The Response of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Tef [(Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) to All-purpose Yates Thrive Fertiliser on Vertisols of Northern Ethiopia
Hagos Brhane *
Mekelle Soil Research Center, Tigray Agricultural Research Institute, Mekelle, Ethiopia
Mehretab Haileselassie
Mekelle Soil Research Center, Tigray Agricultural Research Institute, Mekelle, Ethiopia
Bereket Haileselassie
Mekelle Soil Research Center, Tigray Agricultural Research Institute, Mekelle, Ethiopia
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A greenhouse pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of all-purpose yates thrive, which is a new water-soluble compound fertiliser that was brought from Australia on the yield and yield components of wheat and tef on Vertisols brought from Hintalo Wajirat district. The experiment consisted of six treatments (control, recommended NP, recommended yates thrive, half recommended yates thrive, twice recommended yates thrive and recommended yates thrive plus adjusted NP) in three replications. The results of the experiments depicted that, spike/panicle length, straw and grain yields of wheat and tef were improved. Inline to this, the highest yield and yield component of both crops were obtained at the recommended rates of its thrive plus adjusted NP except the straw yield of tef. But statistically the plant height and panicle length were not significant. Thus, yates thrive can be used for cereals an alternative fertiliser by adjusting the level of N and P with cost-benefit analysis of the technology as compared to the existing fertiliser types.
Keywords: Yates thrive, yield, tef, wheat, vertisols