Uptake Of Barley Research Articles

Utilizing chicken manure incineration ash as a phosphorus and silicon source to mitigate boron absorption in barley grown on boron-contaminated soil

Excessive boron (B) levels in soil can lead to toxicity in plants, impacting their growth and productivity. Effective strategies to reduce B uptake are important for improving crop performance in contaminated soils. This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of chicken manure incineration ash (CMA) and triple superphosphate (TSP) on B uptake in barley plants grown in B-contaminated soil. Before the experiment, the chemical composition and molecular structure of CMA were analyzed using XRF, XRD and SEM. The soil was contaminated with 15 mg kg−1 of B, and both TSP and CMA were applied at rates of 40, 80, and 160 mg kg−1 of phosphorus (P). Neither P source had a significant impact on plant dry weight. However, increasing doses of applied TSP and CMA increased plant P concentration while significantly decreasing B concentration. Particularly with CMA applied at 160 mg kg−1 P dose, plant B concentration decreased to the lowest level of 194 mg kg−1. Increasing P doses led to a slight decrease in plant silicon (Si) concentration. The pH of soil samples taken after the experiment slightly increased with CMA treatments compared to TSP. The available P concentration in soils increased with increasing P doses. The available B concentration decreased with increasing P doses, especially reducing to the lowest level of 2.52 mg kg−1 in soils with a 40 mg kg−1 P, CMA. In conclusion, in addition to the effect of P, the molecular structure of P is also important in reducing B uptake in barley.

Remote sensing of cover crop legacies on main crop N‐uptake dynamics

AbstractGrowing cover crops promotes soil health as they retain nutrients during autumn/winter and provide organic matter to the soil biota, which in turn supplies nutrients to the main crop upon mineralisation in spring. Different cover crops have varying impacts on soil biology and nutrient dynamics due to the quantity and quality of plant material returned to the soil. To understand these effects, high‐resolution data on crop responses is required. In this study, remote sensing was used to provide such data. The temporal dynamics of soil nitrogen (N) availability and N uptake in barley were studied in response to different cover crop monocultures and mixtures. This was achieved using high‐resolution multispectral images of the main crop acquired from an unmanned aerial vehicle. Alongside this, in‐situ collected plant and soil parameters were used in this 5‐year cover crop field experiment. The results showed that cover crop legacies significantly affected barley N uptake, biomass, and canopy N content. In early June, at peak canopy N, the highest values were observed in barley grown after vetch‐radish or oat‐radish mixtures (84 kg N/ha) and the lowest in barley grown after fallow (63 kg N) or oat (53 kg N/ha on 23rd of June). At the start of the barley growing season, soil microbial biomass was not significantly affected by the cover crop legacies. However, differential N mineralisation between cover crop legacies can be attributed to differences in microbial activity associated with cover crop quantity and quality. This research demonstrates the potential of remote sensing to monitor and understand temporal and spatial variation of crop canopy N in response to cover crop N mineralisation by the soil biota which is an important component of soil health. This approach can contribute to more efficient N use by enabling fine‐tuning of the type, quantity, timing, and location of fertilisation.

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.

Effect of Bio-Fertilizer Application on Agronomic Traits, Yield, and Nutrient Uptake of Barley (Hordeum vulgare) in Saline Soil.

