Coffee Husk Compost and Nitrogen Fertilizer rates as soil management techniques on the growth and yield of Garlic

In the study area, farmers apply fertilizers to garlic farms; however, the optimal nitrogen fertilizer levels and organic inputs remain challenges for maximizing garlic yield and quality. This study was conducted to address these gaps that would help develop more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable fertilization strategies to enhance garlic productivity. The experiment was conducted using a 4x4 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Four levels: 0, 5, 10, and 15 t ha⁻¹ coffee husk compost combined with four levels: 0, 52.5, 105, and 157.5 kg ha-1 nitrogen fertilizer was applied to the Tsadey92 garlic variety. Data were recorded on days to 80% physiological maturity, plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant, leaf length (cm), leaf diameter (cm), fresh bulb weight (g), dry bulb weight (g), clove number per bulb, average bulb weight (g), bulb length (cm), bulb diameter (cm), dry bulb weight (g), marketable bulb yield (t ha⁻¹), unmarketable bulb yield (t ha⁻¹), total biomass (t/plant), and total bulb yield (t ha⁻¹). Therefore, the data showed the treatment combination of 10 t/ha of coffee husk compost and 105 kg/ha of nitrogen fertilizer produced the highest bulb yield (14.12 t/ha) with maximum net benefit (4,758,480 ETB) from garlic production. An increment in garlic response ranges 77.4% (bulb diameter), 131.8% (clove weight), 99.8% (clove number), 54.3% (bulb length), 163% (average bulb weight), 79.3% (total biomass yield), 237% (marketable bulb yield) and 178% (total bulb yield) over control treatment