Efficacy of different levels of vermicompost and nitrogen application and stage of nitrogen application on the quality of malt barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Thousand kernel weight, protein content, malt friability and malt homogeneity, diastatic power and beta-amylase activity increased significantly with increase in levels of vermicompost and nitrogen and split application of nitrogen. Vermicompost, (10 t/ha) and 90 kg N/ha and application in three split doses of N, attained the maximum values which were well within the permissible limit for quality malt production. However, starch content and malt yield decreased significantly with increase in levels of vermicompost and N, and split application of N. It was observed that N fertilizer strategies for malting barley should ensure relatively small amount of available 1/3 N at sowing for crop establishment and initial tiller development. Additional 1/3 nitrogen would then be applied at 35 days after sowing (first irrigation) and 1/3 N at 70 days after sowing (flowering).