International Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science

Vol. 6(1), pp. 474-480, February, 2019. © www.premierpublishers.org, ISSN: 2167-0449

Research Article

Response of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Different Rates

of Nitrogen and Phosphorus at Fiche-Salale, Highlands of
Ethiopia
*Alemu Dugassa1, Ketema Belete2, Tesfaye Shimbir3
1Salale University, Ethiopia
2Haramaya University, Ethiopia
3Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, wheat is being cultivated on about 1.51 million hectares, delivering 3.3 million tons of
grain yields. However, productivity of this crop is low compared to its potential due to many
factors among which N and P play a vital role. Field study was conducted in 2014 crop season at
Fiche-Salale with the objective of determining the optimum rates of N and P fertilizer for wheat
production. The treatments consist factorial combination of four level of N (0, 32, 64 and 96 kg/ha)
and four level of P (0, 23, 46 and 69kg P2O5/ha) which were replicated three times in a randomized
complete block design. Wheat variety, Digelu, was used as a test crop. The result of the study
indicated that grain and biological yields were significantly affected only due to main effect N.
The highest (3284 kg/ha) and lowest (2383 kg/ha) grain yield was obtained from application of 96
kg N/ha and 0 kg N/ha, respectively. Similarly, the highest (6611.00 kg/ha) and lowest (5145.00
kg/ha) biological yield was obtained from 96 kg N/ha and 64 kg N/ha, respectively. The highest
MRR was also attained at 96 kg N/ha (6998.80%). Hence, 96 kg N/ha is profitable for the area.

Key words: biomass yield, grain yield, fertilizer rate, wheat

INTRODUCTION

Wheat (Tiriticum aestivum L.) is an important large-acre
crop which is growing on more acres globally than any
other crop. It is a staple food for about one third of the
world’s population (Hussain and Shah, 2002). In Ethiopia,
it is being cultivated on about 1.51 million ha, delivering
about 3.3 million tons of grain yields which make the
country the largest wheat producer in sub Saharan Africa
(CSA, 2013) and the 2nd in Africa after South Africa
(Demeke and Di Marcantonio, 2013). However, the
Ethiopian government is forced to import wheat every year
because of higher demand than supply.
Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are considered as the
most deficient nutrients in soils of Ethiopia, including North
Shoa zone of Oromia National Regional State (Asnakew
et al., 1991; Anonymous, 2000). Similarly, FAO (2002)
reported that declining soil fertility has been identified as
one of the most important constraints to limit food
production in Ethiopia, in particular and in Africa in general.
high human population pressure, intensification in land
use, inadequate soil and water conservation measures,
expansion of cropping marginal lands and poor soil
management. This low productivity can be enhanced
through improved crop management practices, including
application of fertilizers. High yielding wheat varieties
demand adequate nutrient supply to produce maximum
grain yield (Ali and Yasin, 1991). Determining the optimum
rate of N and P fertilizer rate is the key to maximize the
economic yields. Best experiences in some bread wheat
producing areas of Ethiopia like Bale and Arsi zones
showed the yield of bread wheat can be maximized
beyond 4 t/ha by using N and P fertilizers integrated with
other better crop management options DZARC (1989).
*Corresponding Author: Alemu Dugassa, Salale
University, Ethiopia. Tel: +251912214387 Email:
alemudj@yahoo.com. Co-Author 2Tel: +251911745226;
Email: 2
ketemabeletekb@gmail.com; 3Tel:

