Evaluation of micro-dosing fertilizer application on sorghum (Sorghum bicholor L) production at Wag-Lasta Areas of Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Soil fertility management through inorganic fertilizer application in areas with moisture shortage needs due care. The fertilizer application fashion should vary from areas with ample moisture so that the plants can easily access and efficiently use it. Therefore, field experiment was conducted in 2014 and 2015 during the main cropping season under rain-fed condition to evaluate the effect of micro-dose application of N and P fertilizers on sorghum yield at Aybra and Shumshiha sites of Wag-Lasta areas in Amhara Region, Ethiopia where moisture shortage is acute. The treatments were comprised of a factorial combination of three levels of NP i.e. 1), 25% of the recommended NP = 10.25 kg N + 11.5 kg P(2)O(5) ha(−1)(,) 2), 50% of the recommended NP = 20.5 kg N + 23 kg P(2)O(5) ha(−1) and 3), 75% of the recommended NP = 30.75 kg N + 34.75 kg P(2)O(5) ha(−1) and three N application times plus control (without fertilizer) and recommended NP (41 kg N ha(−1) and 46 kg P(2)O(5) ha(−1)). The experiment was laid down in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The fertilizers were applied to the spot where the seed was planted except for the recommended NP which was drilled to the planting rows right before planting. Phosphorus was applied at planting while nitrogen was applied in split as per the treatment setup. All soil and agronomic data were collected and analyzed following the standard procedures. The analysis of variance revealed that application of 30.75 kg N ha(−1) and 34.5 kg P(2)O(5) ha(−1) (N applied 1/3 at sowing, 1/3 at emergence and 1/3 at 45 days after emergence) increased the grain yield by 122% over the control and 28.4% over the recommended NP and saves 25% of the recommended fertilizer at Aybra. While at Shumshiha-Lasta Lalibela, application of 20.5 kg N ha(−1) and 23 kg P(2)O(5) ha(−1) (N applied 1/3 at sowing, 1/3 at emergence and 1/3 at 45 days after emergence) increased the grain yield by 174% over the control and 15% over the recommended NP and saves 50% of the recommended fertilizer. Therefore, micro-dosing application of 30.75 kg N ha(−1) and 34.5 kg P(2)O(5) ha(−1) for Aybra-Sekota and of 20.5 kg N ha(−1) and 23 kg P(2)O(5) ha(−1) for Shumshiha-Lasta Lalibela (N applied in three splits) are recommended for sorghum production.