Effect of Different Seed Rates and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Forage and Grain Yield of Barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of the college of agricultural studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST), at Shambat, in Khartoum State, during the winter season 2017/2018, to investigate the effect of different seeding rate and nitrogen levels on forage and grain yield of barley. The experiment was designed at a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data were recorded on growth and yield parameters. The data were analyzed using Gen Stat statistical package. The treatments consisted of 4 levels of seed rate (48, 72, 92 and 120 kg/ha) and 4 levels of N (0, 93,186 and 279 kg/ha), applied as urea (46% N). Parameters studied included days to 50% heading, plant height (cm), culm density (m2), number of leaves/plant, number of tillers/plant, chlorophyll content, fresh matter yield (t/ha), dry matter yield (t/ha), number of spikes per m2, number of grains per spike, 1000 grain weight, biomass (t/ha) grain yield (t/ha) and harvest index (%). The results revealed that there was no significant effect of seeding rate for all parameters, except grain yields (t/ha), while a highly significantly difference (p≤ 0.01) of nitrogen application of all parameters, except number of leaves/plant. The interaction of seeding rate and nitrogen levels was not significant. The best results were obtained at the lower seed rate (48 kg/ha) and the highest nitrogen rate (279 kg/ha).