Response of summer barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties to nitrogen fertilizer rates in Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a major cereal crop in central Ethiopia, serving as both a staple food and livestock feed. However, its productivity is constrained by low soil fertility, particularly nitrogen (N) deficiency, and the absence of location‐specific variety recommendations. This study evaluated the response of summer barley to different nitrogen fertilizer rates and varieties in central Ethiopia. Field experiments were conducted during the 2023 and 2024 main cropping seasons in Azernet, Barbary, and Gibe Districts. Five nitrogen rates and four summer food barley varieties were tested in a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. Nitrogen rate, variety, and their interaction significantly ( p  < 0.01) affected phenology, growth traits, yield components, and grain yield across locations and seasons. Increasing nitrogen delayed heading and physiological maturity but significantly increased plant height, productive tillers, 1000‐kernel weight, grain yield, straw yield, and harvest index. Grain yield increased from 1.49 t ha −1 for the unfertilized local variety to 4.49 t ha −1 for EH1307 (where EH is Ethiopian Hulless) at 69 kg N ha −1 . This treatment also produced the highest gross benefit ($8659.3 ha −1 ), net benefit ($8523.2 ha −1 ), and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency. Overall, EH1307 combined with 69 kg N ha −1 was most effective for reducing yield gaps and improving productivity under the studied locations. Further multi‐location and multi‐year studies across diverse agroecological zones are recommended to evaluate yield stability and refine nitrogen management recommendations for sustainable production.