AbstractBread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important cereal crops in Ethiopia. The productivity of wheat is markedly constrained by nutrient depletion and inadequate fertilizer application. The experiment was conducted to study the effect of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilizer rates on growth, yield, nutrient uptake and use efficiency during 2019 cropping season on Kedida Gamela Woreda, Kembata Tembaro Zone Southern Ethiopia. Factorial combinations of four rates of N (0, 23, 46 and 69 kg Nha−1) and three rates of K2O (0, 30 and 60 kg Nha−1) in the form of urea (46–0-0) and murate of potash (KCl) (0-0-60) respectively, were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that most parameters viz yield, yield components, N uptake and use efficiency revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) due to interaction effects of N and K. Fertilizer application at the rate of 46 N and 30 kg K ha−1 resulted in high grain yield of 4392 kg ha− 1 and the lowest 1041 from control. The highest agronomic efficiency of N (52.5) obtained from the application of 46 kg N ha−1. Maximum physiological efficiency of N (86.6 kg kg−1) and use efficiency of K (58.6%) was recorded from the interaction of 46 and 30 kg K ha−1. Hence, it could be concluded that applying 46 and 30 kg K ha−1was resulted in high grain yield and economic return to wheat growing farmers of the area. Yet, in order to draw sound conclusion, repeating the experiment in over seasons and locations is recommended.
Selection for high spike fertility index increases genetic progress in grain yield and stability in bread wheat
