Foliar Nitrogen Fertilization Research Articles

Effect of Soil and Foliar Nitrogen Fertilization on Performance and Economics of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Cultivation under Rainfed Conditions of Nagaland

Background: Crop production relies heavily on essential nutrients. Balanced soil-applied fertilizers, along with foliar sprays, can improve input efficiency and crop performance, particularly in rainfed areas prone to moisture stress. Method: A field investigation was conducted at the experimental farm of School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema campus, during rabi season of 2021. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications with four main factors comprising of soil-application of different doses of N (nitrogen) in two splits (based on RDF of 40 kg N ha-1) viz., 100 % N, 75% N, 50% N and 25% N and five sub-factors comprising of foliar sprays of N viz. Control (water spray), single spray of Nanourea @ 3 ml liter-1, two sprays of Nanourea @ 3 ml liter-1, single spray of Urea @ 2% and two sprays of Urea @ 2 %. Result: Among the different soil application treatments, significantly highest NUE (Agronomic Efficiency), seed yield (996.80 kg ha-1) and stover yield (3032.10 kg-1) was recorded with soil application of 100 % N ultimately recording the highest net return (Rs. 26004 ha-1) and IBCR (5.80). Whereas, two sprays of Nanourea @ 3 ml L-1, among foliar treatments, recorded the highest NUE (Agronomic Efficiency), seed and stover yield (918.44 kg ha-1 and 3032.26 kg ha-1 respectively) as well as net returns (Rs. 22988 ha-1) and IBCR (5.5).

Influence of Nitrogen Applications during Grain-Filling Stage on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Yield and Grain Quality under High Temperature

High temperature frequently occurs during rice’s early grain-filling period in the south of China, negatively affecting rice yield and quality and posing a major threat to local rice production. This experiment researched the influence of 3.5 °C warming during the first 20 grain-filling days on rice yield and quality and emphatically investigated the effects of the low-broadcast nitrogen fertilizer application level (LBN), high-broadcast nitrogen fertilizer application level (HBN) and foliar nitrogen fertilizer application (FN) at heading on the rice organ temperature, leaf photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, yield and grain quality, pasting and thermal properties under high temperature in 2020 and 2022, with a widely planted japonica rice variety, “Wuyunjing31”, in order to explore the practical mitigation measures for reducing the adverse impact of high temperature on rice productivity. The results showed that high temperatures during grain filling increased the rice plant temperature, damaged the chlorophyll fluorescence system and decreased the net photosynthesis rate. This led to a decline in the seed-setting rate and grain weight, resulting in a 7.0% and 13.9% yield loss in 2020 and 2022, respectively. In addition, high temperature caused a decline in the head rice rate and an increase in chalk occurrence and pasting temperature, thereby deteriorating rice grain quality. Under high temperatures, HBN enhanced the rice yield by 3.6% and 13.0% in 2020 and 2022, respectively, while FN enhanced the rice yield by 11.5% in 2022. The increase in yield was linked to the increased seed-setting rate and 1000-grain weight. LBN did not significantly affect the rice yield under high temperatures. The positive effects of nitrogen fertilizer measures on rice yield were associated with their role in lowering plant temperature and protection against the damage to the chlorophyll fluorescence system. All three nitrogen application measures generally improved rice milling quality and appearance quality under high temperature, with HBN generally showing the greatest impact. Under high temperature, LBN and FN tended to make the texture of cooked rice softer due to the decreased consistency, retrogradation enthalpy and retrogradation percentage, and this was closely associated with the decline in amylose content. In summary, nitrogen supplementation at the heading could efficiently mitigate the adverse impact of high temperature during the early grain-filling period on rice yield and quality.

