Barley Cultivation Research Articles

Barley vulnerability to climate change: perspectives for cultivation in South America.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a globally significant cereal crop, widely used in both food production and brewing. However, it is particularly vulnerable to climate change, especially extreme temperature fluctuations, which can severely reduce yields. To address this challenge, a detailed climate zoning study was conducted to assess the suitability of barley production areas across South America, considering both current conditions and future climate scenarios from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The study utilized historical climate data along with projections from the CMIP6 IPSL-CM6A-LR model for the period 2021-2100. Several indices, such as evapotranspiration, were calculated, and factors like soil composition and topography were integrated into the classification of regions based on their agricultural potential. Critical variables in this assessment included temperature, precipitation, and water or thermal excess. The results showed that 6.59% of South America's territory is currently suitable for barley cultivation without additional irrigation, with these regions concentrated primarily in temperate southern areas. In contrast, 18.62% of the region is already unsuitable due to excessive heat. Projections under future climate scenarios indicate a shrinking of suitable areas, alongside an expansion of unsuitable regions. In the worst-case scenario, only 1.48% of the territory would remain viable for barley farming. These findings emphasize the crop's vulnerability to climate change, underscoring the urgency of developing agricultural adaptation strategies. The predicted contraction in suitable barley cultivation areas demonstrates the profound impact of climate change on agriculture and highlights the need for proactive measures to ensure sustainable barley production in South America.

Distribution and redistribution of salt ions in saline soils with shallow groundwater table

Saline water resources are more abundant than freshwater. Bringing these resources into sustainable, productive use will offer opportunities to reduce competition for freshwater resources, especially in arid and semi-arid areas where freshwater is scarce. Hence, the primary objective of this study was to elucidate the dynamics of salt ions in saline profiles of various soil types (sandy Clovelly and sandy loam Bainsvlei) under malt barley cultivation across 2 seasons where no leaching between the seasons took place. Results of this lysimeter study investigating increasing irrigation salinity (ECi) set at 1.5, 4.5, 6, 9, and 12 dSꞏm−1 over 2 seasons were used to explore ion dynamics of a saline environment. The lysimeter set-up included a saline constant (1.2 m) groundwater table with its salinity corresponding to ECi. Findings showed that ion concentrations are higher closer to the water source only in the Bainsvlei soil and remain variable in the Clovelly soil. Salt dynamics were more predictable in sandy loam soil than in sandy soil, making management of saline sandy soils far more challenging when leaching is not possible. Therefore, our hypothesis that the absence of leaching between seasons will lead to a differentiated progressive accumulation of salt ions in the soil profile, with variable effects on the soil depending on soil texture, was true. We conclude that the desalinized zone, which we determined to be at a depth of 600 mm, should be used to guide crop selection. Furthermore, in addition to the apparent provision for leaching of saline profiles, fertilization should target restoring ion balances, especially provisioning for calcium deficiencies. Both soils were prone to nutritional disorders, most especially calcium deficiency. Therefore, in addition to provision for leaching saline profiles, fertilization should target calcium provisioning for crop production in arid saline environments.

Late-Holocene hydroclimatic change and its effect on human activity at Xiada Co on the western Tibetan Plateau

The scarcity of paleoclimate records in the western Tibetan Plateau (TP) hinders our understanding of how environmental evolution affects past human population, agriculture, and animal husbandry. Here, we utilized a range of materials to investigate the impact of climate change on human activities in the Xiada Co basin on the western TP during the Late-Holocene. We presented a continuous compound-specific hydrogen isotope record of sedimentary leaf waxes (δ2Hwax) from a sediment core of Xiada Co, and compared it to XRF core-scanning elements, brGDGT-based mean annual air temperature (MAAT) record, and fecal stanol-based human population proxy record from the same sediment core, as well as archeological evidence from the TP. The δ2Hwax exhibited a sustained increasing trend during the period from 4700 to 900 cal yr BP, followed by a generalized decrease in δ2Hwax values during 900–0 cal yr BP. The multi-proxy analysis of Xiada Co sediments revealed that the δ2Hwax values mainly reflect changes in the ISM precipitation, and are also influenced to some extent by glacier meltwater. Furthermore, a warm and humid climate condition was conducive to human habitation. Appropriate adaptation strategies, such as the herding of cold-tolerant and dry-tolerant sheep and the cultivation of barley in the western TP, led to a surge in population density during 3400–2900 cal yr BP, despite the slightly deteriorated climate background. This study confirmed the importance of choosing the right adaptive strategies to cope with climate change for human survival and development on the Tibetan Plateau.

