Effect of Fe and Zn and Their Timing of Foliar Application on Barley (Hordeumvulgare L.) Yield, Yield Components and Grain Quality in South Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia

Effect of Fe and Zn and Their Timing of Foliar Application on Barley (Hordeumvulgare L.) 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Yield, Yield Components and Grain Quality in South Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia Berhe Hagos, Berhanu Abrha, Addis Abraha, Gebreyohannes Girmay This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7833472/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 7 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Purpose Poor soil fertility, particularly deficiencies of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and micronutrients such as zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), is a major constraint to barley production in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of foliar-applied Zn and Fe and their timing on barley yield and grain quality (Zn, Fe, and protein contents). Methods A field experiment was conducted during the 2017 main rainy season in the southeastern zone of Tigray, Ethiopia. A split-plot design with three replications was used. The main plot treatments included four micronutrient applications: control (M1), 16 kg Zn ha⁻¹ (M2), 16 kg Fe ha⁻¹ (M3), and 8 kg Zn ha⁻¹ + 8 kg Fe ha⁻¹ (M4). Subplot treatments were three foliar application timings: P1 (stem elongation), P2 (stem elongation + booting), and P3 (stem elongation + booting + early milking). Results Foliar application of Zn and Fe at stem elongation improved grain Zn, Fe, and protein contents compared to the control. However, the highest grain Zn, Fe, and protein concentrations were obtained when nutrients were applied three times (P3). Later-stage applications at booting and milking showed stronger effects than early application alone. Grain yield also increased significantly with combined and repeated micronutrient applications. Conclusions Foliar application of Zn and Fe at multiple growth stages, particularly extending to the milking stage, enhances barley grain quality and yield in the Tigray region. This practice can be recommended to address micronutrient deficiencies and improve both nutritional quality and productivity. Barley micronutrient time of application grain quality Figures Figure 1 INTRODUCTION Agriculture is the main stay of Ethiopian economy, which contributes 33.8% of the national gross domestic product in 2017 (Wondwosen, 2022 ). Cereals, pulses, oil crops and various vegetable and fruit crops are cultivated in the country. Cereals take a share of 74% of the crop production where barley ranked5th in terms of total area coverage next to tef, maize, sorghum and wheat (CSA, 2016). The average area coverage and productivity of barley for 2016 cropping season was 0.9 million/ha and 1.96 tons/ha, respectively in Ethiopia, and 99,423 ha and 1.58 tons/ha, respectively in the Tigray region (CSA, 2016). In Ethiopia, barley grain is mainly cultivated for food consumption. Currently, barley consumption is increasing due to food health benefits in lowering plasma cholesterol, regulating glycemic response and reducing the risk of heart disease (Tiwari and Cummins, 2011 ). Nationally, different traditional dishes are prepared and consumed from barley (Abraha et al., 2013 ). Despite its importance, barley productivity in Ethiopia, particularly in Tigray region is low (1.58 tons per ha, (CSA, 2016) as compared to 5.3 tons per ha obtained under research stations for barley landrace (Berhane et al. 1997 ), and the world average barley grain yield (3.1 tons/ha) reported in 2017 (FAOSTAT, 2023). This low productivity is mainly due to low amount and uneven distribution of rainfall; low soil fertility; pests, diseases and weed competition; and lack of improved varieties (Berhanu, 2013 ). Among these crop production constraints, poor soil fertility has been the most important factor at least next to water stress. According to Mitiku et al. ( 2003 ), total nitrogen and available phosphorus were low in 76–98% of the samples collected from Tigray region. In addition, micronutrients (e.g., Zn, Fe, and B) were deficient in most of the soils in the Tigray region (ATA, 2014). This low soil fertility could be attributed to nutrient losses through soil erosion and take-up with the crop harvest. This implies that application of macro (mainly N and P), and micronutrients (mainly Fe and Zn) is required to increase crop production in the region. In addition, application of N, Fe and Zn can improve the concentration of protein, Fe and Zn in the grains, which are important elements for human health (Anteneh et al., 2019 ). Iron deficiency in the diet caused anemia in pregnant women and children in Africa (Bouis et al, 2017 ). Zinc, which is also an important nutrient for crop production and human health, had inadequate intakes by many Africans (Joy et al., 2015 ). Samuel et al. ( 2016 ) reported that 35% of all target groups which showed zinc deficiency might be linked to low zinc content in grains harvested from zinc-deficient soils. Diets consumed predominantly in the developing countries are based on cereals Bouis et al. ( 2017 ), which are poor in the bioavailability of Fe and Zn. According to Bouis et al. ( 2017 ), agronomic bio-fortification provides a comparatively cost-effective, sustainable, and long-term means of delivering vitamins and micronutrients to households (Bouis et al., 2017 ). Agronomic bio-fortification is a technique by which the contents of the nutrients in cereal grains are enhanced by the uptake and synthesis of the nutrients from foliar and/or soil application of the nutrients. Recognizing the soils in most parts of Tigray and particularly in the study area are deficient in Fe and Zn, it was found imperative to find ways how the contents of these nutrients are improved in cereal grains so that consumers can have the opportunity to get the required nutrients in their diet. Furthermore, Moreover, research findings on how essential micronutrients in cereal grains can be improved and their potential to enhance crop productivity are scarce in the study area. This study was, therefore, conducted to examine the primary effects of foliar application of Fe and Zn, as well as the timing of these applications, on barley productivity and grain quality at two sites in the southeastern zone of the Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Description of the study area The study was conducted at two locations (Kedamai-weyane and Dejen site) in South Eastern zone of Tigray, Ethiopia (Fig. 1 ). Kedamai-weyane is located at 13°25'N, and 39°34'E, with an elevation of 2,348 m meters above sea level (a.s.l) while Dejen is located at 13°19'N and 39°21'E, with elevation of 2,182 m a.s.l. The study area is characterized by semiarid climate. Rainfall is mono-modal where the rainy season spanned from June to end of September. The total seasonal (June-September, 2017) rainfall in Kedamai-weyane was 440 mm (Mekelle airport meteorological station, 2017); while in Dejen site 640 mm (Dengolat meteorological station, 2017) was recorded. The daily mean minimum and maximum air temperature in Kedamai-weyane was 12°C and 25°C, respectively, while in Dejen 11°C and 25°C, respectively were recorded. Experimental design and treatments The study was conducted in the 2017 main growing season (June-September) under rain-fed condition. Experimental fields were ploughed three times with a local plow mahresha that was pulled by a pair of oxen. The barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) variety used in this experiment was Fetina , which was released by Mekelle University. All the plant materials and seeds were obtained from the Department of Dryland Crop and Horticultural Sciences, College of Dry land Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mekelle University, Ethiopia. Split plot design was used where four micronutrient treatments (M₁= control, M₂= 16 kg Zn ha⁻¹, M₃= 16 kg Fe ha⁻¹, and M₄= 8 kg Zn ha⁻¹ + 8 kg Fe ha⁻¹) were randomly assigned to the main plots, and three different timings of foliar application (P₁= at stem elongation, P₂= at stem elongation + booting stages, P₃= at stem elongation + booting stage + early milking stages) were randomly assigned to the sub-plots. Zn and Fe were applied in the form of 0.5% (w/v) Zinc Sulfate (ZnSO₄•7H₂O) and Ferrous Sulfate (FeSO₄•7H₂O), respectively. The control treatment (no foliar Zn and Fe application) was sprayed with the same amount of tap water. In P₂ and P₃, the mentioned rates of Zn and Fe were applied in split of 2 and 3, respectively. Foliar spray of Zn and Fe was performed in the very late afternoon to avoid possible leaf damage caused by salts on sunny days and at high day temperature. In a study by Cakmak et al. ( 2010 ), Zn was foliarly applied twice at different growth stages starting from elongation to early dough stage at a rate of approximately 0.5% (w/v) ZnSO₄•7H₂O solution. The main plot treatments were replicated three times. The plot size was 2.5 m × 2 m (= 5 m²). Urea fertilizer ((CO(NH₂)₂): N 46%) at 100 kg ha⁻¹ was applied in split (half dose at planting and the other half at tillering), while Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP: P₂O₅ 46% and N 18%) was applied at a rate of 100 kg ha⁻¹ at planting. The crop was harvested on November 13, 2017, in Dejen and on November 27, 2017, in Kedamai-weyane. Soil sampling and analysis Composite soil samples were collected from the top layers (0-30cm) from each experimental site at planting but before application of the treatments and at crop harvesting. Soil samples were analyzed for texture, organic carbon, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus, Zn, and Fe contents. Soil texture was determined using the Bouyoucos hydrometer method (Bouyoucos, 1962 ). Organic matter content was determined by oxidation of organic carbon with acid potassium di-chromate (K 2 Cr 2 O 7 ) by the Walkley and Black method (Jackson, 1958 ). Total nitrogen was analyzed by Micro-Kjeldhal method (Bremner and Mulvaney, 1982 ). Soil pH was determined in 1:2.5 (weight/volume) soils to water dilution ratio (Jackson, 1958 ). Cation exchange capacity was measured after saturating the soil with 1N ammonium acetate (NH 4 OAC) and displacing it with 1N NaOAC (Chapman, 1990 ). Available phosphorus was determined using Olsen method (Olsen et al. , 1954), and Zn and Fe were determined by Diethylene Triamine Penta-acetic Acid (DTPA) extraction method (Lindsay and Norvell, 1978 ). Agronomic data collection Plant height, spike length, number of kernels per spike, thousand seed weight, grain yield, and total above ground biomass were collected from each experimental plot. Plant height, spike length and number of spikes per plant were recorded from ten plants randomly selected from each row. Average number of kernels per spike was counted from a randomly taken ten plants. Grain yield and biomass at harvesting were recorded from a net plot size of 3.2 m 2 . Grain quality analysis Zn and Fe content of barley grain was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) method. About five gram grain sample was digested in a mixture of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and perchloric acid (HClO 4 ) (Isaac and Johnson, 1985 ). Digested samples were analyzed for iron and zinc using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (Jones, 2001 ). The nitrogen content of barley grain was determined by micro-Kjeldahl method as stated in the European Society for Agronomy (ESA) method ES 669–2001. Grain protein content (%) was calculated by multiplying percentage of grain nitrogen percent with 6.25 [(Grain Protein (%),GP)] = Grain Nitrogen (%GN)*6.25 (ESA, 2001). Statistical data analysis Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for yield and yield components and quality parameters was done using the Gen-Stat 14th edition statistical software programs (Payne et al., 2011 ). Treatment means were compared using Duncan's multiple range tests at 5% level of significance (Gomez and Gomez, 1984 ). RESULTS Soil physical and chemical properties Laboratory analytical results of some soil physicochemical properties of the study sites are presented in Table 1 . The soil texture of the experimental site in Dejenwas sandy clay loam while the texture of Kedamai-weyane sites was dominantly clay. The soil reactions of both the study sites were neutral. