Tropentag, October 9 - 11, 2007 in Witzenhausen "Utilisation of diversity in land use systems: Sustainable and organic approaches to meet human needs"

Effects of Tillage System, Previous Crops and N-P Rate on Agronomic Parameters of Wheat at Shambo in Horro Highlands, Ethiopia

Oromiya Agricultural Research Institute (OARI), Bako Agricultural Research Center, Agronomy and Crop Physiology, Ethiopia

Abstract

In the Horro highlands, wheat cultivation with conventional tillage and N-P fertiliser application on fields that had previously other crops, is the common system for smallholder farmers. In this area, the effects of conventional and minimum tillage, the previous crops and the rate of N-P fertiliser on wheat yield have not previously been tested. A trial was conducted to compare the effects of tillage system, previous crops and N-P fertiliser rate on wheat yield. Two-tillage systems (minimum and conventional tillage), three-previous crops (Niger seed, faba bean and barley) and two N-P rates (75 and 100% of the recommended fertiliser rate) were tested and compared with continuous wheat for both tillage systems in three replications.
Tillage system, previous crop and N-P fertiliser rate significantly influenced wheat grain and straw yield. Minimum tillage gave higher grain and straw yield. Wheat following Niger seed, gave higher grain and straw yield, followed by faba bean and barley as compared to continuous wheat. Highest wheat grain and straw yield were obtained from with minimum tillage, following Niger seed and faba bean with the recommended N-P fertiliser rate. Niger seed and faba bean were the best precursor crop for wheat production in the region. Application of recommended rate of fertilisers following previous crops was necessary for wheat production. Thus integrated use of these factors have the potential to increase wheat grain yield in Horro highlands.

Keywords: Cropping sequence, fertiliser rate, tillage system

Contact Address: Tolera Abera Goshu, Oromiya Agricultural Research Institute (OARI), Bako Agricultural Research Center, Agronomy and Crop Physiology, P.O. Box 26, Bako, Ethiopia, e-mail: akthirphayahoo.com