Growth, Yield, and Economic Response of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties to NPSB Blended Fertilizer under Rainfed Conditions of Northern Ethiopia

Growth, Yield, and Economic Response of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) 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Varieties to NPSB Blended Fertilizer under Rainfed Conditions of Northern Ethiopia Abraha Welu Mesfin, DanielGebrekidan Abay, Yemane G. Egziabher This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8796053/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract A field experiment was conducted during the 2022 main cropping season at Laelaymaychew District, Central Zone of Tigray, northern Ethiopia, to evaluate the growth, yield and economic response of bread wheat varieties to NPSB blended fertilizer rates under rainfed conditions. The treatments consisted of five NPSB rates (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha⁻¹) and three bread wheat varieties (Kekeba, Hidase and Ogolcho), arranged in a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. All plots received a uniform application of 100 kg ha⁻¹ urea. The results revealed that growth parameters, yield components, grain yield, biomass and economic returns were significantly influenced by NPSB fertilizer rates and varieties. Increasing NPSB rates significantly enhanced plant height, leaf area, tiller number, kernels per spike, thousand kernel weights, biomass and grain yield. Among the varieties, Ogolcho consistently produced higher grain yield and biomass than Hidase and Kekeba. The highest grain yield (5,252 kg ha⁻¹) and biomass (13,995 kg ha⁻¹) were obtained from Ogolcho at 200 kg ha⁻¹ NPSB. Economic analysis indicated that the same treatment resulted in the maximum net benefit (111,920 ETB ha⁻¹) and marginal rate of return (1108.7%). Therefore, application of 200 kg ha⁻¹ NPSB with Ogolcho variety can be recommended for enhancing wheat productivity and profitability under similar agroecological conditions, though further multi-location and multi-season studies are required to confirm the recommendation. Bread wheat NPSB fertilizer Rainfed Yield Biomass Economic analysis 1. INTRODUCTION Bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important cereal crops globally and plays a vital role in food and nutritional security (FAO, 2021 ). In Ethiopia, wheat ranks among the major staple crops, contributing significantly to national food consumption and farm income (CSA, 2015). Despite expansion in wheat area, productivity remains low compared with global averages, largely due to soil fertility depletion, unbalanced fertilizer use and suboptimal agronomic management practices (Agegnehu et al., 2016 ). Nitrogen and phosphorus deficiencies are wide spread in Ethiopian soils, while sulfur and micro nutrients such as boron have increasingly become limiting due to continuous cultivation and removal of crop residues (EthioSIS, 2014 ; Abay et al., 2018 ). To address these constraints, blended fertilizers are containing nitrogen; phosphorus, sulfur and boron (NPSB) have recently been introduced and promoted for wheat production in Ethiopia (MoA, 2018). These blended fertilizers aim to supply balanced nutrients and improve nutrient use efficiency compared with the conventional application of nitrogen and phosphorus alone (Agegnehu and Amede, 2017 ). Wheat varieties differ in their growth characteristics, nutrient uptake efficiency and yield potential, leading to variable responses to fertilizer application (Fageria et al., 2011 ). Therefore, identifying suitable combinations of fertilizer rates and varieties is essential for maximizing yield and economic returns under specific agro-ecological conditions. Several studies in Ethiopia have reported positive responses of wheat to blended fertilizers; however, the optimum NPSB fertilizer rate in combination with improved bread wheat varieties remains location-specific due to variations in soil properties, rainfall and management practices (Tadesse et al., 2019 ; Desta and Dessalegn, 2020). In the central zone of Tigray, particularly Laelaymaychew District, wheat productivity is constrained by low soil fertility and limited adoption of recommended fertilizer rates with improved varieties (Gebreslassie et al., 2015 ). However, evidence on the combined effect of NPSB fertilizer rates and improved bread wheat varieties under rain fed conditions of northern Ethiopia, particularly with economic validation, remains limited. Generating locally relevant recommendations is therefore necessary to improve wheat productivity and profitability. Unlike previous studies that focused mainly on NPSB fertilizers or yield response alone, the present study integrate NPSB blended fertilizer with varietal response and CIMMYT based economic analysis under rain fed conditions and emphasizing biomass and yield formation rather than fertilizer recommendation alone. This study enables the development of a location specific and economically validated recommendation for bread wheat production in northern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different NPSB blended fertilizer rates on the growth, yield, yield components and economic returns of selected bread wheat varieties and to identify an economically viable fertilizer variety combination for the study area and similar agroecological conditions under rainfed conditions. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1. Description of the Experimental Site and Materials Used A field experiment was conducted during the main cropping (summer) season of 2022 at Hatsebo kebelle, on farmers’ fields in Laelaymaychew District, Central Zone of Tigray, northern Ethiopia. The experimental site is geographically located at 14°06′40.2″ N latitude and 38°45′45.8″ E longitude, at an altitude of 2084 m above mean sea level. The site is situated approximately 260 km north of Mekelle and about 5 km from the district town. Three improved bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) varieties, namely Hidase, Kekeba, and Ogolcho, were used as planting materials during the experiment. These varieties were obtained from the Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center and were selected based on their high yield potential and adaptability to the agroecological conditions of the study area. The experiment involved five NPSB blended fertilizer rates: 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha⁻¹. The NPSB fertilizer contained 18.1% nitrogen (N), 36.1% phosphorus (P), 6.7% sulfur (S), and 0.71% boron (B) and was supplied by the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) to Hatsebo kebelle. In addition, urea (46% N) at a rate of 100 kg ha⁻¹ was applied uniformly to all plots in accordance with local farmers’ practice table (2). The selected NPSB rats reflect locally available recommendations and farmer practices, while uniform urea application ensured that treatment effects primarily reflected differences in secondary and micronutrient supply. Table 1 Descriptions of the wheat varieties used in the experiment Variety Year of Breeder Altitude Rain fall Maturity Productivity Release Center (M.a.s.l) (mm) (days) (t/ha) Kekeba 2010 KARC 1500–2000 500–800 102 4.4–6.3 Hidase 2012 KARC 2100–2600 500–800 90–120 3.50-6.0 Ogolcho 2012 KARC 1500–2100 500–800 90–120 3.3-5.0 Source: Kulumsa Agriculture Research Center (2017) Table 2 Rates of fertilizer treatments used with their nutrient content in kg ha − 1 for the experiment Nutrient contents (kg ha − 1 ) Rates of fertilizer kg ha − 1 N P S B 0 NPSB + 100 UREA 46 0 0 0 50 NPSB + 100 UREA 54.45 18.05 3.35 0.35 100 NPSB + 100 UREA 64.1 36.1 6.7 0.71 150 NPSB + 100 UREA 73.15 54.15 10.5 1.07 200 NPSB + 100 UREA 82.2 72.2 13.4 1.42 2.2. Treatments and Experimental Design The experiment evaluated five NPSB fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 kg ha⁻¹) and three bread wheat varieties (Kekeba, Hidase, Ogolcho) in a factorial arrangement using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The field was divided into three blocks of 15 plots each, with individual plots measuring 6 m² (10 rows, 20 cm apart) and a net harvest area of 4.8 m², excluding border rows. 2.3. Land Preparation and Plant Establishment Seeds were sown manually at 125 kg ha⁻¹ to a depth of 4 cm on July 15, 2022, with all NPSB applied at planting and 100 kg ha⁻¹ urea split between sowing and mid tillering. Standard agronomic practices, including hand weeding, harvesting, and threshing, were applied uniformly across all plots. Data collected included plant height, leaf area, total and productive tillers, kernel per spike, 1000 kernel weight, above ground biomass, grain yield, and straw yield. Physiological maturity was determined when 90% of plants showed leaf senescence. Biomass and grain yield were measured from the central eight rows of each plot, with harvested material sun-dried to constant weight and expressed in kg ha⁻¹. 2.4. Analysis of Soil Samples Representative soil samples were collected from 0 to 20 cm depth in a zigzag pattern at nine locations across the experimental field (Hadgu et al., 2019 ) and combined into a one kilogram composite sample. Samples were labeled, packed, and analyzed at the Mekelle Soil Laboratory for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon, texture, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Particle size distribution was determined using the hydrometer method and classified with a textural triangle. Organic carbon was measured by the Walkley-Black method, with soil organic matter calculated as OC × 1.724, while total nitrogen was determined by the Kjeldahl method. Soil pH was measured potentiometrically (1:2.5 soil to water), CEC by ammonium acetate saturation, and available phosphorus using Olsen’s method 2.5. Data Collection Leaf area and plant height were measured, while yield components and grain yield including total and productive tillers, kernels per spike, thousand kernel weight, above-ground biomass, grain yield, straw yield, and harvest index were determined at maturity. Leaf area was measured from 10 tagged leaves, and plant height from 10 tagged plants. Total and productive tillers were counted from 0.5 m of two rows and converted per m². Ten spikes were sampled for kernels per spike, and a random sample was used to determine thousand kernel weights. Above-ground biomass was obtained from sun-dried plants, grain yield from harvested and threshed net plots, and straw yield by subtracting grain yield from biomass, all expressed in kg ha⁻¹. 2.6. Data Analysis All data including growth, and yield traits were analyzed using a factorial RCBD procedure in Genstate 18th edition. Main and interaction effects of wheat varieties and NPSB fertilizer rates were evaluated, with means compared using LSD at 5% significance. Results were presented in tabular form for clarity and ease of interpretation. 2.7. Economic Analysis The economic analysis was conducted using the CIMMYT partial budget method. Gross field benefits were calculated from adjusted grain and straw yields using market prices of ETB 22 kg⁻¹ for grain and ETB 1.5 kg⁻¹ for straw, while total variable costs included NPSB fertilizer (ETB 16.5 kg⁻¹), transport (ETB 0.5 kg⁻¹), and labor (7 persons ha⁻¹ at 100 ETB/day) for fertilizer application. Costs of other inputs and practices were assumed equal across treatments. Net benefits were computed as the difference between gross benefits and total variable costs, with yields adjusted downward by 10% to reflect expected farmer conditions. Treatments were ranked by increasing total variable cost, and dominance analysis excluded dominated treatments from the marginal rate of return (MRR) analysis. Non-dominated treatments with MRR ≥ 100% and the highest net benefit were considered economically profitable. All calculations were expressed per hectare in Ethiopian Birr. 