YIELD AND QUALITY OF GREENHOUSE-GROWN BETZES BARLEY AS AFFECTED BY WATER AND FERTILIZERS

Abstract

The yield of Betzes barley grown in a greenhouse on a Cavendish loamy sand increased as levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and soil moisture increased. Fifty pounds of nitrogen per acre increased yield at all levels of phosphorus and water, but heavier applications of nitrogen were effective only with high levels of the other two factors. Yield responses were due primarily to increased tillering. Protein content of the grain increased when the plants were subjected to a matric suction of 0.45 bar. Protein content also increased with each succeeding level of nitrogen up to 150 lb per acre. Fifty pounds of phosphorus reduced protein content but heavier applications had no further effect. The ratio of water used to grain produced was reduced with each additional level of each factor. In this experiment 50 lb of nitrogen and 150 lb of phosphorus provided optimum yield and acceptable protein content.