Influence of integrated nutrient management approaches on growth and yield attributes of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Introduction

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the world's most important cereal crops, ranking fourth in global production after wheat, maize, and rice. It possesses an extensive genome, containing approximately 39,000 genes in its haploid genome. Although its genetic structure is complex, the availability of comprehensive genomic resources, including a high-quality reference genome sequence, has significantly advanced research in barley genetics. These resources support crop improvement efforts, enhancing the resilience and productivity of barley, and thereby contributing to global agriculture and food security (Mascher et al., 2017) [11] . Barley plays a vital role not only in human consumption but also in animal feed and industrial uses, particularly in brewing, distilling, and the production of beer. Nutritionally, 100 grams of barley contain 10.6 mg of iron, 31.0 mg of vitamin B1, 0.1 mg of vitamin B2, and 50.0 µg of folate. It is well adapted to cool climates, grows rapidly, International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research 2026; SP-10(6): 90-96 improves soil health, and serves as an important component of sustainable farming systems (Kumari et al., 2024). Globally, barley is cultivated on a large scale due to its adaptability and economic significance. In 2016-17, barley was planted on 49.29 million hectares, producing 147.16 million tons with an average yield of 2,990 kg ha⁻¹. Approximately one-fifth of this production is used for human consumption, another fifth for malting, and the remainder for animal feed. Barley straw is also widely utilized for producing silage and hay. In India, during 2015-16, barley was grown on 589.4 thousand hectares, yielding 1,437.5 thousand tons with an average productivity of 24.39 q ha⁻¹, underscoring its crucial role in both food and fodder production systems (Anonymous, 2018). In 2023-24, India's barley production was estimated at 1.913 million metric tons over an area of 628,000 hectares, with an average yield of 3.05 metric tons per hectare. Rajasthan accounted for more than 50% of total production, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. In Punjab, barley occupied 5.5 thousand hectares with a production of 21.3 thousand tonnes and an average productivity of 38.66 q ha⁻¹. In Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, barley covered 966 ha, producing 2,234 tonnes with an average yield of 2.31 t ha⁻¹ in 2022-23 (DEC, 2023; Kaur et al., 2025) [9] . Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) plays a crucial role in enhancing barley production while conserving soil resources. INM integrates the use of organic manures, such as farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, and agricultural by-products, with chemical fertilizers and other sustainable practices like green manuring, cover cropping, intercropping, crop rotation, quality tillage, and efficient irrigation and drainage systems. This approach synchronizes nutrient supply with crop demand, stabilizes water reserves, improves nutrient availability, and enhances nutrient use efficiency, ultimately optimizing crop yields and sustaining soil health (Jena et al., 2019). Vermicompost, with its porous texture, high moisture retention, and beneficial microbial activity, improves nutrient absorption, while other organic inputs like chicken manure and barnyard manure serve as cost-effective soil conditioners that enhance plant growth and disease resistance (Akkaya and Kara, 2018). Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) is a versatile strategy aimed at enhancing both crop yield and quality by reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers while improving their efficiency and profitability for farmers. INM emphasizes maintaining optimal soil fertility and supplying essential nutrients to meet crop requirements. This approach combines the use of chemical fertilizers, organic manures, and bio-fertilizers to sustain crop productivity, preserve soil health and biodiversity, reduce fertilizer costs, and increase nutrient-use efficiency. Research has shown that integrating organic and inorganic nutrient sources under INM consistently outperforms the use of either source alone, significantly improving barley growth, yield components, and overall productivity (Dinka et al., 2018). Fertilizer application has been a major factor contributing to the 50-75% increase in global crop yields, demonstrating a strong correlation between nutrient input and productivity. However, excessive or unregulated use of chemical fertilizers can reduce soil organic matter, disrupt soil microbial activity, and pose potential risks to human health. In contrast, the use of organic fertilizers enhances soil organic carbon, improves fertility, and often results in higher sustainable yields compared to balanced chemical fertilizers alone (Potal, 2020). Proper fertilization not only provides essential nutrients for plant growth but also shortens crop development cycles, enables earlier harvests, improves soil structure, and promotes long-term agricultural sustainability (Demirsoy et al., 2020). INM is a versatile and sustainable strategy that minimizes dependence on chemical fertilizers, improves their efficiency, and increases farmers' profitability while maintaining soil fertility and biodiversity. By combining fertilizers, organic manures, and biofertilizers, INM enhances crop productivity, soil fertility, and resource-use efficiency. Research consistently demonstrates that integrated nutrient application outperforms the use of either organic or inorganic sources alone, leading to significant improvements in barley growth, yield components, and overall productivity (Dinka et al., 2018). Fertilizer use has contributed to 50-75% of the global increase in crop yields; however, the excessive and unregulated application of chemical fertilizers has led to a decline in soil organic matter, degradation of soil biological activity, and potential risks to human health. Conversely, organic fertilizers enhance soil organic carbon, improve soil fertility, and often result in more sustainable yield trends (Potal, 2020). Proper fertilization practices not only improve nutrient availability and crop quality but also reduce crop duration, enable earlier harvesting, improve soil structure, and promote long-term agricultural sustainability (Demirsoy et al., 2020) [15] .

