Productivity and quality of malt barley (Hordeum vulgare) as affected by sowing date, rate and stage of nitrogen application

A field experiment was carried out during rabi season of 2006-07 and 2007-08 with a objective to find out optimum time of sowing, rate and proper stage for application of nitrogen to get good quality of malt barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for higher malt and grain yield. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three dates of sowing (20, 30 October and 10 November ) and three levels of nitrogen as 62.5, 78.5 and 93.75 kg N/ha (100, 125 and 150 per cent of recommended N, respectively) in main plots and three stages of nitrogen application {whole of nitrogen before pre sowing irrigation (S ), half of nitrogen before pre sowing irrigation + half 1 at(45 days) maximum tillering stage (S ) and half of nitrogen before pre sowing irrigation + 1/4 at (25 days) tillering 2 stage + 1/4 at (65 days) boot stage (S )}in sub plots. The results of mean of two years revealed that 10 November 3 sowing gave the significantly higher grain yield, effective tillers, number of grain ear, harvest index and malt yield than 20 October and 30 October due to minimum lodging. Barley crop responded significantly up to 78.5 kg N/ha. Application of nitrogen in three split (S ) increased significantly plant height, dry matter accumulation, effective 3 tillers, ear length, number of grains/ear, grain, straw and malt yield as compared to two splits (S ) and single 2 application (S ). It can be concluded that barley crop for higher malt recovery, malt and grain yield, can be sown 1 on 10 November with the application of 78.5 kg N/ha in three splits (half nitrogen before pre sowing irrigation, 1/4 at tillering stage and 1/4 at boot stage).