Effect of biofertilizer and zinc on growth and yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

A field experiment on barley was carried out during the Rabi season of 2024-2025 at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P.). The study aimed to evaluate the “Effect of Biofertilizer and Zinc on the growth and yield of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).” The experiment followed a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with nine treatments, each replicated three times. The findings showed that treatment 9 [Azotobacter + Azospirillum (10 + 10 g/kg seed) + Zinc (30 kg/ha)] proved to be the most effective. It resulted in significantly improved growth parameters, including plant height (114.51 cm), plant dry weight (22.29 g), number of tillers per plant (6.33), crop growth rate (15.82), and relative growth rate (0.045). Yield attributes and overall productivity were also highest in this treatment, with maximum effective tillers per m² (235), grains per spike (47.40), grain yield (3.97 t/ha), and straw yield (6.81 t/ha). Furthermore, treatment 9 recorded the highest economic returns, achieving a gross return of ₹153,150.00/ha, a net return of ₹107,480.00/ha, and a benefit-cost ratio of 2.38, indicating that this combination is not only productive but also economically viable.