Integrated nutrient management strategies for soil fertility improvement and Striga control on Northern Ethiopia

Experiments were conducted near Sirinka and Mekele in the highlands of northern Ethiopia during 1996 and 1997 to determine effects of integrated nutrient management practices on Striga density and yields of maize (Zea mays) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in farmers fields and on-station. Field trials consisted of a factorial combination of four levels of inorganic fertiliser N (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha-1 from Urea) and four rates of farmyard manure (0, 10, 20 and 30 t ha-1). Striga emergence was minimised with the application of 120 kg N ha-1. The combined application of 40 kg N ha-1 and 30 t ha-1 manure also significantly reduced Striga emergence. The combined application of manure and N (40 kg N ha-1 and 30 t ha-1 for sorghum and 80 kg N ha-1 and 30 t ha-1 manure for maize) increased crop yields at Sirinka during the second season. Thus, improving the N status of the soil help suppress Striga. However, long-term studies are required to quantify these beneficial effects of N on Striga density.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Esilaba, A.O, Fasil Reda, Ransom, J.K., Wondimu Bayu, Woldewahid, G., Zemichael, B.
Format:	Article biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	African Crop Science Society 2000
Subjects:	AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, Striga Management, Nitrogen Fertilization, NITROGEN FERTILIZERS, STRIGA, WEED CONTROL,
Online Access:	https://hdl.handle.net/10883/21356
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