Barley Grain Research Articles

Impact of low-doses gamma radiation on phytochemicals and bioactive compounds in barley microgreens

Purpose Microgreens have gained wide acceptance among consumers due to their low calorie content and rich composition of micronutrients and antioxidants, making them one of the best microgreen options. Therefore, this research is intended to investigate the effect of γ-rays on its growth and functional components and to confirm the possibility of using barley microgreens as a complementary and efficient food source. Material and methods Barley grains were exposed to various doses (10, 20, 30, and 40 Gy) of gamma rays, as well as the un-irradiated sample is considered as the control. The stimulating effects on growth and biochemical components of barley microgreens were evaluated. Results The results revealed that plant height increased significantly in response to gamma radiation exposure, and the maximum increase (23.87 cm) was obtained at a dose of 30 Gy. Otherwise, Ch a, Ch b, and carotenoid significantly increased (1.33, 0.941, and 0.181 mg/g FW), respectively at 30 Gy compared to the control (0.937, 0.448, and 0.132 mg/g FW), respectively. Also, the soluble sugars, proteins, and total free amino acids content were enhanced by increasing the dose level, and the maximum increase was noticed at 40 Gy of gamma rays. A remarkable increase was observed in the phenolic and flavonoid contents at 40 Gy (5.65 and 2.65 mg/g FW), respectively compared to control (4.57 and 2.16 mg/g FW). In the amino acids profile, glutamic acid was predominant, and the amino acids group was improved markedly by gamma rays compared with the control, and the dose of 40 Gy gave the greatest contents (141.60 µg/g DW), followed by 30 Gy (139.58 µg/g DW) in the control (121.34 µg/g DW). Current findings indicated that γ-rays have negative effects on γ-tocopherol, cholesterol, and stigmasterol, and the maximum decrease was observed with 40 Gy (21.774, 199.335, and 722.778 mg/kg DW), respectively. In contrast, it had positive effects on the values of ergosterol, α-tocopherol, and β-sitosterol (3580.674, 5255.511, and 5281.320 mg/kg DW), respectively. Conclusions The results showed that treatment of barley grain with low doses of gamma rays stimulated; growth, biochemical compound, and antioxidants production, increasing the nutritional value of barley microgreens, improving microgreens defense and supporting the use of these grains as a complementary and efficient food.

Antigone canadensis (Sandhill Crane) foraging patterns influenced by crop type, roost distance, and tillage intensity during spring and autumn migration at a primary stopover area

ABSTRACT The San Luis Valley in Colorado, USA, an agriculturally dominated stopover area, is used by the Rocky Mountain population of Antigone canadensis tabida (Greater Sandhill Crane) and some midcontinental individuals of A. c. canadensis (Lesser Sandhill Crane) during migration. While the numbers of both subspecies are stable, the effects of continued water scarcity and declines in grain output on the energetics of cranes in the San Luis Valley are unclear. We conducted roadside counts of A. c. tabida and A. c. canadensis on agricultural fields to determine the effects of crop type, roost distance, and tillage intensity on their selection and abundance on crop fields. Antigone canadensis varied in their use of the San Luis Valley for foraging. In autumn, both subspecies selected barley and other grains over other crop types. In spring, cranes preferred to forage in barley fields, and selection declined as distance to roosts increased. Both subspecies also selected barley fields that were lightly or not tilled. We modeled covariates on abundance for A. c. tabida only and found that more cranes were found close to roosts early in the season in autumn. As the season progressed, the number of A. c. tabida increased as roost distance increased. In spring, abundance was influenced by an interaction between time and crop, with the highest numbers found on barley and pasture around mid-March. Our results suggest that A. canadensis may switch to other crop types as resources are depleted near roosts but appear to prefer to fly farther for grains. Grains that are left idle or moderately tilled and are located near roosts will help ensure A. canadensis are able to maintain adequate nutrient reserves at agriculturally dominated stopover areas during migration.