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) was low (10.6 and 11.6 cmol(+)/kg in Kedamai-weyane and Dejen sites, respectively). The soil organic carbon in Kedamai-weyane was 0.4% which was very low according to the rating by Tadesse et al. ( 1991 ), while in Dejen the soil organic carbon was 1.0%. Total Nitrogen of the experimental sites was low (0.15–0.18%) as rated by Tadesse et al. ( 1991 ), whereas the available P was medium (Olsen et al. , 1954). According to the rating by Benton ( 2003 ), the total Fe and Zn contents was low. Generally the study sites had poor soil fertility. However, the increases in soil properties after harvesting are likely due to a combination of fertilizer application, organic matter accumulation, and natural soil processes (Havlin et al., 2016 ). Table 1 Some physico-chemical soil properties of the study sites Soil parameters At planting After harvesting Dejen site Kedamai-weyane site Dejen site Kedamai-weyane site pH 7.11 7.00 6.94 6.80 EC (dS/cm) 0.71 0.62 0.78 0.67 OC (%) 0.84 0.35 0.99 0.40 CEC (cmol( + )/kg) 10.25 10.16 11.63 10.56 Total N (%) 0.17 0.14 0.182 0.154 Available P (mg/kg) 21.56 19.66 24.6 20.75 Total Fe (mg/kg) 4.85 2.40 8.50 3.13 Total Zn (mg/kg) 0.004 0.001 0.014 0.005 Soil texture • Sand (%) 58 30 46 35 • Silt (%) 20 18 25 22 • Clay (%) 22 52 29 43 Textural class Sandy clay loam Clay Sandy clay Loam Clay Plant height and spike length at harvest The application of Zn and Fe micronutrients, and the timing of foliar application showed significant (P < 0.05) effects on plant height and spike length in Dejen, while in Kedamai-weyane, only the application of Zn and Fe showed significant effects (Table 2 ). In Dejen, significantly taller plants (93.5 cm) resulted from 8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe ha -1 (M4), compared to the control (85 cm). In Kedamai-weyane, Zn and Fe treatments showed non-significant differences among themselves, but were significantly taller (87–88 cm) than the control (79 cm). Furthermore, in Dejen, foliar application at stem elongation (P1) resulted in significantly taller plants (92.4 cm), while timing had no significant effect in Kedamai-weyane. Table 2 The main effects of micro nutrients and timing of application on plant height (PH) and spike length (SL) Treatments 2 Dejen Kedamai-weyane PH (cm) SL (cm) PH (cm) SL (cm) Micronutrients M 1 85.0 c1 7.97 c 79.0 b 7.27 c M 2 91.9 b 8.65 ab 87.8 a 7.88 ab M3 90.9 b 8.76 a 87.3 a 7.96 a M 4 93.5 a 8.49 b 87.2 a 7.55 bc LSD (0.05) 1.27 0.21 4.54 0.35 P-Value 0.001 0.001 0.009 0.01 CV (%) 0.7 1.3 2.7 2.3 Time of Application P 1 92.4 a 8.70 a 85.2 7.65 P 2 90.1 b 8.44 b 85.5 7.66 P 3 88.4 c 8.26 c 85.3 7.69 LSD 3 (0.05) 0.63 0.10 1.88 0.11 P-Value 0.001 0.001 0.92 0.74 CV (%) 0.8 1.4 2.5 1.6 1 Treatment means followed by the same letter indicate insignificant differences at P < 0.05 2 Micro nutrients application (M 1 = Control, M 2 = 16 kg Zn ha -1 , M 3 = 16 kg Fe ha -1 , M 4 = 8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe ha -1 ) Time of application (P 1 = stem elongation, P 2 = stem elongation + booting stage, P 3 = stem elongation + booting stage + milking stage) LSD = Least Significance Difference; CV = Coefficient of Variation Number of kernels per spike The application of Zn and Fe, and the timing of their application had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on the number of kernels per spike in Dejen and Kedamai-weyane sites. Compared with the control, Zn and Fe applications generally showed significant increase (11% at Dejen and 12% at Kedamai-weyane) in the number of kernels per spike (Table 3 ). When comparisons were made between the experimental sites, higher number of kernels per spike was obtained in Dejen (24–25) than in Kedamai-weyane site (21–24). With regard to the timing of foliar application, higher number of kernel per spike (24.6 in Dejen and 23.4 in Kedamai-weyane) was counted in plots treated with foliar application at stem elongation (P 1 ). The number of kernels per spike was reduced linearly with the delay of the applications. Barley dry aboveground biomass The application of micronutrients (Zn and Fe) and the interaction of application of micro nutrient and their timing of application showed significant (P < 0.05) effect on barley dry aboveground biomass in both Dejen and Kedamai-weyane sites (Table 3 ). The timing of micronutrient application, however, showed insignificant effect on crop biomass. With regard to the application of micro-nutrient, all the treatments with the exception of the control showed significantly better crop biomass (8.5–8.7 t/ha in Dejen and 8.4–8.7 t/ha in Kedamai-weyane sites). With respect to the timing of foliar application higher crop biomass was observed from plots treated at stem elongation (P 1 ) and stem elongation + booting stage (P 2 ) (Table 3 ). For both Dejen and Kedamai-weyene sites, the interaction effect of Zn and Fe and the timing of foliar application significantly influenced biomass production. At Dejen, the highest biomass yield (9.22 t/ha) was observed for M4 (8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe) at stem elongation + booting stage (P2) and this was followed by application of 16 kg Zn (M2) at stem elongation (P1). The results at Kedamai-weyene also showed a similar trend, where 8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe application at P2 resulted in the highest biomass (9.06 t/ha), although applications at P1 and P3 were also comparable. This indicates that combining both Zn and Fe at the appropriate timing (stem elongation + booting stage) could provide a synergistic effect that enhances biomass production. Table 3 The main effects of micro nutrients and time of application on kernels per spike, dry above ground biomass (t/ha), grain yield (t/ha), and thousand seed weight (g). Treatments Dejen site Kedamai-weyane site NKPS 3 BY(t/ha) GY (t/ha) TSW NKPS BY (t/ha) GY (t/ha) TSW Micronutrients M 1 22.0 b1 7.92 b 2.38 b 55.2 c1 20.8 b 7.83 b 2.59 58.5 b M 2 24.3 a 8.63 a 2.76 a 57.5 ab 23.6 a 8.47 a 2.66 61.9 a M 3 24.2 a 8.52 a 2.89 a 56.2 bc 23.2 a 8.44 a 2.66 62.2 a M 4 24.8 a 8.75 a 2.91 a 58.7 a 23.2 a 8.65 a 2.77 62.7 a LSD (0.05) 1.42 3.66 3.75 1.79 1.43 2.28 3.96 2.35 P-Value 0.01 0.006 0.04 0.014 0.01 0.001 0.77 0.017 CV (%) 3.0 2.2 6.9 1.6 3.1 1.4 7.5 1.9 Time of application P 1 24.58 a 8.42 2.84 57.3 a 23.42 a 8.31 ab 2.68 60.9 b P 2 23.83 b 8.58 2.73 56.7 b 22.67 b 8.48 a 2.73 62.1 a P 3 23.08 c 8.36 2.63 56.7 b 22.00 c 8.26 b 2.60 60.9 b LSD 4 (0.05) 0.445 1.94 2.07 0.49 0.489 1.84 1.70 0.98 P-Value 0.001 0.073 0.14 0.02 0.001 0.05 0.285 0.046 CV (%) 2.2 2.6 8.7 1.0 2.5 2.5 7.3 1.8 1 Treatment means followed by the same letter indicate insignificant differences at P < 0.05 2 Micro nutrients application (M 1 = Control, M 2 = 16 kg Zn ha -1 , M 3 = 16 kg Fe ha -1 , M 4 = 8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe ha -1 ) Time of application (P 1 = stem elongation, P 2 = stem elongation + booting stage, P 3 = stem elongation + booting stage + milking stage) LSD = Least Significance Difference; CV = Coefficient of Variation Table 4 Interaction effect of Zn and Fe, and their timing of application on dry above ground biomass (t/ha), grain yield (t/ha), and thousand seed weight (g). Micro Nutrients Timing of application Dejen site Kedamai-weyene site BY (t/ha) GY (t/ha) TSW (g) BY (t/ha) GY (t/ha) TSW (g) M 1 P 1 7.86 2.43 54.3 7.76 2.59 59.1 P 2 7.97 2.48 55.4 7.86 2.62 58.83 P 3 7.92 2.43 55.9 7.86 2.57 57.6 M 2 P 1 9.01 2.74 58.17 8.75 2.89 61.57 P 2 8.28 2.70 56.7 8.23 2.57 63.4 P 3 8.59 2.68 57.5 8.44 2.53 60.9 M 3 P 1 8.23 2.67 57.5 8.18 2.62 61.1 P 2 8.85 2.64 58.9 8.75 2.81 62.17 P3 8.49 2.59 59.7 8.39 2.56 63.2 M 4 P 1 8.59 3.29 56.67 8.54 2.61 62.17 P 2 9.22 3.00 55.87 9.06 2.94 63.83 P 3 8.44 2.93 56.17 8.33 2.74 62.1 LSD (0.05) 0.445 0.22 1.85 0.352 0.448 2.620 P-Value < 0.001 0.002 0.001 0.003 0.182 0.097 Mean 8.45 2.71 56.9 8.35 2.67 61.33 Where, 2 Micro nutrients application (M 1 = Control, M 2 = 16 kg Zn ha -1 , M 3 = 16 kg Fe ha -1 , M 4 = 8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe ha -1 ) Time of application (P 1 = stem elongation, P 2 = stem elongation + booting stage, P 3 = stem elongation + booting stage + milking stage), LSD = Least Significance Difference Grain yield The main effects of foliar application of micronutrients (F and Zn) and the interaction effect of both factors (application of micro nutrient and timing) showed significant (P < 0.05) effect on barely grain yield in Dejen site only (Table 3 ). On the other hand, none of the factors and their interaction showed significant effect on grain yield in Kedamai-weyane site. Looking at the interaction of both factors in Dejen site, application of 8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe (M4) at stem elongation + booting stage (P1) resulted in the highest grain yield (3.29 t/ha), while at Kedamai-weyene, application of 16 kg Zn ha − 1 (M2) at stem elongation (P1) showed the best result (2.94 t/ha) (Table 4 ). The combined application of Zn and Fe (M4) appears to offer substantial yield benefits when applied at the stem elongation stage. Thousand seed weight (TSW) Foliar application of Zn and Fe, and their timing of application had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on TSW in both Dejen and Kedamai-weyane sites. The interaction effect of these two factors on TSW, on the other hand, was statistically significant only in Dejen site. Table 3 showed the highest TSW (57–58 g) from plots treated with8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe ha -1 (M 4 ), and with 16 kg Zn ha 1 (M 2 ) in Dejen site, whereas the lowest TSW (55 g) was recorded from the control treatment. In the other site, Kedamai-weyane, the highest TSW (62–63 g) was observed from all the applications of Zn and Fe, and the lowest weight (58.5 g) was observed from the control treatment. With regard to the timing of foliar application, spraying of the micronutrient at stem elongation (P 1 ) showed the highest TSW (57 g) in Dejen (Table 3 ). In Kedamai-weyane, the highest TSW (62 g) was recorded from plots applied at stem elongation + booting stages (P 2 ). In the interaction of the application of the micro-nutrients and the timing in foliar application, the highest TSW (59.7 g) was observed in plots treated with 16 kg Zn ha − 1 (M2) at stem elongation + booting stage + milking stage (P3) (Table 4 ) at Dejen. Even though the interaction effect was insignificant, application of 8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe ha − 1 (M4) at stem elongation + booting stage + milking stages showed the highest TSW (63.8 g) at Kedamai-weyene. Zn, Fe and Protein content in barley grain The application of micronutrients (Zn and Fe) and the timing of foliar application, and their interaction showed significant effects on barley grain Zn, Fe and protein contents in both Dejen and Kedamai-weyane sites (Table 5 ). With regard to the application of micronutrients, the highest grain Zn content (38.6 mg kg ha -1 in Dejen and 60.5 mg kg ha -1 in Kedamai-weyane) was obtained from plots treated with 16 kg Zn ha -1 (M 2 ), and this was followed by the application of 8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe ha -1 . With respect to the main effects of foliar micronutrient application on barley grain Fe content, the highest nutrient content (149.5 mg Fe kg -1 in Dejen, and 101.1mg Fe kg -1 in Kedamai-weyane) was obtained from plots treated with 8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe ha -1 (M 4 ) treated plots, and this was followed by the application of 16 kg Fe ha -1 (M 3 ) that offered 110.3 mg Fe kg -1 of grain in Dejen and 93.6 mg Fe kg -1 in Kedamai-weyane (Table 5 ). The lowest grain Fe content, on the other hand, was obtained from none treated plots indicating there was low Fe content in the soil. With regard to the main effects of micronutrients on the protein content (Table 5 ), the highest (13%) was obtained by applying 8 kg Zn ha -1 + 8 kg Fe ha -1 (M 4 ) in Dejen, and the lowest protein content (4.8%) was obtained from the control treatment. This means, M 4 increased grain protein by 63% when compared with the control. Applications of 16 kg Zn ha -1 (M 2 ) and 16 kg Fe ha -1 (M 3 ) also improved grain protein by 49% compared to the control. Even though values were relatively smaller, similar trends on the protein content were also obtained from the respective treatments in Kedamai-weyane site. With regard to the timing of foliar application, the highest Zn content (37 mg/kg in Dejen, and 48.5 mg/kg in Kedamai-weyane) was obtained in plots treated with foliar applications at stem elongation + booting + milking stages (Table 5 ). Similarly, the highest grain Fe content (120.2 mg/kg at Dejen and 48.5 mg/kg at Kedamai-weyane) was obtained by foliar application at stem elongation + booting stage + early milking stages (P 3 ). Applying micronutrient at stem elongation and booting was also second in the rank which showed an increment of 7-11.5% as compared with the control. The timing of foliar application had also significant effect on grain protein content where the highest (9.8% in Dejen and 7.3% at Kedamai-weyane) was obtained by spraying at stem elongation + booting + early milking stages (P 3 ). Spraying at stem elongation + booting (P 2 ) were also second in the rank in improving the grain protein content. Table 5 The main effect of micro nutrients and time of application on grain quality parameters (Zn, Fe and protein contents) Treatments Dejen site Kedamai-weyane site Zn (mg/kg) Fe (mg/kg) Protein (%) Zn (mg/kg) Fe (mg/kg) Protein (%) Micronutrients M 1 30.3 b1 68.0 c 4.82 c 34.7 c 73.1 c 4.96 c M 2 38.6 a 96.7 b 9.33 b 60.5 a 84.3 b 7.39 b M 3 31.4 b 110.3 b 9.45 b 44.6 b 93.6 ab 7.62 ab M 4 34.4 b 149.5 a 13.1 a 50.2 b 101.1 a 8.37 a LSD (0.05) 4.01 17.54 0.51 1.65 9.62 0.898 P-Value 0.009 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.002 0.004 CV (%) 6.0 8.3 2.8 5.5 1.8 4.0 Time of Application P 1 30.4 b 93.7 c 8.59 c 40.9 b 82.1 c 6.84 b P 2 33.6 ab 104.5 b 9.10 b 45.6 a 87.1 b 7.07 ab P 3 37.0 a 120.2 a 9.82 a 48.5 a 94.9 a 7.34 a LSD 3 (0.05) 3.69 6.16 0.26 3.32 2.98 0.31 P-Value 0.006 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.02 CV (%) 12.7 6.7 3.3 3.9 8.5 3.8 1 Treatment means followed by the same letter indicate insignificant differences at P < 0.05 2 Micro nutrients application (M 1 = Control, M 2 = 16 kg Zn ha -1 , M 3 = 16 kg Fe ha -1 , M 4 = 8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe ha -1 ) Time of application (P 1 = stem elongation, P 2 = stem elongation + booting stage, P 3 = stem elongation + booting stage + milking stage) LSD = Least Significance Difference; CV = Coefficient of Variation The interaction effect of micronutrient and the timing of application on grain Zn content was highly significant (p < 0.001) at both sites, indicating that these factors synergistically influenced Zn accumulation. At Dejen site, the highest Zn content (52.53 mg/kg) was observed in plots applied with 16 kg Zn ha⁻¹ at stem elongation + booting stage + milking stage (M2*P3), highlighting the importance of sustained Zn availability throughout critical growth stages. The lowest Zn content (27.47 mg/kg) was recorded from plots applied with 16 kg Fe ha⁻¹ at stem elongation (M3*P1) suggesting the potential antagonism between Fe and Zn uptake when Fe is applied alone. At Kedamai-weyane, similar trends were noted, with M2*P3 resulting in the highest grain Zn content (72.3 mg/kg) (Table 6 ). This substantial increase demonstrates the role of extended Zn application in overcoming potential soil limitations and enhancing Zn translocation to grains. The interaction effect on grain Fe content was significant at Kedamai-weyane (p = 0.023) but not at Dejen (p = 0.069), indicating site-dependent variability in response to the treatments. At Dejen, tap water (control) applied at stem elongation + booting stage (M1*P2) recorded the highest Fe content (138.48 