Response of crops to fertilizer application in volcanic soils
Yihenew G.Selassie,
Eyayu Molla,
Dinku Muhabie,
Fentanesh Manaye,
Demelash Dessie
Affiliations
Yihenew G.Selassie
Department of Natural Resources Management, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, P. O. Box 5501, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.
Eyayu Molla
Department of Natural Resources Management, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, P. O. Box 5501, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Dinku Muhabie
Amhara National Regional State Environment, Forest and Wildlife, Protection and Development Authority, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Fentanesh Manaye
Woldia Trade and Transport Office, Woldia, Ethiopia
Demelash Dessie
Dera District Office of Agriculture, Ambesame, Ethiopia
Potassium (K) has been considered as a non-deficient nutrient in most Ethiopian soils. However, some studies recommended K application to K sufficient soils if K/Mg ratio is 351 mg kg−1). The K/Mg values ranged from 0.60 to 0.80 in Mollic Nitisols (aric, humic), 0.70 to 0.88 in Pellic Vertisols (aric, gilgaic, mazic) and 0.71 to 1.04 in Vertic Luvisols (aric, nitic), and the values increased with an increasing K rates. However, wheat, tef and maize grain yields showed an increasing trend up to K/Mg ratio of 0.71 in Mollic Nitisols (aric, humic), 0.78 in Pellic Vertisols (aric, gilgaic, mazic) and 0.88 in Vertic Luvisols (aric, nitic), respectively, and declined above these values.