This is true in the highlands of Ethiopia specifically due to 3

+251911945344 gessesetesfaye@yahoo.com

Response of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Different Rates of Nitrogen and Phosphorus at Fiche-Salale, Highlands of Ethiopia
Dugassa et al. 475
In view of the above findings, information related to N and
P fertilizer recommendation in Fiche-Selale area is limited.
Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate
the effect of N and P rates on yield and yield components
of bread wheat and find economically appropriate rates of
N and P fertilizer rates for the study area.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Site Description
The experiment was conducted in 2014 cropping season
at Fiche (Selale), central highlands of Ethiopia, which is
112 km away from Addis Ababa in northern direction on
the way to Gojam. It is located between latitude and
longitude of 9°48’N and 38°44’E and 9.800°N and
38.733°E, respectively, and at 2,738 m above sea level.
The soil of the experimental site is slightly acidic and has
high organic matter content. The soil texture is grouped as
a clay type. Data from Ethiopian Meteorological Agency
(EMA) indicated that the area receives average annual
rainfall of 1179.36mm and has maximum and minimum
temperatures of 8.29 and 20.50 °C, respectively (EMA,
2007-2014). There is no site specific recommendation of
fertilizer in an area. However, farmers use blanket
recommendation of 100 kg urea and 100 kg DAP/ha
fertilizer which contained 64kg N and 46kg P2O5.
Experimental Materials
Improved variety of wheat, Digelu, released by Kulumsa
Agricultural Research Center in 2005, was used as a test
crop. N and P fertilizers were applied in the form of urea
(46% N) and triple super phosphate (46% P2O5),
respectively.
Treatments and Experimental Design
The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of four
levels of N (0, 32, 64 and 96 kg/ha) and four levels of P (0,
23, 46 and 69 P2O5 kg/ha) arranged in RCBD with three
replications. Each plot consisted of 7 rows which are 20cm
apart and 3m in length. Full dose of P and half dose of N
were applied to the soil at the time of sowing and the
remaining half dose of N was applied at tillering stage. The
control in this experiment is the combination which
contained 0 N by 0 P2O5.
Data Collection
Crop phenology
• Days to 50% heading: recorded when 50% of the
plants on the plots produced head from the date of
sowing.
• Days to 50% maturity: Recorded after 50% of the
plants on the plots reached maturity stage from the date
of sowing.
Response of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Different Rates of Nitrogen and Phosphorus at Fiche-Salale, Highlands of Ethiopia
Growth parameter
• Plant height (cm): At maturity, five plants were taken
at random from five central rows and their heights were
measured from the base of the plant to tip of the spike
using meter tape. Finally, average value was taken as
height of a plant.
• Spike length (cm): At maturity, five plants were taken
at random from five central rows and their spike length
was measured from the base of the spike to its tip using
meter tape. Finally, average value was taken as length
of spike of a plant.
Yield and yield components
• Number of effective tillers per square meter: After
heading, the number of tillers that produced heads were
counted for the five central rows by using 0.5mx0.5m
quadrant and subsequently converted in to tillers per
square meter.
• Number of seeds per spike: Five plants were
randomly selected from five central rows of a plot at
maturity. The number of seeds in each spike was
counted after threshing with hand. The average values
were taken as number of kernels per spike.
• Thousand-Grain weight (gm): 1000 grains were
counted at random from each treatment after the grain
had attained a moisture content of 12%. Its weight was
measured using sensitive balance.
• Above ground dry biomass (kg/ha): The entire five
central rows were harvested at maturity and placed in
to sacks. After it was allowed to dry in the sun, its weight
was measured by using Salter balance (manufactured
in 2012) and subsequently converted in to kg/ha.
• Grain yield (kg/ha): Sun-dried biomass was threshed
in the sack using stick. Only grain weight was taken
after cleaning and the grain yield was subsequently
converted in to Kg/ha.
Soil Sampling and Analysis
• Soil sample was taken from up to 30cm before planting
from the entire field to assess the chemical properties
of the soil like soil pH, organic carbon, N and P.
• Collected samples were dried for five days under shade
to prevent volatilization losses of N. After the samples
were dried, clods and large aggregates were crushed
and mixed. Then the crushed material was further
ground using pistle and mortar to pass 2 mm sieve.
• Sedimentation technique was used to determine soil
texture.
• Determination of soil pH was done using Potentiometric
method was used to determine the pH of the soil
• Walkley and Black (1934) method was used to
determine organic matter content of the soil while
Determination of total N in the soil (%) was made by
Kjeldahl method (source) and Olsen et al. (1954)
method was used for estimating available soil P.
 Int. J. Plant Breed. Crop Sci. 476

