Varieties and Nitrogen Rates on Grain Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Highland Maize in Toke Kutaye, Western Ethiopia

Soil fertility depletion is a widespread degradation problem in achieving global food security, but different attempts are available for maize production systems to alleviate the problems. Nitrogen use efficiency is required to meet increasing demands to produce sufficient food for the increasing population with sustainable production systems. Mean grain yield of maize positively affected by increased application of nitrogen fertilizer. Hybrid maize varieties were produced higher grain yield as compared open pollinated variety of maize. Higher agronomic efficiency of 35 to 46 as compared to Horra (OPV); and 5-16 as compared to Wenchi (hybrid) were harvested from Jibat followed by Wenchi and Webii varieties of maize planted with half recommended nitrogen rate. Higher nitrogen uptake efficiency and nitrogen use efficiency were obtained from Jibat followed by Webii and Wenchi varieties of maize planted with half recommended nitrogen fertilizer applied. Significantly higher nitrogen fertilizer (recovery) use efficiency 79.94% was obtained from maize varieties planted with half nitrogen fertilizer application as compared to recommended. Higher combined mean nitrogen use efficiency was obtained as compared to Horra variety relative to Wenchi. Hybrid highland maize varieties were more nitrogen use efficiency compared to open pollinated varieties. Uses of hybrid highland maize varieties (Jibat and Wenchi) were desirable options and recommended for sustainable maize production in highland areas of Toke Kutaye Western Ethiopia.