Abstract
Nitrogen fertilization is the most critical agronomic input affecting barley production and farm profitability. The strict quality requirements for malting barley are challenging to achieve for farmers. In addition, soil variability and weather conditions can affect barley yield and quality. Thus, the objectives of this study are to (a) quantify the variability of soil properties, and (b) use spatial data in a crop simulation model, quantifying the impacts of climate−soil interactions on the barley crop yield and grain quality. Based on historical yield maps, a commercial field was divided into different yield stability zone levels. The Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer model was used to evaluate soil and crop spatial data. The bulk density affected the soil water content and soil mineral N and hence the crop-growing conditions in each yield stability zone. Our observed and simulated results showed that 120 kg N ha−1 is the optimal rate to increase grain yield while still keeping within the grain N% requirements for malting quality. This study shows the great value of integrating crop modeling with on−farm experimental data for improving understanding of the factors which affect site−specific N fertilization of barley.
Highlights
The biggest challenge facing agricultural production would be to produce more food on less land, reducing the impact of any agronomic practice and the issues caused by changing climate [1–4]
N requirements are lower for spring barley than winter-sown barley due to the lower potential yield of spring barley than winter crops
The cultivar considered for the study was the spring barley cv
Summary
The biggest challenge facing agricultural production would be to produce more food on less land, reducing the impact of any agronomic practice and the issues caused by changing climate [1–4]. One of the most important crops in Scottish agriculture, from an agronomic and economic point of view, is barley (Hordeum vulgare L). From a practical point of view, stakeholders are interested in both production and quality, and agronomic factors, such as sowing time, fertilizer amount, and plant density, can be adjusted to improve both production and quality [1]. Given the challenge of matching N supply with the plant N demand, nitrate leaching from agricultural land is a significant issue in many areas of Scotland.
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