The influence of climatic factors on the effect of growth regulators in agrocenoses of spring barley

Relevance. In recent years, under the conditions of climate change, there has been a tendency to reduce the acreage of spring barley, reduce the quantity and quality of grain. From the point of view of ensuring the stability of gross grain harvests and ecology, it is necessary to manage the agrocenosis.Methods. The experiments were conducted in 2021–2024 agricultural years in the conditions of the Azov sea zone of the Rostov region. Objects of research: Leon spring barley variety and growth regulators “Artafit” (0.3 l/ha), “Biodux” (3 ml/ha), “Obereg” (60 ml/ha), “Trainer” (3 l/ha), “Fulvohumate” (0.4 l/ha).Results. The climatic conditions in 2024 were extreme in terms of low rainfall and high amounts of spring temperatures. The year 2023 was the most favorable from this point of view. The yield level correlates with the level of moisture in the spring period, the highest indicators were observed in 2023, and the lowest in 2024. In the current market conditions and annual price increases, unit production costs are increasing. Thus, in 2024, the cultivation of spring barley turned out to be unprofitable. Moreover, the use of biological products did not allow us to gain a plus. In 2022 and 2023, the use of the drug “Trainer” turned out to be unprofitable due to the high cost of the drug. “Biodux” and “Obereg” showed the highest profitability.

New radiocarbon dates point to the early evolution of resilient agriculture among Central Europe’s first farmers

Abstract The shift towards cultivating domesticated crops was a pivotal development in ecological, economic, and human behavioural systems. As agriculture expanded beyond its origins, it faced diverse environments, often unsuitable for the originally cultivated domesticates. Farmers in Central Europe had to adjust and transform their farming systems, typically cultivating only five domesticated crop species. Here, we present new archaeobotanical data comprising 7955 determined charred remains and 22 radiocarbon dates from South Bohemia. This region, with higher altitudes, colder climates, and less fertile soils, lies on the periphery of Early Neolithic settlement. Our results reveal increased crop diversity as a form of adaptation to the harsher environment that bolstered resilience against crop failure. The earliest 14C-based evidence of deliberate cultivation of barley and Timopheev’s wheat in the region also provides new insights into the interplay between crop diffusion, landscapes, and food choices in the Neolithic Central Europe.

Продуктивность пивоваренного ячменя в зависимости от приёмов основной обработки почвы и регулятора роста Моддус

In modern conditions, the most effective way to increase the gross production of spring barley is to select the most productive varieties and realize their potential productivity by improving the technology of cultivation of spring barley for specific soil and climatic conditions of the zone. In this regard, the improvement of the complex of agricultural practices that increase the yield of barley is relevant and of particular scientific and practical interest. The purpose of the research was to improve the techniques of basic tillage and the use of growth regulators in the cultivation of spring malting barley. The research was conducted from 2022 to 2024 in the Moscow region at the experimental field of the Federal Research Center "Nemchinovka". The soil is sod-podzolic, heavy loamy. pH is 5.4 units. The humus content is 1.7%. As a result, on average for 2022-2024, observations of the spread of weeds in malting barley crops found that the smallest number of all weeds was fixed on the variant of chisel processing by Ranch workers with pruning paws to a depth of 0.27-0.30 m and amounted to 154 pcs/case. The highest height of brewing barley plants of the Reliable variety on average for 2022-2024 turned out to be on the variant of chisel tillage m without the use of growth regulators and was 69 cm. The largest number of productive stems was established on the variant of chisel tillage to a depth of 0.27-0.30 m without the use of a growth regulator and amounted to 498 pcs./m2, that is, 51 pcs./m2 more than the lowest value. The largest grain mass in the ear was set on a variant of chisel tillage to a depth of 0.27-0.30 m using the growth regulator Moddus CE at a dose of 0.4 l /ha and was equal to 1.25 grams, that is, 0.17 grams more than the lowest value. The highest yield was also formed on the variant of chisel processing by the working body of the Ranch with pruning paws to a depth of 0.27-0.30 m using the growth regulator Moddus CE at a dose of 0.4 l /ha and averaged 6.10 t/ha.

