit; TCV=Total cost varies; NB= Net benefit;

MRR=Marginal rate of return.

3.3. Economic Analysis

The economic analysis showed that the application

of 50% of farm yard manure plus 50% recommended N

and P fertilizers provided the highest marginal rate of

the return (MRR) of 819.9% (Table 3) suggesting for

one birr invested in wheat production, the producer

would collect birr 8.19 after recovering his investment.

Since the MRR assumed in this study was 100%, the

treatment with application of 50% of farm yard manure

and 50% recommended NP gave an acceptable MRR.

Therefore, the application 50% FYM (based on N

equivalent rate) and 50% N and P fertilizers mentioned

above is found economical to be recommended on

Nitisols of the study area and similar locations in the

central highlands of Ethiopia.

4. Conclusion

The results of three years result were significantly

different from each other and the residual effect of the

previous year fertilizer application as the plots were

fixed during the experimental period. Results of soil

analysis after harvesting revealed that application of

organic fertilizer improved soil pH, OC, total N and

available P. Based on marginal return rate the use of

50% recommended nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers

from inorganic sources plus 50% farm yard manure

based on N equivalent ratio should be recommended for

farmers because they were affordable options for

increasing soil fertility status and tef yield with

improving soil physical and chemical properties in the

small-scale farming systems of the study area. Hence,

combined or multiple use of chemical fertilizer and

locally available organic fertilizer application is the best

approach for achieving higher fertilizer-use efficiency,

maximum yield and economic return of input than the

sole application of either of the input types.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Ethiopian Institute of

Agricultural Research (EIAR) and would like to express

their appreciation to Mr. Haile Beza, Mr. Beyene Offa,

Mr. Tesfaye Negash, Mrs. Kessach Birhanu, and Mrs.

Tigist Feyisa for their technical assistance during the

execution of the experiments under field condition.

Appreciation is also due for the services of the analytical

soil laboratory of Holeta Agricultural Research Centre.

Girma Chala . Ethiop.J.Sci.Sustain.Dev., Vol. 7 (1), 2020

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