Effect of sowing methods, nitrogen levels and irrigation scheduling on yield and quality of malt barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

A field experiment was conducted during rabi, 2006–07 and 2007–08 to study the effect of methods of sowing, nitrogen levels and irrigation scheduling on production and quality of malt barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The study revealed that plant height, dry matter accumulation, effective tillers, grains/ear, 1,000-grains weight and grain and straw yields were statistically at par with different method of sowing. Similar trend was also observed for grain quality, malt quality, recovery and yield of malt. Grain, straw and malt yields increased significantly with an increase in N level from 75 to 125% of recommended dose as a result of increase in plant height, dry matter accumulation, effectives tillers, grains/ear and 1,000-grains weight. The highest grain (5.0 t/ha) and malt yield (3.98 t/ha) were obtained with 125% of recommended N, which was statistically at par with 100% of recommended N and significantly higher than 75% of recommended N. Irrigation at 1.00 IW/CPE ratio significantly increased plant height, dry matter accumulation, effective tillers, grains/ear, 1,000-grains weight, grain yield (5.3 t/ha) and straw yield (7.35 t/ha) as compared to 0.75 and 0.50 IW/CPE ratio. Similar trend was also observed for recovery and yield of malt. N, P and K uptake was also not-significantly affected by methods of sowing, while increase in N levels and IW/CPE ratio significantly increased NPK uptake by malt barley.