Responses of Soil Enzymes Activities to Sprinkler Irrigation and Differentiated Nitrogen Fertilization in Barley Cultivation

Our study aimed to assess the impact of sprinkler irrigation on the activity of selected soil enzymes in terms of nitrogen metabolism and oxidation–reduction processes in soil with different doses of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers. An Alfisol was sampled from an experimental field of spring barley within the University Research Center in the central part of Poland, namely the village of Mochełek with a moderate transitory climate, during the growing seasons of 2015–2017. The soil resistance (RS) was derived to recognize the resistance enzymes during drought. In the maturity phase, nitrate reductase activity was 18% higher in irrigated soil and the activities of other enzymes were higher than in the non-irrigated plots by 25% for dehydrogenase, 22% for peroxidase, 33% for catalase, and 17% for urease. The development phase in the barley influenced nitrate reductase activity. Enzymatic activities changed throughout the research years. During the maturity stage, a lower ammonium nitrogen content in the soil resulted from a higher spring barley uptake due to drought stress. Irrigation probably contributed to increased leaching of nitrate in the soil. The highest index of resilience was found in the soil catalase activity.

Sustainability improvement of grain productivity of beet crop rotations in the foreststeppe of the Central Blackearth region

The purpose of the current study was to identify the effect of various crop rotations and rates of application of mineral fertilizers on productivity of winter wheat and spring barley, the productivity of crop rotations and the economic efficiency of cultivating crops. The study was carried out in a stationary field trial of the FSBSI “Kursk FARC” on typical heavy loamy blackearth (chernozem) in 2015–2023. Agricultural crops were grown in three crop rotations: 1 – grainrow fallow (black fallow, winter wheat, sugar beets, maize for silage, barley); 2 – grain-row green manure fallow (green manure fallow, winter wheat, sugar beets, maize for silage, barley); 3 – crop rotation (horse-bean for grain, winter wheat, sugar beets, white lupine for grain, barley). During the trial there have been compared two contrasting levels of mineral fertilizer application N30Р30К30 and N52Р52К52 per hectare of crop rotation area. The non-marketable portion of the harvest of all crops was used as fertilizer. Agricultural technology was generally conventional for the area. There has been established that, under all weather conditions, the highest yield of winter wheat at a low background of fertilization (N30Р30К300 per hectare of crop rotation area) is produced in green manure fallow, and at a high background of fertilization (N52Р52К52 per hectare of crop rotation area) in black fallow. There was found that the most favorable conditions for cultivating barley were created when cultivating with white lupine for grain. Fertilization increase led to productivity increase of the grain crops, but, at the same time, to a production profitability decrease. There has been determined that productivity of crop rotations with fallow forecrops is 14 % higher compared to crop rotations with a legume forecrop (horse-bean for grain). According to calculations, on average over the years of study, the most profitable was the winter wheat cultivation in black fallow, and spring barley cultivation in white lupine for grain. At the same time, the indicator of production profitability level decreased with an increase in the rate of mineral fertilizing, which results in production costs’ increase.

