Effect of fertility levels and liquid biofertilizers on quality parameters of malt barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is crucial for malt production in the beverage industry, driving the need for sustainable practices to improve grain yield and quality. Fertility management and biofertilizers enhance nutrient availability and soil health, but their combined effects on 1malt barley quality require further study. A field experiment was conducted during rabi season 2020–21 and 2021–22 with the objective to evaluate the response of malt barley to fertility levels and biofertilizers. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (Factorial) with 15 treatment combinations comprised of three fertility levels, i.e. application of 70 kg N + 40 kg P2 O5 + 25 kg K2 O/ha, 60 kg N + 30 kg P2O5 + 20 kg K2 O/ha and 50 kg N + 25 kg P2O5 + 15 kg K2O/ha with 5 liquid biofertilizers, i.e. control, Azotobacter, PSB, KMB and Azotobacter + PSB + KMB. The result revealed that malt barley crop fertilized with 70 kg N + 40 kg P2 O5 + 25 kg K2O/ha recorded highest protein content (11.6%) and average grain weight (43.8 mg) which was significantly higher over rest of fertility levels. While the highest starch (61.8%) and malt content (82.6%) in grain recorded under application of 50 kg N + 25 kg P2O5 + 15 kg K2 O/ha. The results showed that seed inoculation with liquid biofertilizers Azotobacter + PSB + KMB significantly improved protein content (11.4%) and average grain weight (43.6 mg) of malt barley crop. While the highest starch (62.0%) and malt content (82.7%) in grain recorded under control. The study concludes that higher fertility levels and combined biofertilizer application (Azotobacter + PSB + KMB) enhance protein content and grain weight in malt barley, while lower fertility levels favour higher starch and malt content.