mg/kg). This unexpected result may reflect residual soil Fe availability or unaccounted environmental factors such as soil aeration or microbial activity. The lowest Fe content (81.14 mg/kg) was recorded from the application of 16 kg Fe ha − 1 at stem elongation (M3*P1), further supporting the importance of timing and multiple applications for optimizing Fe uptake. At Kedamai-weyane, the application of 16 kg Fe ha⁻¹ at stem elongation (M3*P1) yielded the highest Fe content (109.29 mg/kg) (Table 6 ), showing the direct impact of Fe supplementation in a site with moderate Fe deficiency. The interaction effect on grain protein content was highly significant (p < 0.001) at both sites, reflecting the strong influence of micronutrient and the timing of application on nitrogen assimilation and protein synthesis. At Dejen, the highest protein content (13.79%) was observed in plots treated with8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe ha⁻¹ that was sprayed at all three stages (M4*P3). In contrast, the lowest protein content (4.74%) was recorded from plots sprayed with tap water (control) at stem elongation (M1*P1) (Table 6 ), underscoring the limited nitrogen uptake and assimilation without nutrient supplementation. At Kedamai-weyane, application of 8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe ha⁻¹ that was sprayed at all three stages (M4*P3) also resulted in the highest protein content (9.10%), with M1*P1 yielding the lowest (4.60%) (Table 6 ). The marked improvement in protein levels with the application of 8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe ha − 1 (M4) can be attributed to the synergistic effects of Zn and Fe in activating enzymes involved in nitrogen utilization and amino acid biosynthesis. Table 6 Interaction effect of some micro nutrients and timing of application on grain quality parameters (Zn, Fe and protein contents) Micro Nutrients Timing of application Dejen site Kedamai-weyane site Zn ( mg/kg) Fe ( mg/kg) Protein (%) Zn ( mg/kg) Fe ( mg/kg) Protein (%) M 1 P 1 31.19 85.06 4.74 35.11 82.87 4.60 P 2 30.14 138.48 4.89 36.12 90.05 5.29 P 3 32.92 110.37 4.96 32.91 81.87 5.05 M 2 P 1 31.94 83.92 8.62 48.45 80.65 7.39 P 2 31.33 91.90 9.54 60.59 81.00 7.24 P 3 52.53 89.35 9.62 72.3 87.2 7.52 M 3 P 1 27.47 81.14 8.63 34.42 109.29 7.59 P 2 44.89 92.56 9.46 34.56 99.85 7.56 P3 30.86 133.31 10.69 34.8 90.1 7.7 M4 P1 31.16 90.66 12.51 45.70 73.52 7.79 P2 27.83 82.36 12.99 51.15 73.07 8.22 P3 31.87 86.20 13.79 53.78 94.81 9.1 P-Value < 0.001 0.069 < 0.001 < .001 0.023 < .001 LSD (0.05) 6.813 42.07 0.466 5.558 13.40 0.446 Mean 33.68 87.11 9.20 44.99 94.82 7.09 2 Micro nutrients application (M 1 = Control, M 2 = 16 kg Zn ha -1 , M 3 = 16 kg Fe ha -1 , M 4 = 8 kg Zn + 8 kg Fe ha -1 ) Time of application (P 1 = stem elongation, P 2 = stem elongation + booting stage, P 3 = stem elongation + booting stage + milking stage), LSD = Least Significance Difference. DISCUSSION The soils in the study region are characterized by low organic matter and continuous cultivation, leading to micronutrient deficiencies. This context reinforces the importance of tailored nutrient management strategies that consider soil nutrient status, crop requirements, and growth stages. The site-specific differences observed in this study emphasize the need for localized interventions to optimize micronutrient applications. Zinc and iron are indispensable for plant physiological processes. Zinc's involvement in auxin metabolism and cell elongation directly influences plant height (Marschner, 2012 ). Similarly, Fe is critical for chlorophyll synthesis and photosynthetic electron transport, processes essential for vegetative growth (Terry and Abadia, 2013). In this study, Zn and Fe applications, particularly at the stem elongation stage, resulted in enhanced plant height and biomass. The observed variations in plant growth responses between the sites may be attributed to differences in soil Zn and Fe availability and environmental conditions, as supported by Alloway ( 2008 ). The role of Zn in pollen viability and fertilization, combined with Fe's contribution to reproductive development, underscores their influence on kernel formation (Cakmak, 2008 ). Higher kernel numbers at Dejen suggest favorable soil or environmental conditions for nutrient uptake during critical growth stages. These findings align with Frossard et al. ( 2000 ), who emphasized Zn's importance in enhancing grain yield components, particularly in Zn-deficient soils. The timing of micronutrient application profoundly influenced nutrient uptake and utilization. Early applications at stem elongation and booting stages optimized nutrient availability during periods of rapid vegetative and reproductive growth. This was evident in the superior outcomes for biomass accumulation and grain yield components compared to later-stage applications. Foliar applications effectively bypassed soil-related limitations such as pH and nutrient fixation, providing rapid physiological improvements (Fagerial, 2001). Studies on wheat by Zhao et al. ( 2002 ) demonstrated that foliar Zn applications at early growth stages enhanced pollen viability and kernel development, findings that are consistent with the current study. The reduced effectiveness of late-stage applications in this study reflects the limited nutrient assimilation during advanced reproductive stages, corroborating findings by Nazran et al. ( 2010 ). The combined application of Zn and Fe (M4) produced significant synergistic effects on yield and quality parameters. These micronutrients enhance enzymatic activity, protein synthesis, and chlorophyll formation, processes essential for biomass and grain development (Rengel, 2007 ; Cakmak, 2008 ). The increased grain Zn and Fe content with M4 applications at multiple growth stages (P3) suggests that steady nutrient availability during critical phases, such as booting and milking, optimizes nutrient translocation to the grain. However, competitive absorption between Zn and Fe, as observed in M3 treatments, highlights the need for balanced applications. Excess Fe can inhibit Zn uptake, as noted by Alloway ( 2008 ). Site-specific differences, such as higher Zn levels at Kedamai-weyane, emphasize the influence of soil properties, particularly pH and nutrient availability, on micronutrient dynamics (Cakmak, 2008 ). The increased grain Zn, Fe, and protein content observed in this study holds significant potential for addressing micronutrient deficiencies in human diets, particularly in regions with prevalent malnutrition. Foliar applications of Zn and Fe during grain development stages improved nutrient concentration in barley grains, findings consistent with Grusak et al. (1999) and Cakmak ( 2008 ). These results highlight the importance of remobilizing micronutrients from vegetative tissues to grains during senescence and grain filling. Higher protein content in grains following Zn and Fe applications underscores their role in nitrogen metabolism and enzymatic activity. Studies by Singh et al. ( 2020 ) support the role of Zn and Fe in enhancing protein synthesis during critical grain filling stages. These findings suggest that foliar micronutrient applications can serve as an effective strategy to improve both the nutritional quality and productivity of barley. While this study highlights the benefits of foliar applications of Zn and Fe, further research is needed to explore optimal application rates and timing under varying soil and environmental conditions. Additionally, integrating micronutrient management with other sustainable agricultural practices, such as crop rotation and organic amendments, could further enhance soil fertility and crop productivity. CONCLUSION Agronomic micronutrient bio-fortification could be one of the approaches to alleviate micronutrients deficiency related health problems. Earliest foliar application of Zn and Fe at the stem elongation stage had a better effect on plant height, spike length, number of kernels per spike, crop biomass and grain yield of barley. However, best grain Zn, Fe and protein contents were observed when the whole dose of Zn and Fe were applied at stem elongation + booting + milking stages. Later applications generally gave good results with regard to grain Zn, Fe and protein contents than early foliar applications while the reverse was true with the effects on crop biomass production. Therefore, it can be concluded that the late application of micronutrients (stem elongation + booting stage + milking stage) had a better effect on the grain quality of barley. For maximum grain yield, zinc application (16 kg Zn ha⁻¹) at stem elongation stage proved most effective, while the combined Zn + Fe treatment (8 + 8 kg ha⁻¹) applied at stem elongation + booting stages showed the highest yield. Early applications (P1: at stem elongation) primarily enhanced vegetative growth and yield components such as plant height and kernel number, whereas later applications improved nutrient remobilization and grain quality. However, for optimal grain nutritional quality (Zn, Fe, and protein content), three-stage application (stem elongation + booting + milking) of the combined Zn + Fe treatment was superior. The results highlight zinc's greater impact on yield enhancement compared to iron alone, though iron played a crucial complementary role in improving grain nutritional quality. These findings also suggest a two-phase application strategy: early zinc or Zn + Fe application for yield improvement, followed by late-stage application for grain quality. For wide scale implementation, the scientific world generally has more trust in nutrient management recommendations based on soil, climate and land use characteristics. Since the experiment was carried out only in one cropping season in two locations, hence further studies in more seasons and locations are recommended to reach the optimum required levels micronutrient fertilizers for barley production. Declarations ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research was financially supported by Mekelle University, Tigray, Ethiopia, and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) through the project “Enhancement of barley productivity through improved crop management practices in the semi-arid highlands of northern Ethiopia” (Grant No. RU 2015 GRG-136). RUFORUM is a consortium of 175 African universities across 40 countries, headquartered in Kampala, Uganda. Established in 2004, RUFORUM focuses on strengthening capacity in agricultural higher education, research, and innovation, particularly to address the needs of smallholder farmers and rural communities. So, the authors would like to thank Mekelle University for institutional support and the RUFORUM project for financial assistance in conducting the field research and laboratory analyses of nutrient content. Conflicts of Interest/Competing Interests This research was supported by Mekelle University, Tigray, Ethiopia, and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) through the project “Enhancement of barley productivity through improved crop management practices in the semi-arid highlands of northern Ethiopia” (Grant No. RU 2015 GRG-136). The funding bodies had no role in the design of the study, data collection, analysis, interpretation of results, or writing of the manuscript. The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper. Funding Declaration This research was financially supported by Mekelle University , Tigray, Ethiopia, and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) through the project “Enhancement of barley productivity through improved crop management practices in the semi-arid highlands of northern Ethiopia” (Grant No. RU 2015 GRG-136 ). The funding organizations had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation of results, or manuscript preparation. Clinical Trial Number Clinical trial number: not applicable. Ethics, Consent to Participate, and Consent to Publish Declarations Ethics, Consent to Participate, and Consent to Publish declarations: not applicable. Data Availability The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. All relevant data supporting the findings of this study are included within the manuscript. References Abraha, A., Uhlen, A., Abay, F., Sahlstrom, S. and Bjornstad, Å. (2013). Roasted barley foods: Processing and varietal differences affecting Kolo and Tihni, traditional grain products in northern Ethiopia. Cereal foods world 58(2): 71-79. Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA). (2014). Soil fertility status and fertilizer recommendation atlas for Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency. Alloway, B. J. (2008). Zinc in soils and crop nutrition . International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA). Anteneh A., Dejene K., Dereje A, Alemtsehay, T. 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In Achieving a nutrition revolution for Africa: The road to healthier diets and optimal nutrition . ReSAKSS Annual Trends and Outlook Report 2015. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). Singh, Umeshwar, Praharaj, ChuniLal, Singh, Samar Singh, and Singh, Narendra Pal. (2020). Biofortification of Food Crops. Springer Nature. Tadesse, T., Haque, I., and Aduayi, E. (1991). Soil, plant, water, fertilizer, animal manure and compost analysis manual (ILCA/PSD Working Document). International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA). Terry, N., and Abadía, J. (2013). Physiology of iron in higher plants. Journal of Plant Nutrition , 24 (1-2), 179-199. Tiwari, U., and Cummins, E. (2011). Meta-analysis of the effect of beta-glucan intake on blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Nutrition, 27 (9), 1008-1016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2010.11.006. Wondwosen, G. (2022). Structural change and economic growth in Ethiopia, 1991-2017. Journal of Business and Administration Studies, 14 (1), 1-23. Zhao, F. J., Lombi, E., and McGrath, S. P. (2002). Physiological processes influencing zinc bio-fortification of cereals. Journal of Experimental Botany, 53 (370), 1129-1137. