The yield component contribution in the grain yield in barley is affected to growth stage for nitrogen supplementation. The objective of present study was to determine the critical growth stages for nitrogen fertilization in barley, cultivar MN 698. Four field experiments were carried out in Eldorado do Sul, Encruzilhada do Sul and Victor Graeff (RS), Brazil, in 2000 and 2001. Two N rates (30/40kg ha-1 and 60/80kg ha-1) were applied in six growth stages of main shoot (MS): (a) plant emergence, (b) 2nd/3rd leaf emergence, (c) 4th/5th leaf emergence, (d) 6th/7th leaf emergence, (e) 8th/9th leaf emergence and, (f) boot stage. Grain yield and yield components were analyzed. For low soil organic matter the better grain yield were observed when the N was applied at 3rd to 9th leaf emergence. The 3rd and 7th leaf emergence stages, correspondent to begging and final tiller emergence, were critical to nitrogen fertilization in barley plants. For medium soil organic matter, the time of supplementation of N not affected sensibly the grain yield.
Hordeum vulgare L; nitrogen fertilization; growth stages