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1. Soil Physicochemical Properties of the Experimental Site The experimental soil was clay in texture with a neutral reaction (pH 7.3) and non saline conditions. Soil organic carbon (0.68%), total nitrogen (0.089%), and available phosphorus (9.17 mg kg⁻¹) were rated as low, indicating nutrient deficiency and justifying the application of blended fertilizer. The soil exhibited a very high cation exchange capacity (50.4 cmol (+) kg⁻¹), suggesting a good nutrient holding capacity, supporting the effectiveness of fertilizer application. These soil characteristics justify the use of blended fertilizers to address multiple nutrient deficiencies simultaneously. Table 3 Selected soil physicochemical properties of the soil before sowing S.N Parameter Value Rating Reference 1 Sand (%) 14 2 Silt (%) 26 3 Clay (%) 60 4 Textural class Clay 5 pH(H2O) 7.3 Neutral Tekalign (1991) 6 EC(dsm − 1 ) 0.41 Low/non saline London (1991) 7 OC (%) 0.68 Low Tekalign (1991) 8 9 OM (%) TN (%) 1.18 0.089 Low Low Tekalign (1991) Tekalign (1991) 10 Pav (mg kg − 1 ) 9.17 Low Olsen et al.(1954) 11 CEC cmol ( + ) kg − 1 50.4 Very high London(1991) Where; OM= organic matter, OC= organic carbon, TN= total nitrogen, Pav= available phosphorus, CEC= cation exchange capacity, EC= electrical conductivity. 3.2. Growth Attributes Plant height and leaf area were significantly affected (p < 0.001) by NPSB fertilizer rates, varieties and their interaction. Plant height increased progressively with increasing NPSB rates across all varieties. Ogolcho produced significantly taller plants than Hidase and Kekeba at all fertilizer levels. The tallest plants were recorded in Ogolcho at 200 kg ha⁻¹ NPSB, while the shortest plants occurred in unfertilized Kekeba plots (Table 4 ). Ogolcho exhibited superior growth performance at all fertilizer levels, indicating greater genetic potential and nutrient use efficiency. The increase in plant height with higher fertilizer rates may be attributed to improved nitrogen and phosphorus availability, which promotes vegetative growth and cell elongation. Furthermore, the observed variation may be attributed to genetic differences among the varieties and enhanced nutrient availability at higher NPSB rates, particularly nitrogen, which promotes vegetative growth. These results are in agreement with the findings of (Feyisa, 2020), who reported a significant increase in plant height with higher NPSB application. Leaf area followed a similar trend, with maximum leaf area observed at 200 kg ha⁻¹ NPSB, particularly in Ogolcho. Enhanced leaf developments under higher fertilizer rates is likely associated with improved nutrient availability, leading to increased photosynthetic surface area and assimilate production. The increase in leaf area with higher NPSB application is likely due to improved nutrient availability, which facilitates photosynthesis and energy allocation for growth. These results are consistent with (Gebremeskel et al ., 2017), who reported higher leaf area in sorghum varieties with recommended blended fertilizers. Table 4 The interaction effect of NPSB blended fertilizer rate and variety on plant height (cm) Variety NPSB (kg ha − 1 ) PH (cm) LA (cm 2 ) Kekeba 0 81.73 h 4.080 j 50 84.04 g 5.170 h 100 86.85 e 7.140 ef 150 88.89 d 8.160 d 200 89.91 c 9.52 c Hidase 0 85.59 f 4.690 ij 50 87.52 e 6.120 gh 100 88.52 d 7.820 de 150 89.98 c 8.500 d 200 91.80 b 11.253 b Ogolcho 0 86.68 e 5.440 hi 50 87.55 e 6.80 fg 100 89.25 cd 8.167 d 150 92.28 b 11.067 b 200 95.73 a 12.960 a LSD (0.05) 0.909 0.83 CV (%) P-value 1.6 < 0.001 6.3 < 0.001 Where; PH=Plant Height, LA=Leaf Area, LSD= Least Significant Difference, CV= Coefficient of Variation, NPSB= Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur and Boron. Means with different letters in the same column are statistically significant at P-value (< 0.05). 3.3. Yield attributes and yield Total tillers, productive tillers and kernels per spike were significantly influenced (p < 0.001) by varieties and NPSB fertilizer rates, while their interaction was non-significant. Ogolcho recorded the highest number of total and productive tillers, whereas Kekeba produced the lowest (Table 5 ), likely due to the superior genetic potential of Ogolcho. Increasing NPSB rates significantly increased tiller production, with the maximum values recorded at 200 kg ha⁻¹. The positive response of tillering to fertilizer application may be attributed to the combined effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur on early growth and tiller initiation. Phosphorus likely enhanced root development and energy transfer, while sulfur contributed to protein synthesis and vigor. higher fertilizer rate are likely attributable to the combined effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur on growth and development, with phosphorus playing a critical role in energy transfer, root. The positive response of tillering to fertilizer application may be attributed to the combined effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur on early growth and tiller initiation. The increase in tiller number at higher fertilizer rates is likely attributable to the combined effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur on growth and development, with phosphorus playing a critical role in energy transfer, root development, and overall vegetative growth (Gadaleta et al., 2022 ). These results are in agreement with (Ishete and Tana, 2019 ), who reported that increased tiller numbers with higher NPS fertilizer rates. Ogolcho produced more kernels per spike than the other varieties, reflecting its superior genetic potential and likely due to genetic differences. Kernels per spike also increased significantly with increasing NPSB rates. Fertilizer application at 200 kg ha⁻¹ produced the highest kernel count, while unfertilized plots had the lowest. Improved phosphorus nutrition likely enhanced spike development and grain formation. The increase in kernels per spike with higher NPSB rates is attributed to the essential role of phosphorus in grain development, consistent with earlier studies by (Birhanu, 2021 ), who reported similar trends at 150 kg ha⁻¹ NPSB. Thousand kernel weight was significantly influenced by bread wheat varieties, NPSB fertilizer rates, and their interaction, indicating differential varietal responses to nutrient availability. The highest thousand kernel weight was consistently recorded at the application rate of 200 kg ha⁻¹ NPSB across all tested varieties, with Ogolcho producing significantly heavier kernels compared with Hidase and Kekeba. This suggests that both genetic potential and nutrient management play critical roles in determining grain weight under rain-fed conditions. The superior performance of Ogolcho in terms of thousand kernel weight may be attributed to its higher efficiency in nutrient uptake and utilization, particularly during the grain-filling period. Varietal differences in sink capacity, photosynthetic efficiency, and assimilate partitioning are known to influence kernel weight in wheat. Ogolcho likely maintained a longer grain filling duration and enhanced assimilate translocation from vegetative tissues to developing grains, resulting in heavier kernels. The observed increase in thousand kernel weight with increasing NPSB rates can be explained by the balanced supply of essential macronutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and boron (B). These results are consistent with the findings of (Woldetsadik et al., 2019 ), who reported increased thousand kernel weight in wheat with higher rates of blended NPS fertilizers due to improved nutrient balance and enhanced assimilate Above-ground biomass, grain yield and straw yield were significantly influenced (p < 0.001) by NPSB rates, varieties and their interaction (< 0.001) by NPSB rates, varieties and their interaction. Above-ground biomass and grain yield increased significantly with increasing NPSB fertilizer rates across all wheat varieties. Biomass and grain yield increased consistently with increasing fertilizer rates. Ogolcho at 200 kg ha⁻¹ NPSB produced the highest biomass and grain yield, while unfertilized Kekeba plots produced the lowest. The higher yields observed at increased NPSB rates may be attributed to enhanced nutrient availability, which improved tillering, leaf area development and grain filling. Also due to improved and balanced nutrient availability, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which enhanced tillering, leaf area development, and photosynthetic activity. In contrast, nutrient deficiency in unfertilized plots limited vegetative growth and dry matter accumulation, resulting in lower biomass. Increased biomass at higher fertilizer rates may result from better nutrient supply enhancing tillering, vegetative growth, and overall plant development; this is consistent with (Hajigame et al., 2023 ). Furthermore, this can be attributed to the variety’s superior genetic potential and its efficient utilization of balanced nutrients, which enhanced tillering, kernel number, and grain filling. In contrast, the lowest yield recorded in unfertilized Kekeba plots was due to nutrient deficiencies that restricted vegetative growth and yield component development, coupled with the lower genetic yield potential of the variety. Furthermore, the increase in grain yield with higher NPSB rates is attributed to the combined effects of macro and micronutrients, supporting enhanced tillering, plant growth, and reproductive development, in line with (Hegano et al., 2022 ). Straw yield followed a similar pattern to biomass, increasing with higher fertilizer rates. Higher straw yield elevated at 200 kg ha − 1 NPSB rates likely results from improved vegetative growth due to combined nutrient effects, similar to findings by (Teshome and Shifaraw, 2024 ). Harvest index was significantly affected by varieties, fertilizer, and their interaction (p < 0.001). It was significantly affected by treatments and tended to decline slightly at higher fertilizer rates due to proportionally greater vegetative growth relative to grain yield. Table 5 The main effect of NPSB blended fertilizer rate and variety on total tillers (m 2 ), productive tillers (m 2 ) and kernel per spike NPSB(kg ha) TT (m 2 ) PT (m 2 ) KPS 0 175.7 e 171.1 e 43.80 e 50 192.9 d 188.0 d 46.31 d 100 213.4 c 209.0 c 49.49 c 150 232.9 b 228.7 b 54.30 b 200 257.2 a 253.8 a 65.61 a LSD (0.05) P- value 6.35 < 0.001 5.99 < 0.001 1.94 < 0.001 Variety Kekeba 200.5 c 196.3 c 48.50 c Hidase 216.0 b 212.0 b 50.79 b Ogolcho 226.7 a 222.1 a 56.42 a LSD (0.05) 4.92 4.64 1.52 CV (%) P-value 3.1 < 0.001 3.0 < 0.001 3.9 < 0.001 Where; TT= total tiller, PT= productive tiller, KPS= kernel per spike, LSD= Least Significant Difference, CV= Coefficient of Variation, NPSB= Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur and Boron. Means with different letters in the same column are statistically significant at P-value (< 0.05). Table 6 The interaction effect of NPSB blended fertilizer rate and variety on thousand kernel weight (gram) of bread wheat NPSB (kg ha − 1 ) Variety 0 50 100 150 200 Kekeba 40.13 k 43.08 i 44.23 g 45.33 e 47.25 c Hidase 42.14 j 43.99 g 45.31 e 46.43 d 48.11 b Ogolcho 43.48 h 44.51 f 46.27 d 48.18 b 50.57 a LSD (0.05) 0.2411 CV (%) P-value 2.3 <0.001 LSD= Least Significant Difference, CV= Coefficient of Variation, NPSB= Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur and Boron. Means with different letters in the table are statistically significant at P-value (< 0.05) while Means in the table followed by the same letter are not significantly different at 5% level of significant Table 7 The interaction effect of NPSB blended fertilizer rate and variety on above ground biomass (kg ha − 1 ), grain yield (kg ha − 1 ), straw yield (kg ha − 1 ) and harvest index (%) of wheat Variety NPSB (kg ha − 1 ) AGB (kg ha − 1 ) SY (kg ha − 1 ) GY (kg ha − 1 ) HI Kekeba 0 6040 j 3149 k 2891 m 47.86 a 50 7002 i 3833 j 3168 k 45.24 b 100 8904 g 5255 h 3649 h 40.98 c 150 10233 e 6269 f 3963 g 38.72 d 200 11956 c 7716 c 4240 f 35.46 h Hidase 0 6654 i 3586 j 3067 l 46.15 b 50 8986 g 5638 g 