Barley Crops Research Articles

First Report of Barley virus G in the United States and California.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a valuable annual cereal crop grown widely throughout the United States and the world. The majority of barley grown commercially in California and throughout the U.S. is used for livestock feed, with the remainder being used by the malting industry and, to a lesser extent, direct food consumption; it is also often employed as a cover crop (Lazicki et al. 2016). Yellow dwarf viruses (YDVs), in the family Luteoviridae, that infect barley and other cereal crops are common and widely distributed throughout California and the U.S. (Griesbach et al. 1989; Seabloom et al. 2009). In April 2018, five barley samples exhibiting typical symptoms of YDV infection (primarily yellowing of leaf margins and tips) collected from fields in Yolo county planted with cultivar Butta 12 , were tested for viruses. Total RNA was extracted from leaf tissue using Trizol reagent, according to the manufacturer's protocol. RNA was used as template in a multiplexed RT-PCR assay designed for the generic detection of barley and cereal infecting YDVs, using the protocol established by Malmstrom and Shu (2004). A 372 basepair amplicon indicative of Polerovirus infection was amplified from two of the samples and sequenced (Quintara Biosciences), and the resulting data analyzed via a BLASTn search. No further testing or work was done with the three samples that tested negative. Not unexpectedly, the top result returned for one of the positive samples was Cereal yellow dwarf virus-RPV (CYDV-RPV; 98% identity), a virus common to cereals in California and the U.S.. Unexpectedly, however, the top result returned for the other sample was Barley virus G (BVG), sharing 98.43% identity with the Uiseong BVG isolate (GenBank accession LC259081). To further confirm the presence of BVG in the sample, the full-length viral genome was amplified using two-step RT-PCR with primers targeting the extreme 5' and 3' ends of the viral genome, using the PrimeScript RT and PrimeSTAR GXL DNA Polymerase kits (Takara Bio), cloned into the binary vector pJL89 and a BLAST search of the resulting 5621 nucleotide full-length sequence (100% query coverage) once again returned results showing the YDV to be BVG. The full-length sequence was deposited into GenBank (MW853785). Nucleotide sequence comparisons showed that the CA BVG isolate shares 96.62%, 96.57%, and 96.02% identity with the sequences of the BVG-Gimje (KT962089), BVG-Uiseong (LC259081), and BVG-Aus8 (LC500836) isolates, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of barley virus G in California and in the United states. Currently the prevalence, host range and mode and timing of introduction of BVG in California and the U.S. are unknown; its impact on cereal production and yield in any location in which it has been identified thus far is also unknown and may warrant further investigation.

House of Plenty: Reassessing Food and Farming in Late Bronze Age Croatia

ABSTRACT Bronze Age agriculture in Europe is marked by the adoption of new crops, such as broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum), broad bean (Vicia faba) and gold-of-pleasure (Camelina sativa). Yet, at a regional level, it is sometimes unclear when, where and why these crops are adopted and whether they were all adopted at the same time. Croatia is one such region where archaeobotanical research is limited, making it difficult to discuss Bronze Age agriculture and diet in more detail. The discovery of a burnt-down house with crop stores at Kalnik-Igrišče provides a unique archaeobotanical assemblage and snapshot of late Bronze Age agriculture (1000–800 BC). From the carbonised plant remains discovered at Kalnik-Igrišče we see a dominance in the crops broomcorn millet, barley (Hordeum vulgare), free-threshing wheat (Triticum aestivum/durum/turgidum) and broad bean. Emmer (Triticum dicoccum), spelt (Triticum spelta), and lentil (Lens culinaris) were also found, suggesting they were probably minor crops, while spatial analysis indicates distinct crop storage areas within the building. Overall, these finds support the adoption and integration of these new crops within northern Croatia by the late Bronze Age, while highlighting implications for seasonal strategies, risk management, and cultural dietary choice.

QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION THE MICROORGANISMS OF RHIZOSPHERE AGRICULTURAL PLANTS

During 2020, on the basis of stationary and temporary field experiments, which are located in the Skvуra Research Station of Organic Production of NAAS, Nosiv SDS and the Institute of Vegetable and Melon NAAS were studied quantitative composition of the soil micromycetes under different agricultural crops: winter wheat, spring barley and onion. The vegetation period in the Kyiv region was characterized by – sufficiently moist (HTC 1,7), and in Chernihiv and Kharkiv regions drought prevailed (HTC 0,6). Adverse weather conditions such as drought or waterlogging are crucial factors in changing the number of mycobiomes in the studied soils.Stationary field experiments in the selection Nosivka during the ontogenesis winter wheat characterized the greatest number pedatrophic and less number of amylolytic, cellulosolytic ecological-trophic groups. The stationary experiments field researches were also conducted in Skvyra Research Station of Organic Production. Where the rhizosphere soil under spring barley crops is characterized by a larger number of micromycetes, as well as amylolytic and cellulolytic ecological-trophic groups. Was determined the number of soil micromycetes the main ecological and trophic groups. The rhizosphere soil on the stationary field of the Institute of Vegetable and Melon NAAS during the ontogenesis of different varieties of onions characterized by high number cellulosolytic group of micromycetes, which despite the decrease in the hydrothermal coefficient increased by the end of the growing season of the culture.Therefore, the interaction between plants and micromycetes is a dynamic process in which the hydrothermal coefficient during the growing season, soil type, and the root system of agricultural plants, this influences the formation of soil mycobiome.

Aviv barley and calendar diversity among Jews in eleventh-century Palestine

One of the most salient medieval Qaraite practices was setting the calendar by observation of natural phenomena. While the Rabbanites followed arithmetical schemes, Qaraites set months by sighting the new moon and intercalated years on the basis of the state of ripeness of barley crops ( aviv ). Multiple Qaraite treatises on the aviv are preserved, but documentary evidence of empirical intercalation is scarce, making it difficult to learn how it was performed in practice. This article examines two Qaraite calendar chronicles that document barley observations and decisions regarding intercalation in a range of years in the eleventh century. They shed important light on how the Qaraite calendar operated over periods of time and attest to frequent calendar difference within the Qaraite movement and between Qaraites and Rabbanites. The chronicles make it clear that the Qaraite calendar of the period was not a monolithic system counterposed to that of the Rabbanites.

OPTIMIZATION OF TECHNOLOGICAL METHODS OF CULTIVATION OF WINTER BARLEY IN CONDITIONS EXPERIMENTAL FIELD WNAU

The spread of areas under crops of winter barley is associated with great national economic importance, since its products include malt, feed grain, hay and are used in the food industry. The main reasons for the production of an insufficient amount of winter barley grain is a violation of cultivation technologies. Among the main ones are the untimely use of means of protection or the absence of these measures to regulate the number of harmful organisms in crops of winter barley to an economically imperceptible level. Violation of the scientific foundations of agriculture and changes in weather and climatic conditions led to an increase in the development of diseases, the number of weeds in winter barley crops. During seed dressing with modern highly effective dressing agents, conditions are created under which winter barley plants better tolerate stress, improve the development of their root system, which is important for plants in preparation for winter entry. The infestation of winter barley fields is accompanied by the appearance of both early and late crops, a certain periodicity of the appearance of weeds of different biological groups. Accordingly, in different conditions and in different fields, the weed structure can differ significantly. Therefore, the development of highly effective systems for protecting winter barley crops from weeds largely depends on the completeness of the study of phytocenoses and the species composition of weeds. The introduction of herbicides on crops of winter barley contributed to a sharp decrease in weeds. Dicotyledonous weeds were almost completely destroyed, in the agrocenoses of winter barley, mainly cereal weeds remained, but they did not pose a threat to barley plants. Control of barley and weed plant diseases in agrocenoses provides an increase in crop yields, as well as an improvement in grain quality. To obtain the planned level of grain yield of winter barley of appropriate quality, it is recommended before sowing barley seeds to treat with a disinfectant Scenik 80 FS at a rate of 1,5 l/ha, and for effective weed control in winter barley crops, spray with herbicide Caliber 75 c. g. + South Africa Trend 90 at a rate of 50 g/ha + 0,2 l/ha, which helps reduce weeds to 96,5% and will allow to obtain a grain yield of winter barley at 6,24 t/ha.

ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКОЕ СОСТОЯНИЕ ЛУГОВО-ЧЕРНОЗЕМНОЙ ПОЧВЫ ПРИ ДЛИТЕЛЬНОМ ОРОШЕНИИ

The research was carried out on an irrigated stationary crop rotation of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Omsk Agrarian Research Center” in the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia. The aim of the research was to establish the direction and intensity of mobilization biological processes in case of long-term irrigation, their quantitative characteristics, as well as possible adverse changes of biological (ecological) properties of meadow – black soil. The microbial community performs the function of maintaining soil homeostasis, therefore it quickly responds to habitat changes. The intensity of soil mineralization and humus formation processes was determined by a combination of fertilization and irrigation factors. It was found that immobilization processes prevailed in the soil under crops. The highest coefficient of organic matter transformation, i.e. transformation increase of plant residues into organic matter, was noted when introducing nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers for barley crops. Application of mineral fertilizers promoted an increase of the number of the defined microorganisms, enhanced cellulose decomposition in the soil, potential capacity of soils to accumulate nitrate and enzyme activity, which ultimately increased the yield of cultivated crops. The yield of perennial grasses on a fertilized background was at the control level due to loss of legumes (goat’s rue) and predominance of bluegrass species (awnless brome). A strong correlation was obtained between the intensity of cellulose decomposition in the soil, nitrification capacity and crop yields (r = 0.67 ± 0.28 and 0.91 ± 0.16, respectively). Long-term irrigation of meadow-black soil did not have a negative impact on its ecological state, and usage of intensive cultivation technology of crops in crop rotation stimulated an increase of soil microorganisms and their activity.

Theoretical analysis of different solar water pumping irrigation systems for seasonal crops in three geographical locations in Egypt

Solar energy has a good potential in several agriculture applications especially in rural and isolated areas and can be considered as a clean substitution fuel instead of fossil fuels. The photovoltaic water pumping system is one of the best alternative irrigation methods. This article presents a procedure for estimating the appropriate size of a photovoltaic system designed to power a pumping system for four irrigation methods (surface, sprinkler, drip, and developed surface irrigation) under different climate conditions for summer of three crops (cotton, thin corn, and soybean) and for winter of three crops (wheat, Bean and Barley). The solar simulation model estimated the hydraulic power, photovoltaic (PV) peak power, PV required area, total system costs and specific water demand according to the type of crop under different irrigation methods in three different geographical locations in Egypt at a different total dynamic head 50,100, and 200 m. As a comparison between the required water demand in several irrigation systems, it is found that the percentage of the amount of water demand per Fadden (m3/F) related to surface irrigation system for summer crops such as cotton crop was 85.7%, 79.9%, 66.7% in developed surface, sprinkler, and drip irrigation respectively. While in case of thin corn crop was 74.3%, 79.9%, 66.7% and for Soybean was 85.7%, 79.9%, 66.6%, respectively. In winter crops, the percentage of the amount of water demand per Fadden (m3/F) related to surface irrigation system for wheat crop was 85.6%, 79.9%, 66.7% and for bean crop was 85.7%, 0.79%, 66.7%, and for Barley crop was 85.7%, 79.9%, 66.6% in developed surface, sprinkler, and drip irrigation respectively

On-field assessment of the environmental modulation of malting quality in barley crops

