Evaluation of Barley Water Relations and Productivity on Clay Soils at the North Nile Delta as Impacted by Irrigation Technique and Biochemical Fertilization | ||
| Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering | ||
| Article 1, Volume 16, Issue 2, February 2025, Pages 17-30 PDF (723.35 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jssae.2025.273433.1265 | ||
| Author | ||
| R. M. Khalifa* | ||
| Soils and water Department -Faculty of Agriculture -Damietta University -Damietta --Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| A two-year winter study at Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Kafrelsheikh Governorate, evaluated irrigation and fertilization strategies for optimizing barley production, water relations, and economic returns. Three irrigation turnoffs: at 100%(S1), 90% (S2) and 85% (S3) of the strip length (SL). Fertilization treatments; B1 (100% RNP), B2 (75% RNP + 50% ( Biofertale + rhizobacterien), and B3 (50% RNP + 100% biofertilizers).Results showed S1 required the highest seasonal water application, while S2 and S3 saved 7.31% and 10.88% water, respectively, versus S1. Despite reduced irrigation, S3 increased grain yield by 8.48% and 7.90% over S1 in consecutive seasons. Fertilizer strategy B3 outperformed B1, boosting grain yield by 19.18% and 20.57%. The S3B3 combination achieved peak water productivity, enhancing irrigation efficiency for grain and straw yields. This synergy reduced water consumption while maximizing application efficiency, leading to the highest net income and economic returns per water unit.S3B3 also conserved groundwater, saving water and mineral fertilizer use. The integration of biofertilizers in B2 and B3 reduced reliance on synthetic inputs, supporting sustainable practices without compromising yield. Financially, S3B3 delivered superior cost-effectiveness for biological and grain yields, emphasizing its viability for resource-limited settings.The study underscores the potential of combining deficit irrigation (S3) with biofertilizer-augmented nutrition (B3) to balance water savings, yield enhancement, and profitability. By optimizing irrigation turnoff points and substituting mineral fertilizers with bioalternatives, farmers can achieve sustainable barley production, addressing water scarcity and environmental concerns. These strategies offer a scalable model for improving agricultural resilience in similar semi-arid regions. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Barley; Bio-chemical fertilizers; turn off irrigation; Economic return; groundwater contribution | ||
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