Grain Yield of Malt Barley (Hordium Vulgare L.) Production as Influenced by Nitrogen Split-Application Timing in Central Highlands of Ethiopia

This experiment was initiated to evaluate the appropriate nitrogen fertilizer split application timing for malt barley. This experiment was done at Holeta Agricultural Research center, West Shoa, Ethiopia. The split nitrogen application times were ½ at planting + ½ at mid tillering, ½ at planting + ½ at anthesis, nil at planting + ½ mid tillering + ½ at anthesis, nil at planting + full at mid tillering, nil at planting + full at anthesis, ½ at planting + 2/3 at mid tillering, 1/3 at planting + 1/3 mid tillering + 1/3 at anthesis, nil at planting + 1/3 mid tillering + 2/3 at anthesis, 2/3 at planting + 1/3 mid tillering, 2/3 at planting + 1/3 at anthesis, full at planting and negative control. The experiment was laid out randomized complete block design with three replications. Timing of split nitrogen fertilizer applications has significant effect on the yield and yield component barley. Application of nitrogen fertilizer one third at sowing plus two third at mid tillering gave the highest grain yield though it did not show significant differences with commonly practiced 1/2 at sowing and 1/2 at mid tillering. Keywords: nitrogen fertilizer, split application timing, Nitisols, malt barley DOI : 10.7176/JNSR/10-1-05 Publication date: January 31 st 2020