Morfofisiologia e trocas gasosas da romãzeira sob estresse salino e aplicação foliar de nitrogênio

ABSTRACT Salinity is one of the abiotic stresses that affect gas exchange and growth of pomegranate. In this context, the application of nitrogen fertilizer through the leaves can minimize these effects. Thus, the objective of present study was to evaluate the effect of foliar nitrogen fertilization on pomegranate seedlings irrigated with brackish water. The design used was randomized blocks, in an incomplete factorial scheme (Central Composite Design) with five electrical conductivities of irrigation water - ECw (0.50, 1.15, 2.75, 4.35, and 5.00 dS m-1) and five doses of foliar nitrogen fertilization - FNF (0, 0.33, 1.15, 1.97, and 2.30 g L-1), with four replicates and two plants per experimental plot. Plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, and gas exchange (stomatal conductance, net photosynthesis, intercellular CO2 concentration, transpiration rate, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, instantaneous water use efficiency, and intrinsic water use efficiency) were evaluated at 60 days after the beginning of irrigation with saline water. Salinity of irrigation water negatively affects the gas exchange of pomegranate seedlings. Foliar nitrogen fertilization up to 1.31 g L-1 improves plant height and number of leaves in pomegranate seedlings under salt stress. Foliar nitrogen fertilization up to 1.59 g L-1 increases the net photosynthesis of pomegranate seedlings.

Volatilization or Recovery of Fairway Foliar Nitrogen Fertilizer via Time and Spray Oil Inclusion

Nitrogen (N) is the essential plant nutrient needed by turfgrass in the greatest quantity. Urea and urea-based liquids are arguably the safest, least expensive, and subsequently most popular soluble N fertilizers. Unfortunately, urea fertilizer application to turfgrass is often subject to NH3 volatilization: a deleterious phenomenon from both environmental and agronomic perspectives. The objective of this research was to quantify the efficacy of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) golf course fairway foliar fertilization by urea-based N fertilizers as influenced by a petroleum-derived spray oil (PDSO) containing Cu II phthalocyanine colorant (Civitas Turf DefenseTM Pre-M1xed, Intelligro LLC, Mississauga, ON, Canada). In 2019 and 2020, a maintained creeping bentgrass fairway received semimonthly 9.76 kg ha–1 soluble N treatment either alone or in combination with Civitas at a rate of 27 L ha–1. In the 48 h following foliar application, fertilizer N loss as NH3 ranged from 1.3 to 5.5% and corresponded directly to fertilizer urea content but not Civitas inclusion. In the 1 to 14 d following semimonthly treatment, Civitas had either a beneficial (methylol urea and UAN) or negligible (urea) effect on canopy mean dark green color index. Once cumulative N inputs exceeded 47 kg ha–1, creeping bentgrass fairway shoot growth and N nutrition were consistently increased by Civitas complementation of commercial liquid N fertilizer. Over the 2-yr study, absolute mean percent fertilizer N recovery from plots treated by Civitas-complemented foliar liquid N treatment exceeded their ’N only’ counterparts by 8.7%.

Photochemical and phytomass aspects of pomegranate seedlings grown under water salinity and foliar nitrogen fertilization

Pomegranate is a fruit with potential for exploitation in the Brazilian Northeast as medicine and food. However, the qualitative and quantitative scarcity of water resources is common in this region, requiring the use of water with high salt contents in irrigated agriculture. The adoption of strategies to reduce the harmful effects of salt stress in plants is therefore necessary, and foliar nitrogen (N) fertilization is a promising alternative. The objective of the work, therefore, was to evaluate the photochemical and phytomass aspects of pomegranate seedlings grown under irrigation water salinity and foliar nitrogen fertilization. The experiment was performed in a randomized block design, in an incomplete factorial scheme, with five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water - ECw (0.50, 1.15, 2.75, 4.35 and 5.00 dS m-1) and five nitrogen doses - N (0.0, 0.33, 1.15, 1.97 and 2.30 g L-1), totaling nine combinations, generated by the Central Composite Design, with four repetitions and two plants per repetition. Foliar N application at a dose of 1.37 g L-1 increased the production of leaf and root dry phytomass at 90 days after emergence. Salt stress reduced the photochemical activity and phytomass production of pomegranate seedlings, while there was a stimulus by increasing N application up to 2.3 g L-1.
 Keywords: nitrogen, photochemical efficiency, Punica granatum L., salt stress.