Under salinity conditions, growth and productivity of grain crops decrease, leading to inhibition and limited absorption of water and elements necessary for plant growth, osmotic imbalance, ionic stress, and oxidative stress. Microorganisms in bio-fertilizers have several mechanisms to provide benefits to crop plants and reduce the harmful effect of salinity. They can be effective in dissolving phosphate, fixing nitrogen, promoting plant growth, and can have a combination of all these qualities. During two successful agricultural seasons, two field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of bio-fertilizer applications, including phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), nitrogen fixation bacteria and a mix of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and nitrogen fixation bacteria with three rates, 50, 75 and 100% NPK, of the recommended dose of minimal fertilizer on agronomic traits, yield and nutrient uptake of barley (Hordeum vulgare) under saline condition in Village 13, Farafra Oasis, New Valley Governorate, Egypt. The results showed that the application of Microbein + 75% NPK recorded the highest values of plant height, spike length, number of spikes/m2, grain yield (Mg ha-1), straw yield (Mg ha-1), biological yield (Mg ha-1), protein content %, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) uptakes in grain and straw (kg ha-1), available nitrogen (mg/kg soil), available phosphorus (mg/kg soil), total microbial count of soil, antioxidant activity of soil (AOA), dehydrogenase, nitrogen fixers, and PSB counts. The application of bio-fertilizers led to an increase in plant tolerance to salt stress, plant growth, grain yield, and straw yield, in addition to the application of the bio-fertilizers, which resulted in a 25% saving in the cost of mineral fertilizers used in barley production.

Barley Growth and Phosphorus Uptake in Response to Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria

ABSTRACT Biostimulants and bioinoculants offer the potential to enhance nutrient use efficiency within agricultural cropping systems and thus reduce the amount of mineral fertilizers needed to support crop growth. Considerable uncertainty, however, exists about their efficacy under different management regimes. The present field-based study investigated the effects of phosphorus (P) solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and mycorrhizal (AMF) inoculants in the presence of a range of mineral-based P fertilizers, including triple superphosphate (TSP), struvite and rock phosphate (RP), on the growth, yield, and P uptake of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Two consecutive field experiments performed in a low P soil (Eutric Cambisol) revealed that the bioinoculants (PSB and AMF) promoted plant P uptake and grain yield. Moreover, in comparison to P fertilizers lacking bio-inoculants, the application of external P sources combined with bio-inoculants led to significant increases in leaf P concentration, total P uptake, plant dry matter, grain P concentration, and crop yield. Grain yield significantly correlated with P uptake by roots and above-ground parts (i.e. stems, leaves, and spikes) as well as grain P concentration in both seasons. It is concluded that bioinoculants can help improve sustainable P use ultimately leading to greater sustainability of cropping systems and resilience in soil P cycling.

Barley uptake of ZnO nanoparticles enhanced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: Implications for biomarker systems

Nanoparticles (NPs) show great promise in developing biomarkers for specific targets such as diseases, provided their surfaces are adequately modified. Zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs, which are non-toxic, are a strong candidate for use as markers, as we have accumulated knowledge on how to chemically modify their surface. In this study, we determined the uptake ratio (rupt) of ZnO NPs in barley using electron microscopy and related techniques. When using single ZnO NPs, the rupt value was 0% at the leaf part. However, when cultivated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and liquid fertilizer, rupt increased to 40%. This result may be attributed to the mutualistic relationship between the fungi and the root, which enhanced water absorption due to the more efficient activity of the rhizosphere.

Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria in Improving Yield, Yield Components, and Nutrients Uptake of Barley under Salinity Soil

Barley (Hordeum vulgare, L.) is the fourth most important cereal crop in the world. Salinity decreases the productivity of plants grown under salinity conditions. It leads to deficiency and limited absorption of water and nutrients, ionic stress, oxidative stress, and osmotic imbalance. In saline soil, a field experiment was conducted to verify the effects of nine combinations among three levels of bio-fertilizers, i.e., control (without), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), as well as three levels of phosphorus fertilizer recommended dose (RDP) on barley yield, its components and nutrients uptake, to evaluate the useful influences of these combinations to improve P management under salinity stress related to yield and its components as well as N, P, and K uptake in barley. Findings revealed that the combination AMF + 100% RDP improved plant height, length of spike, spikes weight, number of spikes plant−1, weight of 1000-grain, straw yield, grain yield, uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) in grain and uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) in straw by 19.76, 33.21, 40.08, 33.76, 14.82, 24.95, 47.52, 104.54, 213.47, 168.24, 124.30, 183.59, and 160.84% in the first season, respectively. Meanwhile, the increase was 19.86, 29.73, 40.47, 39.94, 14.92, 24.95, 47.94, 104.73, 213.33, 168.64, 124.47, 183.86, and 161.09% in the second season, respectively. AMF showed greater efficiency and effectiveness compared to PSB in improving yield and its components for all studied traits. The results of principle component analysis indicated that all combinations except AMF + zero% RDP, PSB + zero% RDP, control + zero% RDP, and control + 66% RDP showed high scores on positive PC1, where all studied traits were high. Therefore, it is recommended to inoculate the soil with AMF or PSB with the addition of phosphate fertilizer at the recommended dose under salinity conditions, i.e., AMF + 100% RDP (T1) or AMF + 66% RDP (T2) or PSB + 100% RDP (T4). The use of bio-fertilizers has increased plant tolerance to salt stress, and this was evident from the increase in different traits with the use of treatments that include bio-fertilizers.

