Elucidating sole application of farmyard manure and blended NPSB fertilizer effects on soil properties at Bench Shako and West Omo zone, South West Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil nutrient depletion is the main problem in Ethiopia for agriculture sector. Comparison of organic and inorganic source of fertilizer is needed for soil physicochemical properties improvement. Hence, the current study was investigated to investigate the sole application of farmyard manure and blended NPSB fertilizer on soil properties. For this investigation, farm yard manure at three level (0,5, and 10 t ha-1) and NPSB at four level (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha-1). All collected data were analysed by GenStat software. Sole application of farm yard manure signif- icantly improves soil bulk density ((1.23 gcm3 to 1.11 gcm3 at kuja Guraferda, and 2.22 gcm3 to 1.12 g/cm3 deka Maenit-Goldia) and soil moisture content from 12.14 % to 33.79 % at kuja, and 11.88 % to 36.01%at deka). More over application of farm yard manure improve soil pH (6.15) organic carbon (6.20 mg/kg) available phosphorus (18.94 mg/kg, total nitrogen (0.32), sulfur (18.27), boron, exchangeable base, cation exchange capacity, micronutrients (copper, manganese & zinc). Application of NPSB fertilizer improves only, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, sulfur and boron. Application of Farm yard manure significantly improve soil physicochemical prop- erties than NPSB mineral fertilizer in comparison. Therefore, application of farm yard manure is more important than mineral NPSB fertilizer for sustainable soil physical and chemical properties improvement from soil management aspect. Thus, application farmyard manure at 10 t/ha is recommended for the studied soil at West Omo zone Maenit-Goldia district, Deka kebele, and Bench-Skako zone, Guraferda district at Koyi kebele, south west people regional state, South West Ethiopia.