Effect of NPK fertilization and seed rate on barley (Hordeum vulgare) yield, yield component and nitrogen dynamics in semi-arid conditions

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of varying of NPK fertilization doses and seed rates on barley (Hordeum vulgare) yield, yield components, and inorganic nitrogen (NH4-N and NO3-N) dynamics in semi-arid conditions without artificial irrigation. Material and Methods: The field experiment was conducted at the Gobustan Experimental Station from October 2018 to June 2019, utilizing the "Celilabad-19" barley variety. A randomized complete block design with four replications was employed, incorporating various seed rates and NPK fertilizer treatments. Plant and soil samples were collected at different phenological stages, and analyses included grain and straw yield, yield parameters, total N content of plant, and soil NH4-N and NO3-N levels. Results and Discussion: The results the treatment with a seed rate of 140 kg/ha and N60P45K45 fertilizer application consistently demonstrated the highest aboveground biomass, grain, and straw yields. This treatment exhibited optimal N content during the Full Maturity stage of plant. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study has provided insights into optimizing barley cultivation practices in semi-arid climates, such as seed rate and NPK fertilizer dose. With a seed rate of 140 kg/ha and N60P45K45 fertilizer application, the highest yield and performance indicators were achieved in the “Celilabad-19” barley variety.

Temperature characteristics for wheat and barley crops in Erbil province between (2000-2021)

Successful agricultural conditions in any region require scientific research in the potential of climate. Data from climate stations in the study area were analyzed to determine the appropriate temperature levels for wheat and barley cultivation. In this study, the inductive method and the analytical method were used to interpret the data. In order to determine the appropriate temperature for wheat and barley crops, temperature data were analyzed for the stations (Mirgusor, Soran, Shaqlawa, Salahaddin, Erbil, and Makhmur) for the period (2000-2021). The results of the study proved that the two stations (Erbil, and Makhmour) obtained a (suitable) degree, and stations of (Mirgsur, Soran, Shaqlawa, and Salahaddin) got a (medium suitability) score for both wheat and barley. There are no stations in the range of inappropriate temperatures and poor compatibility in the study area.

The Use of a Composition of Bacterial Consortia and Living Mulch to Reduce Weeds in Organic Spring Barley Cultivation as an Element of Sustainable Plant Production

The Use of a Composition of Bacterial Consortia and Living Mulch to Reduce Weeds in Organic Spring Barley Cultivation as an Element of Sustainable Plant Production

A Comparative Study on Conventional and Organic Barley Cultivation in Jaipur District of Rajasthan

A Comparative Study on Conventional and Organic Barley Cultivation in Jaipur District of Rajasthan

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the use of humic fertilizers in the cultivation of spring barley in the soil and climatic conditions of the central chernozem region

The results of studies of the effect of humic fertilizers of domestic (ECO-SP) and foreign (Fulvigrain Classic, Gumiful Pro) production on the yield and quality of spring barley grain of the Prometheus variety, when cultivated according to the following scheme: without treatment with humic fertilizers (control); ECO-SP – seed treatment (0.5 l/t) + treatment of plants in the tillering phase (0.5 l/ha) + treatment of plants in the tube exit phase (0.5 l/ha); Fulvigrain Classic – seed treatment (0.8 l/t) + treatment of plants in the tillering phase (0.4 l/ha) + treatment of plants in the tube exit phase (0.4 l/ha); Humiful Pro – seed treatment (0.1 l/t) + processing of plants in the tillering phase (0.1 l/ha) + processing of plants in the tube exit phase (0.1 l/ha). The work was carried out in 2020–2022. in the experiments of the Kursk Federal Agrarian Scientific Center (Kursk region, Kursk district, Cheryomushki village), the soil of the experimental site is a typical powerful, heavy-loamy chernozem. It was found that the treatment of spring barley seeds with humic fertilizers increased their germination energy by 2…7 %, laboratory germination by 3…5 % in comparison with the variant where the seeds were not treated with humic fertilizers. When processing seeds and plants with humic fertilizers, the yield of spring barley increased by 0.46…0.56 t/ha or by 12.7…15.5 %, grain size – by 0.7… 1.6 %, protein content – by 0.2… 0.4 %, starch – by 0.4…0.9 %. Higher yields of spring barley were provided by humic fertilizers ECO-SP and Fulvigrain Classic – 0.52…0.56 t/ha. The effectiveness of humic fertilizer Humiful Pro was lower, the yield increase from its use was 0.46 t/ha or 12.7 %, grain size increased by 0.7 %, protein content – by 0.6 %, starch – by 0.3 % compared to the control.

