1Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia
2School of Plant Science, Hawassa University, Ethiopia
*Corresponding Author: Mesfin Bibiso, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia, Email: mefbab2009@gmail.com
Online Published on 10 November, 2022.
Ethiopia has used only DAP and urea, which supplies only N and P with a blanket application rate.
This study recommended soil test-based fertilizer(s) for agricultural soils of three districts in the Kambata Tembaro zone of southern Ethiopia. Four hundred sixty geo-referenced composite soil samples were collected and analyzed.
The result revealed that N, P, K, S, B and Cu were deficient in the soils of the study area. Overlay analysis showed that 13 fertilizers could be recommended for the study area using possible element combinations. However, only NPSB and NPSBCu were found to be dominant by covering 89 and 11% after pooling other formulations, which span over less than 5% to more similar larger fertilizer types. Among soil samples collected, 16% of soil samples were found at pH values <5.5 and therefore required liming. The application of DAP and urea only can't afford optimum crop production in the study area. In addition to N and P, S, B and Cu were deficient in the study area. A further detailed study is recommended to determine the adequatelyblended fertilizers and liming rates.
Blended fertilizers, Critical level, Soil fertility mapping, Soil fertility status