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 01 Dec, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 01 Dec, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 28 Nov, 2025 Editor invited by journal 12 Nov, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 11 Nov, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 27 Oct, 2025 First submitted to journal 27 Oct, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7833472","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":552594736,"identity":"ee237995-3617-4477-9b6c-a3778c798023","order_by":0,"name":"Berhe 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1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":353280,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eLocation map of the study areas: (A) Tigray Regional State with in Ethiopia, and (B) Experimental sites (Kedamai-weyane and Dejen) in Tigray Regional State\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7833472/v1/a02c3f52b29a1ffeb4ab7dc1.png"},{"id":97252457,"identity":"b2cf675a-76e2-4419-9f46-633830e09613","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-02 13:21:50","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1934628,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7833472/v1/d79b097b-0803-49d5-8beb-c8295b6ff17b.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eEffect of Fe and Zn and Their Timing of Foliar Application on Barley (Hordeumvulgare L.) Yield, Yield Components and Grain Quality in South Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003eAgriculture is the main stay of Ethiopian economy, which contributes 33.8% of the national gross domestic product in 2017 (Wondwosen, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Cereals, pulses, oil crops and various vegetable and fruit crops are cultivated in the country. Cereals take a share of 74% of the crop production where barley ranked5th in terms of total area coverage next to tef, maize, sorghum and wheat (CSA, 2016). The average area coverage and productivity of barley for 2016 cropping season was 0.9\u0026nbsp;million/ha and 1.96 tons/ha, respectively in Ethiopia, and 99,423 ha and 1.58 tons/ha, respectively in the Tigray region (CSA, 2016). In Ethiopia, barley grain is mainly cultivated for food consumption. Currently, barley consumption is increasing due to food health benefits in lowering plasma cholesterol, regulating glycemic response and reducing the risk of heart disease (Tiwari and Cummins, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). Nationally, different traditional dishes are prepared and consumed from barley (Abraha et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite its importance, barley productivity in Ethiopia, particularly in Tigray region is low (1.58 tons per ha, (CSA, 2016) as compared to 5.3 tons per ha obtained under research stations for barley landrace (Berhane et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1997\u003c/span\u003e), and the world average barley grain yield (3.1 tons/ha) reported in 2017 (FAOSTAT, 2023). This low productivity is mainly due to low amount and uneven distribution of rainfall; low soil fertility; pests, diseases and weed competition; and lack of improved varieties (Berhanu, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e). Among these crop production constraints, poor soil fertility has been the most important factor at least next to water stress.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to Mitiku et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e), total nitrogen and available phosphorus were low in 76\u0026ndash;98% of the samples collected from Tigray region. In addition, micronutrients (e.g., Zn, Fe, and B) were deficient in most of the soils in the Tigray region (ATA, 2014). This low soil fertility could be attributed to nutrient losses through soil erosion and take-up with the crop harvest. This implies that application of macro (mainly N and P), and micronutrients (mainly Fe and Zn) is required to increase crop production in the region. In addition, application of N, Fe and Zn can improve the concentration of protein, Fe and Zn in the grains, which are important elements for human health (Anteneh et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Iron deficiency in the diet caused anemia in pregnant women and children in Africa (Bouis et al, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Zinc, which is also an important nutrient for crop production and human health, had inadequate intakes by many Africans (Joy et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSamuel et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e) reported that 35% of all target groups which showed zinc deficiency might be linked to low zinc content in grains harvested from zinc-deficient soils. Diets consumed predominantly in the developing countries are based on cereals Bouis et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e), which are poor in the bioavailability of Fe and Zn. According to Bouis et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e), agronomic bio-fortification provides a comparatively cost-effective, sustainable, and long-term means of delivering vitamins and micronutrients to households (Bouis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Agronomic bio-fortification is a technique by which the contents of the nutrients in cereal grains are enhanced by the uptake and synthesis of the nutrients from foliar and/or soil application of the nutrients.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecognizing the soils in most parts of Tigray and particularly in the study area are deficient in Fe and Zn, it was found imperative to find ways how the contents of these nutrients are improved in cereal grains so that consumers can have the opportunity to get the required nutrients in their diet. Furthermore, Moreover, research findings on how essential micronutrients in cereal grains can be improved and their potential to enhance crop productivity are scarce in the study area. This study was, therefore, conducted to examine the primary effects of foliar application of Fe and Zn, as well as the timing of these applications, on barley productivity and grain quality at two sites in the southeastern zone of the Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"MATERIALS AND METHODS","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDescription of the study area\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted at two locations (Kedamai-weyane and Dejen site) in South Eastern zone of Tigray, Ethiopia (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Kedamai-weyane is located at 13\u0026deg;25'N, and 39\u0026deg;34'E, with an elevation of 2,348 m meters above sea level (a.s.l) while Dejen is located at 13\u0026deg;19'N and 39\u0026deg;21'E, with elevation of 2,182 m a.s.l. The study area is characterized by semiarid climate. Rainfall is mono-modal where the rainy season spanned from June to end of September. The total seasonal (June-September, 2017) rainfall in Kedamai-weyane was 440 mm (Mekelle airport meteorological station, 2017); while in Dejen site 640 mm (Dengolat meteorological station, 2017) was recorded. The daily mean minimum and maximum air temperature in Kedamai-weyane was 12\u0026deg;C and 25\u0026deg;C, respectively, while in Dejen 11\u0026deg;C and 25\u0026deg;C, respectively were recorded.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExperimental design and treatments\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted in the 2017 main growing season (June-September) under rain-fed condition. Experimental fields were ploughed three times with a local plow \u003cem\u003emahresha\u003c/em\u003e that was pulled by a pair of oxen. The barley (\u003cem\u003eHordeum vulgare\u003c/em\u003e L.) variety used in this experiment was \u003cem\u003eFetina\u003c/em\u003e, which was released by Mekelle University. All the plant materials and seeds were obtained from the Department of Dryland Crop and Horticultural Sciences, College of Dry land Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mekelle University, Ethiopia.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSplit plot design was used where four micronutrient treatments (M₁= control, M₂= 16 kg Zn ha⁻\u0026sup1;, M₃= 16 kg Fe ha⁻\u0026sup1;, and M₄= 8 kg Zn ha⁻\u0026sup1; + 8 kg Fe ha⁻\u0026sup1;) were randomly assigned to the main plots, and three different timings of foliar application (P₁= at stem elongation, P₂= at stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stages, P₃= at stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;early milking stages) were randomly assigned to the sub-plots. Zn and Fe were applied in the form of 0.5% (w/v) Zinc Sulfate (ZnSO₄\u0026bull;7H₂O) and Ferrous Sulfate (FeSO₄\u0026bull;7H₂O), respectively.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe control treatment (no foliar Zn and Fe application) was sprayed with the same amount of tap water. In P₂ and P₃, the mentioned rates of Zn and Fe were applied in split of 2 and 3, respectively. Foliar spray of Zn and Fe was performed in the very late afternoon to avoid possible leaf damage caused by salts on sunny days and at high day temperature. In a study by Cakmak et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e), Zn was foliarly applied twice at different growth stages starting from elongation to early dough stage at a rate of approximately 0.5% (w/v) ZnSO₄\u0026bull;7H₂O solution. The main plot treatments were replicated three times. The plot size was 2.5 m \u0026times; 2 m (=\u0026thinsp;5 m\u0026sup2;). Urea fertilizer ((CO(NH₂)₂): N 46%) at 100 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; was applied in split (half dose at planting and the other half at tillering), while Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP: P₂O₅ 46% and N 18%) was applied at a rate of 100 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; at planting. The crop was harvested on November 13, 2017, in Dejen and on November 27, 2017, in Kedamai-weyane.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSoil sampling and analysis\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComposite soil samples were collected from the top layers (0-30cm) from each experimental site at planting but before application of the treatments and at crop harvesting. Soil samples were analyzed for texture, organic carbon, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus, Zn, and Fe contents. Soil texture was determined using the Bouyoucos hydrometer method (Bouyoucos, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1962\u003c/span\u003e). Organic matter content was determined by oxidation of organic carbon with acid potassium di-chromate (K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eCr\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e) by the Walkley and Black method (Jackson, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1958\u003c/span\u003e). Total nitrogen was analyzed by Micro-Kjeldhal method (Bremner and Mulvaney, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1982\u003c/span\u003e). Soil pH was determined in 1:2.5 (weight/volume) soils to water dilution ratio (Jackson, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1958\u003c/span\u003e). Cation exchange capacity was measured after saturating the soil with 1N ammonium acetate (NH\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003eOAC) and displacing it with 1N NaOAC (Chapman, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1990\u003c/span\u003e). Available phosphorus was determined using Olsen method (Olsen \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 1954), and Zn and Fe were determined by Diethylene Triamine Penta-acetic Acid (DTPA) extraction method (Lindsay and Norvell, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1978\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAgronomic data collection\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant height, spike length, number of kernels per spike, thousand seed weight, grain yield, and total above ground biomass were collected from each experimental plot. Plant height, spike length and number of spikes per plant were recorded from ten plants randomly selected from each row. Average number of kernels per spike was counted from a randomly taken ten plants. Grain yield and biomass at harvesting were recorded from a net plot size of 3.2 m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrain quality analysis\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZn and Fe content of barley grain was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) method. About five gram grain sample was digested in a mixture of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and perchloric acid (HClO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e) (Isaac and Johnson, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1985\u003c/span\u003e). Digested samples were analyzed for iron and zinc using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (Jones, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe nitrogen content of barley grain was determined by micro-Kjeldahl method as stated in the European Society for Agronomy (ESA) method ES 669\u0026ndash;2001. Grain protein content (%) was calculated by multiplying percentage of grain nitrogen percent with 6.25 [(Grain Protein (%),GP)]\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Grain Nitrogen (%GN)*6.25 (ESA, 2001).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eStatistical data analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnalysis of variance (ANOVA) for yield and yield components and quality parameters was done using the Gen-Stat 14th edition statistical software programs (Payne et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). Treatment means were compared using Duncan's multiple range tests at 5% level of significance (Gomez and Gomez, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1984\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"RESULTS","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSoil physical and chemical properties\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLaboratory analytical results of some soil physicochemical properties of the study sites are presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. The soil texture of the experimental site in Dejenwas sandy clay loam while the texture of Kedamai-weyane sites was dominantly clay. The soil reactions of both the study sites were neutral. