Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the combined application of vermicompost and NPS fertilizer on maize ( Zea mays L.) yield and yield components under low soil fertility conditions in western Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted at Bako Agricultural Research Center using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Four levels of vermicompost (0, 2.32, 3.48, and 4.4 t ha − 1 ) and four levels of NPS fertilizer (0, 50, 75, and 100 kg ha − 1 ) were factorially combined. Key growth parameters, yield components, and economic returns were measured to evaluate treatment effects. Application of 4.64 t ha − 1 vermicompost significantly increased ear height to 108.3 cm, while 100 kg ha − 1 of NPS fertilizer produced the highest ear height of 108.56 cm. The combined treatment of 4.64 t ha − 1 vermicompost and 100 kg ha − 1 NPS fertilizer resulted in superior plant height, silking and tasseling time, grain yield, harvest index, aboveground biomass, and 1000‐seed weight. Economic analysis identified 2.32 t ha − 1 vermicompost combined with 100 kg ha − 1 NPS as the most profitable treatment, with a net profit of 112,030 ETB and a marginal rate of return of 189.40%. Integrating vermicompost with NPS fertilizer significantly improves maize productivity and profitability under the prevailing soil fertility constraints in western Ethiopia. The combination of 2.32 t ha − 1 vermicompost and 100 kg ha − 1 NPS fertilizer is recommended to optimize maize yield and economic returns in the in study area and other similar agroecologies.
Gebrekidan et al. (Mon,) studied this question.