• The environmental modulation of grain attributes affecting malt extract was assessed on-field. • Malt extract was affected by protein content, grain size, pasting temperature, and d - and γ-hordeins. • The effect of protein content on malt extract was non-linear and cultivar specific. • Temperature explored during sensitivity windows within grain filling determined grain size and pasting temperature. Malt extract is the most relevant parameter describing malting quality in barley. The observed differences in malt extract from crops grown in different environments are complex to explain, and their interpretation might represent an opportunity to improve malting quality for barley crops grown under field conditions. Although the effect of some grain attributes on malt extract are overall known (e.g. protein content and grain size) other are less understood and are complex to replicate across experiments, with few evidence of how they are controlled by the environment during grain filling (e.g. hordeins and pasting properties). Four commercial malting barley cultivars were sown on eleven sowing dates across four years to explore a wide range of thermal conditions during grain filling. Contrasting nitrogen availabilities were included to promote variability in the protein content. Grain plumpness, protein content, pasting temperature, and the amount of d - and γ-hordeins showed a significant effect on malt extract. Protein content showed a negative effect on malt extract only when it was above a threshold value of ca. 10 %, although that threshold varied between cultivars. Pasting temperature presented a significant interaction with protein content. d -hordein showed a negative effect on malt extract only when the protein content was below the threshold, explaining some of the contradictory results reported in the literature. Evidence of a negative effect of γ-hordeins on malt extract was found as well. The period between pollination and physiological maturity was arbitrarily divided into thermal-time intervals, and correlation analyses were performed between mean temperature during each period and the grain attributes affecting malt extract. For all the cultivars, only two attributes were found to be modulated by the thermal environment explored by the crop during grain filling: pasting temperature was positively correlated to the mean temperature explored by the crop during the middle of grain filling, whereas grain plumpness was negatively correlated with the mean temperature during the second half of grain filling. Quantitative models reported in the present study in addition to offering an explanation of how malting quality is shaped in the field, constitute a useful tool for agro-climatic zoning for the suitability of high-quality malting barley production.

The use of the data derived from the PlanetScope satellite and unmanned aerial vehicles to estimate crop yield as dependent on the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied

The purpose of the present study is to show the usefulness of the satellite data and the data derived from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for estimating the relationship between cereal grain crop yield and the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied. The study was conducted on the land of the Kuraginskoye Research Farm. The study material was spring barley cv. Biom. Three test plots were studied; mineral fertilizer, urea, was used in different quantities for foliar application in June; applications were performed at equal intervals. Multispectral images were based on PlanetScope satellite data, with the 3 m spatial resolution, and the data derived from the DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral UAV, with the 10 cm resolution. The satellite and UAV data were used to calculate spectral vegetation index (NDVI) (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index). A high correlation was obtained between the NDVI values calculated using satellite data and UAV data. The satellite data provided the basis for assessing barley crop yield as dependent on the amount of foliar-applied urea during the growing season. Maps of the spatial distribution of barley NDVI were constructed using the Phantom UAV data; they showed that the third foliar application of the fertilizer was not economically justified.

Assessment of genetic diversity in chinese hulless barley accessions for qualitative traits

Cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) has been proven to be an economically important model plant and having large genetic diversity among the species. The effective exploitation of qualitative characters in barley can be measured by its genetic diversity and interrelationship. This study aims to determine the assessment of genetic diversity in Chinese hulless barley accessions for qualitative traits. Presently, in this study, the genetic diversity of 208 Chinese hulless barley from different Provinces of China, 111 genotypes were from the Tibet plateau, 30 Sichuan, 2 USA, 1 Canada, 12 Gansu, 51 Qinghai, 1 Yunnan was investigated; collected. Almost all the qualitative traits including crude protein, fiber, starch, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber exhibited significantly high variability (p≤0.0001) among the cultivars. The data were analyzed using Statistics 8.1. In this study, significantly high variation was observed between starch content and neutral detergent fiber (23.64% and 11.54%). However, the highest diversity is based on the magnitude of the coefficient of variation exhibited in crude protein (13.82%), starch (12.87%), and fiber (12.17%). There was a significantly positive correlation between fiber, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber except for starch content with crude protein and fiber that exhibited a significant negative correlation (r= -0.38*** and r= -0.92***). A large genetic diversity was observed through cluster analysis among all the 208 barley accessions, distance coefficient ranging between 0.28 and 75.86. The histogram revealed that frequency distributions of 208 different genotypes of hulless barley crop with all five different characters, crude protein, fiber, starch, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, showed normal distribution. It is concluded that this hulless barley study showed genetic diversity among the accessions and confirmed genetic diversity in various traits used.

