ABSTRACT
A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of six rates of filter cake and bagasse ash each separately (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 ton ha−1) on nutrients uptake and utilization efficiency of wheat in nitisol. Filter cake application was found to better increase in nitrogen (N), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) uptake and utilization efficiency while bagasse ash influenced zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) uptake. Bagasse ash application also reduced the uptake of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) by wheat. Multiple regression analysis showed that the soil properties explained selected macronutrients and micronutrients uptake. Exchangeable acidity negatively explained some of the nutrient uptakes. In general, filter cake and bagasse ash were found effective in enhancing the nutrient uptake and utilization efficiency by wheat cultivated in acidic soils such as nitisol.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) for financial support, Matahara Sugar Estate Farm for its free support of organic inputs (filter cake and bagasse ash), and Haramaya University (HU) for its facility support during my staying in the University Campus. Our acknowledgement also goes to Debre Zeit Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory for its full support in laboratory analytical service.