Amino acid composition of protein in hulles barley

Hulles barley grain with a high protein percentage and a complete amino acid composition is used as an ingredient in the production of food and feed with increased nutritional and consumer value. It is necessary to search for the initial material of hulles barley with a high content of essential, limiting and replaceable amino acids in order to develop high-tech varieties for food and feed products. The purpose of the current study was to determine the amino acid composition of protein in spring hulles barley varieties from the VIR collection, to identify sources with a high protein content and improved amino acid composition for use in breeding programs for the development of high-qualitative hulles barley varieties for various applications. The study was conducted at the Samara Research Institute of Agriculture of RAS in 2023–2024. Spring hulles barley varieties from the VIR collection were used as experimental material. The amino acid composition of protein was determined by capillary electrophoresis (KAPEL-105M). When studying the VIR collection of spring hulles barley in 2023–2024, there was identified a group of variety samples with an increased protein percentage, regardless of weather conditions (19.0–19.9 % on average over the years of study), which should be included in hybridization to develop high-tech varieties ‘k-5411’, ‘k-20041’, ‘k-25872’, ‘k-31125’, ‘k-21694’, ‘k-23450’, ‘k-11069’, ‘k-3115’ demonstrating their raw material advantages and areas of use. From the collection and breeding material of hulles barley grown in the arid conditions of the steppe part of the Middle Volga region, there have been identified the sources ‘k-4526’, ‘k-5058’, ‘k-5411’, ‘k-6246’, ‘k-8923’, ‘k-25872’, ‘k-31520’, ‘k-21694’, ‘Nudum 15’, ‘Streletsky golozerny’, ‘Tseleste 17’ with a high content of essential (4.30–4.80 %) and limiting amino acids (0.85–0.94 %), as well as a total amino acid content (13.88–14.69 %), which are recommended for use in the breeding programs to develop high-quality hulles barley varieties for the food and feed industries.

Winter barley: species composition of phytophags, their harmfulness and assessment of chemical measures effectiveness

It has been determined that in the conditions of Belarus, the formed complex of phytophags in winter barley crops includes 49 species belonging to 28 genera, 19 families, and 7 orders. The most harmful objects during the years of research (2023–2024) were multivorous pests – click beetles (Athoinae and Elaterinae), of intra-stem pests – Oscinella pusilla Mg., leaf-eaters – Oulema melanopus L. and Dolerus niger L., sucking pests – Aelia acuminata L. The conjugation of development of dominant phytophagous species with phenology of winter barley has been specified: during germination – sprouting, the damage is caused by click beetles; leaf development – Swedish flies, cicadas; flag leaf – earing – barley leaf beetle and leaf sawflies; flowering – beginning of grain formation – Swedish flies of summer generation, species of bugs and aphids. New species of pests in agrocenoses were revealed: Trachelus troglodyta Fabr., Cephus pygmaeus L. and Delia coarctata Fall. It has been proved that in agrocenoses of the crop the damage caused by click beetles is significant, with the reduction of their harmfulness, 2.7 % of grain yield was saved. During the vegetation period, reduction of damage to plants by Swedish flies in special experiments allowed to save 2.9 % of winter barley grain, the amount of barley leaf beetle – 3.3 %. For the first time, a high harmfulness rate of bugs was noted – 20.5 % of grain was saved. Relative pest harmfulness coefficients were specified and harmfulness coefficients for adult bed bugs were calculated for the first time, which made it possible to establish EFV of dominant species of phytophags. It was revealed that the winter barley varieties under study were infested and damaged by pests, but the intensity of damage and their density in the crop of each variety differed. High efficiency of insecticides was noted used both by pre-sowing seed treatment (85.3–87.5 %) and by spraying the crops during the vegetation period (87.1–100.0 %) with 1.6–4.5 % of grain saved. At application of insecticide, the number of bugs decreased by 89.3–99.4 %, up to 34.3 % of grain was saved.

