Pre Scalingup of NPS Fertilizer Rate Recommendation Based on Phosphorus Calibration Study for Bread Wheat (TriticumAestivum L.) Production at Horo District, Western Oromia Region, Ethiopia

A pre-scaling up activityon soil test crop response-based phosphorus calibration for bread wheat was conducted on farmers’ fields in Horo District, HoroGuduruWollega Zone, Oromia Region. The objective of this study was to popularize and create wider demand for site-specific crop response fertilizer recommendations in the area. The trial was implemented on 11 farmer fields across the district, each covering a plot area of 50m x 50m (2,500m²). The intervention applied phosphorus fertilizer rates based on soil test crop response recommendations, along with an optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate of 46kg/ha. The bread wheat variety “Danda’a” was used, sown at a seed rate of 150kg/ha. A total of 6 Farmer Research Extension Groups (FREGs) were established, comprising 64 male and 20 female members, ensuring 24% women participationto promote gender equity. The highest mean grain yield of 4,152kg/ha was recorded under the soil test crop response-based fertilizer treatment, indicating the effectiveness of this approach. Furthermore, institutional linkages were established between research centers and district and zonal agriculture offices, laying the groundwork for future collaboration. Based on the promising results and positive stakeholder engagement, it is recommended that wider scaling up/out of soil test crop response-based phosphorus fertilizer recommendations be undertaken. This effort should be coordinated and managed by agricultural officesin collaboration with relevant research institutions, extension services, and development partners to ensure sustainable and site-specific fertilizer use for increased wheat productivity.