Abstract
This study was initiated to investigate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on agronomic efficiency, yield and yield components of barley after faba bean precursor crop. A field experiment was carried out in 2015 main cropping season at district at Ayba and Tek’a kebeles in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia. The experiments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments were six levels of nitrogen (0, 11.5, 23, 34.5, 46 and 69 kg N ha-1). Soil samples were collected before planting and analyzed for selected physicochemical properties. Pre-planting soil analysis results revealed that total N was low at Tek’a kebelle (0.09%) and medium at Ayba (0.186%). The organic carbon content of experimental fields was medium at Ayba and low at Tek'a. Application of nitrogen had significantly influenced yield and yield components of barley at Tek'a site but not at Ayba after fababean precursor crop. This is consistent with the initial soil nitrogen and contribution of the precursor crop for nitrogen fixation. The highest agronomic efficiency was recorded from the addition of 23 kg N ha-1 (31.52 kg kg-1) and 34.5 kg N ha-1 (31.44 kg kg-1) at Ayba kebelle and Tek’a, respectively. Both biological and partial budget analysis depicted that application of 34.5 kg N ha-1 was found to be economical. Therefore, application of nitrogen after legume crop should consider initial soil result.. Key words: Barley, Fababean, nitrogen, crop rotation, agronomic efficiency.
Highlights
Barley is one of the most important cereal crops widely grown by small-scale farmers under rain fed conditions in Ethiopia
This study was initiated to investigate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on agronomic efficiency, yield and yield components of barley after faba bean precursor crop
Application of nitrogen had significantly influenced yield and yield components of barley at Tek'a site but not at Ayba after fababean precursor crop. This is consistent with the initial soil nitrogen and contribution of the precursor crop for nitrogen fixation
Summary
Barley is one of the most important cereal crops widely grown by small-scale farmers under rain fed conditions in Ethiopia. For millennia it has been supplying the basic necessities of life (food, feed and beverages) for many in the Ethiopian highlands. In Ethiopia, barley is ranked fifth of all cereals, based on area of production, but fourth based on yield per unit area (CSA, 2014). Application of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer, crop rotation and intercropping are some of the important tools used to increase crop yields and grain quality in intensive agricultural system. Crop rotation is necessary and a desirable management option to restore, maintain, enhance soil fertility, and maximise yield (Tolera et al, 2011). Legumes contribute to increased productivity of other crops when incorporated into cropping systems as intercrops and through crop rotation (Giller, 1991)
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