Effect of different levels of phosphorous and zinc on growth and yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in Southern Rajasthan Condition

Abstract

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), an important cereal crop of the Rabi season, belongs to the family Poaceae and is extensively cultivated in India, particularly in the semi-arid and sub-humid regions of Rajasthan. This study examines the influence of different levels of phosphorus and zinc on the growth, yield, and economic returns of barley under the agro-climatic conditions of Southern Rajasthan. The experiment comprised sixteen treatment combinations involving four phosphorus levels (0, 20, 30, and 40 kg P/ha) and four zinc levels (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 kg Zn/ha), laid out in a factorial randomized block design. The findings revealed significant enhancements in growth parameters such as plant height, number of tillers, dry matter accumulation, and growth rates (CGR and RGR) with increasing levels of phosphorus and zinc. Notably, the treatment combining 40 kg phosphorus and 7.5 kg zinc per hectare recorded the maximum plant height (90.87 cm), dry matter accumulation (13.71 g/plant), and number of effective tillers (5.87) were also significantly improved under this treatment. The superior yield performance is attributed to better nutrient uptake, enhanced photosynthetic activity, and improved physiological efficiency.