Growth Performance of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as Influenced by Zn and Fe Fertilizations in Northern Rajasthan, India
Surya Sain
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Tantia University, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan-335001, India.
Pradeep Kumar *
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Tantia University, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan-335001, India.
J. S. Ranawat
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Tantia University, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan-335001, India.
Satdev
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tantia University, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan-335001, India.
Rishi Dev Jaryal
Department of Agricultural Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, Tantia University, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan-335001, India.
U. S. Shwkhawat
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Tantia University, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan-335001, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2025–26 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Tantia University, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, to assess the effects of fertility levels and ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ application on the growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) variety DWRB-137. Eight treatments were evaluated in a randomised block design with three replications. The treatments included a control, the full recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF) alone, 100% RDF combined with either or both micronutrients, and 75% RDF combined with zinc and/or iron sulphate. Application rates of ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ were 20 kg ha⁻¹ where included. Germination, plant height, tiller number, dry matter accumulation and spike length were assessed. Germination ranged from 84.33% under the control to 85.83% under T5, but treatment differences were not statistically significant. T5 (100% RDF with ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄) recorded the greatest plant height at harvest (105.03 cm), highest tiller number (335.00 m⁻²), greatest dry matter accumulation (1032.13 g m⁻²) and longest spikes (14.18 cm). Treatments combining individual micronutrients with 100% RDF generally recorded lower values than T5, while the combined treatment with 75% RDF also showed improved growth attributes relative to the control. These findings suggest that applying ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ with 100% RDF can improve the measured growth characteristics under the field conditions examined. Further research is required to determine whether these responses remain consistent across growing seasons and locations.
Keywords: Barley, Hordeum vulgare L., recommended dose of fertiliser, zinc sulphate, ferrous sulphate, micronutrient management, growth attributes, dry matter accumulation, tillering