Materials and methods 2.1 Source of Materials

The field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024-2025 at the Crop Research Centre of Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The experimental field was carefully leveled to ensure uniform soil conditions and proper seedbed preparation, which is crucial for reducing variability in field experiments (Piper, 1966; Spark, 1996). The study area receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 1200 mm, with nearly 70% occurring between July and October. The mean annual maximum and minimum temperatures are 29.6 °C and 16.7 °C, respectively. Summers are generally hot and humid, while winters vary from mild to severe cold, with temperatures ranging from 6.5 °C to 21.7 °C. December is the coldest month, with temperatures occasionally dropping to 4 °C, whereas June is the hottest, with maximum temperatures reaching 45 °C. From March onwards, both daily temperatures and the evaporation rate gradually increase. Meteorological data recorded from November 2024 to April 2025 indicated that the average monthly maximum and minimum temperatures ranged from 21.1 °C to 34.4 °C and 3.0 °C to 11.3 °C, respectively, while rainfall and relative humidity varied across the months (ICAR-IISWC, 2025). [7] Prior to sowing, the field was prepared using a tractordriven disc plough and rotavator, followed by planking, ensuring good tilth and moisture conservation (Piper, 1966; Gavlak et al., 2005). Stones, pebbles, and residues from the previous crop were manually removed, and the field was irrigated to attain optimal soil moisture levels. The experimental area was divided into three equal parts to accommodate three replications, each further subdivided into seven main plots measuring 3 m × 2 m, with bunds of 20 cm width. Treatments were randomly assigned to the main plots within each replication using a random number table, following the principles of Randomized Block Design (RBD) to reduce experimental error (Piper, 1966; Spark, 1996). Each main plot was further divided into three subplots to facilitate the application of different fertilizer levels while maintaining adequate irrigation and drainage. The high-yielding barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) variety RD-2552 was used in the study. This variety is widely cultivated in India due to its robust growth, superior grain quality, and tolerance to adverse environmental conditions (Anonymous, 2018; Kaur et al., 2025). Seeds were treated with Carbendazim (12%) and Mancozeb (63% WP) prior to sowing to protect against seed-borne pathogens, which is a standard procedure to ensure healthy crop establishment (Gavlak et al., 2005; Zhou, 2009) [9] . The experiment followed a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications and seven treatments, which included the use of inorganic fertilizers, organic manures, and their combinations. Treatments were as follows, T₁: Control (no fertilizer or manure); T₂-100% Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) @ 80:40:40 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O ha⁻¹; T₃: 100% Farmyard Manure (FYM) @ 10 t/ha; T₄: 100% Vermicompost @ 15 t/ha; T₅: 50% RDF + 50% FYM; T₆: 50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 15 t/ha; T₇: 100% RDF + FYM @ 10 t/ha + Vermicompost @ 15 t/ha. The nutrient doses were determined based on standard fertilizer recommendations for barley (Anonymous, 2018; Muhr et al., 1963; Olsen et al., 1954). The combination of inorganic fertilizers with organic manures is widely recognized as an effective strategy for improving nutrient-use efficiency and sustaining soil fertility under field conditions ( (Potal, 2020; Yimer, 2022). Each plot was sown at a depth of 4-5 cm using line sowing with a spacing of 30 cm × 10 cm, as recommended for barley (Anonymous, 2018; Kaur et al., 2025). The total plot size was 126 m² (9 m × 14 m), and the seed rate was 100 kg/ha (approximately 2.5 kg per plot). This experimental setup allowed for precise evaluation of the effects of different fertilizer and manure combinations on barley growth, development, and yield under the specific agroclimatic conditions of Dehradun. The design also ensured uniformity in irrigation, nutrient application, and plot management, thereby minimizing experimental errors and enabling reliable comparisons among treatments (ICAR-IISWC, 2025; Piper, 1966; Spark, 1996) [9,1,15] .