Economic Analysis a suitable range of pH for the availability of P, it can be

concluded that the soil of this area is naturally poor in P.
The cost of 100 kg urea (1160 birr), DAP (1552 birr) and Generally, the soil of the study area was found to be
wheat grain price of 1600 birr per 100 kg used for the suitable for wheat production.
benefit analysis. Marginal rate of return was calculated as
change of benefit divided by change of cost as described Table 1: Selected physico-chemical properties of the
by CIMMYT (1988). The yield adjustment used was 90% experimental soil before planting
of the actual yield. Physical properly chemical property
Textural OM Total Available
MRR (%) = (∆NR/∆TVC) x 100 Texture (%) class pH (%) N (%) P (ppm)
Where, MRR= marginal rate of return, ∆NR= change in net Sand Silt Clay
revenue, ∆TVC= change in total variable cost. 16.00 18.00 66.00 Clay 5.88 3.14 0.11 5.16

NR= TR – TVC Effect of N and P on Wheat Phenology

Where, TR= Total revenue, TVC= total variable cost.
TR= AGY x Price of the wheat grain
TVC= Cost of N fertilizer + Cost of P fertilizer
Where, AGY= Adjusted grain yield
AGY= GY – (UGY x 10%)
Where, GY= Grain yield, UGY= unadjusted grain yield.
Days to 50% heading and Maturity
Analysis of variance indicated that days to 50% heading
was significantly (P<0.05) effected by N rate while P and
NxP interaction showed a non significant effect on both
days to 50% heading as well as 50% maturity. Days to
50% maturity was also not significantly affected due to
application of N fertilizer.

Data Analysis The longest days to 50% heading (86.58) was observed
for the higher N rate (64 kg N/ha), whereas the lowest
Analyses of variances for recorded data were done using value (83.17) was recorded for the control treatment
GenStat program to determine the relationship between (Table 2). Except for 96kg N/ha, which is par with 64 kg
yield and yield components due to application of N and P N/ha, increment in N rate from control to 64kg/ha resulted
fertilizer rates. Least significant difference (LSD) test at 5% in delayed heading. Nitrogen rate of 96kg/ha and 64kg/ha
probability was used for mean separation when the were significantly different from the control. However, 32,
analysis of variance indicated the presence of significant 64 and 96 kg N/ha were not significantly different from
differences. each other. Similarly, the control and 32kg N/ha were
statistically identical. Nitrogen applied at a rate of 32, 64
and 96 kg/ha delayed the date to 50% heading by 0.5, 3.41
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION and 3.16 days, respectively, compared to the control. This
may probably be attributed to excess N supply causes
Soil Physico-Chemical Properties of the Experimental higher photosynthetic activities, vigorous growth, delayed
Site in heading & maturity (Mengel and Kirkby, 1996).
Accordingly, Cock and Ellis (1992) have also reported that
The results indicated that texture of the soil in the study N fertilizer application had a significant effect on days to
area is dominated by the clay fraction. On the basis of heading.
particle size distribution, the soil contains 16% sand, 18%
silt, and 66% clay (Table 1). According to the soil textural Table 2: Phenological parameters as affected by N and P
class determination triangle, soil of the study area was rates
found to be clayey. High clay content might indicate better N (Kg/ha) Days to 50% heading Days to 50% maturity
water and nutrient holding capacity of the soil in the study 0 83.17a 156.75
area. According to Tekalign (1991), soil reaction (pH) of 32 83.67ab 157.83
the experimental site is moderately acidic (i.e., between 64 86.58b 158.50
5.3-5.9), which is suitable range for most crops. The pH of 96 86.33b 158.67
most agricultural soils is generally in the range of 4 to 9 LSD(0.05) 2.95 NS
(Fageria et al., 1990). The study area, as described by CV% 4.20 2.90
Tekalign (1991), has medium/moderate OM content SEM (±) 1.02 1.33
(between 2.59 - 5.17%) and high total N (between 0.12 -
0.25%). Soil available P as determined by Cottenie (1980) Where, NS = non-significant. Variable means followed by
was low (5 – 9 mg/kg soil). Since P availability is the same letters with in a column are not significantly
determined by pH of the soil and the soil of this area is in different (P < 0.05).