A adubação foliar com nitrogênio alivia os efeitos nocivos do estresse salino no manjericão roxo

ABSTRACT Salinity can have detrimental effects on plant development. To minimize this damage, strategies such as balanced maintenance of plants’ nutritional status have been proposed previously. The objective of this study is to investigate whether the optimization of foliar nitrogen fertilization can promote the growth and photochemical efficiency of purple basil subjected to salt stress. The experiment was performed using a randomized block design with an incomplete 5 × 5 factorial arrangement generated through experimental matrix Central Composite Design with two parameters: salinity of irrigation water at 0.5, 0.81, 2.75, 4.69, and 5.50 dS m-1; and nitrogen doses at 0, 58.58, 200, 341.42, and 400 mg L-1. It was found that an increase in the salinity of irrigation water reduced the growth and photochemical efficiency of purple basil. However, the foliar application of nitrogen at the concentration of 400 mg L-1 attenuated the harmful effects of salinity on both the absolute and relative growth rates of stem diameter, the relative growth of plant height, and chlorophyll A fluorescence. These results showed that foliar nitrogen fertilization is a suitable strategy to help mitigate salt stress in basil plants.

Morphophysiology and quality of custard apple seedlings irrigated with saline water and foliar nitrogen

The establishment of quality seedlings when irrigated with water with a high saline index has become a challenge for fruit growers in arid and semi-arid regions, requiring the adoption of techniques that will mitigate such effects. In this scenario, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of irrigation with saline water and foliar nitrogen fertilization on the formation of custard apple seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design and arranged in a 5 × 5 factorial corresponding to five electrical conductivity levels of irrigation water—ECiw (0.5, 1.15, 2.75, 4.35, and 5.0 dS m−1) and five nitrogen levels applied on the leaves (0, 0.33, 1.15, 1.97, and 2.3 g L−1), with four replicates and two plants per plot, totaling nine combinations generated by Box’s central composite design. Irrigation with the electrical conductivity level of 1.33 dS m−1 caused acceptable losses of up to 10% in the net photosynthesis rate, phytomass accumulation, and quality of custard apple seedlings. Nitrogen fertilization at the level of 1.45 g L−1 mitigated the effects of salt stress on the morphophysiology and quality of custard apple seedlings. The N level of 1.59 g L−1 associated with the ECiw of 0.5 dS m−1 increased the gas exchange, phytomass accumulation, and Dickson Quality Index of custard apple seedlings 90 days after emergence. The application N level from 0.95 ml L−1 maintains the acceptable quality of custard apple seedlings under irrigation conditions with water of 5.0 dS m−1.

Growth and photosynthetic pigments of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seedlings under foliar fertilization with nitrogen and irrigated with saline water

In the semiarid region of Brazil, salts found in water used in irrigation. The objective of was to analyze the influence of foliar fertilization with nitrogen as a mitigation of the salt stress of passion fruit seedlings. The design was randomized blocks, with the treatments generated from the Box’s Central Composite matrix, with five electrical conductivities of irrigation water (ECw) (0.50; 0.98; 2.15; 3.32; 3.80 dS m-1) and five doses of foliar nitrogen fertilization (0.0; 0.30; 1.15; 1.97; 2.30 g L-1), with four replicates. The growth and photosynthetic pigments were evaluated Application of nitrogen doses attenuated the effect of salinity on morphophysiological aspects of passion fruit seedlings. The increase in the salinity of the water caused negative effects on the characteristics the growth and photosynthetic pigments

Physiological responses in sugar apple seedlings under irrigation with saline water and foliar nitrogen

Irrigation water salinity is one of the most limiting factors to agriculture in the Northeast region of Brazil, compromising photosynthesis in most crops, especially in the early growth phase, thus requiring the development of research to mitigate its harmful effects. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilization for the mitigation of the salinity on the physiology of sugar apple seedlings. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, using five levels ??of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (0.5; 1.15; 2.75; 4.35 and 5.0 dS m-1) and five nitrogen levels via foliar application (0.0; 0.33; 1.15; 1.97 and 2.3 g L-1) in four replications and two plants per plot, totaling nine combinations generated by the Box Central Composite Design. Despite stimulating chlorophyll formation 70 DAS, saline water inhibits the fluorescence of chlorophyll a in photosystem II. Foliar nitrogen fertilization at the level of 1.62 g L-1 mitigates the effects of salinity on the gas exchange properties of sugar apple seedlings. The fluorescence activity and chlorophyll indices show positive responses to foliar nitrogen fertilization in sugar apple seedlings 70 DAS.

Enhancement of anthocyanin and chromatic profiles in 'Cabernet Sauvignon' (Vitis vinifera L.) by foliar nitrogen fertilizer during veraison.

