Yield-limiting nutrients for enhancing teff production in contrasting landscape positions and rainfall contexts

Agegnehu, G and Desta, G and Legesse, G and Amare, T and Agumas, B and Meseret, A and Alemu, E and Bazie, Z and Abera, A and Adissie, S and Bulo, F and Demiss, M and Sebnie, W and Birhanu, H and Chala, G and Alemayehu, B and Melak, E and Hundessa, M and Ayalew, B and Degefu, T and Fayisa, T and Harawa, R and Amede, T (2026) Yield-limiting nutrients for enhancing teff production in contrasting landscape positions and rainfall contexts. Engineering Agriculture, 13 (5). pp. 1-21. ISSN 2097-7654

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Abstract

Multiple nutrient-omission field experiments were conducted in 2020 and 2022 across different landscape positions and rainfall contexts to investigate teff yield response to nutrient application. The treatments included All(B) (i.e., blended fertilizer containing N, P, K, S, Zn and B), All(C) (i.e., compound fertilizer with the same nutrients), All(I) (i.e., individual fertilizers for each nutrient), All(B)-K, All(B)-S, All(B)-Zn, All(B)-B (i.e., All(B) minus the individual nutrients specified), NP, 50% and 150% of All(B), and a control without nutrients. These treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with two to three replicates. A linear mixed model was used to determine the effects of landscape position, rainfall context, and nutrients on teff yield. Results revealed significant differences in teff yield response to nutrients in different landscape positions and rainfall contexts. In a high rainfall area, the highest grain yield (1.52 t·ha–1) was recorded from 150% of All(B), with grain yield increments of 6.3%, 10.3% and 154% compared to All(B), NP, and the control, respectively, and 3.2, 5.0 and 84.2% in a medium to low rainfall area. Omitting K, S, Zn, or B, or all four nutrients resulted in the yield penalties of 5.9%, 5.2%, 1.6%, 3.0% and 3.3%, respectively, under high rainfall, and 2.0%, 3.6%, –2.3%, 0.5% and 1.7% in medium to low rainfall contexts compared to All(B). N and P were the most yield-limiting nutrients under all landscape positions and rainfall contexts. Overall, identifying yield-limiting nutrients and their optimal use is vital for enhancing nutrient use efficiency and yield, helping producers achieve rewarding economic returns. Further research is suggested with soil tests across soil types and agroecological zones to determine appropriate NP rates and monitor the need for other nutrients for teff yield and quality.

Item Type: Article
Divisions: Research Program : East & Southern Africa
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: Blended fertilizer, compound fertilizer, landscape position, nutrient omission, rainfall context, teff, yield-limiting nutrients
Subjects: Others > Crop Yield
Others > Fertilizers
Others > Fertilizer Applications
Depositing User: Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited: 19 May 2026 06:42
Last Modified: 19 May 2026 06:42
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/13631
Official URL: https://journal.hep.com.cn/fase/EN/10.15302/J-FASE...
Projects: UNSPECIFIED
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement: This research was supported by the US Agency for International Development through the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC). Research Institutes and other partner institutions involved in the implementation and execution of these comprehensive nutrient omission field experiments are gratefully acknowledged. We also thank the participating farmers for hosting and engaging with this research.
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