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.

Effect of Application of Compost With Inorganic Fertilizer on Population of Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria and Maize Yield in Dry Land

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of a combination of manure and inorganic fertilizer (NPK and Urea) on the population of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and the yield of maize. The study was carried out from June to October 2018 in the Kemantren Village, Alas Kulak Hamlet, Jabung District, Malang Regency. This study used a randomized block design consisting of 8 treatment levels and repeated three times. The results of the analysis of variance showed that the application of a combination of compost, fertilizer (NPK and Urea) gave significantly different results to the population of phosphate solubilizing bacteria C-organic, P-total, P-available, dry shelled weight and stover weight. The treatment of 2 t ha-1 compost + 100 kg ha-1 NPK + 50 kg gave the highest yield for the population of phosphate solubilizing bacteria with a value of 61×104 CFU.g-1. Maize production yields obtained treatment of 2 t ha-1 of compost + 400kg.ha-1NPK + 200 kg.ha-1 Urea reached a value of 8.65 t ha-1.

Long-term effects of combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer on soil properties and microorganisms in a Quaternary Red Clay

Quaternary Red Clay (QRC) is the most common planting soil with low soil fertility and low crop yields in Southeast China, with low soil fertility and low crop yields. Many factors can impact the fertility and utilization efficiency of QRC. Here, we conducted a long-term fertilization experiment from 1984 to 2013. Five fertilization measures were carried out, including non-fertilization group; chemical Fertilizer group; 70% chemical and 30% organic fertilizer group; 50% chemical and 50% organic fertilizer group; 30% chemical and 70% organic fertilizer group. Soil organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and nitrogen (SMBN), and soil enzymes activity were measured to evaluate the changes of soil. In addition, soil microorganisms were determined by high-throughput sequencing technology, and the dominant microbes were screened. The higher the proportion of organic fertilizer was, the higher the soil OM content was. The OM content of the non-fertilization group was the lowest. Similarly, SMBC and SMBN showed a consistent trend with OM content. Illumina sequence results showed that the application of organic fertilizer reduced the relative abundance of Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria and Nitrospirae, but increased Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. The relative abundance of Acremonium and Mortierella were also greatly increased by different fertilization strategies. However, when high proportion of organic fertilizer was applied, the abundance of Acremonium and Mortierella decreased. Long-term balanced inorganic fertilization (NPK, 60%N:20%P:20%K) can effectively improve the quality and fertility of QRC. The effect of different fertilization strategies on fungi was greater than that on bacteria. The change of soil microorganism also proved the validity of inorganic fertilizer application.

Effect of Organic Manures and Inorganic Fertilizer on the Leaf Characters of Banana

A field experiment was carried out at Instructional cum Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Biswanath College of Agriculture, AAU, Biswanath Chariali to study the effects of organic manures and inorganic fertilizer on leaf characters of banana cv. Amritsagar (AAA) during 2016-2017. The research work was carried out with the treatments as follows T1: FYM (Farm Yard Manure) + Microbial Consortia, T2: Enriched Compost, T3: Vermicompost, T4: Microbial Consortia, T0: RDF (FYM + NPK). Healthy suckers were planted in each plot with spacing of 2.1m x 2.1m on 27th May 2016. The treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 were laid out in certified organic block in RBD with 5 replications while the treatment T0 was laid out outside the organic block with five replications. In the organics, T1 recorded the highest number of functional leaves (7.97, 12.46 and 5.37) in vegetative stage, shooting stage and harvesting stage respectively. Highest leaf area of 2.69 m2 at vegetative stage and 11.17 m2 at shooting stage were recorded in T1 while lowest leaf area of 2.41 m2 at vegetative stage and 8.89 m2 at shooting stage were recorded in T4. Leaf area index was highest in T1. Chlorophyll content index in both vegetative stage (45.29) and shooting stage (65.56) was also highest in T1. Comparing the leaf characters (number of functional leaves, leaf area, leaf area index and chlorophyll content index) under organic treatments with that of T0 treated plants, it was found that plants treated with inorganic fertilizer had more number of functional leaves and better leaf character than that of the plants treated with organics.