Оптимизация технологии возделывания ярового ячменя в регионе Черноземья

In the conditions of the Central Chernozem region of Russia, an optimized technology for growing spring barley of the "Vakula" P4 variety was tested. Optimization of the technology was carried out according to the weed control element in five variants, depending on the use of herbicides: Puma Super (farm technology), Ballerina super (optimization), Prima (optimization), Ballerina forte (optimization), Lancelot (optimization). The conducted studies have shown that perennial and annual dicotyledonous weeds have a significant distribution in spring barley crops in the conditions of the Central Chernozem zone. Of these, according to the abundance indicators, white mar, medicinal dymyanka, white sandman, bindweed mountaineer, field yarutka, yellow osot, frankincense pickle predominates. A comparative analysis of optimization on the impact on plant productivity revealed that the most effective technologies for a wide range of weeds were technologies using herbicides Lancelot, Ballerina Super and Ballerina Forte. The highest barley yield of 34.4, 32.3 and 33.7 c/ha, respectively, was noted on these variants of technology application. Key words: SPRING BARLEY, HERBICIDES, CULTIVATION TECHNOLOGY, OPTIMIZATION

Molecular Evaluation and Identification of Some Barley Hybrids Tolerant to Salt Stress.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Barley is considering one of the most important cereal crops at the local and global levels. It is ranked second in terms of nutritional importance after wheat and its flour contributes significantly to bridging the large nutritional gap in the production of Egyptian bread. The aim of this study concentrated on knowing and testing the genetic behaviour responsible for salinity stress tolerance in barley as trying to improve barley crop and increase its ability for abiotic stress resistance under Egyptian conditions. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Twenty-one crosses and ten parents of barley with different responses to salinity tolerance were evaluated in this investigation under normal and salinity conditions. Yield and its components and some physiological traits related to salt stress tolerance were the most important studied attributes evaluated in this regard under both conditions. Moreover, SSR markers were used to evaluate and identified associated markers for salinity tolerance in selected hybrids and comparing among the ten barley parents. <b>Results:</b> The final results confirmed that the three testers; Giza 123, Giza 126 and Giza 2000 besides; the crosses; Line 1XTester 1 (Giza 125XGiza 123), Line 2XTester 1 (Giza 133XGiza 123), Line 1XTester 2 (Giza 125XGiza 126), Line 2XTester 2 (Giza 133XGiza 126) and Line 1XTester 3 (Giza 125XGiza 2000) exhibited highly salinity tolerance under saline stress treatment compared with the control experiment. Among 15 analyzed barley entries, the chosen set of 11 markers amplified 20 alleles with an average of 1.81, with a range from 1-4 alleles. <b>Conclusion:</b> The results of SSR analysis and the data on valued agricultural trait loci determined the genetic distance among parents and their hybrids, which is of an unlimited rate for breeders.

Assessment of crop damage by rodent pests from experimental barley crop fields in Farta District, South Gondar, Ethiopia.

