Evaluating NPSZnB Blended Fertilizers Response of Malt Barley (Hordeum distichum L.) Grown in the Vertisols Areas of South Tigray, Ethiopia

Study on the effect of different bended fertilizers level on malt barley was conducted in 2018- 2019 at Ofla, Enda-Mehoni and Emba-Alaje districts of South Tigray, Ethiopia with the objective of determining economically feasible rate of NPSZnB blended fertilization for malt barley production. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven level of blended fertilizer (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg NPSZnB ha-1) and replicated three times. Grain yield malt barley was significantly (P=.05) affected by the application of NPSZnB blended fertilizers. Significantly higher malt Barley grain yields of (3.67 and 4.17 t ha-1) with higher economic return (69,811.68 and 82,635.89 Birr ha-1) and acceptable marginal rate of returns (1,234.01 and 90.01%) were recorded from the application of 150 kg NPSZnB ha-1 in Adi-golo and Mekan districts, respectively. More over higher grain yield with higher economic return (68,033.23 Birr ha-1) with acceptable marginal rate of return (669.86%) was obtained at Atsela districts from the fertilization of 100 kg of NPSZnB ha-1 blended fertilizer. Hence, application of 150 kg NPSZnBha-1 blended fertilizer is agronomical and economical optimum level for Adi-golo and Mekan districts and 100 kg NPSZnB ha-1 of blended fertilizer for Atsela and other similar agro-ecologies and soil conditions. Even if there is significance effect of blended fertilizers on grain yield of malt barley, the highest yield obtained is not the potential of the variety, hence integration of blended and nitrogen fertilizer is further research directions to boost the grain yield with brewing quality attributes in malt barley.