Effect of NPSZn Blend Fertilizer with Adjusted Nitrogen on Yield and Some Yield Components of Bread Wheat on Vertisols and Cambisols under Rain-fed Condition at Shibta in Enderta, Tigray

Field trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of NPSZn fertilizer adjusted with urea on performance of bread wheat on Vertisols and Cambisols at farmer’s fields in three replications using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) on Vertisols and Cambisols at Shibta in Enderta district during main rainy seasons of 2017 and 2018 comprised of 8 treatments including 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 kg/ha NPSZn (adjusted with N to 64kg/ha) and recommended nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), (64kg/ha N and 45 kg P2O5/ha). Composite soil samples were also collected and analyzed. The blended rates were applied at sowing while N was applied in the form of urea in two applications. Phosphorus in the form of triple super phosphate (TSP) was also applied at planting time. Yield and yield components data were collected and statistically analyzed. Significant differences (P≤0.05) were observed on plant height; spike length, straw yield and grain yield whereas the differences were not significant for harvest index (HI). Combined analysis of the two seasons' data showed highest biological performance of the parameters at the rates of 300 kg NPSZn/ha blended adjusted with 25 urea/ha for Enderta Cambisols and highest results were obtained at 250 kg/ha blended adjusted with 42 urea/ha for Enderta Vertisols. Partial budget analysis showed highest and profitable yield at 50 NPSZn/ha adjusted with115 urea/ha and 100 kg NPSZn/ha adjusted with 100 urea/ha for Vertisols and Cambisols at Shibta in Enderta, respectively. These rates could be recommended for Vertisols and Cambisols of study area and other similar areas in Tigray.