3349 i 37.26 efg 100 10951 d 7013 e 3938 g 35.96 gh 150 11945 c 7604 cd 4341 e 36.34 fgh 200 12884 b 8220 b 4665 c 36.26 fgh Ogolcho 0 8095 h 4842 i 3253 j 40.18 c 50 9782 f 6155 f 3627 h 37.08 defg 100 11889 c 7327 de 4562 d 38.47 de 150 11889 c 7108 e 4781 b 40.21 c 200 13995 a 8743 a 5252 a 37.52 def LSD (0.05) 357.3 356.1 34.29 1.392 CV (%) P-value 2.1 < 0.001 3.5 < 0.001 2.3 2.1 < 0.001 <0.001 AGB= Above Ground Biomass, LSD= Least Significant Difference, SY= Straw yield, HI= Harvest index CV= Coefficient of Variation, LSD=List significant difference, NPSB= Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur and Boron. Means with different letters in the same column are statistically significant 3.4. Economic Analysis Economic analysis revealed clear differences among fertilizer and variety combinations (Tables 8 and 9 ). Net benefits increased with increasing NPSB rates for all varieties, with Ogolcho consistently outperforming Hidase and Kekeba. The highest net benefit (111,920 ETB ha⁻¹) and marginal rate of return (1108.7%) were obtained from Ogolcho at 200 kg ha⁻¹ NPSB, indicating strong economic justification for higher fertilizer investment under the studied conditions. Dominance analysis excluded most treatments due to lower net benefits at higher costs, leaving Ogolcho at 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha⁻¹ NPSB as economically viable options. Marginal rate of return values for all non-dominated treatments exceeded the minimum acceptable threshold of 100%, demonstrating that yield gains from balanced fertilization more than compensated for additional input costs. These results highlight the importance of integrating economic evaluation with agronomic performance when assessing fertilizer management strategies in rainfed production systems. Table 8 Economic analysis of the application of NPSB fertilizer on bread wheat varieties. Variety NPSB ASY AGY GFB TVC NB Dominance (kg/ha) (Kg/ha) (kg/ha) (ETB/ha) (ETB/ha) (ETB/ha) Ogolcho 0 4357.8 2927.7 70946.1 0 70946.1 - Hidase 0 3227.4 2760.3 65567.7 0 65567.7 D Kekeba 0 2834.1 2601.9 61492.95 0 61492.95 D Ogolcho 50 5539.5 3264.3 80123.85 1550 78573.85 ND Hidase 50 5074.2 3014.1 73921.5 1550 72371.5 D Kekeba 50 3449.7 2851.2 67900.95 1550 66350.95 D Ogolcho 100 6594.3 4105.8 100219 2400 97819.05 ND Hidase 100 6311.7 3544.2 87439.95 2400 85039.95 D Kekeba 100 4729.5 3284.1 79344.45 2400 76944.45 D Ogolcho 150 7389.9 4302.8 105746 3250 102496 ND Hidase 150 6843.6 3906.9 96217.2 3250 92967.4 D Kekeba 150 5642.1 3566.7 86930.55 3250 83680.55 D Ogolcho 200 8020.8 4726.8 116020 4100 111920 ND Hidase 200 7398 4198.5 103464 4100 99364 D Kekeba 200 6944.4 3816 94368 4100 90268 D Where; AGY= Adjusted grain yield, ASY= Adjusted Straw yield, TVC= Total variable cost, NB = Net benefit, ETB ha − 1 = Ethiopia Birr per hectare and D= Dominated, ND = Non-dominated and GFB= Gross field benefit. Table 9 Marginal Rate of Return (MRR) analysis for the non-dominated treatments Variety NPSB GFB TVC NB MRR (%) (kg/ha) (ETB/ha) (ETB/ha) (ETB/ha) Ogolcho Ogolcho 0 50 70946.1 80123.85 0 1550 70946.1 78573.85 - 492.11 Ogolcho 100 100219 2400 97819.05 2264.11 Ogolcho 150 105746 3250 102496 550.22 Ogolcho 200 116020 4100 111920 1108.70 Where; GFB= Gross field benefit, TVC= Total variable cost, NB = Net benefit, MRR= Marginal rate of return, ETB ha − 1 = Ethiopia Birr per hectare. 4. CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrate that balanced nutrient supply through NPSB blended fertilizer significantly influenced growth, yield components, biomass accumulation, grain yield, and economic performance of bread wheat under rainfed conditions. Increasing NPSB fertilizer rates enhanced plant height, leaf area development, tiller production, kernel number, and thousand kernel weight, indicating improved physiological performance and yield formation processes associated with balanced nutrient availability. Among the evaluated varieties, Ogolcho consistently exhibited superior growth and yield performance across fertilizer levels, reflecting greater efficiency in converting applied nutrients into above-ground biomass and grain yield. The interaction between wheat variety and NPSB fertilizer rate was particularly evident for yield, biomass production, and grain weight, highlighting the importance of variety specific nutrient response in rainfed production systems. The highest grain yield and biomass accumulation were observed at the highest NPSB application rate, indicating that nutrient supply was a limiting factor under the prevailing soil and climatic conditions. Economic analysis further showed that higher NPSB fertilizer rates resulted in increased net benefits and acceptable marginal rates of return, particularly for the Ogolcho variety. This suggests that yield gains obtained from balanced nutrient application were sufficient to offset the additional input costs, thereby improving the economic efficiency of wheat production under the studied conditions. Overall, the findings indicate that the integration of improved bread wheat varieties with balanced NPSB fertilizer management can enhance wheat productivity and profitability in rainfed conditions characterized by multiple nutrient deficiencies. However, as the study was conducted at a single location during one growing season, further multi-location and multi-season evaluations are required to validate the consistency of these responses and to refine nutrient management strategies for broader agroecological conditions. Declarations Conflicts of Interest The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest. Ethics declaration Ethical approval was not required for this study as it did not involve human or animal subjects. The research was conducted in accordance with institutional research guidelines Funding The work was financially supported by Adigrat University Author Contribution All authors contributed to the study's conception and design. Material preparation and data collection were performed by Abraha Welu Mesfin, Daniel Gebrekidan, and Yemane G. Egziabher. Data was analyzed by [Abraha Welu, Daniel Gebrekidan, and Yemane G. Egziabher]. The first draft of the manuscript was written by [Abraha Welu and Daniel Gebrekidan] and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Acknowledgments The authors would like to acknowledge Adigrat University for financial support. Data Availability The raw data collected and used to support the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author. References Abay, A., Tesfaye, K., & Tadesse, B. (2018). Soil fertility constraints and fertilizer use in Ethiopian smallholder farming systems. African Journal of Agricultural Research , 13 (6), 276–285. Agegnehu, G., & Amede, T. (2017). Integrated soil fertility and plant nutrient management in tropical agro-ecosystems: A review. Pedosphere , 27 (4), 662–680. Agegnehu, G., Lakew, B., & Nelson, P. N. (2016). Cropping sequence and nitrogen fertilizer effects on the productivity and quality of bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) in the Ethiopian highlands. Field Crops Research , 188 , 8393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2015.12.010 Birhanu, A. (2021). Effects of seed and blended fertilizer rates on yield and yield components of bread wheat (Doctoral dissertation) at duna district, hadiya zone, southern Ethiopia (doctoral dissertation). Central Statistical Agency (CSA). (2015). Agricultural sample survey 2014/2015: Report on area and production of major crops (Volume I) . Addis Ababa. Desta, D., Tana, T., & Dessalegn, T. (2020). Effects of blended NPSB fertilizer rates on yield and grain quality of durum wheat ( Triticum turgidum L.) varieties. Ethiopian Journal of Agricultural Sciences , 30 (3), 57–76. EthioSIS. (2014). Soil fertility status and fertilizer recommendation atlas for Tigray region . Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency, Addis Ababa. Fageria, N. K., Baligar, V. C., & Jones, C. A. (2011). Growth and mineral nutrition of field crops (3rd ed.). CRC. FAO. (2021). FAOSTAT statistical database . Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Feyisa Bededa, A. (2020). Effects of blended NPSB fertilizer rates on growth, yield components and yield of bread wheat (Doctoral dissertation). Haramaya University, Ethiopia. Gadaleta, A., Lacolla, G., & Giove, S. L. (2022). Durum wheat response to organic and mineral fertilization with different phosphorus based fertilizers. Agronomy , 12 (8), 1861. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12081861 Gebremeskel Gebrekorkos, G. G., Egziabher, Y. G., & Solomon Habtu, S. H. (2017). Response of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) varieties to blended fertilizer on yield, yield component and nutritional content under irrigation in Raya valley, Northern Ethiopia. Gebreslassie, H., Haileselassie, M., & Berhe, G. (2015). Wheat production constraints in central Tigray, Ethiopia. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development , 7 (6), 185–193. Hadgu, F., Dargie, S., & Brhane, H. (2019). Optimizing the rate of NPS and urea fertilizers on yield of wheat in Enderta Woreda, Tigray. TARI AGP-II Report , 51. Hajigame, A. S., Wondimu, W., & Adimasu, K. (2023). Response of bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) varieties to blended NPSB fertilizer levels in sori saylem District, South-West Ethiopia. The Scientific Temper , 14 (02), 460–467. Hegano, A., Tunebo, A., & Tesema, S. (2022). Evaluation of different blended fertilizer types and rates for improving wheat productivity in Debub Ari District, Southwestern Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Science and Sustainable Development , 9 (2), 53–61. Ishete, T. A., & Tana, T. (2019). Growth, yield component and yield response of durum wheat to blended NPS fertilizer supplemented with nitrogen rates. African Journal of Plant Science , 13 (1), 9–20. Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). (2018). Ethiopian soil fertility strategy . Addis Ababa. Tadesse, T., Kahsu, G., Gebrehiwet, W., Berhe, T., Tekulu, K., Yibabie, T., & Mebrahtu, S. (2019). Evaluation of NPSB blended fertilizer on quality, yield, and yield components of tef under rain-fed condition in Laelay Maichew, Tigray. TARI AGP-II Report , 7 , 141. Teshome, D., & Shifaraw, G. (2024). Response of NPSB blended fertilizer and varieties on yield and yield components of bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) at Gimbi District, Western Oromia, Ethiopia. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry , 12 (1), 5–17. Woldetsadik, A., Tena, W., & Melese, A. (2019). Effect of different blended fertilizer formulation on yield and yield components of bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) in siyadebrenawayu district, north shewa, Ethiopia. Journal of Biology Agriculture and Healthcare , 9 (15), 13–23. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8796053","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":586995725,"identity":"3fc12a51-432f-47ff-86da-e6c568612ae7","order_by":0,"name":"Abraha Welu Mesfin","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA1klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACCQY2ECXDwN4ApAwsiNfCw8BzAKRFghQtEgkQLkHAP7v32YOfbTY8BjefX93wo0CCgb+9OwG/JXeOmxv2tqXxGNzOKbvZA3SYxJmzG/BbcyONTYJ322GQlrQbPEAtBhK5+LXIA7VI/t32H+iwM2k3/xCjxQCoRZp32wEegxvsx24TZYvhnWNs0rL/knkkz+Sw3ZYxkOAh6Be5221skm/O2MnxHT/+7OabPzZy/O29BLyPADwGYJJY5SDA/oAU1aNgFIyCUTCCAACKV0WrTVIe+gAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Adigrat University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Abraha","middleName":"Welu","lastName":"Mesfin","suffix":""},{"id":586995726,"identity":"65c217bb-a853-46bb-b522-5ce383f1f90e","order_by":1,"name":"DanielGebrekidan Abay","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Mekelle University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"DanielGebrekidan","middleName":"","lastName":"Abay","suffix":""},{"id":586995727,"identity":"38400156-ce64-4277-9a1c-13e8e4b03101","order_by":2,"name":"Yemane G. Egziabher","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Mekelle University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Yemane","middleName":"G.","lastName":"Egziabher","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-02-05 11:08:22","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8796053/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8796053/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":102611903,"identity":"12f08b50-a6a6-427b-8308-77889573c320","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-13 14:56:33","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1090192,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8796053/v1/2b2fa161-e3d1-4527-bc51-07accf9e8eca.