This study was conducted in Farta district, south Gondar from 2019 to 2020 cropping years to identify rodent pest species and estimate damage caused on barley crops. Four independent barley crop fields (40 x 40 m each) were sampled randomly to estimate the loss. Two were located near Alemsaga Priority State Forest and the other two were away from the forest. Four (2 x 2 m) rodent exclusion plots were established at 10 m interval as control units in each selected experimental barley fields using fine wire mesh. Rodent pest species were collected using both Sherman and snap traps throughout the different crop growing stages. The damaged and undamaged barley tillers by pest rodents were counted on five 1 x 1 m randomly sampled quadrats for each selected experimental fields. Variations on pest rodent population between cropping years and sites were analyzed using Chi square test. The mean crop damages between cropping years and experimental field sites were analyzed using two way ANOVA. Arvicanthis abyssinicus, Mastomys natalensis, Arvicanthis dembeensis, Mus musculus, Lophuromys simensis, Tachyoryctes splendens and Hystrix cristata were identified as pest rodents in the study area. A total of 968 individual rodents (427 in 2019 and 541 in 2020) were trapped during the study period. There was a statistical variation (χ2 = 13.42, df = 1 and P<0.05) between trapped individuals of the two successive years. The crop fields near the forest were more vulnerable than away from the forest during both cropping years. Statistical variations was observed on mean crop losses between cropping years and experimental barley crop sites. The highest crop damage was seen at maturity stage and the lowest during sowing in all experimental plots and cropping years. The percentage of barley yield loss due to rodent pests was 21.7 kg ha-1. The monetary value of this yield loss was equivalent to 4875 Birr (121.9 US$ h-1). Alemsaga Forest as shelter and conservation strategies like free of farmland from livestock and terracing for soil conservation have great role for the high rodent pest populations in the study area. Field sanitation, trapping and using restricted rodenticides like zinc phosphide are the possible recommendation to local farmers against rodent pests.

Long-term effects of gasification biochar application on soil functions in a Mediterranean agroecosystem: Higher addition rates sequester more carbon but pose a risk to soil faunal communities

Biochar applications can have important implications for many of the soil functions upon which agroecosystems rely, particularly regarding organic carbon storage. This study evaluated the impacts of adding a highly aromatic gasification biochar at different rates (0, 12 and 50 t ha-1) to a barley crop on the provision of crucial soil functions (carbon sequestration, water content, greenhouse gas emissions, nutrient cycling, soil food web functioning, and food production). After natural ageing in the field for six years, a wide range of soil properties representative of the studied soil functions were measured and integrated into a soil quality index. Results showed that C sequestration increased with biochar rate (23 and 68% higher than in the control for the 12 and 50 t biochar ha-1 treatments, respectively). Water content was enhanced at the 50 t ha-1 treatment depending on the sampling date. Despite biochar additions neither abating nor increasing CO2 equivalent emissions (carbon dioxide plus nitrous oxide and methane), the system shifted from being a methane sink (-0.017 ± 0.01 mg CH4-C m-2 h-1 at the 12 t ha-1 treatment), to a net source (0.025 ± 0.02 mg CH4-C m-2 h-1 at the 50 t ha-1 treatment). In addition, biochar ageing provoked a loss of nitrate mitigation potential, and indeed ammonium production was stimulated at the 50 t ha-1 rate. The 50 t ha-1 treatment also adversely affected nematode and collembolan functional diversity. Lastly, biochar did not affect barley yield. The results of the soil quality index indicated that no biochar treatment provided more benefits to our agricultural soil, and, although the 50 t ha-1 treatment increased C sequestration, this was potentially offset by its harmful effects on soil faunal communities. Therefore, application of this biochar at high rates should be avoided to prevent risks to soil biological communities.

Вплив глибини локалізації мінеральних добрив на поживний режим чорнозему опідзоленого важкосуглинкового та врожайність ячменю ярого