Alternate partial root-zone N-fertigation increases water use efficiency and N uptake of barley at elevated CO2

Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (e[CO2]) increases water use efficiency (WUE) while reducing nitrogen (N) concentration of crops particularly under drought conditions; yet the combined effects of e[CO2] and different N-fertigation regimes on WUE and crop N nutrition remain largely elusive. In this experiment, the growth and physiological responses of two barley genotypes, wild type barley Steptoe (WT) and its correspondent ABA-deficient mutant barley Az34, to three N-fertigation regimes at ambient CO2 (a[CO2]) (400 ppm) and e[CO2] (800 ppm) were investigated. From tillering to grain filling stage, the plants were subjected to three N-fertigation regimes: 1) N-fertigation at full irrigation volume (FIN); 2) N-fertigation at reduced irrigation volume (DIN); 3) alternate N-fertigation at reduced irrigation volume (PRDN). Although e[CO2] had little effect on gs, Tr and plant water use of WT, especially under DIN and PRDN, it increased An, resulting in an increased WUE at stomatal, leaf and whole plant levels. For Az34, the positive effect of e[CO2] on WUE was attributed to both significantly enhanced An and lowered gs and Tr. For both genotypes, e[CO2] increased 100-grain weight and shoot dry biomass but didn’t affect grain yield and WUE for grain production (WUEg). PRDN increased grain yield, HI and WUEg of both genotypes regardless of [CO2], compared to FIN. DIN and PRDN increased N uptake of both genotypes at e[CO2] compared to FIN. Compared to a[CO2], e[CO2] increased 15N uptake and 15N recovery rate of both genotypes by enhancing plant biomass. In addition, both genotypes grown under DIN and PRDN allocated more N to the grain compared to the FIN plants. Collectively, N-fertigation at reduced irrigation volume promoted N allocation to the grain and increased WUE, particularly under e[CO2]. Such information is conductive for optimizing WUE and N nutrition of crops in a future water-limited and CO2-enriched environment.

Nutrients removal by crop and weeds under different weed and nutrient management practices in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and its associated weeds

A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil during 2015-16 and 2016-17 at Crop Research Center, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut (U.P.). The treatments comprised five levels of nutrients viz.; 100% NPK, 75% N-PK + 25% N through FYM, 75% N-PK + 25% N through vermicompost, 50% N-PK + 50% N through FYM, 50% N-PK + 50% N through vermicompost as main plot and four levels of weed control measures viz; Control, Two hand weeding, Trisulfuron 15g a.i. ha-1 and Carfentrazone ethyl 15g a.i. ha-1 as sub plot and it was laid out in split-plot design with three replications. The results indicated that among different nutrient management practices, the maximum NPK uptake in barley and weeds were recorded with the treatment 75% N-PK + 25% N through vermicompost over rest of the other treatments. Among weed management practices, NPK content and uptake were recorded highest in two hand weeding followed by Trisulfuron 15g a.i. ha-1 and control. Therefore, nutrient uptake by crop, status of the soil also improved with the integration of organic and inorganic sources of plant nutrients. Thus 75% NPK + 25% N through vermicompost with Trisulfuron 15g a.i. ha-1 may be recommended for better weed control and higher barley yield.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) physiology including nutrient uptake affected by plant growth regulators under field drought conditions

