Review on the Integrated Use of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Production and Soil Fertility in Ethiopia

Depletion of soil fertility is the main problem to sustain agricultural production and productivity in many countries. Soil fertility decline is a big issue in the Agriculture of Ethiopia. Soils in Ethiopian have low levels of plant nutrients due to its removal by erosion and leaching by high rainfall. One of the major constraints for crop production in the Ethiopia is improper nutrient management. The Organic fertilizer improves physical and biological activities of soil but they have comparatively low in nutrient content, so larger quantity is required for plant growth. However, inorganic fertilizer is usually immediately and fast containing all necessary nutrients that are directly accessible for plants, but continuous use of inorganic fertilizers alone causes soil organic matter: degradation, soil acidity, and environmental pollution. So, the integrated nutrient management system is an alternative system for the sustainable and cost-effective management of soil fertility by combined apply of inorganic with organic materials resulting in rising soil fertility and productivity without affecting the environment. An experiment on organic and inorganic fertilizer application and its effect on yield of wheat and soil chemical properties of Nitisols the research finding out put at Holetta Agricultural Research Center in 2014 to 2015 these results of soil analysis after harvesting revealed that application of organic fertilizer improved soil pH, OC, total N and available P, the highest wheat grain and biomass yield (6698 kg/ha and 19417 kg/ha respectively) were obtained from the application of 50% VC and 50% N and P followed by full dose of recommended rate N and P from inorganic fertilizer resulting in 6241 kg/ha grain and 18917 kg/ha biomass yields respectively. This review indicated that different crops has showed significance response to the combined soil fertility management treatments containing both organic and inorganic forms under farmers’ field condition that they could be considered as alternative options for sustainable soil and crop productivity in the soil fertility degraded of soil in Ethiopia. To maintain soil fertility, farmers have to take note of the characteristics and constraints of their soils and use sustainable management practices to conserve and improve fertility. Farmers deliberately incorporate household refuse, crop residues, animal manures, compost, biofertilizer and inorganic fertilizer into compound farm soils with the sole purpose of improving soil fertility and to enhance crop productivity. The objective of this review has assessed the effects of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil fertility and productivity. The review revealed that the appropriate application of organic with inorganic fertilizers increases productivity without negative effect on yield quality and improves soil fertility than the values obtained by organic or inorganic fertilizers separately. Therefore, farmers will be adopting this technology for increasing the crop yield and soil fertility. Keywords: Soil fertility, Organic Fertilizer, Inorganic Fertilize, Integrated Nutrient Management DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-3-02 Publication date: February 28 th 2022