Chapter 9 - Barley: Grain-Quality Characteristics and Management of Quality Requirements

Abstract

Barley is one of the world’s oldest and most versatile cereal crops. Barley matures under a short growing season allowing it to be grown under a diverse range of environments and geographical locations. The long history and wide spread of barley cultivation are responsible for a broad range of barley utilisation. The adaptability of barley to various growing conditions and the diversity of end uses, malting, feed and food, emphasise the need for broad quality assessment. The desired and required quality characteristics for malting barley have been defined to a much greater extent than those for food and feed barley. New methods for assessment and prediction of quality and value of barley grain are continually pursued, specifically for measuring the homogeneity of barley with instruments such as NIR and Single Kernel Characterization System (SKCS). The future of barley looks promising with beer consumption expected to continue to rise while health benefits are expected to increase consumers’ demand for high β-glucan food barley. Barley’s potential to grow under adverse conditions should be an asset in dealing with climate change but wild swings in the weather will further emphasise the need for quality assessment.