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Growth, Yield, and Economic Response of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties to NPSB Blended Fertilizer under Rainfed Conditions of Northern Ethiopia","fulltext":[{"header":"1. INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003eBread wheat (\u003cem\u003eTriticum aestivum\u003c/em\u003e L.) is one of the most important cereal crops globally and plays a vital role in food and nutritional security (FAO, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). In Ethiopia, wheat ranks among the major staple crops, contributing significantly to national food consumption and farm income (CSA, 2015). Despite expansion in wheat area, productivity remains low compared with global averages, largely due to soil fertility depletion, unbalanced fertilizer use and suboptimal agronomic management practices (Agegnehu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Nitrogen and phosphorus deficiencies are wide spread in Ethiopian soils, while sulfur and micro nutrients such as boron have increasingly become limiting due to continuous cultivation and removal of crop residues (EthioSIS, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Abay et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). To address these constraints, blended fertilizers are containing nitrogen; phosphorus, sulfur and boron (NPSB) have recently been introduced and promoted for wheat production in Ethiopia (MoA, 2018). These blended fertilizers aim to supply balanced nutrients and improve nutrient use efficiency compared with the conventional application of nitrogen and phosphorus alone (Agegnehu and Amede, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Wheat varieties differ in their growth characteristics, nutrient uptake efficiency and yield potential, leading to variable responses to fertilizer application (Fageria et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). Therefore, identifying suitable combinations of fertilizer rates and varieties is essential for maximizing yield and economic returns under specific agro-ecological conditions. Several studies in Ethiopia have reported positive responses of wheat to blended fertilizers; however, the optimum NPSB fertilizer rate in combination with improved bread wheat varieties remains location-specific due to variations in soil properties, rainfall and management practices (Tadesse et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Desta and Dessalegn, 2020). In the central zone of Tigray, particularly Laelaymaychew District, wheat productivity is constrained by low soil fertility and limited adoption of recommended fertilizer rates with improved varieties (Gebreslassie et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). However, evidence on the combined effect of NPSB fertilizer rates and improved bread wheat varieties under rain fed conditions of northern Ethiopia, particularly with economic validation, remains limited. Generating locally relevant recommendations is therefore necessary to improve wheat productivity and profitability. Unlike previous studies that focused mainly on NPSB fertilizers or yield response alone, the present study integrate NPSB blended fertilizer with varietal response and CIMMYT based economic analysis under rain fed conditions and emphasizing biomass and yield formation rather than fertilizer recommendation alone. This study enables the development of a location specific and economically validated recommendation for bread wheat production in northern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different NPSB blended fertilizer rates on the growth, yield, yield components and economic returns of selected bread wheat varieties and to identify an economically viable fertilizer variety combination for the study area and similar agroecological conditions under rainfed conditions.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. MATERIALS AND METHODS","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1. Description of the Experimental Site and Materials Used\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA field experiment was conducted during the main cropping (summer) season of 2022 at Hatsebo kebelle, on farmers\u0026rsquo; fields in Laelaymaychew District, Central Zone of Tigray, northern Ethiopia. The experimental site is geographically located at 14\u0026deg;06\u0026prime;40.2\u0026Prime; N latitude and 38\u0026deg;45\u0026prime;45.8\u0026Prime; E longitude, at an altitude of 2084 m above mean sea level. The site is situated approximately 260 km north of Mekelle and about 5 km from the district town. Three improved bread wheat (\u003cem\u003eTriticum aestivum\u003c/em\u003e L.) varieties, namely Hidase, Kekeba, and Ogolcho, were used as planting materials during the experiment. These varieties were obtained from the Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center and were selected based on their high yield potential and adaptability to the agroecological conditions of the study area. The experiment involved five NPSB blended fertilizer rates: 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1;. The NPSB fertilizer contained 18.1% nitrogen (N), 36.1% phosphorus (P), 6.7% sulfur (S), and 0.71% boron (B) and was supplied by the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) to Hatsebo kebelle. In addition, urea (46% N) at a rate of 100 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; was applied uniformly to all plots in accordance with local farmers\u0026rsquo; practice table (2). The selected NPSB rats reflect locally available recommendations and farmer practices, while uniform urea application ensured that treatment effects primarily reflected differences in secondary and micronutrient supply.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDescriptions of the wheat varieties used in the experiment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariety\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYear of\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreeder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAltitude\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRain fall\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaturity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProductivity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRelease\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCenter\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(M.a.s.l)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(days)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(t/ha)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKekeba\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2010\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKARC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1500\u0026ndash;2000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e500\u0026ndash;800\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e102\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.4\u0026ndash;6.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHidase\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKARC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2100\u0026ndash;2600\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e500\u0026ndash;800\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90\u0026ndash;120\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.50-6.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKARC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1500\u0026ndash;2100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e500\u0026ndash;800\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90\u0026ndash;120\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.3-5.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"7\"\u003eSource: Kulumsa Agriculture Research Center (2017)\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRates of fertilizer treatments used with their nutrient content in kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e for the experiment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNutrient\u0026nbsp;contents (kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRates of fertilizer kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eN\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0 NPSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;100 UREA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50 NPSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;100 UREA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100 NPSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;100 UREA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150 NPSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;100 UREA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200 NPSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;100 UREA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2. Treatments and Experimental Design\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe experiment evaluated five NPSB fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1;) and three bread wheat varieties (Kekeba, Hidase, Ogolcho) in a factorial arrangement using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The field was divided into three blocks of 15 plots each, with individual plots measuring 6 m\u0026sup2; (10 rows, 20 cm apart) and a net harvest area of 4.8 m\u0026sup2;, excluding border rows.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.3. Land Preparation and Plant Establishment\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeeds were sown manually at 125 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; to a depth of 4 cm on July 15, 2022, with all NPSB applied at planting and 100 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; urea split between sowing and mid tillering. Standard agronomic practices, including hand weeding, harvesting, and threshing, were applied uniformly across all plots. Data collected included plant height, leaf area, total and productive tillers, kernel per spike, 1000 kernel weight, above ground biomass, grain yield, and straw yield. Physiological maturity was determined when 90% of plants showed leaf senescence. Biomass and grain yield were measured from the central eight rows of each plot, with harvested material sun-dried to constant weight and expressed in kg ha⁻\u0026sup1;.