Intercropping wheat (Triticum aestivum) with faba bean (Vicia faba) combined with vermicompost and NPS fertilizer application increases crop yields and agronomic efficiency in the humid mid-highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

A field study was conducted in Dire and Legedadi watersheds in the humid mid-highlands of Ethiopia to determine the effect of intercropping and application of vermicompost (VC) on crop yield. Eight treatments (two treatments included 100% recommended NPS and urea fertilizer treatment versus 100% recommended VC application. The four other treatments are combinations of 50% of recommended NPS and urea and the 50% of VC rate of applications) were studied on farmers’ fields using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The assessment of these treatments relied on a range of intercropping and agronomic performance metrics, including the land equivalent ratio (LER), crowding coefficient (K), marginal rate of return (MRR). Results revealed that the highest total wheat yield of 4000 kg ha⁻¹ in Dire and 4151.7 in Legedadi site, achieved from the application of 100% recommended NPS + urea fertilizers. Wheat–faba bean intercropped with 50% NPS + Urea and 50% VC added treatment resulted in higher agronomic and recovery efficiency (RE) of N (41.0% and 41.9%) and (124.8% and 126.7%), K (2.91 and 2.38), LER (1.89 and 1.49), system productivity index (5672.02 and 4423.80) and net benefits (US$ 5598.1 ha⁻¹, 5690.8 ha⁻¹) values in Dire and Legedadi sites, respectively. Wheat–faba bean intercropped with half dose NPS + urea and VC added treatment was cost-effective and had the biggest yield advantage in both research locations.

Keywords:

• Agronomic efficiency
• crop productivity
• intercropping
• vermicompost
• yield

REVIEWING EDITOR:

• Manuel Tejada, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain

SUBJECTS:

• Agriculture & environmental sciences
• Soil Sciences
• Agronomy

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful for the financial support provided by Addis Ababa University under the thematic research project on Integrated Landscape-based Management (ILM) Approach for Improving Ecosystem Services, Agricultural Productivity and Water Availability in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia (ILM-ESAW).

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data availability statement

Data will be made available on request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Addis Ababa University project on Integrated Landscape-based Management (ILM) Approach for Improving Ecosystem Services, Agricultural Productivity and Water Availability in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia (ILM-ESAW).

Notes on contributors

Meseret Habtamu

Meseret Habtamu is a PhD student at Addis Ababa University and a lecturer at Kotebe University of education.

Eyasu Elias

Professor Eyasu Elias is State Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, of FDRE and professor at Addis Ababa University Cenetr for environmental science.

Mekuria Argaw

Mekuria Argaw: is director for Horn of Africa and professor at Addis Ababa University Cenetr for environmental science.

Geberekidan Feleke

Gebrekidan Feleke is an agronomist at Debre zeyit agricultural researcg center and PhD student at university of Florence in Italy.