A 2-year study (1976-1977) was conducted at the Safford Experiment Station, Safford, Arizona to investigate the response of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes to both non-saline and saline environments. The soil types was a Grabe Clay Loam. One environment had received only river irrigation water for the previous 10 years and throughout the experiment (non-saline environment) and the other environment had been irrigated with only well water for the previous 10 years and throughout the experiment (saline environment). Fifteen barley genotypes were grown in each environment each year. The following data were recorded for each genotype each year: (1) plant height, (2) lodging, (3) number of heads per hill, (4) number of seeds per head, (5) seed weight, (6) grain yield, (7) straw yield, (8) grain-to-straw ratio, (9) days from planting to flowering, and (10) days from flowering to maturity. The exchange capacity, soluble ions, and ESP of the soil irrigated with well water were all much higher than the exchange capacity, soluble ions, and ESP of the soil irrigated with river water. The soluble salts, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, sulfate, bicarbonate, and sodium adsorption ratio were all much higher in well irrigation water than were the same chemical properties in river irrigation water. The foregoing soil and water chemical properties indicate that the non-saline environment should be much more conducive to optimum plant growth than the saline environment. Most of the barley genotypes germinated more uniformally, grew better, and produced more forage and grain in the non-saline environment than they did in the saline environment. It required a longer period for barley to reach maturity in the saline environment than it did in the non-saline environment. When the data from the two years were combined, there were positive correlations between grain yield and plant height, number of heads per unit area, and straw yield in both non-saline and saline environments. Since there were significant differences between barley genotypes in a number of growth and yield characteristics in both environments, it should be possible to develop improved barley cultivars for both non-saline and saline environments using plant breeding techniques.

Additional data to calibrate and refine current guidelines for interpreting soil test values is an ongoing need in Arizona. This includes information for soils testing above and below the level that may currently be considered adequate for optimum plant growth. An experiment was conducted at the Maricopa Agricultural Center during the 1985-86 crop year to evaluate the response of durum wheat to the application of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), or zinc (Zn) on a soil testing adequate or higher for all of these nutrients. Grain yields from plots receiving every combination of three of the four nutrients were compared to yields obtained when all four nutrients were applied. No significant change in grain yield was measured as a result of witholding any one of the nutrients. Current guidelines used to interpret soil test results for wheat production correctly predicted the nutrient status of this soil with respect to P, K, Mg, and Zn.

A four-year experiment was conducted at the Mesa Agricultural Center to study the use of dried sewage sludge from the City of Phoenix as a source of plant nutrients in the commercial production of barley grain. The objective was to compare the effects of sewage sludge and commercial fertilizer on barley growth, grain yield, and quality. Three fertilizer treatments were used: (1) suggested rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in Arizona, (2) dried sewage sludge to supply plant-available N in amounts equal to the suggested rate, and (3) N, P, and K from inorganic fertilizers in amounts equal to those in sewage sludge. Characteristics of barley growth, grain yield, and quality were similar for the three fertilizer treatments. Barley can utilize the fertilizer nutrients in dried sewage sludge in the production of grain as effectively as it can utilize the fertilizer nutrients in inorganic fertilizer.

The high yielding spring wheats grown in Arizona usually require applications of fertilizer nitrogen (N) to achieve optimum yields and acceptable quality. The University of Arizona's currently recommended procedure of preplant soil plus periodic stem tissue analysis for NO₃-N to predict the N needs of wheat is not widely used by Arizona growers. A nitrogen fertility trial was conducted at the Maricopa Agricultural Center during the 1985-86 crop year to evaluate the accuracy and practicality of the currently recommended procedure for predicting the optimum N rate for 'Aldura' durum wheat grown on a sandy soil low in residual N. Five rates of N from 0 to 500 lbs N/a were applied in four split applications. Three additional N treatments were made using equivalent amounts of three different N sources (urea, ammonium nitrate, and calcium nitrate) as indicated by the current UA procedure. Maximum grain yields of over 6500 lbs/a and protein levels above 13% were attained with the application of 215 to 250 lbs Nia. The amount of N predicted by the UA procedure (215 lbs N/a) did attain maximum grain yield and resulted in the most favorable adjusted economic return of all the fertilizer treatments used in the trial. Though additional work is needed, the stem NO₃-N tissue test was practical to use and proved quite accurate in predicting the N needs of durum wheat.

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Gypsum is applied to alleviate the problems associated with sodium- affected soils, such as surface crusting and impeded water infiltration. Due to the uncertainties in identifying gypsum-responsive sites, field studies were initiated to further our understanding of conditions responsible for the response of wheat to gypsum applications. Gypsum was applied at rates ranging from 0 to 4 T/A on two commercial farms near Coolidge, AZ. No differences in wheat grain yield, grain protein, stand, grain bushel weight, or plant height were detected at the 5% probability level at either site with the exception of increased plant height at one site. The positive benefits of gypsum have been documented in the past with certain soils; this study is just one of many required to more positively define gypsum-responsive sites in Arizona. The economics of gypsum application involves delivery and application cost of gypsum and the change in yield and value of subsequent crops.

Results from one year's data show that yields of more than five tons per acre are feasible for Fiesta, Gustoe and NKX -1558 barley cultivars. The cultivar Barcott is a shorter season variety; yields were reduced by approximately one ton per acre, compared to the other cultivars. Additional data needs to be collected to verify the amounts of water and nitrogen required for obtaining optimum production.