Improving the Performance of Agronomic Traits of Barley (Hordeum Vulgare) ‎ By Salicylic Acid and Biofertilizers Application

Abstract

The present study was conducted at the agricultural experimental farm, Fac. of Agric., Zagazig District, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt (Lat.30° 34’59.3” N ;31°31’03” E,9 m above the sea level). The trial was performed during the winter season of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. The study aimed to find out the effect of salicylic acid (SA) foliar spray-applied in three rates (Check, 150 and 300 ppm) under seven bio-chemical NPK fertilization regimes (Check; chemical NPK 100% recommended dose "RD"; chemical NPK 50 % of the RD; chemical NPK 25 % of the RD; chemical NPK 50 % of the RD + NPK biofertilizers; chemical NPK 25 % of the RD + NPK biofertilizers and NPK biofertilizerson on growth and yield attributes of barley (Hordeum vulgare). The experiment was arranged in a split plot design in three replications with two factors. Results indicated that foliar application of salicylic acid at the rate of 150 ppm operatively increased leaf area, flag leaf area, number of tillers/ m2, as well as number of spikes/ m2 of barley plant comparable with the control and 300 ppm. Similarly, application of the F3 (chemical NPK 50 % of the RD) and F6 (chemical NPK 25% + Bio NPK) fertilization regime, tended to maximize the plant's leaf area. Fertilization at 50% (F3) or 100% (F2) of the recommended quantity of NPK produced the largest number of /tillers/m2 compared to the other fertilization. Eke, number of spikes under the NPK bio-fertilizer (F7) and under chemical NPK 100% chemical fertilizers (F2) were at par, this paves the way for replacing NPK chemical fertilizers entirely or partially with the NPK biofertilizers. It can be concluded that integration of biofertilizers with foliar application of SA is an effective strategy to improve barley performance under the conditions of clay soils in Egypt.