EFFECTS OF FARMYARD MANURE AND NITROGEN FERTILIZER ON GROWTH, YIELD COMPONENTS AND YIELD OF BEETROOT (Beta vulgaris L.) AT HARAMAYA,EAST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Beetroot is one of the most widely grown root vegetables in eastern part of Ethiopia due to its economic importance besides nutritional value and health benefits. However, the productivity of the crop is low due to poor soil fertility and management. This research was conducted to assess the effect of farmyard manure and nitrogen fertilizer rates on growth, yield component and yield of beetroot at Haramaya from February to May, 2024. Detroit Dark Red variety was evaluated with the application of 4x4 rates of farmyard manure (0, 7.5, 15 and 22.5 ton ha-1 ) and nitrogen fertilizer (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1 ) in factorial combinations in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The research results demonstrated that the main effects of FYM and N as well as their interaction had significant effects on plant height, leaf number, and leaf area. Plant height, leaf number, and leaf area, each at 35 DAP, 50 DAP, and at harvest were positively affected by the main effect of FYM and N. The root length, leaf and root dry matter were significantly influenced by the main effect of FYM and N; however, root diameter was responded only to FYM application. Similarly, leaf and root fresh weights, marketable and nonmarketable root yield were highly influenced by the main effect of FYM and N fertilizer along with their interaction, but total root yields was affected only by main effect of FYM and N fertilizers. The maximum marketable root yield (29.14 ton ha-1 ) was obtained with application of 22.5 ton ha-1 of FYM plus 100 kg ha-1 of N fertilizers. On the other hand, the highest total root yields of 29.68 and 29.32 ton ha-1 were obtained from individual application of 22.5 ton ha-1 of FYM and 150 kg ha-1 of N fertilizer, respectively. The partial budget analysis also revealed that the highest net benefit (698289.9 Birr ha-1 ) with acceptable marginal rate of return (787.29%) was obtained from the combined application of 22.5 ton ha-1 FYM and 100 kg ha-1 of N fertilizer. Therefore, it could be suggested that integrated application of the two fertilizers at rates of 22.5 ton ha-1 of FYM and 100 kg ha-1 of N fertilizer could be used to maximize yield of beetroot and optimize the net benefit to beetroot producers in the study area.