Abstract

Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is originated in Ethiopia, and it is self-pollinated, cereal crop. Teff can grow in low and/or excessive moisture conditions than other cereals are dejected under these conditions. Regardless of its immense overall national food security of the country its productivity is relatively low. Poor soil fertility, erratic rainfall, and suboptimal management practices could be among the main factors to be responsible. To maintain high crop production balanced inorganic fertilizers are important because they supply the required nutrients in a readily available form for immediate plant use. Field experiment was conducted during 2017 cropping season at central Tigray, northern Ethiopia to evaluate nutrient uptake of teff under blended fertilization. Treatments were eight levels of NPSB (0, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg ha-1) and one recommended NP (100 kg ha-1 urea and 100 kg ha-1 TSP). The experiment was set in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Application of blended fertilizer has brought a significant effect in the teff yield and yield components. Similarly, NPS concentration, N uptake, P uptake, S uptake and grain protein content had been highly significantly (P<0.001) affected by the levels of NPSB. Maximum teff total nutrient uptake of 205.51 kg ha-1 for N, 19.09 for P and 23.18 for S, respectively. Generally, grain yield, NPS uptake and grain protein content showed increased trend until the level of 250 kg NPSB ha-1, but it starts to fall beyond that level.

Key words: Eragrostis tef, blended fertilizer, yield, yield components and nutrient uptake.