Key Points
- Barley yields increased at all sites, by up to 3 t/ha, when nitrogen fertiliser was applied.
- Biggest responses occurred when soil residual N levels were low, although there was still over 2 t/ha increase at the Methven site with high soil N levels. At Methven, 60 kgN/ha at tillering was sufficient.
- N at tillering appeared to ensure good tiller survival.
- Ear populations did not relate well to final yield.
- Grain size did not vary much, but protein levels increased markedly with N fertiliser, particularly that applied at tillering.