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.4. Analysis of Soil Samples\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eRepresentative soil samples were collected from 0 to 20 cm depth in a zigzag pattern at nine locations across the experimental field (Hadgu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e) and combined into a one kilogram composite sample. Samples were labeled, packed, and analyzed at the Mekelle Soil Laboratory for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon, texture, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Particle size distribution was determined using the hydrometer method and classified with a textural triangle. Organic carbon was measured by the Walkley-Black method, with soil organic matter calculated as OC \u0026times; 1.724, while total nitrogen was determined by the Kjeldahl method. Soil pH was measured potentiometrically (1:2.5 soil to water), CEC by ammonium acetate saturation, and available phosphorus using Olsen\u0026rsquo;s method\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.5. Data Collection\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf area and plant height were measured, while yield components and grain yield including total and productive tillers, kernels per spike, thousand kernel weight, above-ground biomass, grain yield, straw yield, and harvest index were determined at maturity. Leaf area was measured from 10 tagged leaves, and plant height from 10 tagged plants. Total and productive tillers were counted from 0.5 m of two rows and converted per m\u0026sup2;. Ten spikes were sampled for kernels per spike, and a random sample was used to determine thousand kernel weights. Above-ground biomass was obtained from sun-dried plants, grain yield from harvested and threshed net plots, and straw yield by subtracting grain yield from biomass, all expressed in kg ha⁻\u0026sup1;.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.6. Data Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll data including growth, and yield traits were analyzed using a factorial RCBD procedure in Genstate 18th edition. Main and interaction effects of wheat varieties and NPSB fertilizer rates were evaluated, with means compared using LSD at 5% significance. Results were presented in tabular form for clarity and ease of interpretation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.7. Economic Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe economic analysis was conducted using the CIMMYT partial budget method. Gross field benefits were calculated from adjusted grain and straw yields using market prices of ETB 22 kg⁻\u0026sup1; for grain and ETB 1.5 kg⁻\u0026sup1; for straw, while total variable costs included NPSB fertilizer (ETB 16.5 kg⁻\u0026sup1;), transport (ETB 0.5 kg⁻\u0026sup1;), and labor (7 persons ha⁻\u0026sup1; at 100 ETB/day) for fertilizer application. Costs of other inputs and practices were assumed equal across treatments. Net benefits were computed as the difference between gross benefits and total variable costs, with yields adjusted downward by 10% to reflect expected farmer conditions. Treatments were ranked by increasing total variable cost, and dominance analysis excluded dominated treatments from the marginal rate of return (MRR) analysis. Non-dominated treatments with MRR\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;100% and the highest net benefit were considered economically profitable. All calculations were expressed per hectare in Ethiopian Birr.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1. Soil Physicochemical Properties of the Experimental Site\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe experimental soil was clay in texture with a neutral reaction (pH 7.3) and non saline conditions. Soil organic carbon (0.68%), total nitrogen (0.089%), and available phosphorus (9.17 mg kg⁻\u0026sup1;) were rated as low, indicating nutrient deficiency and justifying the application of blended fertilizer. The soil exhibited a very high cation exchange capacity (50.4 cmol (+) kg⁻\u0026sup1;), suggesting a good nutrient holding capacity, supporting the effectiveness of fertilizer application. These soil characteristics justify the use of blended fertilizers to address multiple nutrient deficiencies simultaneously.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelected soil physicochemical properties of the soil before sowing\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eS.N\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParameter\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValue\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRating\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eReference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSand (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSilt (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eClay (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTextural class\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eClay\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003epH(H2O)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNeutral\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTekalign (1991)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEC(dsm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLow/non saline\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLondon (1991)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOC (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLow\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTekalign (1991)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOM (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTN (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.089\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLow\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLow\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTekalign (1991)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTekalign (1991)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePav (mg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLow\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOlsen et al.(1954)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCEC cmol (\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e) kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVery high\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLondon(1991)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere; OM= organic matter, OC= organic carbon, TN= total nitrogen, Pav= available phosphorus, CEC= cation exchange capacity, EC= electrical conductivity.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2. Growth Attributes\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant height and leaf area were significantly affected (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) by NPSB fertilizer rates, varieties and their interaction. Plant height increased progressively with increasing NPSB rates across all varieties. Ogolcho produced significantly taller plants than Hidase and Kekeba at all fertilizer levels. The tallest plants were recorded in Ogolcho at 200 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; NPSB, while the shortest plants occurred in unfertilized Kekeba plots (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). Ogolcho exhibited superior growth performance at all fertilizer levels, indicating greater genetic potential and nutrient use efficiency. The increase in plant height with higher fertilizer rates may be attributed to improved nitrogen and phosphorus availability, which promotes vegetative growth and cell elongation. Furthermore, the observed variation may be attributed to genetic differences among the varieties and enhanced nutrient availability at higher NPSB rates, particularly nitrogen, which promotes vegetative growth. These results are in agreement with the findings of (Feyisa, 2020), who reported a significant increase in plant height with higher NPSB application.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf area followed a similar trend, with maximum leaf area observed at 200 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; NPSB, particularly in Ogolcho. Enhanced leaf developments under higher fertilizer rates is likely associated with improved nutrient availability, leading to increased photosynthetic surface area and assimilate production. The increase in leaf area with higher NPSB application is likely due to improved nutrient availability, which facilitates photosynthesis and energy allocation for growth. These results are consistent with (Gebremeskel \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2017), who reported higher leaf area in sorghum varieties with recommended blended fertilizers.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe interaction effect of NPSB blended fertilizer rate and variety on plant height (cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariety\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNPSB (kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePH (cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLA (cm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKekeba\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81.73\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.080\u003csup\u003ej\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e84.04\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.170\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86.85\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.140\u003csup\u003eef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88.89\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.160\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e89.91\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.52\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHidase\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85.59\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.690\u003csup\u003eij\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87.52\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.120\u003csup\u003egh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88.52\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.820\u003csup\u003ede\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e89.98\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.500\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91.80\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.253\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86.68\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.440\u003csup\u003ehi\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87.55\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.80\u003csup\u003efg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e89.25\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.167\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92.28\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.067\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95.73\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.960\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD (0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.909\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCV (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere; PH=Plant Height, LA=Leaf Area, LSD= Least Significant Difference, CV= Coefficient of Variation, NPSB= Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur and Boron. Means with different letters in the same column are statistically significant at P-value (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.3. Yield attributes and yield\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal tillers, productive tillers and kernels per spike were significantly influenced (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) by varieties and NPSB fertilizer rates, while their interaction was non-significant. Ogolcho recorded the highest number of total and productive tillers, whereas Kekeba produced the lowest (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e), likely due to the superior genetic potential of Ogolcho. Increasing NPSB rates significantly increased tiller production, with the maximum values recorded at 200 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1;. The positive response of tillering to fertilizer application may be attributed to the combined effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur on early growth and tiller initiation. Phosphorus likely enhanced root development and energy transfer, while sulfur contributed to protein synthesis and vigor.