Growth Performance of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as Influenced by Zn and Fe Fertilizations in Northern Rajasthan, India

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2025–26 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Tantia University, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, to assess the effects of fertility levels and ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ application on the growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) variety DWRB-137. Eight treatments were evaluated in a randomised block design with three replications. The treatments included a control, the full recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF) alone, 100% RDF combined with either or both micronutrients, and 75% RDF combined with zinc and/or iron sulphate. Application rates of ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ were 20 kg ha⁻¹ where included. Germination, plant height, tiller number, dry matter accumulation and spike length were assessed. Germination ranged from 84.33% under the control to 85.83% under T5, but treatment differences were not statistically significant. T5 (100% RDF with ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄) recorded the greatest plant height at harvest (105.03 cm), highest tiller number (335.00 m⁻²), greatest dry matter accumulation (1032.13 g m⁻²) and longest spikes (14.18 cm). Treatments combining individual micronutrients with 100% RDF generally recorded lower values than T5, while the combined treatment with 75% RDF also showed improved growth attributes relative to the control. These findings suggest that applying ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ with 100% RDF can improve the measured growth characteristics under the field conditions examined. Further research is required to determine whether these responses remain consistent across growing seasons and locations.