Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) production is mainly constrained by soil water and
nutrient deficits in northern Ethiopia. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of
tillage and fertilizer practices on productivity of two sorghum varieties in Abergelle area,
northern Ethiopia. The experimental design was split-plot design. The main-plot treatments
included five tillage practices. These were shilshalo (traditional ridge without ties) for
broadcasted planting (SBP), tied-ridging at planting (TR0WAP), tied-ridging at four weeks after
planting (TR4WAP), zero tillage (ZT), and shilshalo for row planting (SRP). Two fertilizer rates
of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), as0-0 N-P ha-1
(without fertilizer, F1) and 32-10 kg N-P ha-1
(with fertilizer, F2) treatments, were used in the sub-plots. The local sorghum varieties i.e.,
Woitoziraand Chibal (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) were tested for two years (2002-2003). The
pooled and yearly-basis data analysis showed that the main and interaction treatment effects
were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced the yield and yield components of both varieties. This
study also demonstrated sorghum yield incrementby7to 48% due to the interaction effect of
TR0WAP with F2 as compared to the interaction effects of the other tillage treatments with F2.
However, the increment of yield and yield components due to the tied-ridging and fertilizer
interaction effects were higher for Chibalas compared to Woitozira. The mean sorghum crop
yield due to TR0WAP interaction with F2 for Chibal was1.45 t ha-1
and that of Woitozirawas
1.31t ha-1
. Thus, suitable time of tied-ridging integrated with proper rate of fertilizer should be
adopted for effective increase of crop production in the semi-arid areas of northern Ethiopia such
as the Abergelle area.