Response of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Different Rates of Nitrogen and Phosphorus at Fiche-Salale, Highlands of Ethiopia
Dugassa et al. 477

Growth Parameter The result indicated that highest effective number of tillers
(636/m2) was observed when 96 kg N/ha and 46 kg
Plant height P2O5/ha were applied. On the other hand, the lowest
number of tillers (313/m2) was produced from control
Plant height was affected significantly (P<0.01) due to
treatment (Table 4). The results also revealed that tiller
main effect of N and NxP (P<0.05) due. But, non
number was high under higher NP combinations. The
significant differences were observed to main of effect
probable reason for this might be due to the fact that NP
Phosphorus.
supply played a significant role in plant growth and
Plots received 96 kg N and 46 kg P2O5 /ha produced the development, increase in number of grains per spike,
highest plant height (101.33cm). In contrast to this, the number of fertile tillers and grain yield. Nitrogen has
shortest plant height (84.67cm) was recorded from the positive effect on cytokinin synthesis which stimulates
control plot. All treatments were significantly different from formation of new tillers (Botella et al. 1993) while P plays
the control, except treatments containing N/P2O5 of 0/46, significant role in preventing abortion of formed tillers. This
64/23 and 64/69 kg/ha (Table 3). This may probably be result agrees with the findings of Prystupa et al (2004),
due to N supply causes higher photosynthetic activities, who reported that number of productive tillers/plant was
vigorous growth (Mengel and Kirkby, 1996). Phosphorus significantly affected by NP fertilizer application.
has also significant effect on dry matter yield and individual
plant characteristics like height, number of leaves and leaf Table 4: Interaction effect of N and P fertilizer rate on
area (Ayoub et al., 2002). Pervez et al. (2009) have Number of effective tillers/ m 2 of wheat
reported significant increase in plant height of wheat with P2O5 (kg/ha)
application of N. At the same time, adequate P enhances N (kg/ha) 0 23 46 69 Mean
many physiological processes and the fundamental 0 313.00a 486.00bcdef 489.00bcdef 551.00def 459.75
processes of photosynthesis, thus, helping in plant growth 32 508.00bcdef 385.00abc 356.00ab 548.00def 449.25
(Brady and Weil, 2002). The result is also in accordance 64 569.00ef 404.00abcd 532.00cdef 427.00abcde 483.00
with the findings of Kausar et al. (1993), Ayoub et al. 96 479.00bcde 433.00abcde 636.00f 574.00ef 530.50
(1994), Maqsood et al. (1999) and Khan et al., (2009) who Mean 467.25 427.00 503.25 525.00
reported that plant height increased significantly with LSD (%) 153.90
increasing level of NP. CV (%) 19.20
SEM (±) 53.30
Table 3: Plant height (cm) as affected by interaction of N Means followed by the same letters are not significantly
and P rates different (P <0.05)
P2O5 (kg/ha)
N (kg/ha) 0 23 46 69 Mean Number of seeds per spike
0 84.67a 96.40def 88.20abc 94.07bcdef 90.84
32 92.20bcde 95.87def 97.73def 99.73f 96.38 Phosphorus and interaction of N x P fertilizers had highly
64 100.80f 91.00abcd 95.33cdef 87.80ab 93.33 significant (P < 0.01) effect on the number of seeds per
96 98.33def 97.13def 101.33f 99.13ef 98.98 spike, but effect due to main effect N was non-significant.
Mean 94.00 95.10 95.65 95.18 The highest number of seeds per spike (73.87) was
LSD 0.05) 7.45 recorded for 64/46 kg N/P2O5/ha, which was also not
CV (%) 4.70 significantly different from 96/0 and 0/23 kg N/P2O5/ha,
SEM (±) 2.56 which had produced 69.67 and 69.00 seeds per spike,
Means followed by the same letters are not significantly respectively, while the lowest value (52.67) was recorded
different (P < 0.05). for the control treatment (Table 5). This may probably have
attributed to N increases dry matter production and P have
Spike length also positive effect on number of seed produced per plant.
In line with this, Ali et al. (2002) reported that highest
Non-significant differences were observed on spike length
number of seeds per spike was obtained from application
due to N, P and the interaction of N and P. This may
of 150/90 kg/ha N/P. These results are also in accordance
probably due to the fact that spike length is controlled less
with Kadry et al., (1984) and Dilbaugh et al., (1988).
by environmental factor while more by genetic factor.
Similar result was reported by J. Abdollahi Gharekand et
Thousand kernel weight
al. (2012).

