Response of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to Different Fertility Levels and Biofertilizer Inoculation

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2025-26 at the Agricultural Research Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, to evaluate the response of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to different fertility levels and biofertilizer inoculation. The results showed that among the fertility levels, 100% RDF recorded significantly higher growth parameters, including plant height, number of tillers, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate and relative growth rate. It also produced the highest yield attributes and yield, namely effective tillers, ear length, grains ear-1, test weight, grain yield (4403 kg ha-1), straw yield (5253 kg ha-1) and biological yield (9656 kg ha-1). However, 125% RDF was statistically at par with 100% RDF. Among biofertilizer treatments, Azotobacter + PSB produced significantly higher growth parameters and recorded the highest grain yield (4296 kg ha-1), straw yield (5166 kg ha-1) and biological yield (9462 kg ha-1), while Azospirillum + PSB remained at par with Azotobacter + PSB. The interaction between fertility levels and biofertilizers significantly affected plant height, dry matter accumulation, grain yield, straw yield and net return. The combination of 100% RDF with Azotobacter + PSB recorded the maximum grain yield (4565 kg ha-1) and straw yield (5415 kg ha-1).