Evaluation of Quality Parameters of Food Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.) Varieties as Affected by Blended NPSB Fertilizer Rates in Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is the most health benefits among cereal crops which were grown mostly in central highlands of Ethiopia. The three food barley varieties (EH1493, HB1966 and HB-1307) which were released by Holeta Agricultural Research Center (HARC) had experience on barley breeding program (his center of excellence) was evaluated for their grain flour quality content and proximate analysis with respective to five blended NPSB fertilizer rates (0, 100,150, 200 & 250 kg NPSB ha -1 ) and one Recommended NP (60 kg N and 69 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ) fertilizer rates. To evaluate their proximate analysis and grain flour quality contents of the food barley varieties were determined by using suitable Standard Official procedures. Proximate analysis was determined according to Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) method and TKW, MC, HLW, GS, GE, PC, FC, AC, CHO, SC, FC, and BG contents of food barley flour was analyzed. All quality and proximate analysis result means were statistically significant and in the range of acceptable recommendation according to FAO and other nutritional sources. The quality parameters analysis showed that EH1493 variety has an average moisture content (11.78%), Hectoliter weight (66.26%), and friability (68.43%), while grain size (80.46%) and Bet-glucan (861.81mgL -1 ) were higher with HB1966 variety. Moreover, 200kg NPSB ha -1 gave the maximum protein (10.31%), fat (2.51%), and ash (2.64%), while the highest total carbohydrate (82.88%) content obtained on 250kg NPSB ha -1 .The economic analysis revealed that the highest net benefit (69558.42 birr ha -1 ) with marginal rate of return of 1475.41% was recorded from the application of 200kg NPSB ha -1 with EH1493 variety. Therefore, application of 200 kg NPSB ha -1 with EH1493 variety is recommended to be used by farmers around Walmera district.