Influence of different nitrogen levels on growth, productivity, profitability, nutrient content and protein yield of barley cultivars in Sodic soil of Uttar Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted at Main Experimental Station (MES), Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, (Kumarganj) Faizabad (U.P.) during Rabi season 2016-17 to study the performance of barley varieties under various nitrogen levels in sodic soil. The experiment was laid out in split plot design (SPD). Nitrogen levels (60, 75 and 90 kg N ha-1) were kept in main-plots and varieties (RD-2907, RD-2552, NDB-1173 and RD-2794) in sub-plots with three replications on sodic soils having low organic carbon (0.38 g kg-1), available nitrogen (185.0 kg ha-1), phosphorus (15.25 kg ha-1) and potassium (265 kg ha-1). All the growth parameters, yield attributes and yield increased significantly with increasing levels of nitrogen up to 90 kg ha-1. Maximum plant height, no. of tillers, dry matter accumulation, number of spike m-1, spike length, number of grain spike-1, 1000 grain weight, straw yield and grain yield were recorded under 90 kg N ha-1 then 75 and 60 kg N ha-1, which was significantly higher. Variety RD-2907 recorded significantly higher Plant height, number of tillers, dry matter accumulation, LAI, yield attributes, grain and straw yields over variety RD-2794 and NDB-1173 while at par with RD-2552. Maximum protein content (10.54%) was recorded with the application of 90 kg N ha-1 which was at par with 75 kg N ha-1 and significantly higher than 60 kg N ha-1. The varieties had no-significant effect on the protein content in grain. Maximum protein yield (278.51 kg ha-1) was recorded with the application of 90 kg N ha-1 and the lowest protein yield was recorded with the application of 60 kg N ha-1. The maximum net return (Rs. 45511 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.74) were obtained under variety RD-2552 at 90 kg N ha-1.