Abstract:
Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a legume crop in the fabaceae family. It is cultivated by farmers
for consumption and commercial purposes in Dawuro zone particularly in Loma. However,
the yield of the crop is low in the area due to low soil fertility, lack of information regarding
optimum planting density and the actual rate of the newly recommended blended NPSB.
Therefore, current study was conducted to determine approprite intra-row spacing and
blended NPSB fertilizer rates for growth, yield and yield component of faba bean in Loma
District. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with
three replications in a 3x5 factorial arrangement.There were 15 treatment combinations
consisting of three intra-row spacing( 5, 10, and 15 cm) and five rates of blended NPSB
fertilizer (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1).Result showed that NPSB fertilizer rates and
intra-row spacing had significant effect on branch number per plant, total nodule number
per plant, seed number per pod, thousand seed weight, and harvest index. Thus, highest
branch number per plant (3.3) and total nodule number per plant (153.7) were recorded
from application of 200 kg NPSB ha-1. Whereas, highest seed number per pod (2.9), thousand
seed weight (567.7g) and harvest index (35.2%) were recorded from application of 150 kg
NPSB ha-1. Regarding intra-row spacing, the highest branch number (2.9) and total nodule
number (121.5) were recorded from 15cm intra-row spacing. Similarly, highest seed number
per pod (2.75), thousand seed weight (533.3g) and harvest index (33.7%) were recorded
from 15cm intra-row spacing. The highest plant height (147.7cm), and pod number per plant
(24.26) were recorded from the interaction of 200kg NPSB fertilizer ha-1 with 5 and 15cm
intra-row spacing respectively. The highest above ground biomass yield (11600kg ha-1) and
highest grain yield (4006.8kg ha-1) were recorded from interaction of 150kgNPSB fertilizer
ha-1 with 5cm intra-row spacing. With regard to partial budget analysis, the highest net
benefit (112,507ETB ha-1) with marginal rate of return (1380%) was obtained from
interaction of 150 kg NPSB fertilizer per ha combined with 5cm intra-row spacing. Based on
the results of this study, it can be concluded that application of 150 kg NPSB ha-1 combined
with 5cm intra-row spacing could be used for faba bean production in the study area.
