Effectiveness of Microdosing in Comparison to Broadcasting and Banding Vermicompost Application for Maize (Zea mays L.) Production in Smallholder Farming of Semiarid Tigray Region of Ethiopia
International Journal of Agronomy June 10, 2025 Kinfe Tekulu, Gebresemaeti Kahsu, Weldegebriel Gebrehiwot et al.
In a field experiment across three sites in Tigray, Ethiopia, applying a prescribed chemical fertilizer (150 kg NPSZnB ha−1 plus 38.5 kg N ha−1) increased maize grain yields by 26% to 108% compared to the control, depending on the site. Microdosing 6 t ha−1 of vermicompost increased grain yields by 14% to 89% over the control and outperformed broadcasting the same amount. For farmers unable to afford chemical fertilizers, microdosing 6 t ha−1 of vermicompost is recommended as an effective alternative for maize production.