RESPONSE OF MUNG BEAN [Vigna radiata (L.) WILCZEK] VARIETIES TO BLENDED NPS FERTILIZER IN SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Mung bean is an important cash crop and source of protein rich food for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. However, it is a relatively new crop in the southern part of the country. Hence, a field experiment was conducted in Borda sub-site of Areka Agricultural Research center during the 2019 main cropping season to identify the most adaptable variety (V) and determine the optimum and economically feasible rate of NPS fertilizer (F). A field experiment was conducted using three mung bean varieties (Rasa, NVL-1 and Shewa robit) and four rates of blended NPS fertilizer (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha^-1) in a factorial arrangement (V x F) of randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on growth, grain yield, and yield attributing traits were recorded and subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results of the study indicated that the main and interaction effects of NPS fertilizer rate and variety significantly influenced the majority of growth parameters. Hence, the highest number of pods per plant (30.8), number of seeds per pod (13.03), and grain yield (1710 kg ha^-1) were recorded for NVL-1 variety grown on plots applied with 100 kg NPS ha^-1. Overall, better grain yield (1710 kg ha⁻¹) and the highest mean net benefit (birr 36,775 ha⁻¹) with an acceptable marginal rate of return (806.7%) was obtained for NVL-1 variety in a combination with 100 kg ha⁻¹ NPS fertilizer application rate.