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) was low (10.6 and 11.6 cmol(+)/kg in Kedamai-weyane and Dejen sites, respectively). The soil organic carbon in Kedamai-weyane was 0.4% which was very low according to the rating by Tadesse et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e), while in Dejen the soil organic carbon was 1.0%. Total Nitrogen of the experimental sites was low (0.15\u0026ndash;0.18%) as rated by Tadesse et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e), whereas the available P was medium (Olsen \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 1954). According to the rating by Benton (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e), the total Fe and Zn contents was low. Generally the study sites had poor soil fertility. However, the increases in soil properties after harvesting are likely due to a combination of fertilizer application, organic matter accumulation, and natural soil processes (Havlin et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSome physico-chemical soil properties of the study sites\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoil\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eparameters\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt planting\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter harvesting\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDejen site\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKedamai-weyane site\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDejen site\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKedamai-weyane site\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003epH\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEC (dS/cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOC (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCEC (cmol(\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e)/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal N (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.182\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.154\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvailable P (mg/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal Fe (mg/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal Zn (mg/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.004\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.014\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.005\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoil texture\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; Sand (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; Silt (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; Clay (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTextural class\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSandy clay loam\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eClay\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSandy clay Loam\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eClay\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlant height and spike length at harvest\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe application of Zn and Fe micronutrients, and the timing of foliar application showed significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) effects on plant height and spike length in Dejen, while in Kedamai-weyane, only the application of Zn and Fe showed significant effects (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). In Dejen, significantly taller plants (93.5 cm) resulted from 8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e (M4), compared to the control (85 cm). In Kedamai-weyane, Zn and Fe treatments showed non-significant differences among themselves, but were significantly taller (87\u0026ndash;88 cm) than the control (79 cm). Furthermore, in Dejen, foliar application at stem elongation (P1) resulted in significantly taller plants (92.4 cm), while timing had no significant effect in Kedamai-weyane.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe main effects of micro nutrients and timing of application on plant height (PH) and spike length (SL)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatments\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDejen\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKedamai-weyane\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePH (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSL (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePH (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSL (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMicronutrients\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85.0\u003csup\u003ec1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.97\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e79.0\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.27\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e91.9\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.65\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e87.8\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.88\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e90.9\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.76\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e87.3\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.96\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e93.5\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.49\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e87.2\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.55\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD (0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP-Value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.009\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCV (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTime of Application\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e92.4\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.70\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e90.1\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.44\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e88.4\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.26\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.69\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e (0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP-Value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCV (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"6\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003eTreatment means followed by the same letter indicate insignificant differences at P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"6\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003eMicro nutrients application (M\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Control, M\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;16 kg Zn ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e, M\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;16 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e, M\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"6\"\u003eTime of application (P\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;stem elongation, P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage, P\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;milking stage)\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eLSD\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Least Significance Difference; CV\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Coefficient of Variation\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNumber of kernels per spike\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe application of Zn and Fe, and the timing of their application had a significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) effect on the number of kernels per spike in Dejen and Kedamai-weyane sites. Compared with the control, Zn and Fe applications generally showed significant increase (11% at Dejen and 12% at Kedamai-weyane) in the number of kernels per spike (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). When comparisons were made between the experimental sites, higher number of kernels per spike was obtained in Dejen (24\u0026ndash;25) than in Kedamai-weyane site (21\u0026ndash;24).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith regard to the timing of foliar application, higher number of kernel per spike (24.6 in Dejen and 23.4 in Kedamai-weyane) was counted in plots treated with foliar application at stem elongation (P\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e). The number of kernels per spike was reduced linearly with the delay of the applications.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBarley dry aboveground biomass\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe application of micronutrients (Zn and Fe) and the interaction of application of micro nutrient and their timing of application showed significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) effect on barley dry aboveground biomass in both Dejen and Kedamai-weyane sites (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). The timing of micronutrient application, however, showed insignificant effect on crop biomass. With regard to the application of micro-nutrient, all the treatments with the exception of the control showed significantly better crop biomass (8.5\u0026ndash;8.7 t/ha in Dejen and 8.4\u0026ndash;8.7 t/ha in Kedamai-weyane sites). With respect to the timing of foliar application higher crop biomass was observed from plots treated at stem elongation (P\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e) and stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage (P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor both Dejen and Kedamai-weyene sites, the interaction effect of Zn and Fe and the timing of foliar application significantly influenced biomass production. At Dejen, the highest biomass yield (9.22 t/ha) was observed for M4 (8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe) at stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage (P2) and this was followed by application of 16 kg Zn (M2) at stem elongation (P1). The results at Kedamai-weyene also showed a similar trend, where 8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe application at P2 resulted in the highest biomass (9.06 t/ha), although applications at P1 and P3 were also comparable. This indicates that combining both Zn and Fe at the appropriate timing (stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage) could provide a synergistic effect that enhances biomass production.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe main effects of micro nutrients and time of application on kernels per spike, dry above ground biomass (t/ha), grain yield (t/ha), and thousand seed weight (g).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatments\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDejen site\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKedamai-weyane site\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNKPS\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBY(t/ha)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGY (t/ha)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTSW\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNKPS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBY (t/ha)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGY (t/ha)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTSW\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMicronutrients\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.0\u003csup\u003eb1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.92\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.38\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.2\u003csup\u003ec1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.8\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.83\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.59\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58.5\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.3\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.63\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.76\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57.5\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.6\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.47\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61.9\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.2\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.52\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.89\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.2\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.2\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.44\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.2\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.8\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.75\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.91\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58.7\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.2\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.65\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.7\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD (0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP-Value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.006\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.014\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.017\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCV (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTime of application\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.58\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57.3\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.42\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.31\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60.9\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.83\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.7\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.67\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.48\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.1\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.08\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.7\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.00\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.26\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60.9\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD\u003csup\u003e4\u003c/sup\u003e (0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.445\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.49\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.489\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP-Value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.073\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.285\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.046\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCV (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003eTreatment means followed by the same letter indicate insignificant differences at P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003eMicro nutrients application (M\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Control, M\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;16 kg Zn ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e, M\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;16 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e, M\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003eTime of application (P\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;stem elongation, P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage, P\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;milking stage)\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eLSD\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Least Significance Difference; CV\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Coefficient of Variation\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInteraction effect of Zn and Fe, and their timing of application on dry above ground biomass (t/ha), grain yield (t/ha), and thousand seed weight (g).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMicro\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNutrients\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTiming of application\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDejen site\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKedamai-weyene site\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBY (t/ha)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGY (t/ha)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTSW (g)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBY (t/ha)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGY (t/ha)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTSW (g)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.59\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e59.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.97\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.48\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58.83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.57\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61.57\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.57\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e63.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.59\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.44\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.64\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.81\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.49\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.59\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e59.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.39\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e63.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.59\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.61\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e63.83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.44\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.93\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD (0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.445\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.352\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.448\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.620\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP-Value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.002\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.003\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.182\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.097\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.71\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"8\"\u003eWhere,\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e Micro nutrients application (M\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Control, M\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;16 kg Zn ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e, M\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;16 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e, M\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"8\"\u003eTime of application (P\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;stem elongation, P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage, P\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;milking stage), LSD\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Least Significance Difference\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrain yield\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe main effects of foliar application of micronutrients (F and Zn) and the interaction effect of both factors (application of micro nutrient and timing) showed significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) effect on barely grain yield in Dejen site only (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). On the other hand, none of the factors and their interaction showed significant effect on grain yield in Kedamai-weyane site.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLooking at the interaction of both factors in Dejen site, application of 8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe (M4) at stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage (P1) resulted in the highest grain yield (3.29 t/ha), while at Kedamai-weyene, application of 16 kg Zn ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e(M2) at stem elongation (P1) showed the best result (2.94 t/ha) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). The combined application of Zn and Fe (M4) appears to offer substantial yield benefits when applied at the stem elongation stage.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eThousand seed weight (TSW)\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFoliar application of Zn and Fe, and their timing of application had a significant effect (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) on TSW in both Dejen and Kedamai-weyane sites. The interaction effect of these two factors on TSW, on the other hand, was statistically significant only in Dejen site. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e showed the highest TSW (57\u0026ndash;58 g) from plots treated with8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e (M\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e), and with 16 kg Zn ha\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e (M\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e) in Dejen site, whereas the lowest TSW (55 g) was recorded from the control treatment. In the other site, Kedamai-weyane, the highest TSW (62\u0026ndash;63 g) was observed from all the applications of Zn and Fe, and the lowest weight (58.5 g) was observed from the control treatment.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith regard to the timing of foliar application, spraying of the micronutrient at stem elongation (P\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e) showed the highest TSW (57 g) in Dejen (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). In Kedamai-weyane, the highest TSW (62 g) was recorded from plots applied at stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stages (P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the interaction of the application of the micro-nutrients and the timing in foliar application, the highest TSW (59.7 g) was observed in plots treated with 16 kg Zn ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e (M2) at stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;milking stage (P3) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e) at Dejen. Even though the interaction effect was insignificant, application of 8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e (M4) at stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;milking stages showed the highest TSW (63.8 g) at Kedamai-weyene.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eZn, Fe and Protein content in barley grain\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe application of micronutrients (Zn and Fe) and the timing of foliar application, and their interaction showed significant effects on barley grain Zn, Fe and protein contents in both Dejen and Kedamai-weyane sites (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). With regard to the application of micronutrients, the highest grain Zn content (38.6 mg kg ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e in Dejen and 60.5 mg kg ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e in Kedamai-weyane) was obtained from plots treated with 16 kg Zn ha\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e-1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e (M\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e), and this was followed by the application of 8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e-1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. With respect to the main effects of foliar micronutrient application on barley grain Fe content, the highest nutrient content (149.5 mg Fe kg\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e in Dejen, and 101.1mg Fe kg\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e in Kedamai-weyane) was obtained from plots treated with 8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e (M\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e) treated plots, and this was followed by the application of 16 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e (M\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e) that offered 110.3 mg Fe kg\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e of grain in Dejen and 93.6 mg Fe kg\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e in Kedamai-weyane (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). The lowest grain Fe content, on the other hand, was obtained from none treated plots indicating there was low Fe content in the soil.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith regard to the main effects of micronutrients on the protein content (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e), the highest (13%) was obtained by applying 8 kg Zn ha\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e-1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e + 8 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e-1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e (M\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e) in Dejen, and the lowest protein content (4.8%) was obtained from the control treatment. This means, M\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e increased grain protein by 63% when compared with the control. Applications of 16 kg Zn ha\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e-1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e (M\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e) and 16 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e-1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e (M\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e) also improved grain protein by 49% compared to the control. Even though values were relatively smaller, similar trends on the protein content were also obtained from the respective treatments in Kedamai-weyane site.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith regard to the timing of foliar application, the highest Zn content (37 mg/kg in Dejen, and 48.5 mg/kg in Kedamai-weyane) was obtained in plots treated with foliar applications at stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;milking stages (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). Similarly, the highest grain Fe content (120.2 mg/kg at Dejen and 48.5 mg/kg at Kedamai-weyane) was obtained by foliar application at stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;early milking stages (P\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e). Applying micronutrient at stem elongation and booting was also second in the rank which showed an increment of 7-11.5% as compared with the control. The timing of foliar application had also significant effect on grain protein content where the highest (9.8% in Dejen and 7.3% at Kedamai-weyane) was obtained by spraying at stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;early milking stages (P\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e). Spraying at stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting (P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e) were also second in the rank in improving the grain protein content.