Effects of Zinc and Urea as Foliar Application on Nutritional Properties and Grain Yield in Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L-Cony Under Semi Arid Condition

Abstract

This current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different rates of urea and zinc on grain yield and some important grain mineral contents in barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cony. Distichon cv. Tokak 157/37). The experimental design was a randomized complete block (RCB), arranged as split-plot with two doses of urea (0, 20 kg ha(-1)) (main plots) and five zinc doses (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 kg ha(-1)) (subplots) with 3 replicates. The recorded agronomic parameters were grain yield (kg ha(-1)), plant height (cm), spike length (cm), seeds spikes(-1), 1000 kernel weight (g), seeds weight spike(-1) and grain mineral contents (N, P, Zn and Fe). When used solely, either urea or zinc significantly increased grain yield and all measured parameters. Besides, the use of the combined higher zinc doses with the urea (20 kg urea ha(-1)+4 kg Zn ha(-1), 20 kg urea ha(-1)+2 kg Zn ha(-1)) increased grain yield (3.49 t ha(-1) and 3.64 t ha-(1)). These yields were not statistically different between each other, suggesting that 20 kg urea ha(-1) + 2 kg Zn ha(-1) application dose would be sufficient for higher grain yield. Moreover, the foliar application of urea and zinc affected the protein content and grain mineral contents (N, Zn and Fe) when sprayed at boot stage of barley. To conclude, zinc & urea treatment via foliar will maintain better quality and higher quantity barley grains under under semi arid conditions.