Effect of Varying Levels of Poultry Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Cucumber in Anyigba, Kogi State

The growth and yield of cucumber in response to the effect of poultry manure and inorganic fertilizer (NPK 20:10:10) was evaluated at the Teaching and Research farm of Kogi State University Anyigba, Nigeria during the 2021 raining season. Treatment consisted of poultry manure which was applied at 0, 7.5 and 15t/ha and inorganic fertilizer (NPK 20:10:10), applied at the rate of 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6t/ha respectively. The experiment was laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates following all agronomic practices as recommended. Combined rates of poultry manure at 15t/ha and 0.6t/ha of fertilizer were found to significantly increased (P≤0.05) growth characters such as number of leaves, vine length at 4, 6 and 8WAS. Longest vines of 602.75cm and 213.75leaves was obtained with combined application of 15t/ha PM + 0.6t/ha NPK fertilizer at 8WAS respectively. Similarly, Fruit length, Number of fruits, Fruit weight/plant, Fruit yield/ha were significantly influenced (P≤0.05) by the combined application of 15t/ha PM + 0.4t/ha NPK, while the control plots consistently gave the least yield across sampling periods.

SOIL CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES AND PRODUCTIVITY OF ARABLE CROP FARMERS IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined soil conservation techniques and its effect on productivity of arable crop farmers in Kogi state, Nigeria. Data were collected from 184 farmers using three stage sampling technique. Data analyses were carried out using descriptive statistics, Total Factor Productivity (TFP) and regression analysis. Result shows that the soil conservation technique prevalent in the area was application of inorganic fertilizer. About 36.4% of the sampled household heads have productivity value above average across all the soil conservation categories (productive). Result also reveals that age (-1.801), household size (-0.310) and access to credit (-0.056) impacted arable crop farmers negatively while alley cropping (0.357), crop rotation (0.380), application of inorganic fertilizer (0.503), mulching (0.560) and organic manure (0.373) positively impacted arable farmers’ productivity. The study concludes that soil conservation techniques are productivity enhancer. Promoting sustainable conservation techniques that are farm or farmer specific is recommended.

The Effectiveness Of Pre-Planting Seeds Bio-Matriconditioning And Application Of Fertilization With Leisa Technique On Growth Of Areca Nut Seedling (Areca Catechu L.)

Areca nut is widely used as industrial raw material, both for health and cosmetics and as a source of renewable energy. This study aimed to examine the combination of seed bombatriconditioning and LEISA fertilization treatments that were effective in increasing the growth of areca nut seedlings. The research was carried out in the Wua-Wua Kendari Village, from March to July 2021. The study used a split-plot design with a completely randomized design (CRD). The main plot is seed biomatriconditioning treatment which consists of 3 treatments. While the subplots were fertilized with the LEISA technique which consisted of 6 treatments so that 18 treatment combinations were obtained with 3 replications. Observations were made on plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, number of roots, wet weight and dry weight of shoot. Observational data were analyzed using analysis of variance, followed by the DMRT α0.05 if there was a significant effect. The results showed that seed biomatriconditioning treatment with rhizobacteria integrated with the LEISA technique was able to increase the growth of areca nut seedlings. The integration between L1R biomatriconditioning and the application of organic plus fertilizer + 100% inorganic fertilizer showed a better growth performance of areca nut on plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, number of roots, wet weight and dry weight of betel nut which were significantly different with control and application 100% inorganic fertilizer, but not significantly different from organic plus fertilizer, organic plus fertilizer + 50% inorganic fertilizer and organic plus fertilizer + 25% inorganic fertilizer. As a conclusion, pre-planting seed treatment with L1R biomatriconditioning is very important to increase areca nut seed germination. To increase the growth of areca nut seedlings, further fertilization needs to be done with organic plus fertilizer or a combination of organic plus fertilizer + 25% inorganic fertilizer.