EFFECT OF MACRO- AND MICRO-PLANT NUTRIENTS ON THE PRODUCTIVITY AND GRAIN QUALITY OF FOOD BARLEY (HORDEUM VULGARE L.) IN SOUTH EASTERN ZONE OF TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Barley is an important cereal crop in Ethiopia mainly used for food. However, its productivity is low mainly due to poor soil fertility, inadequate rainfall and poor crop management practices. Thus, a study was conducted in Tigray region at two sites in 2016 investigate the effect of soil applied N and P and foliar applied Zn and Fe on barley grain yield and quality. The study was conducted in 3*4 factorial experiments in split plot design. Nitrogen and phosphorus (NP) fertilizers: (F₀ = control, F₁ = 32/10, and F₂ = 64/20 kg NP ha^-1) and foliar application of zinc and iron: (M₀ = control, M₁ = 16 kg ha^-1 Zinc, M₂ = 16 kg ha^-1 Fe and M₃ = 8 kg ha^-1 iron + 8 kg ha^-1 zinc) were main and sub-plot factor treatments respectively. Results showed that N and P at a rate of 64/20 kg ha^-1 produced highest biomass, grain yield and grain protein content at the two sites. Grain iron, zinc and protein content also showed significant differences (P < 0.01) due to foliar application of iron and zinc. Higher grain iron content (114.2 mg kg^-1) was obtained from the application of 16 kg ha^-1 iron, but higher grain Zinc content (31.32 mg kg^-1) was obtained from application 16 kg ha^-1 Zinc. From this study, application of NP at 64/20 kg ha^-1 was the best for enhanced yield and grain protein content. Foliar micro nutrient application also enhanced grain micronutrient and grain protein content of barley.