Analysis of Soil:

The physicochemical properties of the experimental soil were analyzed to characterize the site prior to sowing. The soil's physical properties, including sand, silt, and clay content, were determined using the hydrometer method as described by Gavlak et al. (2005), and the overall soil texture was classified using a triangular diagram based on the pipette method (Piper, 1966). Chemical properties of the soil were also evaluated. Soil pH was measured in a 1:2.5 soil-to-water suspension using a glass electrode pH meter, and electrical conductivity (EC) was determined using the conductivity method (Spark, 1996). Organic carbon content was estimated using the wet chromic acid digestion method according to Walkley et al. (1934). Available nitrogen in the soil was measured by the alkaline permanganate method (Subbiah et al., 1956), while available phosphorus was determined using Olsen's method (Olsen et al., 1954). [13] Available potassium was extracted with ammonium acetate and quantified using a flame photometer (Muhr et al., 1963). [12] These analyses provided essential baseline information regarding the fertility status and nutrient availability of the experimental site.

Observations Recorded 2.3.1 Growth Parameters

Plant growth was assessed through measurements of plant height and dry matter accumulation, following established agronomic procedures (Piper, 1966; Gavlak et al., 2005; Spark, 1996) [14,6,16] . Plant height (cm) was recorded as the average measurement at the point of maximum growth, typically when the plants had matured and turned brown. Individual plant heights were measured from the ground level to the top of the plant canopy using a meter rod, and the average height was subsequently computed for each plot (Anonymous, 2018; Kaur et al., 2025) [2,9] . Dry matter accumulation was determined by harvesting plant samples from a continuous one-meter row, specifically from the second and third rows starting from the west, at different growth stages 30, 60, and 90 days after sowing (DAS), as well as at harvest. This method of sequential destructive sampling at fixed intervals is standard for assessing biomass dynamics in cereals (Piper, 1966; Zhou, 2009) [14,20] . Plants were cut at ground level, and fresh weight was recorded in grams per meter after sun-drying to remove surface moisture. Subsequently, the samples were oven-dried at 65 ± 5 °C until a constant weight was achieved, and the dry matter content was calculated, following the procedures outlined by Gavlak et al. (2005), ICAR-IISWC (2025) [6,7,9] .

Yield and Yield Attributes

To evaluate the effects of different treatments on barley growth, yield attributes, nutrient content, and overall productivity, systematic observations were recorded for each parameter, following standard agronomic methodologies (Anonymous, 2018; Piper, 1966; Gavlak et al., 2005) [2,14,6] . The number of grains per spike was determined by manually threshing spikes that were selected for spike length measurement. The grains were counted manually, and the mean number of grains per spike was calculated for statistical analysis (Anonymous, 2018; Zhou, 2009) [2,20] . Spike length (cm) was measured at physiological maturity by randomly selecting five productive ears from each plot and replication. Each ear was measured from the base of the spikelet to the tip of the uppermost spikelet, including awns, using a centimeter scale, and the average spike length was computed for each treatment (Kaur et al., 2025; Dinka et al., 2018) [9,5] . The 1000-grain weight, or test weight, was estimated by taking three random samples of 100 seeds each from the total seed yield of selected plants. The seeds were weighed using an electric balance, and the average weight was calculated and expressed in grams (Piper, 1966; Gavlak et al., 2005; Spark, 1996) [14,6,16] . Biological yield (q ha⁻¹) was determined by sun-drying the harvested crop for one week, followed by recording the weight of all produce collected from the net plot area and converting it to quintals per hectare. This method ensures accurate estimation of total biomass under field conditions (Potal, 2020; Yimer, 2022) [15,19] . Grain yield (q ha⁻¹) was measured by threshing the harvested produce from each net plot. The grains were sun-dried to maintain a standard 12% moisture content, weighed, and converted to q ha⁻¹, which aligns with recommended protocols for cereals (Anonymous, 2018; Zhou, 2009; Piper, 1966) [2,14,6] . Straw yield (q ha⁻¹) was obtained by recording the total weight of the crop before threshing and calculating the contribution of straw from the net plot area, expressed in quintals per hectare. This parameter represents the non-grain biomass and is crucial for understanding nutrient recycling and total productivity (Jena et al., 2019; Kumari et al., 2024; Dinka et al., 2018) [8,10,5] . These observations provided comprehensive data on the productivity and yield components of barley under different fertilizer and manure treatments, enabling precise evaluation of the effects of integrated nutrient management on both growth and yield performance (Akkaya & Kara, 2018; Dinka et al., 2018; Potal, 2020) [1,5,15] .

Results and discussion:

The experiment, titled "Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management Approaches on Growth and Yield Attributes of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)", was conducted at the Crop Research Centre of Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, during the Rabi season of 2024-25. The study comprised seven treatments: T₁ -Control, T₂ -100% RDF (80:40:40 N:P₂O₅:K₂O kg/ha), T₃ -100% FYM (10 t/ha), T₄ -100% Vermicompost (15 t/ha), T₅ -50% RDF + 50% FYM, T₆ -50% RDF + Vermicompost (15 t/ha), and T₇ -100% RDF + FYM (10 t/ha) + Vermicompost (15 t/ha). Observations on growth parameters, yield attributes, and yield were systematically recorded and analyzed using tables and relevant figures.

