The effects of tillage and soil mineral fertilization on the yield and yield components of spring barley

Abstract

A field experiment with a malting spring barley crop (2007-2009) was conducted in south-eastern Poland on Cambisols. Conventional (CST) and simplified soil tillage systems (SST) were used in combination with NPK fertilizer enriched with S and Mg. Analysis of the results showed a beneficial effect of CST and NPK fertilization with S and Mg on yield and yield structure. SST and NPK fertilization decreased grain yield by 6.6% and 6.2%. CST increased grain number per ear, grain weight per ear and plant height, while the SST decreased the value of these characteristics by 7.9, 5.7 and 5.3%. Number of ears (standardized regression coefficient b = 0.330), grain number per ear (b = 0.488) and 1000 grain weight (b = 0.360) were found to be significant for predicting grain yield. Significant correlations were found between grain yield and yield components of spring barley. Grain yield per ha was positively correlated with number of ears (rn = 72 = 0.330), grain number per ear (rn = 72 = 0.488), 1000 grain weight (rn = 72 = 0.359), grain weight per ear (rn = 72 = 0.528) and plant height (rn = 72 = 0.246).

Keywords

• hordeum vulgare l.
• yield formation
• influence of weather
• sulphur
• magnesium
• tillage system