The purpose of the research is to determine the impact of the depth of local application of mineral fertilizers on the nutrient content in the arable layer of soil and the yield of spring barley. The studies were carried out during 2018 - 2020 in a temporary small-plot experiment. Soil – chernozem podzolized loamy (Luvic Chernic Phaeozem). The application of N60P60K60 in the form of nitroammophoska or a mixture of ammophos, ammonium nitrate and potassium chloride was compared to a depth of 10-12 cm and 20-22 cm from the soil surface. The row spacing of barley crops was 15 cm; the fertilizer tape was placed at a distance of 4-5 cm away from the row. Mixed soil samples were taken from fertilizer tapes twice during the growing season of barley (in the first half of the growing season and after harvesting). The weather conditions were quite contrasting: in 2018 it was dry at the beginning of the growing season and during grain ripening, in 2019 was dry only during the formation of grain, and in 2020 - rather humid and relatively cool during almost the entire growing season. At the beginning of the growing season of barley in 2018, the highest content of mineral nitrogen in the soil was found with a shallow location of the fertilizers, but in 2019-2020 - in case fertilizer tapes at 20-22 cm from the surface. Location of fertilizer at a depth of 20-22 cm also provided a higher level of mobile phosphorus and potassium in the soil than applying at a depth of 10-12 cm. After the barley harvest, the highest accumulation of mineral nitrogen in the soil in 2018 was found with shallow application and in 2019-2020 - with deeper application. A tendency of more accumulation of chlorophyll in plants was observed with an increase in the depth of fertilization. Local application of fertilizers gave a reliable increase in yield in all variants of the experiment. However, the increase was twice as high when placing the fertilizer tape was at a depth of 20-22 cm as at a depth of 10-12 cm. Application of nitroammophoska to a depth of 20-22 cm was more effective than mixtures of simple and complex fertilizers. It was concluded that the hydrothermal conditions of the growing season and the depth of the location of fertilizers mutually affect the nutrient regime of the soil. The advantage of deep fertilization is more significant under insufficient moisture.

Comparative assessment of spray nozzles efficacy in the control of fusarium head blight in the barley crops using developed quantitative PCR assay

Fusarium species infect cereal spikes during anthesis and cause Fusarium head blight (FHB), a destructive disease of cereal crops with worldwide economic relevance. The necessity for these phytopathogenic fungi effective control becomes increasingly important for the production of both cultivated plants and those plants seeds. Fungicide application is a key methodology for controlling the disease development and mycotoxin contamination in cereals. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is currently the most commonly admitted DNA-based technology for specific, rapid and precise Fusarium detection. We have developed and patented the method for detection and quantitative determination of phytopathogenic fungi F. avenaceum and F. graminearum in plant seeds using Real-Time PCR with a pair of primers, designed to amplify sequences of the internal transcribed spacer at the ribosomal RNA gene cluster of those phytopathogenic fungi. This study was aimed to perform a comparative assessment of the efficacy of different spray nozzles for antifungal treatment to control F. avenaceum and F. graminearum infection of barley grains using a developed qPCR diagnostic system. A single application of a fungicide (active ingredient's content: 250 g/l propiconazole, 80 g/l cyproconazole) at BBCH 65 (middle of flowering) was carried out. For this purpose, four spray nozzles with different technical characteristics were used: Flat Fan 030, Amistar 030, Defy 3D 030 and Vegetable 060 (Pentair, USA). DNA-based fungi detection and identification was performed using conventional PCR and developed qPCR. The level of mycotoxins in barley grain was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Grain count in the ear of barley and thousand seed weight (TSW) were also examined.&#x0D; A single application of the fungicide inhibited the development of FHB and is accompanied by the slight increase of TSW values in treated plants. It was found, that the most effective fungicide was against F. avenaceum and F. graminearum. The inhibitory effect depended on sprayer type. According to qPCR results, the best performance was achieved when using Amistar 030 and Flat Fan (FF) 030 sprayers. The average concentration of deoxynivalenol (DON) content in all barley grain samples were up to 4 times higher than the permissible level. Overall, because of the high contamination levels, found in tested samples, it is possible to state that a single application of the fungicide at the flowering phase was not able to effectively reduce DON contamination in barley samples.&#x0D; The developed test-system for qPCR provides new important information in the study of the effectiveness of fungicides and development of strategies to control FHB in cereals, not achievable with conventional PCR.

Using Rhizosphere Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria to Improve Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Plant Productivity.

