Response of growth, yield components, and yield of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) varieties to newly introduced blended NPS and N fertilizer rates at Haramaya, Eastern Ethiopia

Reduction of soil fertility from year to year due to natural and human made factors is a serious constraint for crop production in Ethiopia. Therefore, the application of actual balanced recommended fertilizer rates based on soil and crop type is one of the best agronomic practices to maximize production. A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years to evaluate the response of growth, yield components, and yield of hybrid maize varieties to newly introduced blended NPS and N fertilizer rates. The experiment was comprised of three blended NPS and N levels tested on two hybrid maize varieties. Results showed that individual application of 150 kg NPS and 130.5 kg N gave maximum above-ground biomass yield. The highest grain yield was obtained from variety BHQPY545 where plots fertilized with the higher N application rate (87 kg) in 2019 cropping season. Besides, combined fertilizer application of 150 kg NPS by 87 kg N was produced the highest grain yield (10.7 t ha(-1)) and closely (10.4 t ha(-1)) followed by combined fertilizer application of 150 kg NPS by 130.5 kg N in 2019 season. According to partial budget analysis, the highest net benefit (85458.0 ETB) with a higher marginal rate of return (1658.6%) was obtained from the combined application of 150 kg NPS with 87 kg N in 2019. Based on this result, it can be concluded that using of combined application of 150 kg NPS with 87 kg N in the study area and other similar agroecologies is agronomically optimum and economically feasible levels to maximize maize production.