Finding a method, which may increase barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) growth and nutrient uptake under drought stress, is of significance. The objective of the research (conducted as a split plot with three replicates in two different research fields in 2018–2019) was to investigate the effects of different plant growth regulators (PGR) on the physiology including nutrient uptake of barley under field drought stress. The drought levels including 80 mm (control), 100 (mild) and 120 mm (high) evaporation from the pan class A were devoted to the main plots, and different PGR including spraying with water (control, T1), (2) gibberellic acid (GA3 at 110 mg/l, T2), (3) salicylic acid (SA at 1.5 mM, T3), (4) benzyl adenine (BA6 at 60 mg/l, T4), (5) GA3 + SA (T5), and (6) superoxide dismutase (SOD at 5 mg/l, T6) were used as subplots. Different plant physiological properties including grain protein, chlorophyll a and b, leaf relative water content (at pollination and physiological maturity), wet and dry gluten, soluble and insoluble sugar, and grain nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) uptake were determined. Analyses of variance indicated the significant effects of the experimental treatments on the measured parameters. Although barley physiology including nutrient uptake were significantly decreased by drought stress, the use of PGR significantly improved such parameters under the stress, and T5 (GA3 + SA) followed by T6 (super oxide dismutase) were the most effective ones. It is possible to enhance barley physiology including nutrient uptake, under drought stress, using the tested PGR.

Spatio-temporal groundwater arsenic distribution in Central Mexico: implications in accumulation of arsenic in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) agrosystem.

In the present work, a spatio-temporal study of arsenic (As) concentration in groundwater and its impact in barley uptake is presented. The impact of As on barley is studied through the determination of its bioaccumulation in the soil-plant system, As uptake, as well as a correlation between As concentration in water and its temperature in the groundwater. For the groundwater, spatial and temporal variability of As concentration in central Mexico was determined through a geostatistical analysis using ordinary kriging. The results show that the variability of As in the ground water is correlated with its temperature (R2 > 0.83). The As accumulation in the structures of plant follows the order root > leaf > ear in concentration. The bioaccumulation factor BAFT suggests that As is mobilized to the aerial parts of the barely for both As concentrations used in the irrigation water. However, for As concentration lower than 25 μg L-1, the BAFT is lower than 0.57, suggesting that the amount of As in root is the same as that contained in the aerial parts; whereas, for higher As concentrations (from 170 to 250 μg L-1), the BAFT is around 0.92, indicating that the As is mainly contained in root. The spatial distribution of As concentration trend in groundwaters along the time is the same, which means high As concentration areas remain in the same groundwaters and these areas are presenting the highest water temperature. These results shall contribute to understand the bioaccumulation of As in barley and the As spatial variability in central Mexico.

Effect of levels of irrigation and nitrogen on growth, yield and nitrogen uptake in barley

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season at research farm of CS Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, U.P. with the objective to study the effect of irrigation and nitrogen levels on growth, yield and nitrogen uptake by barley. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications with treatments, comprising four levels of irrigation viz., I1= no irrigation, I2= one irrigation at tillering stage, I3= one irrigation at flag leaf stage and I4= two irrigations each at tillering and flag leaf stage in main plots and four nitrogen levels viz., N1= Control, N2= 30 kg ha-1, N3= 60 kg ha-1 and N4= 90 kg ha-1 in sub-plots. Results revealed that application of two irrigations first at tillering and second at flag leaf stage along with 90 kg nitrogen per hectare gives highest grain yield, straw yield, nitrogen content and nitrogen uptake by grain, straw and protein content as compared to other irrigations (no irrigation, one irrigation at tillering stage, one irrigation at flag leaf stage) and nitrogen treatments (0, 30 and 60 kg ha-1).