Zeolite Enhances the Beneficial Effects of Sewage Sludge on Barley Yield, Increases Nitrogen Use, and Improves Soil Properties

Abstract Biosolids and zeolite have been extensively used in agriculture; however, their interactive effects need to be further clarified under field conditions. The effects of sewage sludge (SS) and zeolite on barley grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and soil properties were investigated in a 2-yr field study. Treatments included four rates of SS (7.8, 15.6, 23.4, 31.2 Mg ha− 1) and one rate of inorganic fertilizer (IF; 120 kg N ha− 1 + 26.16 kg Ρ ha− 1) both applied alone and in combination with zeolite, an unamended control, and a zeolite control. The applied soil amendments stimulated crop growth and N uptake. Sewage sludge, even at the lowest rate, resulted in grain yield similar to that of the IF (1669 kg ha− 1). Zeolite reduced SS requirements to produce grain yield at the IF level by 40% and increased maximum grain yield of barley by 23% compared to SS alone. Zeolite increased NUE when combined with low rates of SS, primarily by enhancing N uptake efficiency compared with IF, and mitigated the adverse effect of high SS application rates on soil NO3 –-N and electrical conductivity. Adding SS at rates up to 15.6 Mg ha− 1 in combination with zeolite improved soil organic C only in the first year. Soil DTPA-extracted Cu, Mn, and Fe levels in SS treatments were lower than those detected in the IF, except for the 15.6 Mg SS ha− 1 rate that resulted in a significant increase in Fe. Zeolite inhibited the increase in DTPA-extractable Zn induced by high SS rates. Overall, zeolite enhanced the beneficial effects of SS while mitigated its negative consequences, offering both agronomic and environmental benefits.

Optimizing performance in young goats: impact of concentrate supplementation in Cicer arietinum straw-based diets on rumen fermentation, nutrient availability, blood profile and growth.

The current study was conducted to optimize the growth performance of Indian goat breed (Barbari), with a focus on enhancing productivity for intensive commercial goat farming systems. The study explored the impact of varying concentrations of concentrate feed mix on the growth, nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation, and blood health of intensively raised young Barbari goats. Thirty-two male weaned kids, approximately 5months old and weighing 9.43 ± 0.24kg on average, were individually housed and divided into four equal groups. All kids received ad libitum Bengal gram straw and green fodder as basal rations, supplemented with barley grain at 0.7% of body weight in the control group (T1), and concentrate mix at 0.7%, 1.4%, and 2.1% of body weight in groups T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Significantly faster weight gain was observed in finisher kids receiving higher concentrations of concentrate feed mix (P < 0.001). DM intake (g/kg W0.75) increased (P < 0.05) in T4 compared to T1. CP intake (g/kg W0.75) was higher in T3, and T4 than in T1, and T2. Elevated levels of TCA-precipitable nitrogen, total VFA production, and a favorable shift in the acetate/propionate ratio were observed in kids under T4 compared to T1. Total digestible nutrients (TDN) percentage in the feed was enhanced in T4 (P < 0.01), and digestible crude protein (DCP) percentage was greater in T4, and T3 compared to T1 (P < 0.05). Finisher goats under T4 retained higher (P < 0.05) amount of nitrogen/kg W0.75 compared to T1 and T2. Furthermore, red blood cell counts (RBC) increased in T3, and T4 compared to T1 (P < 0.05), while white blood cell counts (WBC) were enhanced in concentrate mixture added treatments (T2, T3 and T4) compared to T1 (P < 0.05). Haemoglobin concentration was significantly higher in T3, and T4 compared to T1, and T2 (P < 0.05). Blood glucose levels were elevated in groups receiving concentrate mix (T2, T3, T4) compared to T1; and the albumin to globulin (A/G) ratio tended to decrease due to increased globulin levels in blood plasma (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Barbari finisher goats raised with 2.1% of their body weight as concentrate mix supplementation under an intensive feeding system experienced improved growth, nutrient utilization and blood profile. Barbari goats, known for their high reproductive efficiency and adaptability to semi-arid climates, are ideal for meat production. Their farming offers great potential for small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs, especially when utilizing abundantly available pulse straw-based diets supplemented with such concentrate level.

