Effect of Inorganic and Organic Fertilizers on the Growth and Yield of Garlic Crop (Allium sativum L.) in Northern Ethiopia

Among others, low soil fertility status is a limiting factor for crop production in the study area in particular and northern Ethiopia in general. Increment of garlic yield with balanced fertilization is a key important factor identified. However, use of correct type and rate of fertilizer applications are major problems in the study area. The study was conducted to investigate the effect of N, P, S, and Zn fertilizers and compost on yield and growth parameters of garlic (Allium sativum L.) and specify optimum fertilizer dose at field level. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications and five experimental plots (treated with N-P-S-Zn, N-P-S, N-P, compost and control) with unit plot size of 3 m × 3.5 m = 10.5 m2 and subjected to analysis of variance. The results showed that a combination of N, P, S, and Zn­ fertilizers gave a significant higher yield over the control plot (P = 0.05). The mean bulb yield obtained from plots fertilized with N-P-S-Zn, N-P-S, N-P fertilizers and compost was 4760, 4388, 4240 and 3451 kg he-1, respectively while 2996.5 kg he-1 was the lowest average yield obtained from control plot. Similarly, the yield and growth parameters were increased progressively with combined application of N, P, S, and Zn. It can therefore be concluded that for increased garlic yield in the study area, application of 130 kg N, 20 kg P, 21 kg S and 15 kg Zn fertilizers per hectare could be needed.