Integrated Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization, Cutting Management and Plant Growth Regulators on Nutrient Uptake and Quality of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Dual-purpose barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plays a vital role in arid and semi-arid agro-ecosystems by providing both forage and grain. However, improper cutting schedules, sub-optimal nitrogen fertilization and inefficient use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) often limit nutrient uptake, grain quality and seed viability.

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2023–24 and 2024–25 at Mandawa, Rajasthan, using dual-purpose barley variety RD 2715. The study involved 18 treatment combinations comprising three cutting schedules (40, 50 and 60 DAS), three nitrogen levels (100, 125 and 150% RDN) and two plant growth regulators (chlormequat chloride and ethephon), laid out in a factorial randomized block design with three replications.

Cutting at 40 DAS recorded significantly higher uptake of N, P and K in both grain and straw compared to later cuttings. Application of 125% and 150% RDN significantly enhanced nutrient content, nutrient uptake, seed viability and crude protein content over 100% RDN, with both higher levels remaining statistically at par. Among PGRs, chlormequat chloride consistently resulted in higher nutrient uptake and protein content compared to ethephon, although differences in protein content were statistically non-significant. Seed viability and protein content showed a positive response to increased nitrogen levels, while cutting schedules had a non-significant effect on seed viability.