On average less than 1% of the total phosphorous present in soils is available to plants, making phosphorous one of the most limiting macronutrients for crop productivity worldwide. The aim of this work was to isolate and select phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) from the barley rhizosphere, which has other growth promoting traits and can increase crop productivity. A total of 104 different bacterial isolates were extracted from the barley plant rhizosphere. In this case, 64 strains were able to solubilize phosphate in agar plates. The 24 strains exhibiting the highest solubilizing index belonged to 16 different species, of which 7 isolates were discarded since they were identified as putative phytopathogens. The remaining nine strains were tested for their ability to solubilize phosphate in liquid medium and in pot trials performed in a greenhouse. Several of the isolated strains (Advenella mimigardefordensis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium and Burkholderia fungorum) were able to significantly improve levels of assimilated phosphate, dry weight of ears and total starch accumulated on ears compared to non-inoculated plants. Since these strains were able to increase the growth and productivity of barley crops, they could be potentially used as microbial inoculants (biofertilizers).

Over winter cover crops provide yield benefits for spring barley and maintain soil health in northern Europe

A three-year field experiment investigated the potential yield benefits and soil effects from over winter cover crops in Scotland, U.K. Brassica composition of cover crops significantly increased the grain yield and grain nitrogen (N) concentration of the following spring barley crop. The increased yield with cover crops was outweighed by increased costs and thus without subsidy (Ecological Focus Area) payments there was decreased profitability for the following spring barley crop. Cover crop effects were mostly neutral on soil properties, but surface shear strength was significantly lower than in the stubble control. This indicates that even direct drilling of cover crops will loosen the surface soil. Cover crops varied in their effect on slug populations but in all cases slug numbers were below treatment thresholds. No cover crop effects were detected for total nematode and earthworm abundance or the total soil organic carbon concentration. This study indicates that cover crops can improve cereal production in a region with a short growing season with no negative impact on soil health or the agronomic sustainability.

Developing a method for integrating canopy measurements into evapotranspiration predictions

The availability of affordable instruments that measure surface radiative temperature and canopy cover have made it possible, in principle, to extend and improve existing methods of estimating potential evapotranspiration (ET) to predictions where assumptions of ‘full cover’ and ‘well-watered’ are violated. The aim of this study was to develop a model for ET whose input data requirements were not large, and would make use of surface temperature and cover measurements to predict ET in both potential and sub-potential conditions. A randomised experiment was conducted with two cultivars of barley (‘Dash’ and ‘Omaka’, erect and prostrate leaved, respectively) in combination with three irrigation treatments (High, Mid and Low) in a rain-out shelter. The treatments produced a wide range of surface temperature, cover and ET. Water fluxes in the soil were measured by methods sensitive enough to detect changes on the timescale of hours. Meteorological variables, short wave radiation albedo, ground heat flux density and surface temperature were logged on a sub-hour timescale. The Priestley and Taylor potential ET equation is modified and additional equations are derived to allow the inclusion of a crop coefficient to account for incomplete cover and to vary the alpha coefficient based on surface temperature to account for soil drying. Equations were also derived for estimating short-wave radiation, albedo and soil heat flux from canopy cover and meteorological variables. The resulting equations were able to quantify a wide range of ET values measured by detailed water balance in barley crops that often had incomplete canopy cover and encountered differing degrees of water stress. We conclude the approach presented has promise but requires broader testing. The successful integration of canopy measurements with an ET model will enable the production of ET maps which will have broad applications in research and irrigation management applications.

Effect of sowing dates and fertilization treatments on productivity of barley crop under Upper Egypt conditions.

A study was conducted during 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt, with the objective to study the effect of different date of sowing and fertilization treatments on productivity of barley cultivar Giza 121. The experiment was in a split-plot arrangement was based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Three sowing dates were assigned to the main plots and thirteen fertilization treatments to the sub-plots. There was a significant effect of the interaction between sowing dates and fertilization treatments on study traits (plant height, spike length, spike weight, number of spikes/m2, 1000-grain weight, grain yield/plant, grain yield per feddan and straw yield per feddan). The highest values of previous traits were recorded under sowing barley cultivar Giza 121 at 15th of November and applied of 75% recommended NPK + biofertilization + humic acid. Keywords: Sowing date, NPK, humic acid, biofertilizer