Responses of clover and desmodium to Egyptian rockphosphate in Ethiopia

Although the majority of soils in Africa are P deficient, the high cost of conventional water-soluble P fertilizers limits their use by resource-poor farmers. Rockphosphates are a low-cost alternative. The effect of Egyptian rockphosphate (ERP) from two sources, applied at 50 kg P ha(-1) on annual T rifolium tembense (clover) grown on a Vertisol was evaluated. The fertilize rs were applied once and their effects were followed on five consecutive an nual clover crops. Clover responded to P from either source of ERP, with no significant difference between the two sources. Significant (P < 0.05) P e ffects on clover P uptake and dry matter yields were observed up to the thi rd crop. The effect of mixing TSP with ERP on yields of Desmodium sanduicau se was also evaluated on an Alfisol. Mixtures containing 1:1 and 1:3 ratios of TSP:ERP on the basis of P content, gave the highest yields, but these w ere not significantly higher than those from ERP applied alone. Therefore, mixing ERP with the more expensive TSP is not justified. Use of rockphospha tes alone could elevate the P status of the P-deficient soils and increase forage and livestock productivity in the Ethiopian highlands.