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe main effect of micro nutrients and time of application on grain quality parameters (Zn, Fe and protein contents)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatments\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDejen site\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKedamai-weyane site\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eZn\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(mg/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFe\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(mg/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eProtein (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eZn\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(mg/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFe\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(mg/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eProtein (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMicronutrients\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30.3\u003csup\u003eb1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e68.0\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.82\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34.7\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73.1\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.96\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38.6\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e96.7\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.33\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60.5\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e84.3\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.39\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31.4\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e110.3\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.45\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.6\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e93.6\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.62\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34.4\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e149.5\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.1\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.2\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e101.1\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.37\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD (0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.898\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP-Value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.009\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.002\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.004\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCV (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTime of Application\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30.4\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e93.7\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.59\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40.9\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.1\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.84\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.6\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e104.5\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.10\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.6\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e87.1\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.07\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.0\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120.2\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.82\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48.5\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e94.9\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.34\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e (0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.69\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP-Value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.006\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCV (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"7\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003eTreatment means followed by the same letter indicate insignificant differences at P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"7\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003eMicro nutrients application (M\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Control, M\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;16 kg Zn ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e, M\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;16 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e, M\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"7\"\u003eTime of application (P\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;stem elongation, P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage, P\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;milking stage)\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eLSD\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Least Significance Difference; CV\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Coefficient of Variation\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe interaction effect of micronutrient and the timing of application on grain Zn content was highly significant (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) at both sites, indicating that these factors synergistically influenced Zn accumulation. At Dejen site, the highest Zn content (52.53 mg/kg) was observed in plots applied with 16 kg Zn ha⁻\u0026sup1; at stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;milking stage (M2*P3), highlighting the importance of sustained Zn availability throughout critical growth stages. The lowest Zn content (27.47 mg/kg) was recorded from plots applied with 16 kg Fe ha⁻\u0026sup1; at stem elongation (M3*P1) suggesting the potential antagonism between Fe and Zn uptake when Fe is applied alone. At Kedamai-weyane, similar trends were noted, with M2*P3 resulting in the highest grain Zn content (72.3 mg/kg) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e). This substantial increase demonstrates the role of extended Zn application in overcoming potential soil limitations and enhancing Zn translocation to grains.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe interaction effect on grain Fe content was significant at Kedamai-weyane (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.023) but not at Dejen (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.069), indicating site-dependent variability in response to the treatments. At Dejen, tap water (control) applied at stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage (M1*P2) recorded the highest Fe content (138.48 mg/kg). This unexpected result may reflect residual soil Fe availability or unaccounted environmental factors such as soil aeration or microbial activity. The lowest Fe content (81.14 mg/kg) was recorded from the application of 16 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e at stem elongation (M3*P1), further supporting the importance of timing and multiple applications for optimizing Fe uptake.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt Kedamai-weyane, the application of 16 kg Fe ha⁻\u0026sup1; at stem elongation (M3*P1) yielded the highest Fe content (109.29 mg/kg) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e), showing the direct impact of Fe supplementation in a site with moderate Fe deficiency.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe interaction effect on grain protein content was highly significant (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) at both sites, reflecting the strong influence of micronutrient and the timing of application on nitrogen assimilation and protein synthesis. At Dejen, the highest protein content (13.79%) was observed in plots treated with8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe ha⁻\u0026sup1; that was sprayed at all three stages (M4*P3). In contrast, the lowest protein content (4.74%) was recorded from plots sprayed with tap water (control) at stem elongation (M1*P1) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e), underscoring the limited nitrogen uptake and assimilation without nutrient supplementation.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt Kedamai-weyane, application of 8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe ha⁻\u0026sup1; that was sprayed at all three stages (M4*P3) also resulted in the highest protein content (9.10%), with M1*P1 yielding the lowest (4.60%) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e). The marked improvement in protein levels with the application of 8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e (M4) can be attributed to the synergistic effects of Zn and Fe in activating enzymes involved in nitrogen utilization and amino acid biosynthesis.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInteraction effect of some micro nutrients and timing of application on grain quality parameters (Zn, Fe and protein contents)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMicro\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNutrients\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTiming of application\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDejen site\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKedamai-weyane site\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eZn\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003emg/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFe\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003emg/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eProtein (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eZn\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003emg/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFe\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003emg/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eProtein (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31.19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e138.48\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e90.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e110.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.91\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e81.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31.94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e83.92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" 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colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e89.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e87.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.52\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.47\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e81.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e109.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.59\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e92.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e99.85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e133.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.69\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e90.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e90.66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73.52\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.99\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e86.20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e94.81\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP-Value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.069\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.023\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD (0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.813\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.466\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.558\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.446\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e87.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.99\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e94.82\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"8\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003eMicro nutrients application (M\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Control, M\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;16 kg Zn ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e, M\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;16 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e, M\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;8 kg Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg Fe ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTime of application (P\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;stem elongation, P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage, P\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;milking stage), LSD\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Least Significance Difference.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe soils in the study region are characterized by low organic matter and continuous cultivation, leading to micronutrient deficiencies. This context reinforces the importance of tailored nutrient management strategies that consider soil nutrient status, crop requirements, and growth stages. The site-specific differences observed in this study emphasize the need for localized interventions to optimize micronutrient applications.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eZinc and iron are indispensable for plant physiological processes. Zinc's involvement in auxin metabolism and cell elongation directly influences plant height (Marschner, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). Similarly, Fe is critical for chlorophyll synthesis and photosynthetic electron transport, processes essential for vegetative growth (Terry and Abadia, 2013). In this study, Zn and Fe applications, particularly at the stem elongation stage, resulted in enhanced plant height and biomass. The observed variations in plant growth responses between the sites may be attributed to differences in soil Zn and Fe availability and environmental conditions, as supported by Alloway (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe role of Zn in pollen viability and fertilization, combined with Fe's contribution to reproductive development, underscores their influence on kernel formation (Cakmak, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). Higher kernel numbers at Dejen suggest favorable soil or environmental conditions for nutrient uptake during critical growth stages. These findings align with Frossard et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e), who emphasized Zn's importance in enhancing grain yield components, particularly in Zn-deficient soils.