Improving nitrogen use efficiency and productivity through sowing environment and cutting stage in dual-purpose barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Dhillon, Balwinder Singh and Ram, Hari (2023) Improving nitrogen use efficiency and productivity through sowing environment and cutting stage in dual-purpose barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). CEREAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS, 51 (1). pp. 249-262. ISSN 0133-3720 (print), 1788-9170 (online)

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Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken with objectives of studying the agronomic practices such as sowing time and an additional nitrogen (N) application after fodder cutting on growth attributes, lodging, nitrogen use efficiency, yield attributes and fodder and grain yields in dual-purpose barley. Three sowing dates and five cutting management practices were evaluated in split-plot design. The results revealed that sowing on 15 October resulted in higher leaf area index (LAI) and chlorophyll content index (CCI), whereas un-cut crop produced higher LAI. An additional nitrogen application after each cut, i.e., 50 and 60 DAS resulted in higher CCI values. Lodging incidence reduced with delayed the sowing. Grain, straw and fodder yields of barley decreased with delayed sowing. October 15 sown crop and cut at 60 DAS + N15 resulted in higher agronomic efficiency, apparent nitrogen recovery and partial factor productivity. Crop sown on October 15 resulted in 10.6 and 32.4% more grain yield and 15.5 and 20.1% more fodder yield than that sown on October 30 and November 15, respectively. Control and cutting for fodder at 50 DAS produced similar grain yields, but were significantly higher than the other cutting management treatments. Cutting at 60 DAS gave higher fodder yield, but at the cost of 20.6–22.7% reduction in grain yield of barley. Early sowing on 15 October with fodder cutting to 50 DAS or cut to 60 DAS with an additional N application deserves a special attention for increasing productivity and N use efficiency in dual-purpose barley.

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