Effects of faba bean break crop and N rates on subsequent grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of highland maize varieties in Toke Kutaye, western Ethiopia

The biological N2-fixation in faba bean on subsequent nitrogen fertilizer requirement of highland maize varieties would be useful in guiding application of additional nitrogen fertilizer in cropping sequence. Maize planted following faba bean precursor crop without rhizobium inoculation was produced significantly higher mean grain yield at full recommended nitrogen fertilizer. Significantly higher mean grain yield maize was obtained from application half recommended nitrogen fertilizer following faba bean precursor crop with rhizobium inoculation. Faba bean planted with rhizobium inoculation was contributed for nitrogen status improvement soil and nitrogen response of subsequent maize to. The planting of faba bean varieties with and without rhizobium inoculation was improved N status of the soil and nitrogen fertilizer response maize varieties. Integrated use of faba bean precursor crop with/without rhizobium inoculation with maize varieties and nitrogen fertilizer were recommended for sustainable production of maize varieties. Significantly higher mean agronomic efficiency and nitrogen uptake efficiency of both maize varieties were obtained from lower rates of N application as compared to the higher rates used. Agronomic and economic analyses confirmed production of maize varieties following faba bean precursor crop without and with rhizobium inoculation and applying half recommended nitrogen fertilizer were profitable for sustainable maize production in high altitude areas of western Ethiopia.