Effect of Agronomic Practices on Growth, Grain Yield, Malt Yield Losses of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

A field experiment was conducted during 2006-07 and 2007-08 at Ludhiana to study the effect of different agronomic practices on growth, grain yield, malt yield and losses of malt barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).The study revealed that plant height, dry matter accumulation, grain and straw yield were statistically at par with different method of sowing during both the years. Similar trend was also observed for malt quality, recovery and yield of malt during both the crop season. Methods of sowing also did not influence the steeping, respiration and root losses significantly during both the years. The maximum consumptive water use was recorded with zero-tillage and maximum water use efficiency and crop productivity were registered under bed planted crop and were significantly higher than zero and conventional tillage during both years of crop growth. The grain, straw and malt yield increased significantly with increase in N levels from 75 to 125% of recommended dose as a result of increase in plant height and dry matter accumulation.The steeping, respiration and root losses also increased with every increment of nitrogen dose. The highest consumptive water use, water use efficiency and water productivity were obtained with 125% of recommended N. Irrigation at 1.00 IW/CPE ratio significantly increased plant height, dry matter accumulation, grain and straw yield as compared to 0.75 and 0.50 IW/ CPE ratio during both the years. Similar trend was also observed for recovery and yield of malt during both the crop season. The highest steeping, respiration and root losses were obtained with 0.50 IW/CPE. Increased irrigation ratios in barley exhibited increasing trend in consumptive water use, water use efficiency and water productivity during both the years.