Crop rotation and fertilization effect on barley yield grown in arid conditions

Field experiments were conducted in North Part of Jordan to determine the best combination of crop rotations and fertilization levels that would improve the productivity of land and increase barley production under dryland conditions. Six-year field trials were conducted from 1996/1997 to 2001/2002 growing seasons at Ramtha Agricultural Research Station in north Jordan. Treatments effect was independent from each other and it is possible to select the best combination of treatments that give the highest yield. Rotation effect varied across growing seasons. Barley/vetch rotation showed the highest productive rotation. Additionally, barley yield was the same after vetch as after fallow. The application of 30 and 80 kg ha(-1) of nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively, resulted in the highest values of fertilizer utilization efficiency.