Influence of irrigation schedules and fertilizer levels on barley (Hordeum vulgare) in western Uttar Pradesh

A field experiment was carried out at the Janta Vedic (P.G.) College, Baraut, Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, to study response of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to irrigation scheduling and fertilizer levels during the winter (rabi) season of 2014–15. The experiment was conducted in split-plot design with three irrigation levels viz. one irrigation at tillering stage, 2 irrigations at tillering and flag-leaf stage, 3 irrigations at tillering, flag leaf and milking stage and 4 fertility levels, viz. recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF): 60 kg N: 30 kg P₂O₅: 30 kg K₂O/ha, RDF + biofertilizer [Azotobacter + phosphate solubilizing bacteria), RDF + biofertilizer + vermicompost (2.5 t/ha) and RDF + biofertilizer + FYM (5 t/ha) in subplots. The growth attributes, yield and yield attributes were the maximum with 3 irrigations applied at tillering, flag leaf and milking stage as compared to 2 irrigations applied at tillering and flag-leaf stage and once at tillering stage. Three irrigations applied at tillering, flag leaf and milking stage also registered the maximum gross and net returns of barley. The combined application of RDF + biofertilizer + FYM (5 t/ha) resulted in significantly highest grain, straw and biological yields of barley as compared with the rest doses of fertilizer application. Maximum nitrogen uptake and higher net returns were also higher with recommended dose of fertilizer + biofertilizer + FYM (5 t/ha). Thus for getting higher yield and net returns in barley, 3 irrigations should be applied at tillering, flag leaf and milking stage and crop should be fertilized with RDF + biofertilizer + FYM (5 t/ha) in Indo-Gangetic plains.