Growth Performance, Biomass Yield, and Chemical Composition of Fodder Beet as Affected by Spacing and Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates in the Hadiya Zone

Fodder beet is a high‐yielding, energy‐rich forage crop with strong potential to enhance livestock productivity in mixed crop–livestock systems. Its performance is strongly shaped by agronomic practices such as plant spacing and nitrogen (N) fertilization, which influence canopy architecture, nutrient uptake, and biomass formation. In Ethiopia’s Hadiya Zone, adoption of fodder beet remains low, partly due to the absence of site‐specific recommendations on appropriate spacing and N rates. Farmers rely on generalized guidelines that often result in inconsistent yields and variable feed quality. This study addressed this gap by evaluating the effects of intrarow spacing and N fertilization on the growth, yield, and nutritive value of fodder beet under highland conditions. A 2‐year (2021–2022) field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three intrarow spacings (20, 25, and 30 cm) and four N rates (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg N ha −1 ). Both spacing and N rate had significant ( p < 0.05) effects on key growth traits, fresh biomass yield, and dry matter (DM) yield. A significant interaction between spacing and N rate was also observed for several variables, indicating that yield responses depended on the combined management factors. The treatment combination of 20 cm spacing with 225 kg N ha −1 produced the highest green fodder yield (66.5–68.1 t ha −1 ) and dry fodder yield (21.5–22.5 t ha −1 ). N application increased crude protein (CP) content from 5.46% at 0 N to 12.44% at 225 kg N ha −1 , while higher N rates were associated with reduced tuber DM percentage. Although the 20 cm × 225 kg N ha −1 combination achieved the highest numerical yields, the results should be interpreted within the context of observed statistical responses and local resource constraints. Therefore, the study suggests that higher N input and narrower spacing can improve fodder beet yield and quality but recommends further multilocation testing and economic analysis before establishing definitive regional recommendations for the Hadiya highlands.