Foliar fertilization of nickel affects growth,yield component and micronutrient status of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown on low nickel soil

Foliar application of nickel (Ni) has higher use efficiencies and is preferred over soil application in view of its very low requirement. Pot experiments were conducted during winter season of 2012-2013 and repeated during 2013-2014. Treatments consisted of twelve Ni levels applied as nickel sulphate (NiSO4.7H₂O) spray (T₁-Ni_0%, T₂-Ni_0.05%, T₃-Ni_0.1%, T₄-Ni_0.2%, T₅-Ni_0.3%, T₆-Ni_0.4%, T₇-Ni_0.5%, T₈-Ni_0.6%, T₉-Ni_0.7%, T₁₀-Ni_0.8%, T₁₁-Ni_0.9%,and T₁₂-Ni_1.0%,) with recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) applied in all pots. The result showed that growth and yield attributes viz. plant height, leaf greenness index, number of tillers, number of ears pot^-1, number of grains ear^-1, straw yield, grain yield and weight of 1000 grains of barley was the maximum with three foliar application of 0.2% of NiSO4.7H₂O (T₄-Ni_0.2%) at 20, 40, and 60 days after sowing (DAS) during both the years. The concentration of Fe, Mn and Zn in grain increased significantly up to T₄-Ni_0.2% and after this level, a significant decline was recorded during both the years. As regards to the concentration of Ni is concerned, it increased significantly both in grain and straw with increasing levels of Ni spray and the maximum concentration was at T₁₂-Ni_1.0%, during both the years. The uptake of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in grain of barley increased significantly during both the years up to T₄-Ni_0.2%,thereafter, it declined significantly with successive increase in dose of Ni spray. Thus 0.2% foliar spray of NiSO4.7H₂O significantly increased growth, yield and Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn (micronutrients) status in barley.     

Effect of soil application of nickel on growth,micronutrient concentration and uptake in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown in Inceptisols of Varanasi

A pot experiment was conducted in a glass house on low nickel containing alluvial soil in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, during 2012–13 and 2013–14, to study the response of barley to soil application of nickel (Ni). There were ten treatments of Ni (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 mg kg^?1) studied with recommended dose of fertilizers nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur (N:P:K:S :: 40:30:30:20 mg kg^?1).The results showed a significant increase in plant height, number of tillers, chlorophyll content, straw and grain yield, and 1,000 grains weight with application of 10 mg Ni kg^?1 soil during both years of study. The micronutrient concentration and uptake in straw and grain increased with application of <15 mg Ni kg^?1 soil and beyond that declined significantly. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-extractable micronutrient iron, manganese, copper, zinc and nickel (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Ni) content in soil increased with increasing level of Ni. The maximum urease activity in post-harvest soil was noticed with application of 40 mg Ni kg^?1 soil. The microbial population viz. bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes were higher with 5, 30 and 10 mg Ni kg^?1 soil, respectively.