Optimizing nitrogen fertilizer and planting density levels for maize production under current climate conditions in Northwest Ethiopian midlands

Kindie Tesfaye Dereje Ademe Enyew Adgo (2023, [Artículo])

This study determined the most effective plating density (PD) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate for well-adapted BH540 medium-maturing maize cultivars for current climate condition in north west Ethiopia midlands. The Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT)-Crop Environment Resource Synthesis (CERES)-Maize model has been utilized to determine the appropriate PD and N-fertilizer rate. An experimental study of PD (55,555, 62500, and 76,900 plants ha−1) and N (138, 207, and 276 kg N ha−1) levels was conducted for 3 years at 4 distinct sites. The DSSAT-CERES-Maize model was calibrated using climate data from 1987 to 2018, physicochemical soil profiling data (wilting point, field capacity, saturation, saturated hydraulic conductivity, root growth factor, bulk density, soil texture, organic carbon, total nitrogen; and soil pH), and agronomic management data from the experiment. After calibration, the DSSAT-CERES-Maize model was able to simulate the phenology and growth parameters of maize in the evaluation data set. The results from analysis of variance revealed that the maximum observed and simulated grain yield, biomass, and leaf area index were recorded from 276 kg N ha−1 and 76,900 plants ha−1 for the BH540 maize variety under the current climate condition. The application of 76,900 plants ha−1 combined with 276 kg N ha−1 significantly increased observed and simulated yield by 25% and 15%, respectively, compared with recommendation. Finally, future research on different N and PD levels in various agroecological zones with different varieties of mature maize types could be conducted for the current and future climate periods.

Maize Model Planting Density CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA MAIZE MODELS SPACING NITROGEN FERTILIZERS YIELDS

Training Manual for Two-wheel tractor and ancillary equipment for operators, service providers, extension experts and workshop owners

Rabe Yahaya (2022, [Libro])

Mechanization is a term used to describe tools, implements and machinery applied to improve the productivity of farm land and labour force, including crop processing after harvest. Mechanization covers broadly the entire process of on and off farm operations and mechanization may use either human, animal or motorized power, or a combination of these. In practice, therefore, it involves the provision and use of all forms of power sources and mechanical assistance to agriculture, from simple hand tools to draught animal power and to motorized power technologies. In Ethiopia, smallholder farming experiences high drudgery at all stages of crop husbandry and post-harvest processing. Field operations are performed using human and animal power (Mrema et al., 2008). Smallholder farmers without animal power use a lot of human power on crop husbandry and harvesting operations (Daum et al., 2020). Postharvest threshing and shelling are performed using human power but, in some countries like Ethiopia, farmers use livestock (cattle, donkeys and horses) for wheat, barley and teff threshing (Mohammed and Tadesse, 2018). The use of tractor power is low in Ethiopia and the government aims to increase farm power available to Ethiopian farmers 10 folds (from the current 0.1 Kw ha-1 to 1 kW ha-1 ) by 2025, with at least half of this power is derived from fossil fuel and electric engines. The government of Ethiopia aims to increase farm power using two-wheel tractors on smallholder farms in addition to four-wheel tractors that are already in use. Two-wheel tractors are sources of power designed to perform most field operations. Due to the size of two-wheel tractors, they have become an economic alternative for smallholder farming. In addition, twowheel tractors are also more productive than animal traction and they require less time for attendance and preparation, giving the individual farmer more independence and contact with modern technology. Also, due to their simple design, local manufacturing of two-wheel tractors has been implemented in several countries successfully, increasing employment opportunities in the process.

CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA FARM EQUIPMENT TRACTORS TRAINING SMALLHOLDERS