The Determination of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Barley Production in Ethiopia: A Review

Abstract

The productivity of barley stands in most parts of Ethiopia is constrained by the low fertility status of the soils. In order to address the problem, a review was conducted with the aim of identifying the optimum level of nitrogen fertilizer for the production of barley in the barley-growing areas in Ethiopia. The review found that increasing nitrogen application amounts influenced practically every aspect of growth and yields. According to the review, nitrogen fertilizer application rates ranging from 0 kg/ha to 230 kg/ha resulted in the highest plant height, spike length, grains per spike, straw, above-ground biomass, and grain yield of barley. However, there are not the same responses to different agro-ecologies and crop varieties. As observed from this review, nitrogen rates, which gave the highest yields, are not the same. It is different from location to location and from crop variety to crop variety. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a detailed and further study to identify the optimum nitrogen rate for barley production throughout the country as per location, agro-ecology, and crop variety responses.