The influence of foliar nitrogen fertilizer during veraison (FNFV) on anthocyanin accumulation and chromatic characteristics of 'Cabernet Sauvignon' grapes over two seasons was investigated. Urea and phenylalanine fertilizers (TU and TP, respectively) and a control were sprayed three times at veraison. In 2018, TU displayed a significant enhancement in total individual anthocyanin content and a* and Cab * profiles. In 2019, FNAV significantly improved the content of total non-acylated, acylated anthocyanin and total individual anthocyanin, and the profiles of L*, a* and Cab *, except a* in TU. The whole process from phenylalanine variation to anthocyanin accumulation in grape skins was analyzed. On the whole, after the first FNFV to harvest, the increase in phenylalanine metabolism, abscisic acid content, effects of PAL (Phenylalanine ammonia lyase), UFGT (UDP glucose-flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase) and transcript concentrations of VvPAL and VvUFGT involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis were also strong evidence explaining the increased anthocyanin and chromatic profiles in 2019. Overall, FNFV for nitrogen-deficient grapevines could significantly improve grape color, especially in the 2019 veraison with a proper climate. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Growth and gas exchange of purple basil submitted to salinity and foliar nitrogen fertilization

Basil is a medicinal and spice plant widely used in the Northeast region of Brazil. However, its production can be affected by the soil salinity and water used for irrigation. For the development of plants in saline conditions to occur, it is necessary that their nutritional status is adequate. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization on growth and gas exchange of purple basil submitted to salinity. The experiment was performed at the Federal University of Paraíba, adopting a randomized block design in an incomplete 5 x 5 factorial scheme, with five electrical conductivities (ECw = 0.0, 0.81, 2.75, 4.69 and 5.50 dS m−1) and five doses of nitrogen (N = 0.00, 58.58, 200.00, 341.42 and 400.00 mg L−1), generated through the central composite design. Plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, leaf area and root length were evaluated at 45 days. Stomatal conductance, net CO2 assimilation rate, transpiration, water use efficiency, intrinsic water use efficiency, intrinsic efficiency of carboxylation and leaf temperature were evaluated. The data were analyzed through analysis of variance and regression. Foliar N fertilization attenuated the harmful effect of salt stress, increasing stem diameter, net CO2 assimilation rate, intrinsic efficiency of carboxylation and leaf temperature. Salinity reduced the growth of basil plants as the ECw rised. Gas exchange was stimulated by salinity and reduced by the foliar N fertilization. The number of leaves and leaf area increased with nitrogen fertilization.

Effect of Foliar Application of Various Nitrogen Forms on Starch Accumulation and Grain Filling of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Under Drought Stress.

Foliar nitrogen (N) fertilizer application at later stages of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth is an effective method of attenuating drought stress and improving grain filling. The influences or modes of action of foliar application of various nitrogen forms on wheat growth and grain filling need further research. The objective of this study was to examine the regulatory effects of various forms of foliar nitrogen [NO3–, NH4+, and CO(NH2)2] on wheat grain filling under drought stress and to elucidate their underlying mechanisms. The relative effects of each nitrogen source differed in promoting grain filling. Foliar NH4+-N application notably prolonged the grain filling period. In contrast, foliar application of CO(NH2)2 and NO3–-N accelerated the grain filling rate and regulated levels of abscisic acid (ABA), z-riboside (ZR), and ethylene (ETH) in wheat grains. Analysis of gene expression revealed that CO(NH2)2 and NO3–-N upregulated the genes involved in the sucrose–starch conversion pathway, promoting the remobilization of carbohydrates and starch synthesis in the grains. Besides, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) were increased, whereas the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) declined under foliar nitrogen application (especially NH4+-N). Under drought stress, enhancement of carbohydrate remobilization and sink strength became key factors in grain filling, and the relative differences in the effects of three N forms became more evident. In conclusion, NH4+-N application improved the antioxidant enzyme system and delayed photoassimilate transportation. On the other hand, foliar applications of NO3–-N and CO(NH2)2 enhanced sink capacity and alleviated drought stress injury in wheat.

