Determinants of Inorganic Fertilizer Use Intensity on Cereal Crop among Smallholder Farmers: The Case of Toke Kutaye District, West Shewa Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

The study was aimed to analysis determinants of inorganic fertilizer use intensity on cereal crops among small holders in Toke Kutaye District, West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. Correctional data were collected from 156 respondents using two stage random sampling methods. Data analyses were carried out using descriptive statistics and Double hurdle model. Result of the first hurdle reveals that out of twelve explanatory variables Sex ,Education, Off/non-farm income, Land size and Improved seed were determine positively whereas Age and Distance from nearest market determine small holders use of inorganic fertilizer negatively. The result of second stage of double hurdle model indicate that, out of twelve explanatory variables Sex, family size and Land size were positively affect extent (intensity) of inorganic fertilizer use whereas Age and Distance of household from nearest market determine use intensity negatively. Therefore, these results implied that there is a room to increase inorganic fertilizer use intensity on cereal crop productions. Hence, Farmers capacity to purchase this input beginning from lower income farmers to model farmers should be acknowledged; and should be designed the means to address those who have no ability to use inorganic fertilizer in their own farm through diverse development interventions.

Application of Corn Straw and Woody Peat to Improve the Absorption and Utilization of 15N-Urea by Maize

Increasing nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency has become an environmental and economic demand in order to minimize losses of nitrogen and maximize the output from nitrogen added. The application of organic amendments with N fertilizers could be proposed as an important economic and environmental practice for improving N fertilizer use. A two-year field experiment was carried out using the 15N tracer technique to study the impact of corn straw and woody peat application on uptake and utilization of N fertilizer by maize plant. Three treatments were set up: CK (15N labeled urea alone), CS (15N labeled urea + crushed corn straw) and WP (15N labeled urea+ crushed woody peat). The results showed that, as compared to CK, both straw and peat treatments led to (i) an increase in yield of maize, 15N urea utilization rate, and residual 15N urea remained in soil by 11.20% and 19.47%, 18.62% and 58.99%, 41.77% and 59.45%, respectively, but (ii) a decrease in the total loss rate by 6.21% and 16.83% (p < 0.05), respectively over the two seasons. Moreover, the significantly highest effect was recorded with woody peat application rather than that with corn straw. Our study suggests that corn straw and woody peat can be used as organic fertilizers to increase maize yields, promote nitrogen fertilizer balance sheet, reduce the leaching of N fertilizer into the subsurface soil layer, and facilitate the further absorption and utilization of soil residual nitrogen. Therefore, the application of humified organic material play a crucial role in N utilization efficiency enhancement.

Replacing 30 % chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer increases the fertilizer efficiency, yield and quality of cabbage in intensive open-field production

ABSTRACT: The combined application of chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizer is an effective way to improve soil fertility, crop yield and quality. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the yield, quality and fertilizer use efficiency of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) grown under different ratios of organic fertilizer replacing chemical fertilizer at a rate of 225 kg N ha-l in 2019 and 2020. The fertilizer treatments included N0 (non nitrogen fertilizer), CK (only compound fertilizer was applied, N:P:K=15.0 %:6.5 %:12.4 %), T1, T2 and T3 (organic fertilizer replaced 15 %, 30 % and 45 % chemical fertilizer, respectively), and T4 (total nutrient input was reduced by 10 % under T2). Results showed that T2 had the highest marketable yield and fertilizer use efficiency, as well as the best quality. The marketable yield, vitamin C content, soluble sugar content, REN (apparent uptake efficiency of fertilizer N) and AEN (agronomic N use efficiency) of T2 increased by 32.2 %, 14,9 %, 5.5 %, 97. % and 55.6 %, respectively, in contrast, the crude fibers decreased by 34.0 %, compared with CK in the two years. In addition, T4 guaranteed the yield and moderately improved the quality of cabbage, compared with CK. Therefore, we can alternatively apply fertilization according to the purpose of capturing the highest yield or properly declining fertilizer to sustain soil texture and productivity.

A Study on Knowledge and Utilization of Soil Health Card by Small and Marginal Farmers in Nalanda District of Bihar

Soil health and fertility is the basis for sustainable profitability of the farmers.Hence, there is a need for balanced use of fertilizers, keeping this government of India introduced Soil Health Card Scheme across India. On 5th December 2015 the ministry of agriculture introduced the soil health card (SHC) scheme.Some farmers complained that the soil test values are not representative of their fields and they also complained that the field staff are not collected soil samples in their presence.In this background an attempt was made to study the impact on socio-economic conditions of the small and marginal farmers.Total of 120 respondents was selected in Ekangarsarai block, Nalanda district, Bihar by purposive sampling method. The data was collected from them and analyzed using MS-excel.Given the short duration of the scheme, knowledge levels are good. At the same time participation of farmers in meetings, exposure visits are not high. Awareness campaigns need to be organized on content of SHCs, use of recommended practices, reduction in fertilizer use and costs and increase in profitability.