<![CDATA[The site specific fertilizer type for crop production in Ethiopia does not show crop yield variability when compared with the previously recommended NP fertilizer. Identifying the most yield-limiting nutrient is very important. Hence, the objective of this study was to identify the yield-limiting nutrient and quantify the level of yield penalty in maize under three locations in the Yeki district during the 2023 cropping season. Ten treatments constitute of control, recommended nitrogen and phosphorus (RNP), RNP +sulfur (S2), six nutrients (NPKSBZn), nitrogen omitted (PKSBZn), phosphorus omitted (NKSBZn), potassium omitted (NPSBZn), sulfur omitted (NPKBZn), boron omitted (NPKSZn) and zinc omitted (NPKSB) were arranged by randomized complete block design under three replication. Agronomic data were taken and analyzed by using R software 4.2.2. The mean difference of treatments was compared by LSD at a probability level of 5%. The pool means analysis of variance indicated that maize grain yield and yield components were significantly (p≤0.05) influenced by different nutrient omissions. The highest maize grain yield penalty 42.19% and 34.26% were recorded under the control plot followed by nitrogen omitted plots respectively and the lowest 0.65% from the previously recommended NP fertilizer applied plots. In the study area, the most yield reduction that showed more than 10% yield penalty of maize 34.26%, 23.20%, 19.92%, and 10.66% was due to N, S, P, and K omitted respectively. Since the study was conducted for one season further validation and demonstration for specific nutrients across multi-location and soil tests will be better to see more variability.]]>
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