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ehigher fertilizer rate are likely attributable to the combined effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur on growth and development, with phosphorus playing a critical role in energy transfer, root. The positive response of tillering to fertilizer application may be attributed to the combined effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur on early growth and tiller initiation. The increase in tiller number at higher fertilizer rates is likely attributable to the combined effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur on growth and development, with phosphorus playing a critical role in energy transfer, root development, and overall vegetative growth (Gadaleta et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). These results are in agreement with (Ishete and Tana, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e), who reported that increased tiller numbers with higher NPS fertilizer rates.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho produced more kernels per spike than the other varieties, reflecting its superior genetic potential and likely due to genetic differences. Kernels per spike also increased significantly with increasing NPSB rates. Fertilizer application at 200 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; produced the highest kernel count, while unfertilized plots had the lowest. Improved phosphorus nutrition likely enhanced spike development and grain formation. The increase in kernels per spike with higher NPSB rates is attributed to the essential role of phosphorus in grain development, consistent with earlier studies by (Birhanu, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e), who reported similar trends at 150 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; NPSB.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThousand kernel weight was significantly influenced by bread wheat varieties, NPSB fertilizer rates, and their interaction, indicating differential varietal responses to nutrient availability. The highest thousand kernel weight was consistently recorded at the application rate of 200 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; NPSB across all tested varieties, with Ogolcho producing significantly heavier kernels compared with Hidase and Kekeba. This suggests that both genetic potential and nutrient management play critical roles in determining grain weight under rain-fed conditions. The superior performance of Ogolcho in terms of thousand kernel weight may be attributed to its higher efficiency in nutrient uptake and utilization, particularly during the grain-filling period. Varietal differences in sink capacity, photosynthetic efficiency, and assimilate partitioning are known to influence kernel weight in wheat. Ogolcho likely maintained a longer grain filling duration and enhanced assimilate translocation from vegetative tissues to developing grains, resulting in heavier kernels. The observed increase in thousand kernel weight with increasing NPSB rates can be explained by the balanced supply of essential macronutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and boron (B). These results are consistent with the findings of (Woldetsadik et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e), who reported increased thousand kernel weight in wheat with higher rates of blended NPS fertilizers due to improved nutrient balance and enhanced assimilate\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbove-ground biomass, grain yield and straw yield were significantly influenced (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) by NPSB rates, varieties and their interaction (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) by NPSB rates, varieties and their interaction. Above-ground biomass and grain yield increased significantly with increasing NPSB\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003efertilizer rates across all wheat varieties. Biomass and grain yield increased consistently with increasing fertilizer rates. Ogolcho at 200 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; NPSB produced the highest biomass and grain yield, while unfertilized Kekeba plots produced the lowest. The higher yields observed at increased NPSB rates may be attributed to enhanced nutrient availability, which improved tillering, leaf area development and grain filling. Also due to improved and balanced nutrient availability, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which enhanced tillering, leaf area development, and photosynthetic activity. In contrast, nutrient deficiency in unfertilized plots limited vegetative growth and dry matter accumulation, resulting in lower biomass. Increased biomass at higher fertilizer rates may result from better nutrient supply enhancing tillering, vegetative growth, and overall plant development; this is consistent with (Hajigame et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Furthermore, this can be attributed to the variety\u0026rsquo;s superior genetic potential and its efficient utilization of balanced nutrients, which enhanced tillering, kernel number, and grain filling. In contrast, the lowest yield recorded in unfertilized Kekeba plots was due to nutrient deficiencies that restricted vegetative growth and yield component development, coupled with the lower genetic yield potential of the variety. Furthermore, the increase in grain yield with higher NPSB rates is attributed to the combined effects of macro and micronutrients, supporting enhanced tillering, plant growth, and reproductive development, in line with (Hegano et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Straw yield followed a similar pattern to biomass, increasing with higher fertilizer rates. Higher straw yield elevated at 200 kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e NPSB rates likely results from improved vegetative growth due to combined nutrient effects, similar to findings by (Teshome and Shifaraw, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Harvest index was significantly affected by varieties, fertilizer, and their interaction (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001). It was significantly affected by treatments and tended to decline slightly at higher fertilizer rates due to proportionally greater vegetative growth relative to grain yield.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe main effect of NPSB blended fertilizer rate and variety on total tillers (m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e), productive tillers (m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e) and kernel per spike\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNPSB(kg ha)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTT (m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePT (m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKPS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e175.7\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e171.1\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.80\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e192.9\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e188.0\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.31\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e213.4\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e209.0\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.49\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e232.9\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e228.7\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.30\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e257.2\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e253.8\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65.61\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD (0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eP- value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.94\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariety\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKekeba\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200.5\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e196.3\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.50\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHidase\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e216.0\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e212.0\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.79\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e226.7\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e222.1\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.42\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD (0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCV (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere; TT= total tiller, PT= productive tiller, KPS= kernel per spike, LSD= Least Significant Difference, CV= Coefficient of Variation, NPSB= Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur and Boron. Means with different letters in the same column are statistically significant at P-value (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe interaction effect of NPSB blended fertilizer rate and variety on thousand kernel weight (gram) of bread wheat\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNPSB (kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariety\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKekeba\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.13\u003csup\u003ek\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.08\u003csup\u003ei\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.23\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.33\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.25\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHidase\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.14\u003csup\u003ej\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.99\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.31\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.43\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.11\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.48\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.51\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.27\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.18\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.57\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD (0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2411\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCV (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"7\"\u003eLSD= Least Significant Difference, CV= Coefficient of Variation, NPSB= Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur and Boron. Means with different letters in the table are statistically significant at P-value (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) while Means in the table followed by the same letter are not significantly different at 5% level of significant\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab7\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 7\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe interaction effect of NPSB blended fertilizer rate and variety on above ground biomass (kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e), grain yield (kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e), straw yield (kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e) and harvest index (%) of wheat\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariety\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNPSB (kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAGB (kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSY (kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGY (kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e) HI\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKekeba\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6040\u003csup\u003ej\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3149\u003csup\u003ek\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2891\u003csup\u003em\u003c/sup\u003e 47.86\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7002\u003csup\u003ei\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3833\u003csup\u003ej\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3168\u003csup\u003ek\u003c/sup\u003e 