Optimizing Sorghum Productivity: Varietal Responses to Blended NPSB Fertilizer under Irrigation in Dasenech Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

Dr. Almaz H. Wodajo, Dr. Getu T. Abate — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a vital cereal crop, particularly in Ethiopia, serving as a staple food and fodder source. Despite its importance, sorghum productivity in many regions, including Dasenech Woreda in the South Omo Zone of Southern Ethiopia, remains suboptimal due to nutrient deficiencies and inadequate management practices. This study was conducted to evaluate the growth, yield, and yield components of different sorghum varieties in response to varying rates of blended NPSB (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Boron) fertilizer under irrigated conditions. A field experiment was designed using a factorial arrangement of sorghum varieties and NPSB fertilizer rates, laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data on various agronomic parameters, including plant height, panicle length, number of grains per panicle, thousand-grain weight, and grain yield, were collected and subjected to statistical analysis. Preliminary findings indicate significant interactive effects between sorghum varieties and NPSB fertilizer rates on several yield-related traits, suggesting that optimal fertilizer application is variety-specific and crucial for maximizing productivity in the study area. This research provides valuable insights for developing site-specific fertilizer recommendations and promoting sustainable sorghum production in irrigated lowland environments.

American Journal Of Agriculture And Horticulture Innovations

Optimizing Sorghum Productivity: Varietal Responses to Blended NPSB Fertilizer under Irrigation in Dasenech Woreda, Southern Ethiopia