Integrated Application of NP, Vermicompost and Lime at 50% of the Recommended Rate Improve Barley Production in Strongly Acidic Areas of Bule District, Southern Ethiopia

Land degradation due to soil acidification is a major constraint causing lower agricultural productivity and food insecurity problem in highland areas of Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted at Bule district, Gedeo zone Ethiopia in 2023 main cropping season (summer) to evaluate the integrated application of 50% NP, 50% vermicompost and 50% lime for acidic soil amelioration and better barley production. About four treatments ((1) 50% recommended NP+ 50% vermicompost + 50% lime, (2) 50% recommended NP + 50% lime, (3) 100% recommended NP only and (4) 100% lime only) were arranged in randomized complete block design with six replications (farmers as replications).150 kg/ha NPS and 150 kg/ha urea were used as recommended NP rate. 4 t/ha vermicompost was used as 50 % of the recommended rate. Lime requirement for each farmer’s field was calculated based on exchangeable acidity of the soil. The statistical analysis result of the study showed that application of 50% recommended NP+ 50% vermicompost + 50% lime showed higher result grain yield result (3520.0 a) compared to all other treatments. Lower yield result ((2100.0c) was recorded from the sole application of 100% lime. This result implies that the study area had not enough soil nutrients to produce higher barley yield other than soil acidity. Therefore, from the present study it can be recommended that integrated application of 50% recommended NP+ 50% vermicompost + 50% lime can be an option for enhanced soil fertility, reduced soil acidity and improved barley yield in the study area and other similar agro-ecologica zones of the country.