Yield and Yield Components The analysis of variance showed that the main effects of N
and P fertilizer application and their interaction had non-
Number of effective tillers per square meter significant effect on thousand kernel weight. Thousand
kernel weights is an important yield determining
The interaction of N x P fertilizers was significantly component and reported to be a genetic character that is
(p<0.01) affect the number of effective tillers/m2; however, influenced least by environmental factors (Ashraf et al.,
main effect of N and P have no significant on effective 1999).
tillers/m2.
Response of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Different Rates of Nitrogen and Phosphorus at Fiche-Salale, Highlands of Ethiopia
 Int. J. Plant Breed. Crop Sci. 478

Table 5: Interaction effects of N and P rates on number of interaction with N did not significantly affect this parameter.
seeds per spike of wheat The highest grain yield (3284 kg/ha) was obtained due to
P2O5 (kg/ha) application of 96kg N/ha, whereas the lowest value
N (kg/ha) 0 23 46 69 Mean (2383kg/ha) was recorded from the control treatment.
0 52.67a 69.00efg 61.00bcd 64.07cdef 61.69 Except the highest level of N, the rest were not significantly
32 58.33abc 66.33def 66.33def 59.93bcd 62.73 different from the control, although there was slight
64 64.67cdef 55.47ab 73.87g 61.60bcd 63.90 increment in yield with increasing N level. Generally, grain
96 69.67fg 62.33bcde 61.80bcd 61.60bcd 63.85 yield increased as the amount of N increased from the
Mean 61.34 63.28 65.75 61.80 control to the highest level of 96 kg/ha (Table 6). This might
LSD (5%) 6.99 be due to the ability of N to determine photosynthetic
CV (%) 6.60 capacity of the crop, and the increased seed number per
SEM (±) 2.42 unit area (Ellen and Spiertz, 1980). This result is also
supported by the findings of many previous workers (Hailu
Means followed by the same letters are not significantly
(1991); Tanner and Mwangi (1992); Minale et al. (2005);
different (P < 0.05).
Getachew et al. (2004)) who reported significant increases
in grain yields of bread wheat with increasing levels of N
Above ground biomass yield
fertilizer. Report of DZARC (1989) also indicated that N
rates up to 230 kg/ha had significant effect on yield of
Biomass production was significantly (P<0.01) influenced
wheat.
due to application of N. However, the interaction effect of
N and P was not significant on total biomass yield.
Economic Analysis
Similarly, the main effect of P was not significant.
The partial budget analysis (Table 7) showed that highest
The highest total biomass (6611kg/ha) was recorded from
net benefit of 44868.60 birr/ha was obtained from the
application of 96 kg/ha N and it was significantly different
treatment that received 96kg N/ha. On the other hand, the
from the total biomass obtained from other levels (Table
lowest net benefits of 34315.20 birr/ha was obtained from
6). This may probably due to N effect on vegetative growth
the treatment that was fertilized with 0 kg N/ha. For a
of plants, especially at higher doses. Better growth and
treatment to be considered as worthwhile to farmers,
higher straw yield with an increase in N level enhance the
between 50 and 100% marginal rate of return (MRR) is the
vegetative growth of plants (Ma et al., 2004). This result is
minimum acceptable rate of return (CIMMYT 1988). The
in line with the finding of Khan et al. (2000) who obtained
highest MRR (6759.17%) in this case was recorded for
maximum biological yield from plots treated with 285 kg N
96/0 kg N/ha. The next higher MRR (319.61%) was
per hectare.
recorded for the treatment with 32 kg N/ha. There was also
other treatment that had scored MRR beyond 100%, but
Grain yield
were by far lower than 96 kg N/ha rate. Therefore,
application of 96 kg N/ha is profitable and recommended
Application of N had significant (P<0.01) effect on the grain
for farmers in Fiche and other areas with similar agro-
yield; however, the main effect of P as well as its
ecological conditions.
Table 6: Grain yield and total biomass yield of wheat as affected by n and p rates
N (kg/ha) Biomass (kg/ha) Grain yield (kg/ha)
0 5315.00a 2383.00a
32 5455.00a 2501.00a
64 5145.00a 2660.00a
96 6611.00b 3284.00b
LSD (0.05 713.00 369.70
CV% 15.20 16.40
SEM (±) 246.90 128.00
Where, ns = non-significant. Means followed by the same letters with in a column are not significantly different (P<0.05).