Modeling Climate Change Scenarios for Spring Barley in Southeast of Almaty in Kazakhstan Using the LINTUL Approach

Barley stands as a cornerstone in agricultural landscape of Kazakhstan, weaving through diverse climate zones, and annually gracing over 1.5 million hectares. The intricate interplay between climate and food systems necessitates thorough analysis and strategic measures to food safety and nutritional security, as the evolving climate significantly influences both the quantity and quality of our food resources. This study aims to employ the LINTUL-MULTICROP Model to assess how spring barley adapts to both today’s climatic conditions and potential climate change scenarios to elevated levels of carbon dioxide and temperature under the specific conditions of southeast of Almaty. Three different global climate change models were studied (GCMs); i) GFDL-ESM2M, ii) HadGEM2-AO, and iii) MPI-ESM-MR for historical period (1986-2005) under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 during the periods of i) 2040-2059 years scenarios, ii) 2060-2079 years scenarios, and iii) 2080-2099 years scenarios. Overall, the HADGEMAO and MPIESMMR models exhibited promising results in simulating yield, projecting an increase in spring barley yield for both RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios in GFDL-ESM2M model case also demonstrated stable increase in rainfed conditions. In conclusion, it should be noted that in the conditions of Kazakhstan, the cultivation of spring barley tends to change to growth in the southeast of Almaty.

QTL mapping reveals malt barley quality improvement in two dryland environments associated with extended grain fill and seminal root traits

AbstractTo achieve malt grade and receive full price, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) crops must meet standards for certain quality traits including percent plump and protein. Terminal drought stress reduces quality and is projected to worsen in barley cultivation areas, underscoring the need for varieties that maintain good malt production with unreliable precipitation. The stay‐green trait extends the grain fill phase between heading and maturity and has been linked to stable quality under dry conditions. However, this relationship can be inconsistent and is not well understood. To effectively leverage a longer grain fill phenotype for drought adaptation, a better grasp of its genetics and environmental interaction is needed. Stay‐green root system differences have been observed and could be at play. We performed correlation and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis on grain fill duration, grain quality, and seminal root traits using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population segregating for stay‐green. Agronomic data were collected in four field trials at two distinct semiarid locations, and roots were measured in a greenhouse assay. Earlier heading and later maturity led to improved quality in both locations and more consistent quality between locations. Earlier heading had a greater influence on quality in the drier environment, while later maturity was more impactful in the less dry environment. We observed co‐locations of seminal root trait QTLs with grain fill duration and grain quality. These QTLs lay the groundwork for further investigation into root phenotypes associated with stay‐green and the deployment of these traits in breeding for drought adaptation.

Analyzing the impact of socio-environmental parameters on wheat and barley cultivation areas using the geographical detector model

