Effect of time and levels of nitrogen application on malt barley (Hordeum vulgare)

A field experiment was conducted to study the response of malt barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cv. ‘BCU 73’ to N rates and time of its application at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, during the winter seasons of 1999–2001. Application of N significantly increased the number of ears, grains/ear and 1,000-grain weight up to 80 kg/ha. The maximum grain and straw yields, total N uptake and protein content in grain were recorded at 80 kg N/ha. Two split application of N (1/3 at sowing and 2/3 at first irrigation) had higher values of yield components and resulted in significantly higher grain and straw yields. The total N uptake was also the maximum in this treatment, but protein content was significantly higher in treatment receiving 3 splits of N. The benefit: cost ratio was the highest at 80 kg HI ha and with 2 split application of N.