Combined Soil and Foliar Nitrogen Fertilization Effects on Rainfed Almond Tree Performance

Cultivation of almond in the Mediterranean region is traditionally done under rainfed conditions and poorly established cropping practices resulting in low yields. Despite the importance of nitrogen (N) fertilization to increase yield in cultivated species, this practice is usually neglected in rainfed managed almond orchards. Selection of the most appropriate rate and method of nitrogen (N) application are utmost factors to maximize almond yield in the considered conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand how soil and foliar N fertilization affect physiological and biochemical performance, almond yield, and fruit quality of almond trees grown under rainfed conditions. A 3-year experiment comprised four soil-applied N rates (0, 25, 50, and 100 kg ha−1) with and without 0.5% foliar N application of urea during the growing season, which was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Nitrogen soil fertilization did not influence the leaf gas exchange parameters and the content of photosynthetic pigments but significantly improved almond yield. There were no particular advantages in foliar fertilization. Soil application of small doses of fertilizer (e.g., 25 kg N ha−1) per year was optimal for maintaining appropriate physiological behavior of almond trees under the conditions in which the experiment was carried out, without compromise almond yield and fruit quality. Thus, the annual application at 25 kg N ha−1 enables substantial reduction of almond production costs being a positive contribution to environment-friendly farming practices.

Yield and Quality of Three Sugar Beet Varieties as Affected by Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Foliar Application and Nitrogen Fertilization

Yield and Quality of Three Sugar Beet Varieties as Affected by Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Foliar Application and Nitrogen Fertilization

Optimization of linseed cultivation, a promising way to enhance its secoisolariciresinol diglucoside lignan content

There is strong evidence on the anticancer properties of secolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), the predominant flaxseed lignan, especially for mammary and prostatic carcinomas. Although the effect of cultivar and location on flaxseed SDG level has been reported, much less is traced regarding the influence of agronomical treatments. The purpose of this study is to determine if agricultural management practices could enhance SDG accumulation in flaxseed. We studied the effect of irrigation frequencies (I), added nutrients (N, zinc and humic acid) and fertilization treatments (F) and their interactions on SDG level and seed yield of the Egyptian flax cultivar Giza 9. Samples were extracted and analyzed for SDG, after alkaline hydrolysis, using HPLC-UV method. The concentration of SDG and its yield varied between 415.55-845.95 mg/100 g whole seeds and 1.77-4.05 Kg/feddan on a dry weight basis, respectively according to different agricultural treatments. I, N and F factors and their interactions had a significant effect on SDG. I × N × F interaction contributed to the majority of SDG variation (31.81 %), followed by I factor (27.96 %), whereas seed yield was more affected by F factor (72.7 %). The I × F interaction was the only significant interaction on the seed yield contributing only for 0.43% of the variance. Moderate irrigation frequency with the humic acid foliar application and mineral nitrogen fertilizer was the best combination for achieving the highest SDG levels. Using optimum agronomic practice would benefit the nutraceutical industry by optimizing flaxseed lignan content and hence enhancing its anticancer, health-promoting effect.

Soil and foliar nitrogen and boron fertilization of almond trees grown under rainfed conditions

Abstract Rainfed orchards have huge social importance in territories of low agro ecological potential. Research on almond is limited for dry-farmed orchards in particular for crop nutrition and fertilization. This makes difficult to implement a cropping practice adjusted to the ecological constraints of these agrosystems. It is known that nitrogen (N) and boron (B) are determining nutrients for dicot tree crops such as olive and vineyards grown under these environmental conditions. Thus, this study aims to test at what level the crop responds to soil-applied N and B, and whether the foliar sprays can supplement or replace the application of the nutrients to the soil. It is also important to check if the sufficiency ranges set for the almond, which have been based on irrigated orchards, are adjusted for rainfed farming. The N rates applied to the soil were 0 (N0), 25 (N25), 50 (N50) and 100 (N100) kg hm−2 and those of B 0 (B0), 1 (B1), 2 (B2) and 3 (B3) kg hm−2. The foliar sprays consisted of three annual applications of N (two in 2017) and two applications of B (one in 2017), the last ones of 2015 and 2016 applied at post-harvest. Foliar N and B sprays were respectively applied at the concentrations of 0.5% N and 0.036% B. The experiment was arranged as a split-plot design with soil applied N or B assigned to the main plots and foliar N or B as subplots. Kernel yield showed a marked alternate-fruiting, with two years of good crops (2015 and 2017) and a year of practically no production (2016), likely due to adverse ecological conditions for almond growth and cropping practices incorrectly performed. Soil-applied N significantly increased kernel yield in comparison to the control but the differences were not significant in N rates higher than 25 kg N hm−2. The application of B to the soil improved tissue B concentrations but did not increase productivity. In general, foliar applications of N or B failed to improve plant nutritional status and kernel yield. The current sufficiency ranges for almond seem to be unnecessarily narrow for several nutrients such as N, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe), since several results were found to be out of the sufficiency range with no apparent negative consequences for the trees. The laboratories carrying out soil testing and plant analysis should take this into account in diagnosing the nutritional status of almond orchards.