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe timing of micronutrient application profoundly influenced nutrient uptake and utilization. Early applications at stem elongation and booting stages optimized nutrient availability during periods of rapid vegetative and reproductive growth. This was evident in the superior outcomes for biomass accumulation and grain yield components compared to later-stage applications. Foliar applications effectively bypassed soil-related limitations such as pH and nutrient fixation, providing rapid physiological improvements (Fagerial, 2001).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStudies on wheat by Zhao et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2002\u003c/span\u003e) demonstrated that foliar Zn applications at early growth stages enhanced pollen viability and kernel development, findings that are consistent with the current study. The reduced effectiveness of late-stage applications in this study reflects the limited nutrient assimilation during advanced reproductive stages, corroborating findings by Nazran et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe combined application of Zn and Fe (M4) produced significant synergistic effects on yield and quality parameters. These micronutrients enhance enzymatic activity, protein synthesis, and chlorophyll formation, processes essential for biomass and grain development (Rengel, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e; Cakmak, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). The increased grain Zn and Fe content with M4 applications at multiple growth stages (P3) suggests that steady nutrient availability during critical phases, such as booting and milking, optimizes nutrient translocation to the grain. However, competitive absorption between Zn and Fe, as observed in M3 treatments, highlights the need for balanced applications. Excess Fe can inhibit Zn uptake, as noted by Alloway (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). Site-specific differences, such as higher Zn levels at Kedamai-weyane, emphasize the influence of soil properties, particularly pH and nutrient availability, on micronutrient dynamics (Cakmak, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe increased grain Zn, Fe, and protein content observed in this study holds significant potential for addressing micronutrient deficiencies in human diets, particularly in regions with prevalent malnutrition. Foliar applications of Zn and Fe during grain development stages improved nutrient concentration in barley grains, findings consistent with Grusak \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (1999) and Cakmak (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). These results highlight the importance of remobilizing micronutrients from vegetative tissues to grains during senescence and grain filling.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigher protein content in grains following Zn and Fe applications underscores their role in nitrogen metabolism and enzymatic activity. Studies by Singh et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e) support the role of Zn and Fe in enhancing protein synthesis during critical grain filling stages. These findings suggest that foliar micronutrient applications can serve as an effective strategy to improve both the nutritional quality and productivity of barley.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile this study highlights the benefits of foliar applications of Zn and Fe, further research is needed to explore optimal application rates and timing under varying soil and environmental conditions. Additionally, integrating micronutrient management with other sustainable agricultural practices, such as crop rotation and organic amendments, could further enhance soil fertility and crop productivity.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"CONCLUSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eAgronomic micronutrient bio-fortification could be one of the approaches to alleviate micronutrients deficiency related health problems. Earliest foliar application of Zn and Fe at the stem elongation stage had a better effect on plant height, spike length, number of kernels per spike, crop biomass and grain yield of barley. However, best grain Zn, Fe and protein contents were observed when the whole dose of Zn and Fe were applied at stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;milking stages. Later applications generally gave good results with regard to grain Zn, Fe and protein contents than early foliar applications while the reverse was true with the effects on crop biomass production. Therefore, it can be concluded that the late application of micronutrients (stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stage\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;milking stage) had a better effect on the grain quality of barley.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor maximum grain yield, zinc application (16 kg Zn ha⁻\u0026sup1;) at stem elongation stage proved most effective, while the combined Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Fe treatment (8\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;8 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1;) applied at stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting stages showed the highest yield. Early applications (P1: at stem elongation) primarily enhanced vegetative growth and yield components such as plant height and kernel number, whereas later applications improved nutrient remobilization and grain quality. However, for optimal grain nutritional quality (Zn, Fe, and protein content), three-stage application (stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;milking) of the combined Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Fe treatment was superior. The results highlight zinc's greater impact on yield enhancement compared to iron alone, though iron played a crucial complementary role in improving grain nutritional quality. These findings also suggest a two-phase application strategy: early zinc or Zn\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Fe application for yield improvement, followed by late-stage application for grain quality.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor wide scale implementation, the scientific world generally has more trust in nutrient management recommendations based on soil, climate and land use characteristics. Since the experiment was carried out only in one cropping season in two locations, hence further studies in more seasons and locations are recommended to reach the optimum required levels micronutrient fertilizers for barley production.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003eACKNOWLEDGEMENTS\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research was financially supported by Mekelle University, Tigray, Ethiopia, and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) through the project \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Enhancement of barley productivity through improved crop management practices in the semi-arid highlands of northern Ethiopia\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (Grant No. RU 2015 GRG-136). RUFORUM is a consortium of 175 African universities across 40 countries, headquartered in Kampala, Uganda. Established in 2004, RUFORUM focuses on strengthening capacity in agricultural higher education, research, and innovation, particularly to address the needs of smallholder farmers and rural communities. So, the authors would like to thank Mekelle University for institutional support and the RUFORUM project for financial assistance in conducting the field research and laboratory analyses of nutrient content.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflicts of Interest/Competing Interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research was supported by Mekelle University, Tigray, Ethiopia, and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) through the project \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Enhancement of barley productivity through improved crop management practices in the semi-arid highlands of northern Ethiopia\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (Grant No. RU 2015 GRG-136). The funding bodies had no role in the design of the study, data collection, analysis, interpretation of results, or writing of the manuscript. The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding Declaration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research was financially supported by \u003cstrong\u003eMekelle University\u003c/strong\u003e, Tigray, Ethiopia, and the \u003cstrong\u003eRegional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)\u003c/strong\u003e through the project \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Enhancement of barley productivity through improved crop management practices in the semi-arid highlands of northern Ethiopia\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (Grant No. \u003cstrong\u003eRU 2015 GRG-136\u003c/strong\u003e). The funding organizations had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation of results, or manuscript preparation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClinical Trial Number\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClinical trial number: not applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics, Consent to Participate, and Consent to Publish Declarations\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthics, Consent to Participate, and Consent to Publish declarations: not applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Availability\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. All relevant data supporting the findings of this study are included within the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbraha, A., Uhlen, A., Abay, F., Sahlstrom, S. and Bjornstad, \u0026Aring;. (2013). Roasted barley foods: Processing and varietal differences affecting Kolo and Tihni, traditional grain products in northern Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eCereal foods world\u003c/em\u003e 58(2): 71-79.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAgricultural Transformation Agency (ATA). (2014). \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSoil fertility status and fertilizer recommendation atlas for Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia.\u003c/em\u003e Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlloway, B. J. (2008). \u003cem\u003eZinc in soils and crop nutrition\u003c/em\u003e. International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnteneh A., Dejene K., Dereje A, Alemtsehay, T. (2019). 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Physiological processes influencing zinc bio-fortification of cereals. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Experimental Botany, 53\u003c/em\u003e(370), 1129-1137.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-plants","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Plants](https://link.springer.com/journal/44372)","snPcode":"44372","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/44372/3","title":"Discover Plants","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Barley, micronutrient, time of application, grain quality","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7833472/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7833472/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003ePurpose\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePoor soil fertility, particularly deficiencies of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and micronutrients such as zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), is a major constraint to barley production in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of foliar-applied Zn and Fe and their timing on barley yield and grain quality (Zn, Fe, and protein contents).\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA field experiment was conducted during the 2017 main rainy season in the southeastern zone of Tigray, Ethiopia. A split-plot design with three replications was used. The main plot treatments included four micronutrient applications: control (M1), 16 kg Zn ha⁻\u0026sup1; (M2), 16 kg Fe ha⁻\u0026sup1; (M3), and 8 kg Zn ha⁻\u0026sup1; + 8 kg Fe ha⁻\u0026sup1; (M4). Subplot treatments were three foliar application timings: P1 (stem elongation), P2 (stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting), and P3 (stem elongation\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;booting\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;early milking).\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFoliar application of Zn and Fe at stem elongation improved grain Zn, Fe, and protein contents compared to the control. However, the highest grain Zn, Fe, and protein concentrations were obtained when nutrients were applied three times (P3). Later-stage applications at booting and milking showed stronger effects than early application alone. Grain yield also increased significantly with combined and repeated micronutrient applications.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusions\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFoliar application of Zn and Fe at multiple growth stages, particularly extending to the milking stage, enhances barley grain quality and yield in the Tigray region. This practice can be recommended to address micronutrient deficiencies and improve both nutritional quality and productivity.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Effect of Fe and Zn and Their Timing of Foliar Application on Barley (Hordeumvulgare L.) 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