Growth Parameters 3.1.1 Plant Height

Plant height varied significantly among treatments at 30, 60, and 90 days after sowing (DAS) as well as at harvest. Treatment T₇, which received the combined application of 100% RDF, FYM, and vermicompost, produced the tallest plants, with heights of 24.48 cm at 30 DAS, 63.42 cm at 60 DAS, 87.14 cm at 90 DAS, and 91.36 cm at harvest. In contrast, the control treatment T₁ resulted in the shortest plants. These findings indicate that the integrated application of organic and inorganic nutrient sources in T₇ significantly enhanced vegetative growth compared to sole applications or control, highlighting the positive role of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) in promoting plant height (Jena et al., 2019; Dinka et al., 2018) [8,5] . Compared to other treatments, plants under T₇ consistently exhibited greater height at all growth stages measuring 24.48 cm at 30 DAS, 63.42 cm at 60 DAS, 87.14 cm at 90 DAS, and 91.36 cm at 120 DAS. The application of RDF along with FYM and vermicompost supported similar growth patterns throughout the stages. In contrast, the shortest plants were observed in treatment T₁. The notable increase in height under T₇ can be attributed to the combined use of organic inputs and inorganic fertilizers, where FYM (10 t/ha) and vermicompost (15 t/ha) supply essential macro-and micronutrients and growth-promoting substances gradually over time, enhancing root development and overall vegetative growth (Akkaya & Kara, 2018; Yimer, 2022; Potal, 2020) [1,19,15] . [8,5] .

Grain Yield:

Grain yield was markedly affected by the treatments. The highest grain yield of 3259 kg/ha was recorded in T₇, which received 100% RDF along with FYM at 10 t/ha and vermicompost at 15 t/ha. Although this yield was statistically similar to treatments T₄, T₅, and T₆, it was substantially higher than other treatments. The lowest grain yield of 1940 kg/ha was recorded in the control (T₁). These results demonstrate that integrated application of chemical and organic fertilizers positively influences grain production, while the use of fertilizers alone or organic sources alone produces comparatively lower yields (Potal, 2020; Yimer, 2022) [15,19] . The greatest yield under T₇ can be attributed to the adequate nitrogen supply, which promoted higher dry matter accumulation and enhanced reproductive development (Mascher et al., 2017; Kumari et al., 2024) [11,10] .

Straw Yield

Straw yield was also significantly influenced by the nutrient management practices. Treatment T₇ recorded the highest straw yield, whereas the lowest yield was observed in the control (T₁), indicating that integrated nutrient management enhances not only grain but also vegetative biomass. Enhanced vegetative growth and improved yield components contributed to increased straw and grain yields (3524 kg/ha and 3259 kg/ha, respectively) in T₇. This was due to the better availability of both macro-and micronutrients, along with growth-promoting substances present in vermicompost and FYM (Akkaya & Kara, 2018; Dinka et al., 2018) [1,5] . In contrast, treatments with lower nutrient input produced the minimum yields. [8,5,19] .

Harvest Index

The harvest index, calculated as the ratio of grain yield to biological yield, ranged from 42.95% to 48.44%, with T₇ showing the highest value. These results indicate that integrated application of chemical fertilizers with FYM and vermicompost not only increased total biomass but also enhanced the proportion of economic yield, reflecting more efficient partitioning of assimilates to the grain (Potal, 2020; Kumari et al., 2024) [15,10] .

Conclusion

The field experiment titled "Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management Approaches on Growth and Yield Attributes of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)" was conducted at the School of Agriculture, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, during the Rabi season of 2024-2025. The study evaluated the effect of various combinations of inorganic fertilizers, Farm Yard Manure (FYM), and vermicompost on the growth and yield of barley. The findings revealed that treatments integrating 100% RDF with organic inputs, particularly T₇ (RDF + FYM + Vermicompost) and T₆ (50% RDF + Vermicompost), significantly enhanced plant growth and yield parameters compared to sole applications or control (Dinka et al., 2018; Yimer, 2022) [5,19] . Among the growth parameters, plant height and dry matter accumulation were markedly higher in T₇ and T₆ across all stages of development, indicating improved vegetative growth due to the synergistic effect of organic and inorganic nutrients (Jena et al., 2019; Potal, 2020) [8,15] . Similarly, key yield attributes, including spike length, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield, and biological yield, were maximized under integrated nutrient management, with T₇ consistently outperforming other treatments (Mascher et al., 2017; Kumari et al., 2024) [11,10] .

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