The researchers wanted to find the best timing for applying nitrogen fertilizer to malt barley in Ethiopia. They tested different timings like at planting, mid-tillering, and anthesis. They found that applying one third of the nitrogen at sowing and two thirds at mid-tillering gave the highest grain yield. This timing was as good as the commonly used method of half at sowing and half at mid-tillering. Timing of nitrogen application can significantly affect barley yield.