Improving the production of barley genotypes by foliar application of micronutrients

Abstract

A field experiment on “improving the production of barley genotypes by foliar application of micronutrients” was carried out at Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan, during 2013-14. Two barley genotypes [G1=2-Row barley and G2=6-Row barley] and foliar application of two micronutrients Zn and Cu [MN₁=Control (water spray), MN₂=4 kg Zn ha^-1, MN₃=1.0 kg Cu ha^-1, MN₄=4 kg Zn ha^-1 + 1.0 kg Cu ha^-1] were tested in the experiment. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. The plot size 1.8m x 3m, having 30 cm row to row distance was used. Results evaluated that 2-row barely produced maximum numbers of tillers plant^-1 (7), plant height (98.9 cm), long spikes (9.1cm), and thousand grains weight (52.5 g), while 6-row was efficient to produced more grains spike^-1 (54) and grain yield (3990 kg ha^-1). Application of micronutrients revealed that combine application of zinc and copper improved yield and yield components of barley. Maximum tillers plant^-1 (7), plant height (92.3 cm), spike length (9.0 cm), grains spike^-1 (44), thousand grains weight (53.8g) and grain yield (3934kg ha^-1) was produced by combine application of Zn and Cu followed by sole Zn application as compared to control. Therefore it can be concluded from the results that 6-row barley performed better in terms of grain yield and combine application of Zn and Cu enhanced all yield components.

Keywords: Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.); Genotypes; Micronutrients; Yield and yield components

http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2017.60025