Table 7: Partial budget analysis for nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer

N (kg/ha) UGY(kg/ha) AGY (kg/ha) TR (Birr) TVC ΔTVC NR (Birr) (TR-TC) ΔNR MRR (%)
0 2383.00 2144.7 34315.20 0.00 0.00 34315.20 34315.20 0.00
32 2501.00 2250.9 36014.40 807.00 807.00 35207.00 891.80 110.51
64 2660.00 2394 38304.00 1614.00 464.00 36690.00 1483.00 319.61
96 3284.00 2955.6 47289.60 2421.00 121.00 44868.60 8178.60 6759.17
Where UGY= Unadjusted Grain Yield, AGY= Adjusted Grain Yield, TVC= Total variable cost, GY= Grain yield, TR= Total
Revenue, NR= Net Revenue, MRR= Marginal Rate of Return, ∆TVC= change in total variable cost, ∆NR= change in net
revenue. TVC= Cost of P2O5+cost N (cost of P2O5= 50 birr/kg, cost of N= 25.23 birr/kg), TR= AGY x Grain Unit Price (8
birr/kg).
Response of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Different Rates of Nitrogen and Phosphorus at Fiche-Salale, Highlands of Ethiopia
Dugassa et al. 479
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION
Based on the results of this study, it could be concluded
that application of N fertilizer at the rate of 96 kg/ha is
advisable since grain yield and biological yields are the
most important economic parts used by the farmers.
Partial budget analysis also supports this
recommendation. However, similar studies are further
needed at various locations using different varieties of
wheat to provide conclusive recommendations.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank Salale University for financial support
until I complete this paper. I would also like to acknowledge
Grar Jarso Woreda Agricultural office for providing me
experimental site and Debre Birhan Agricultural Research
Center for its support in laboratory analysis. Without their
passionate participation and input, this study could not
have been successfully completed.
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Accepted 12 December 2018
Citation: Dugassa A, Belete K, Shimbir T (2019).
Response of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Different
Rates of Nitrogen and Phosphorus at Fiche-Salale,
Highlands of Ethiopia. International Journal of Plant
Breeding and Crop Science 6(1): 474-480.
Copyright: © 2019 Dugassa et al. This is an open-access
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