45.24\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8904\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5255\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3649\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e 40.98\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10233\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6269\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3963\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e 38.72\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11956\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7716\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4240\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e 35.46\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHidase\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6654\u003csup\u003ei\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3586\u003csup\u003ej\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3067\u003csup\u003el\u003c/sup\u003e 46.15\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8986\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5638\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3349\u003csup\u003ei\u003c/sup\u003e 37.26\u003csup\u003eefg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10951\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7013\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3938\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e 35.96\u003csup\u003egh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11945\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7604\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4341\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e 36.34\u003csup\u003efgh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12884\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8220\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4665\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e 36.26\u003csup\u003efgh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8095\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4842\u003csup\u003ei\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3253\u003csup\u003ej\u003c/sup\u003e 40.18\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9782\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6155\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3627\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e 37.08\u003csup\u003edefg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11889\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7327\u003csup\u003ede\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4562\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e 38.47\u003csup\u003ede\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11889\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7108\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4781\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e 40.21\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13995\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8743\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5252\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e 37.52\u003csup\u003edef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD (0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e357.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e356.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.29 1.392\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCV (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.3 2.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001 \u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003eAGB= Above Ground Biomass, LSD= Least Significant Difference, SY= Straw yield, HI= Harvest index CV= Coefficient of Variation, LSD=List significant difference, NPSB= Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur and Boron. Means with different letters in the same column are statistically significant\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.4. Economic Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eEconomic analysis revealed clear differences among fertilizer and variety combinations (Tables\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e and \u003cspan refid=\"Tab9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e). Net benefits increased with increasing NPSB rates for all varieties, with Ogolcho consistently outperforming Hidase and Kekeba. The highest net benefit (111,920 ETB ha⁻\u0026sup1;) and marginal rate of return (1108.7%) were obtained from Ogolcho at 200 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; NPSB, indicating strong economic justification for higher fertilizer investment under the studied conditions. Dominance analysis excluded most treatments due to lower net benefits at higher costs, leaving Ogolcho at 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; NPSB as economically viable options. Marginal rate of return values for all non-dominated treatments exceeded the minimum acceptable threshold of 100%, demonstrating that yield gains from balanced fertilization more than compensated for additional input costs. These results highlight the importance of integrating economic evaluation with agronomic performance when assessing fertilizer management strategies in rainfed production systems.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab8\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 8\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEconomic analysis of the application of NPSB fertilizer on bread wheat varieties.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariety\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNPSB\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eASY\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAGY\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGFB\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTVC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNB\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDominance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(kg/ha)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(Kg/ha)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(kg/ha)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(ETB/ha)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(ETB/ha)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(ETB/ha)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4357.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2927.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70946.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70946.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHidase\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3227.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2760.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65567.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65567.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKekeba\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2834.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2601.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61492.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61492.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5539.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3264.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80123.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1550\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78573.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eND\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHidase\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5074.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3014.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73921.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1550\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72371.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKekeba\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3449.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2851.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67900.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1550\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66350.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6594.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4105.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100219\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e97819.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eND\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHidase\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6311.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3544.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87439.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85039.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKekeba\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4729.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3284.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e79344.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76944.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7389.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4302.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e105746\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e102496\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eND\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHidase\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6843.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3906.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96217.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92967.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKekeba\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5642.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3566.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86930.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83680.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8020.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4726.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e116020\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e111920\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eND\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHidase\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7398\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4198.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e103464\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e99364\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKekeba\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6944.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3816\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94368\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90268\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere; AGY= Adjusted grain yield, ASY= Adjusted Straw yield, TVC= Total variable cost, NB\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Net benefit, ETB ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e= Ethiopia Birr per hectare and D= Dominated, ND\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Non-dominated and GFB= Gross field benefit.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab9\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 9\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarginal Rate of Return (MRR) analysis for the non-dominated treatments\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariety\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNPSB\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGFB\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTVC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNB\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMRR (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(kg/ha)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(ETB/ha)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(ETB/ha)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(ETB/ha)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70946.