The impact of nutrition optimization on crop yield and grain quality of spring barley varieties (Hordeum vulgare L.)

The research is aimed to determine the yield and quality of spring barley grain depending on the varietal characteristics and optimization of nutrition. Methods. The experimental studies were conducted during 2013–2018. on the research field of Mykolayiv National Agrarian University (Ukraine). Results. The highest grain yield of spring barley varieties in all years of research is determined to be formed by growing the crop on the background of applying N30P30 and carrying out two foliar top dressing of crops with Escort-Bio or Organic D2 preparations. So, on average, over the years of research on the variety factor, the grain yield was 3.41 and 3.37 t ha–1, which exceeded its level in the non – fertilized control by 26.7–28.2%. The optimization of nutrition affected the grain quality indicators of the studied varieties of spring barley significantly as the maximum values of grain nature (606.2 up to 611.2 g l–1, depending on the variety) were reached by applying N30P30 before sowing and double applying of Escort-bio to the crops. The protein content in the grain and digested protein in this nutrition option was also determined to be the maximum as 12.5 up to 13.1% and 61.0 up to 63.8 g kg–1, respectively, depending on the variety. Slightly higher grain quality indicators among the spring barley varieties taken for the study were formed by the 'Aeneas' variety. The highest protein content in the spring barley grain of 'Stalker' and 'Vakula' varieties was accumulated in 2018, and the last one was in 2016. The amount of protein in both varieties increased under the influence of nutrition optimization and, on average, it increased from 10.8% in the control up to 11.3–11.6% in the variants with fertilizing in ‘Stalker’ variety and from 10.7 up to 11.3–11.6% in 'Vakula' variety during three years.