Response of Two Barley Cultivars to Partial Substitution of Mineral Fertilizers by Biofertilizers under New Valley Conditions

Abstract

A field experiments was carried out during of 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons in the Experimental Farm, Agricultural Research Station of El-Kharga, New Valley Government to study the effects of partially substitution of chemical NPK fertilizers by biofertilizers on two barley cultivars production under New Valley conditions. Seven fertilizers combinations were tested as follows: F1: 100% of recommended NPK fertilizers, F2: 75% of recommended NPK fertilizers + Microbein, F3: 50% of recommended NPK fertilizers + Microbein, F4: 75% of recommended NPK fertilizers + Algae extract, F5: 50% of recommended NPK fertilizers + Algae extract, F6: 75% of recommended NPK fertilizers + Algae extract + Microbein, and F7: 50% of recommended NPK fertilizers + Algae extract + Microbein. Number of spikes m-2, number of grains spike-1, weight of 1000-grains, weight of grains spike-1, biological yield fed-1, grain yield fed-1, straw yield fed-1, and harvest index (%) were recorded at harvest. Results indicated that the superiority of Giza 134 cultivar over Giza 132 cultivar was confirmed for most studied traits in both seasons. Double-inoculation of Algae extract and Microbein plus 75% of recommended mineral NPK fertilizers represents 10.14, 18.50 and 16.19% increases in grain, straw and biological yields of barley in the first season; 8.91, 29.42 and 22.15% in the second season, respectively; compared to the application of 100% of recommended mineral NPK fertilizers alone. Giza 134 cultivar fertilized with 75% chemical NPK + Algae extract + Microbein (F6) gave the highest grain yield (2.69 and 2.97 ton fed-1) and biological yield (8.38 and 9.43 ton fed-1) followed by 50% chemical NPK + Algae extract + Microbein (F7) with the same cultivar (2.53 and 2.88 ton fed-1) and (8.16 and 8.95 ton fed-1), respectively. It can be concluded that replacing 25 or 50% of chemical fertilizers by double-inoculation of Algae extract + Microbein as biofertilizers to improved yield and its components of Giza 132 and Giza 134 cultivars as well as saving about 25 to 50% of recommended dose of NPK.