Effect of Foliar Applied Nitrogen to Cotton with Artificial Terminal and Node Removal

Management decisions are needed for producers who experience hail or wildlife damage to cotton when replanting is not an option. This research was conducted to determine if applications of foliar nitrogen (N) fertilizer had an effect on cotton growth, lint yield, lint turnout, or fiber quality to cotton that had eight nodes of growth, including the apical meristem, removed at pinhead square or first bloom. The effects of foliar N (no foliar N, foliar N applied at the time of damage, one week after damage, two weeks after damage, at the time of damage + one week after damage, at the time of damage + two weeks after damage, one week after + two weeks after damage, and at the time of damage + one week after + two weeks after damage) were evaluated on Phytogen 499 WRF planted in Mississippi in 2016 and 2017.

Peaches phenology and production submitted to foliar nitrogen fertilizer and calcium nitrate

Peaches phenology and production submitted to foliar nitrogen fertilizer and calcium nitrate

Effects of foliar nitrogen fertilization on the phenolic, mineral, and amino acid composition of escarole (Cichorium endivia L. var. latifolium)

Abstract Nitrogen has a pivotal role in determining the quality of horticultural products, and foliar fertilization strategies could achieve higher nutrient use efficiencies while reducing environmental impacts and potentially enhancing consumer health benefits. Escarole (Cichorium endivia L. var. latifolium) plants were grown in nutrient solution, either complete or without N, and sprayed with different concentrations of foliar urea (0, 1, 5, and 10 g L−1). Total protein in the leaves was increased by the elevated concentrations of urea but the levels of total phenolics and total soluble sugars were lower. The contents of minerals in plants not receiving N in the nutrient solution were, in general, significantly increased by urea applications, but those of Cu and Zn were decreased. Additionally, the amino acids concentrations were boosted after urea application, whatever the composition of the irrigation solution, arginine, serine, and alanine being the most abundant amino acids. In conclusion, foliar N fertilization was an effective strategy to enhance the nutritional properties.

Влияние некорневых азотных подкормок и обработок гуминовым препаратом на продуктивность и химический состав ярового ячменя, выращиваемого на кормовые цели

The paper presents the results of the foliar feeding application in the technology of spring barley cultivation for fodder purposes. The effectiveness of foliar nitrogen fertilizer application and treatment with humic fertilizer «Stimulife» is also discussed in the paper. The use of foliar top dressing in a rate of 30 kg N/ha on an unfertilized background contributed to a 28%-increase in the productivity of spring barley. Subsequent treatment of the crop with «Stimulife» resulted in an additional 12%-increase in productivity. Application of a lower nitrogen rate (20 kg N/ha) on the N75P50K50 background contributed to 11%-increase in barley productivity, while with subsequent treatment with «Stimulife» – to 19%. Foliar fertilizer application at a rate of 10 kg/ha on the most fertilized background (N100P75K75) resulted in an increase in barley productivity of 15%, and with subsequent treatment with «Stimulife» – of 30%. The energy yield of the crop and grain chemical composition was estimated. Differences in the experiment treatments resulted in a change in the chemical composition of barley grain. The combined use of foliar nitrogen fertilizer (30 kg N/ha) with «Stimulife» stimulated an increase in the nitrogen content in barley grain of 50%. Reducing the nitrogen rate to 20 kg N/ha led to an increase in nitrogen in the grain of 44%. The minimum rate of nitrogen in top dressing (10 kg N/ha) allowed to increase the nitrogen content in grain by 16%. Thus, foliar differentiated nitrogen fertilization together with «Stimulife» treatment on an increasing background of mineral fertilizers contributed to an increase in the protein content of barley grain from 9 to 17%.