The national economy of Iranians depends greatly on agriculture. Wheat and barley are two strategic crops in Iran, where their scarcity can adversely affect people's quality of life. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the climatic, humidity-related, and socioeconomic factors affecting the cultivation areas of these crops. This study analyzed the single and mutual effects of 17 parameters on wheat and barley cultivation areas in Iran within the 2007–2020 period. The geographical detector model (GDM) was used in RStudio to analyze the interactive effects of parameters. According to the results, topography had greater effects than other parameters on the cultivation areas of wheat. Spring precipitation had a larger impact with 26% of effects than winter precipitation (SC) with 24% of effects on the cultivation area of wheat. However, winter precipitation and temperature with 42% and 34% effects, respectively, had greater impacts than spring precipitation on the cultivation area of barley. NDVI and SC have the highest impact on the cultivated area of wheat and barley crops. Also, elevation is the most important parameter in wheat cultivation with 54% influence, and this product performs better in high altitudes, on the other hand, elevation is not a vital factor in barley. Also, the winter parameters have a greater effect on wheat than barley, and the average wheat harvest showed high performance in heavy snowfall lands. Also, the results showed that barley has a higher resistance to dry conditions. Moreover, socioeconomic parameters had more effects on barley than on wheat. In other words, livestock cover with 52% of effects had the greatest impact on the cultivation area of barley, whereas population with 36% of effects was ranked the third factor affecting the cultivation area of wheat. According to the interactive results of parameters, the interaction between elevation and NDVI was 88% in wheat. However, the interaction between population and livestock cover was 72% in barely. The optimal results of barley and wheat indicated that both crops had the largest cultivation areas at 22.9–24.9 °C.

Greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions in modelled cereal crop production under Polish agricultural conditions: An example spring barley

Based on the analysis of statistical data, the average area under cultivation and average yields of barley in Poland in 2010–2020 were calculated. Barley is one of the most important cereals grown in Poland. Its cultivation area occupied an average of 920,595 ha in these years, with average yields of 3.66 Mg∙ha−1. Barley is a cereal grown mainly as a spring cereal. The average area under spring species in these years accounted for 95% (875,771 ha) of the total area under this cereal, and the average yield of spring varieties was 3.60 Mg∙ha−1. In order to estimate emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and ammonia (NH3), the sources of emissions – inorganic fertilisers, fuel consumption – were analysed for selected barley cultivation technologies, differentiated by yield level, and variant model production technologies were developed to obtain projected yields. Emissions were calculated for individual greenhouse gases (N2O, CH4 and CO2) and they were recalculated according to the greenhouse potential of each gas (GWP – global warming potential) to be able to compare the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions for the analysed variants. Greenhouse gas emissions for cultivation technology ranged from 134.53 to 136.48 kg CO2eq for 1 Mg yield. A more accurate Tier 2 method was used to estimate NH3 emissions, taking into account soil conditions and climate zone. The estimated ammonia emissions from the application of mineral fertilisers were from 0.99 kg to 2.35 kg for 1 Mg yield.

Malt Quality Characteristics of Selected Maize Varieties

In tropical and sub-tropical regions, the cultivation of barley is generally very limited and far less viable for brewing. This study was intended to investigate the potential of released maize varieties for malt purpose. Seventeen released maize varieties were collected from Bako, Ambo and Melkassa Agricultural Research Centers. The varieties were investigated for the most critical chemical compositions, germination test and malt quality. AMH-851 variety had the highest crude protein and ash contents. The highest moisture absorption (49.2%) and germination energy (82%) was noticed in MK-1 maize variety. Insignificant variation and less malting loss (0.7g) was noticed for MK-141 and BH-661 varieties. A significant increment in protein content was observed in maize malt compared to the un-malted grain. AMH-851had the highest (13.8%) and MK-2 showed the lowest (11.2%) malt protein content and the highest kolbach index. In its coarse and fine extract contents, BH-661 (69.93%) and BH-540 (69.29%) varieties had the highest and did not show a significant variation. A range of 6.8 to 29.07 wk enzymatic activity was observed among the selected maize malt with the highest for AMH-851 followed by BH-547 and the lowest for Limu variety. It was noticed that maize grains grown in intermediate agro-ecology could be used as potential malt for brewing purpose.

