Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 March 2009
Response of rainfed barley to different methods of nitrogen application was studied on a loamy sand soil in 1974–5 and 1975–6. The nitrogen fertilizer was applied by broadcasting, side drilling, drilling below the seed and in solution. In a year of lower rainfall, applying the fertilizer below the seed or in solution produced significantly more grain yield than broadcasting or side drilling. In a year of higher and well-distributed rainfall, applying the fertilizer below the seed was significantly better than other methods of nitrogen application. The magnitude of the response to applied nitrogen increased with increase of crop season rainfall and its better distribution. Placing N below the seed improved water use. It was followed in order by applying in solution, side drilling and broadcasting in both the years.