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e80123.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1550\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70946.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e78573.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e492.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100219\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e97819.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2264.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e105746\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e102496\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e550.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOgolcho\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e116020\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e111920\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1108.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere; GFB= Gross field benefit, TVC= Total variable cost, NB\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Net benefit, MRR= Marginal rate of return, ETB ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e= Ethiopia Birr per hectare.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4. CONCLUSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe results of this study demonstrate that balanced nutrient supply through NPSB blended fertilizer significantly influenced growth, yield components, biomass accumulation, grain yield, and economic performance of bread wheat under rainfed conditions. Increasing NPSB fertilizer rates enhanced plant height, leaf area development, tiller production, kernel number, and thousand kernel weight, indicating improved physiological performance and yield formation processes associated with balanced nutrient availability. Among the evaluated varieties, Ogolcho consistently exhibited superior growth and yield performance across fertilizer levels, reflecting greater efficiency in converting applied nutrients into above-ground biomass and grain yield. The interaction between wheat variety and NPSB fertilizer rate was particularly evident for yield, biomass production, and grain weight, highlighting the importance of variety specific nutrient response in rainfed production systems. The highest grain yield and biomass accumulation were observed at the highest NPSB application rate, indicating that nutrient supply was a limiting factor under the prevailing soil and climatic conditions. Economic analysis further showed that higher NPSB fertilizer rates resulted in increased net benefits and acceptable marginal rates of return, particularly for the Ogolcho variety. This suggests that yield gains obtained from balanced nutrient application were sufficient to offset the additional input costs, thereby improving the economic efficiency of wheat production under the studied conditions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverall, the findings indicate that the integration of improved bread wheat varieties with balanced NPSB fertilizer management can enhance wheat productivity and profitability in rainfed conditions characterized by multiple nutrient deficiencies. However, as the study was conducted at a single location during one growing season, further multi-location and multi-season evaluations are required to validate the consistency of these responses and to refine nutrient management strategies for broader agroecological conditions.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":" \u003ch2\u003eConflicts of Interest\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.\u003c/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003e Ethics declaration\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e Ethical approval was not required for this study as it did not involve human or animal subjects. The research was conducted in accordance with institutional research guidelines\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFunding\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe work was financially supported by Adigrat University\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll authors contributed to the study's conception and design. Material preparation and data collection were performed by Abraha Welu Mesfin, Daniel Gebrekidan, and Yemane G. Egziabher. Data was analyzed by [Abraha Welu, Daniel Gebrekidan, and Yemane G. Egziabher]. The first draft of the manuscript was written by [Abraha Welu and Daniel Gebrekidan] and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgments\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe authors would like to acknowledge Adigrat University for financial support.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe raw data collected and used to support the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbay, A., Tesfaye, K., \u0026amp; Tadesse, B. (2018). 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Durum wheat response to organic and mineral fertilization with different phosphorus based fertilizers. \u003cem\u003eAgronomy\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e12\u003c/em\u003e(8), 1861. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12081861\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.3390/agronomy12081861\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGebremeskel Gebrekorkos, G. G., Egziabher, Y. G., \u0026amp; Solomon Habtu, S. H. (2017). Response of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) varieties to blended fertilizer on yield, yield component and nutritional content under irrigation in Raya valley, Northern Ethiopia.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGebreslassie, H., Haileselassie, M., \u0026amp; Berhe, G. (2015). Wheat production constraints in central Tigray, Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e7\u003c/em\u003e(6), 185\u0026ndash;193.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHadgu, F., Dargie, S., \u0026amp; Brhane, H. (2019). Optimizing the rate of NPS and urea fertilizers on yield of wheat in Enderta Woreda, Tigray. \u003cem\u003eTARI AGP-II Report\u003c/em\u003e, 51.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHajigame, A. S., Wondimu, W., \u0026amp; Adimasu, K. (2023). Response of bread wheat (\u003cem\u003eTriticum aestivum\u003c/em\u003e L.) varieties to blended NPSB fertilizer levels in sori saylem District, South-West Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eThe Scientific Temper\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e14\u003c/em\u003e(02), 460\u0026ndash;467.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHegano, A., Tunebo, A., \u0026amp; Tesema, S. (2022). Evaluation of different blended fertilizer types and rates for improving wheat productivity in Debub Ari District, Southwestern Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eEthiopian Journal of Science and Sustainable Development\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e9\u003c/em\u003e(2), 53\u0026ndash;61.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIshete, T. A., \u0026amp; Tana, T. (2019). Growth, yield component and yield response of durum wheat to blended NPS fertilizer supplemented with nitrogen rates. \u003cem\u003eAfrican Journal of Plant Science\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e13\u003c/em\u003e(1), 9\u0026ndash;20.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinistry of Agriculture (MoA). (2018). \u003cem\u003eEthiopian soil fertility strategy\u003c/em\u003e. Addis Ababa.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTadesse, T., Kahsu, G., Gebrehiwet, W., Berhe, T., Tekulu, K., Yibabie, T., \u0026amp; Mebrahtu, S. (2019). Evaluation of NPSB blended fertilizer on quality, yield, and yield components of tef under rain-fed condition in Laelay Maichew, Tigray. \u003cem\u003eTARI AGP-II Report\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e7\u003c/em\u003e, 141.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTeshome, D., \u0026amp; Shifaraw, G. (2024). Response of NPSB blended fertilizer and varieties on yield and yield components of bread wheat (\u003cem\u003eTriticum aestivum\u003c/em\u003e L.) at Gimbi District, Western Oromia, Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eAmerican Journal of Agriculture and Forestry\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e12\u003c/em\u003e(1), 5\u0026ndash;17.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWoldetsadik, A., Tena, W., \u0026amp; Melese, A. (2019). Effect of different blended fertilizer formulation on yield and yield components of bread wheat (\u003cem\u003eTriticum aestivum\u003c/em\u003e L.) in siyadebrenawayu district, north shewa, Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Biology Agriculture and Healthcare\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e9\u003c/em\u003e(15), 13\u0026ndash;23.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Bread wheat, NPSB fertilizer, Rainfed, Yield, Biomass, Economic analysis","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8796053/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8796053/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eA field experiment was conducted during the 2022 main cropping season at Laelaymaychew District, Central Zone of Tigray, northern Ethiopia, to evaluate the growth, yield and economic response of bread wheat varieties to NPSB blended fertilizer rates under rainfed conditions. The treatments consisted of five NPSB rates (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1;) and three bread wheat varieties (Kekeba, Hidase and Ogolcho), arranged in a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. All plots received a uniform application of 100 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; urea. The results revealed that growth parameters, yield components, grain yield, biomass and economic returns were significantly influenced by NPSB fertilizer rates and varieties. Increasing NPSB rates significantly enhanced plant height, leaf area, tiller number, kernels per spike, thousand kernel weights, biomass and grain yield. Among the varieties, Ogolcho consistently produced higher grain yield and biomass than Hidase and Kekeba. The highest grain yield (5,252 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1;) and biomass (13,995 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1;) were obtained from Ogolcho at 200 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; NPSB. Economic analysis indicated that the same treatment resulted in the maximum net benefit (111,920 ETB ha⁻\u0026sup1;) and marginal rate of return (1108.7%). Therefore, application of 200 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; NPSB with Ogolcho variety can be recommended for enhancing wheat productivity and profitability under similar agroecological conditions, though further multi-location and multi-season studies are required to confirm the recommendation.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Growth, Yield, and Economic Response of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties to NPSB Blended Fertilizer under Rainfed Conditions of Northern Ethiopia","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-02-09 13:36:33","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8796053/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"e853b8bd-c752-475f-b186-15db0cb95aa6","owner":[],"postedDate":"February 9th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-02-13T14:54:52+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-02-09 13:36:33","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8796053","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8796053","identity":"rs-8796053","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}