Reduced nitrogen rate sustains malt barley yield and quality in malt barley‐pea rotation

Rotational benefit of pea (Pisum sativum L.) may reduce N fertilization rate and sustain malt barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) yield and quality in the malt barley‐pea rotation. This study examined the effect of cover crop [oat (Avena sativa L.) cover crop vs. none] and N fertilization rate (0, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 kg N ha−1) on malt barley growth, yield, and quality in the malt barley‐pea rotation from 2012 to 2019 in the northern Great Plains. Cover crop biomass yield and N accumulation were greater in 2016 than other years. Compared to fallow, malt barley plant density with cover crop was 9%–13% lower from 2013 to 2015, but 10% greater in 2017. Malt barley straw yield was 38% greater in 2017 and grain yield 15%–39% greater in 2017 and 2018, but grain plumpness was 5%–10% lower in 2014 and 2017 with than without cover crop. Increasing N fertilization rate linearly increased grain yield and N uptake, but reduced grain test weight and plumpness in most years. Straw N concentration and uptake and grain protein concentration varied by year. Because of the similar grain yield, protein concentration, plumpness, and test weight between 60 and 80 kg N ha−1, 60 kg N ha−1 can be recommended to sustain malt barley yield and quality in the malt barley‐pea rotation, regardless of cover crops. This helps to reduce N fertilization rate by 20 kg N ha−1 for malt barley in dryland cropping systems of the US northern Great Plains. Core Ideas Malt barley growth, yield, and quality in response to cover cropping and N fertilization were examined in malt barley‐pea rotation. Malt barley straw and grain yields were lower, but grain plumpness was greater with than without cover cropping. Increasing N fertilization rate increased grain yield and N uptake but reduced grain test weight and plumpness. A 60 kg N ha−1 of N fertilization rate can be used to sustain mall barley yield and quality in the malt barley‐pea rotation. This resulted in a reduction of 20 kg N ha−1 of N fertilization rate from the recommended rate of 80 kg N ha−1.