Effect of integrated inorganic and organic fertilizer on yield and yield components of maize at Bako Agricultural Research Center in Western Ethiopia

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.