The Response of Barley to Nitrogen Levels and Seeding Rates

Abstract

The effect of four nitrogen levels and three seeding rates on yield and yield components of the six-row barley (Hordeuni vulgare) cultivar ‘California Mariout’ were studied in a field experiment that was conducted on the fine sandy soils of the Libyan coastal-strip during the 1975/76 and 1976/77 seasons.

Plant height, spike length, tillering, spike number per plant, weight and number of grains per plant were significantly increased by increasing the nitrogen level. These parameters were significantly decreased by increasing seeding rate from 60-120 kg seed/ha. Kernel size was not affected by variations in nitrogen level and seeding rate.

Total grain and straw yields were significantly increased by increasing nitrogen level. Seeding rate also increased grain and straw yields. There was a significant interaction between nitrogen level and seeding rate with regard to total grain and straw yields. The highest grain yields of 3.988 and 4.862 t/ha. were obtained from plots that were fertilized with 150 kg N/ha. and seeded with the rate of 90kg/ha. in 1975/76 and in 1976/77 growing seasons, respectively.