The development of crop production in the northern Horn of Africa: a review of the archaeobotanical evidence

ABSTRACT This article presents a synthesis of the hypotheses and evidence for plant domestication and the origins of agriculture in the northern Horn of Africa. To date, available archaeological data point to an introduction of agricultural practices to Ethiopia during the late Holocene, c. 1600 BC, influenced by adjacent areas including eastern Sudan, Egypt and southern Arabia. The archaeobotanical record shows that farming in the northern highlands was based on the cultivation of barley, linseed and lentils, combined with the exploitation of local wild grasses from the Panicoideae and Chloridoideae sub-families. This indicates that local populations also played a role in the development of productive activities in the region, a process that might have been in place before the arrival of the southwest Asian agricultural package. After the first millennium BC, amidst an increase in sedentary settlements in the region, new domesticated crops appeared in the archaeological record. These include exogenous crops such as emmer wheat, but also indigenous plants such as t’ef and noog, which were locally domesticated likely throughout the Pre-Aksumite period. With the rise of the Aksumite Kingdom, c. 50 BC – AD 700, the agricultural package again expanded to include of a wide range of pulses, geophytes and other economic crops. Macrobotanical remains of sorghum and finger millet also appear for the first time during this period, although this contrasts with the microbotanical record of the region, which points to an earlier presence. In the southern highlands and southwest Ethiopia, evidence of Plectranthus edulis (Vatke) Agnew (Ethiopian potato or Oromo potato) has been identified by the late first millennium BC, pointing towards an earlier domestication than previously considered. Similarly, enset and coffee remains have been documented during the early first millennium AD. Altogether, new studies are needed to confirm some of these hypotheses, as archaeobotanical studies in the northern Horn are still limited. The combination of macrobotanical and microbotanical data, along with ethnoarchaeological and experimental research programs and linguistic studies, will be of critical importance for refining our current understanding of the processes associated with plant domestication and the introduction of crop production in the region.

Energy and Environmental Assessment of Bacteria-Inoculated Mineral Fertilizer Used in Spring Barley Cultivation Technologies

In the scientific literature there is a lack of information on the integrated effect of bioenriched complex mineral fertilizers in the energy and environmental aspects of spring barley production technology. The aim of this study was to validate the type of phosphorus-releasing bacteria and to carry out an energy and environmental assessment of the use of mineral fertilizers enriched with them for barley fertilization. The experimental field studies (2020–2022) were carried out in open ground on sandy loam soil in southern Lithuania. Four barley cultivation technologies (SC) were applied. Control (SC–1) did not use complex mineral fertilizers; in SC–2, 300 kg ha−1 of N5P20.5K36 fertilizer was applied. In SC–3, the same fertilizer was enriched with a bacterial inoculant (Paenibacillus azotofixans, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus mucilaginosus, and Bacillus mycoides) at a rate of 150 kg ha−1, and in SC–4, 300 kg ha−1 of N5P20.5K36 fertilizer were applied and the same enrichment with the bacterial inoculant was carried out. The results confirmed the hypothesis that spring barley cultivation technologies using bacterial inoculants (SC–3 and SC–4) have higher mineral fertilizer efficiency than SC–2. In all three years, the bacterial inoculant had a positive effect on phosphorus fertilizer efficiency. In SC–4 (2020) it was 8%, in 2021—7%, and in 2022—even 17% higher compared to SC–2. In terms of energy balance, a significant influence of the bacterial inoculant was found. In 2020 and 2021, the energy balance of SC–4 was 10%, and in 2022, 22.8% higher compared to SC–2. The increase in fertilizer use efficiency resulted in a positive environmental impact, with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions decreasing by 10% in 2020, 15% in 2021, and 19% in 2022 when comparing SC–4 and SC–2. The use of the tested bacterial formulations, without changing the mineral fertilizer rate, can lead to an average reduction in GHG emissions of about 15%. This study demonstrates that enriching mineral fertilizers with specific bacterial inoculants for spring barley cultivation significantly enhances phosphorus efficiency, improves energy balance, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the potential for bioaugmented fertilizers to optimize agricultural sustainability.