Water shortage reduces silicon uptake in barley leaves

Silicon is an increasingly important element in agriculture due to benefits on plant growth and development under stress conditions. Silicon uptake is facilitated by transpiration flow, while plant resistance to drought and ultraviolet radiation are positively related. Thus, we hypothesised that water shortage in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) will hinder uptake of silicon, and possibly other elements, and that reduced ambient ultraviolet radiation will worsen these negative effects of water shortage. Barley plants were exposed to favourable and reduced water availability during growth under ambient and reduced ultraviolet exposure. Element composition and morphological, biochemical, physiological, and optical traits of barley leaves growing under these four treatments were investigated. Water shortage affected the element composition of barley plants significantly. Silicon and chlorine levels were the most reduced by water shortage, followed by calcium, phosphorus, and sulphur, while potassium levels were not affected. Ultraviolet radiation did not have any significant effects on uptake of elements. These plants did not undergo water shortage stress, as photochemical efficiency of photosystem II and pigment contents were similar across all treatments. Water shortage affected reflectance of light across the whole spectrum, while ultraviolet radiation affected optical properties of the barley leaves in the UV region only.

Short-Term Nitrogen Uptake of Barley from Differently Processed Biogas Digestate in Pot Experiments

The use of biogas digestate as fertilizer is limited by the farm nutrient balance. Mechanical separation and drying of digestate increases its transport worthiness as well as the economic feasibility of nutrient export. This study compares the fertilizer effect of four treatments of digestate originating from two biogas plants: untreated digestate, liquid and solid fraction of separated digestate and dried solid fraction of separated digestate. Pot experiments with barley were performed with two fertilization levels for different digestate variants. Above-ground biomass yield, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content in biomass and plant uptake efficiency were highlighted. The results showed that all variants have higher above-ground biomass yield than the control. Due to the reduced amount of easily available N, short-term N uptake of barley from solid fractions of digestate was low. The treatments with the dried solid fraction at low fertilization level showed up to 59% lower N removal from soil and, at high fertilization level, up to 83% lower N removal compared to the respective fresh solid fraction (100%). Depending on the feedstock of biogas plants and processing of digestate, N availability varied and influenced the short-term N uptake. It is recommended that digestate processing should be combined with ammonia recovery to prevent N losses to the environment.

Growth, productivity and nutrient uptake of barley (Hordeum vulgare) as influenced by different varieties and clipping management

Growth, productivity and nutrient uptake of barley (Hordeum vulgare) as influenced by different varieties and clipping management

Effects of low-molecular-mass organic acids on P nutrition and some plant properties of Hordeum vulgare

ABSTRACTOne of the strategies of the plants growing in phosphorus (P)-deficient environments is to exudate low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOA). Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of LMWOA on phosphorus uptake of barley from either fertilizer or inherited soil phosphorus. The experiment was set up in full factorial arrangement in completely randomised design with two phosphorus (0 and 50 mg P kg−1), five organic acids, LMWOA (malic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, ascorbic acid), and four organic acid rates (0, 10, 20, and 30 mmol kg−1). The effects of LMWOA on yield in descending order were: oxalic acid > ascorbic acid > malic acid > acetic acid > citric acid. The maximum P concentration in grain was obtained at 30 mmol kg−1 LMWOA treatments. As a result, it was found that oxalic acid was the most effective LMWOA in increasing nutrient uptake induced grain yield with and without phosphorous fertilizer application.

Biosolids affect the growth, nitrogen accumulation and nitrogen leaching of barley

Biosolids are organic fertilisers derived from treated and stabilised sewage sludge that increase soil fertility and supply nitrogen to crops over a long period, but can also increase the risk of nitrogen (N) leaching. In this work, spring barley was grown in lysimeters filled with soil amended with biosolids, and with and without mineral N fertilisation. Biomass and the N concentration and content of shoots and roots were determined at flowering and maturity, and the N remobilization was calculated during grain filling. Drainage water was collected and analysed for N leaching. Biosolids increased soil porosity and soil nitrate, and positively affected the growth and N uptake of barley. Compared to mineral fertilisers, biosolids produced 18% higher vegetative biomass and 40% higher grain yield. During grain filling, both N uptake and N remobilization were higher with biosolids, which increased the grain N content by 32%. Nitrogen loss in leachates was 1.2% of plant uptake with mineral fertilisers and 1.7% with biosolids. Thus, soil fertilisation with biosolids greatly benefits spring barley, only slightly increasing N leaching.

Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Root Ca2+ and K⁺ Fluxes Correlate with Salt Tolerance in Cereals: Towards the Cell-Based Phenotyping.

Salinity stress-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and associated oxidative damage is one of the major factors limiting crop production in saline soils. However, the causal link between ROS production and stress tolerance is not as straightforward as one may expect, as ROS may also play an important signaling role in plant adaptive responses. In this study, the causal relationship between salinity and oxidative stress tolerance in two cereal crops—barley (Hordeum vulgare) and wheat (Triticum aestivum)—was investigated by measuring the magnitude of ROS-induced net K+ and Ca2+ fluxes from various root tissues and correlating them with overall whole-plant responses to salinity. We have found that the association between flux responses to oxidative stress and salinity stress tolerance was highly tissue specific, and was also dependent on the type of ROS applied. No correlation was found between root responses to hydroxyl radicals and the salinity tolerance. However, when oxidative stress was administered via H2O2 treatment, a significant positive correlation was found for the magnitude of ROS-induced K+ efflux and Ca2+ uptake in barley and the overall salinity stress tolerance, but only for mature zone and not the root apex. The same trends were found for wheat. These results indicate high tissue specificity of root ion fluxes response to ROS and suggest that measuring the magnitude of H2O2-induced net K+ and Ca2+ fluxes from mature root zone may be used as a tool for cell-based phenotyping in breeding programs aimed to improve salinity stress tolerance in cereals.

Impacts of Wastewater Irrigation on Growth, Yield and Salts Uptake of Barley

Treated wastewater is promising water resource as alternative or supplementary source for fresh water to be used in agriculture specially for areas of water shortage and crops with good potential of tolerating saline water. In this study long-term irrigation with fresh and wastewater on growth and yield of seven non-local cultivars (S42IL107, BW284, BW281, G400, Scarlett, Bowman and BW290) of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) showed that (1) barley cultivars irrigated with both fresh and wastewater had in general the same growth vigor and growth nature, (2) The cultivars irrigated with wastewater gave nearly twice the yield of that irrigated with freshwater. BW290 cultivar showed the best and highest yield among the seven cultivars while S42IL107 had the weakest prostrate growth, (3) The use of wastewater in irrigation increased the nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) contents in soil profiles affecting its texture, (4) barley proved to be a salt-tolerant crop with considerable economic importance, Barley could tolerate saline water until (5µs) without any shortage in the yield of the crop, and (5) barley irrigated with both wastewater and freshwater needed nearly the same time to emergence, stem elongation, flowering and maturity and consequently, wastewater irrigation of barley is a promising water resource as alternatives for fresh water.

Effect of soil application of nickel on growth, micronutrient concentration and uptake in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown in Inceptisols of Varanasi

ABSTRACTA pot experiment was conducted in a glass house on low nickel containing alluvial soil in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, during 2012–13 and 2013–14, to study the response of barley to soil application of nickel (Ni). There were ten treatments of Ni (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 mg kg−1) studied with recommended dose of fertilizers nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur (N:P:K:S :: 40:30:30:20 mg kg−1).The results showed a significant increase in plant height, number of tillers, chlorophyll content, straw and grain yield, and 1,000 grains weight with application of 10 mg Ni kg−1 soil during both years of study. The micronutrient concentration and uptake in straw and grain increased with application of <15 mg Ni kg−1 soil and beyond that declined significantly. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-extractable micronutrient iron, manganese, copper, zinc and nickel (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Ni) content in soil increased with increasing level of Ni. The maximum urease activity in post-harvest soil was noticed with application of 40 mg Ni kg−1 soil. The microbial population viz. bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes were higher with 5, 30 and 10 mg Ni kg−1 soil, respectively.