Food barley varieties in Southern Ethiopia were tested with different levels of nitrogen fertilizer to improve growth and yield. The study found that increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates led to higher grain yields for all barley varieties. The variety EH 1493 had the highest grain yield at 69 kg N ha -1 , while HB1307 had the lowest yield without nitrogen application. This suggests that using EH 1493 with 69 kg N ha -1 can maximize barley productivity in the region.