Cropping sequence and nitrogen fertilizer effects on the productivity and quality of malting barley and soil fertility in the Ethiopian highlands

Abstract

The productivity and quality of malting barley were evaluated using factorial combinations of four preceding crops (faba bean, field pea, rapeseed, and barley) as main plots and four nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 18, 36, and 54 kg N ha −1 ) as sub-plots with three replications at two sites on Nitisols of the Ethiopian highlands in 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons. Preceding crops other than barley and N fertilizer significantly improved yield and quality of malting barley. The highest grain yield, kernel plumpness, protein content, and sieve test were obtained for malting barley grown after faba bean, followed by rapeseed and field pea. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased yield, protein content, and sieve test of malting barley. All protein contents were within the acceptable range for malting quality. Inclusion of legumes in the rotation also improved soil fertility through increases in soil carbon and nitrogen content. We conclude that to maximize yield and quality of malting barley, it is critical to consider the preceding crop and soil nitrogen status. Use of appropriate break crops may substitute or reduce the amount of mineral N fertilizer required for the production of malting barley at least for one season without affecting its quality.

Malting barley response to integrated organic and mineral nutrient sources in Nitisol

“…The improvements in available soil P and total N contents attributed to the additions of the aforementioned nutrients from both organic and mineral sources. Previous works also reported that integrated use of organic and mineral fertilizers resulted in the highest available soil P (Getachew et al 2015) and total N contents (Getachew et al 2014a) in the soil. The application of organic fertilizers directly influences the availability of inherent or applied P (Sharma et al 1990).…”

“…Besides, continuous applications of inorganic fertilizers alone resulted in deterioration of soil health in terms of soil physical, chemical and biological properties (Getachew et al 2014b). The results of previous studies indicated that application of inorganic or organic fertilizers alone did not bring a sustainable increase in yields (Getachew et al 2014a).…”

Yield performances of tomatoes (<i>Lycopersicum esculentum</i>) on organic manure buffered lateritic soils

“…The establishment of both private and government network of dams and irrigation facilities, especially in Northern Nigeria have greatly enhanced the production of tomato in Nigeria (Quinn, 2003;Quinn, 1999). Poor soil fertility is a major constraint to agricultural productivity, where population and livestock pressure is high (Zelleke et al, 2010;Agegnehu et al, 2014a).…”

Risks and opportunities from more productive and resilient cropping system strategies in the Central and Southern Rift Valley of Ethiopia

“…Double cropping of a maize and legumes, rotations between cereals and legumes, relay cropping, and intercropping of legumes with cereals such as maize, wheat, barley are all options with potential to increase farm food production (Bogale et al 2002;Friesen et al 2003;Bogale et al 2011;Agegnehu et al 2014). Tanner et al (1994) reported that double cropping of field pea (Pisum arvense L.) with wheat in bimodal rainfall environments of Ethiopia not only increased productivity and income but also reduced soil erosion, rapid conversion of pasture lands into arable lands, and increased weed control and human and animal labor efficiency.…”

“…The integration of legumes in short fallow as green manuring has been reported to increase maize grain yield 30-40%, substituting up to 70 kg N ha -1 , and providing some suppression of weeds (Friesen et al 2003;Negassa et al 2007;Bogale et al 2011). Agegnehu et al (2014), reported also the importance of food legumes such as faba bean and rapeseed in cropping sequences for the improvement of yield and quality of malt barley in Ethiopia.…”