Decoupling Driving Factors and High‐Precision Prediction of Food Security in Central Asia Based on a Coupled PLS‐SEM and PSO‐LSSVM Model

ABSTRACTGrain supply and demand affect regional food security; however, the drivers are often unclear, making precise forecasting and policymaking challenging. This study used Central Asia as a case to integrate Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS‐SEM) with particle swarm optimization least squares support vector machine (PSO‐LSSVM) to separately identify the drivers of grain supply and demand and enhance prediction accuracy. We analyzed the interannual variations in the production, import/export volumes, consumption, and inventory of wheat, rice, barley, maize, and other grains in Central Asia (1992–2019). We then decoupled the factors affecting wheat production and consumption using PLS‐SEM and made predictions by integrating PLS‐SEM with the PSO‐LSSVM. The results showed that grain supply and demand across Central Asia, primarily driven by wheat production and consumption, declined and later recovered, with a turning point between 1995 and 1998. Kazakhstan exports 44% of its wheat, whereas other countries heavily depend on imports. In Central Asia, the path coefficients (r) of the wheat area and yield on total production were 0.36 and 0.77, respectively, whereas in Kazakhstan, they were 0.37 and 0.81, respectively. Climate and cultivation factors indirectly affect production through wheat yield, whereas yield and consumption influence production through area. Economic growth increased wheat consumption, whereas urban population growth decreased it. In Kazakhstan, wheat exports reduced consumption (r = −0.23) but boosted the economy (r = 0.33), a pattern that was not observed in Central Asia. The coupling model of PLS‐SEM and PSO‐LSSVM enhanced the prediction accuracy of wheat yield, reducing the error by 10.21% in Central Asia and 32.8% in Kazakhstan. This study offers a novel approach to decouple the driving factors of grain production and consumption and predicts crop yields in regions with limited data availability.

Влияние биологически активных веществ на продуктивность ярового ячменя

The article presents the results of research on the effect of biologically active drugs Silamine and Epin-Extra on the development and productivity of spring barley plants in the soil and climatic conditions of the Ryazan region. The research results showed that the development of spring barley in variants treated with SILAMINE was more intense, and there was an increase in the duration of plant development during the phase of active laying of generative organs. The treatment of plants contributed to a uniform increase in the leaf area during the entire observation period and a longer preservation of the leaf surface. The use of agrochemicals led to an increase in the number of productive stems, compared with the control, in the Epin-Extra variant (etalon) – by 75.8 pcs/m2, in the variant using the drug Silamine at a dose of 0.2 l/ha – by 85.1 pcs/m2, and in the variant Silamine 0.4 l/ha – by 89.4 pcs/m2. The ear water content in the Epin Extra variant increased by 5.9% compared to the control. In the SILAMINE variant at a dose of 0.2 l/ha, the number of grains per ear increased by 8.5%. This indicator was highest in the Silamine variant at a dose of 0.4 l/ha and amounted to 13.9% relative to the control. The highest crop yield was observed in variants with the use of the drug in various dosages. A significant increase in yield was obtained at the level of 7.1 and 8.2 c/ha, respectively, when using the drug SilAmin at a dose of 0.2 l/ha and a dose of 0.4 l/ha. The protein content in spring barley grain was maximum in the SilAmin variant, 0.4 l/ha and amounted to 9.5%, which is 1.05% higher than in the control. Keywords: SPRING BARLEY, BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES, EPIN EXTRA, SILAMINE, PRODUCTIVITY

Identification of QTLs associated with grain yield-related traits of spring barley

BackgroundNumerous quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and candidate genes associated with yield-related traits have been identified in barley by genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis. However, genetic bottlenecks in elite cultivars have reduced diversity, limiting further yield improvements. Grain yield is a complex, polygenic trait shaped by genetic and environmental factors, necessitating integrative breeding approaches. While genomic selection, marker-assisted selection, and GWAS have identified key loci for yield-related traits, functional validation remains a significant challenge.ResultsA total of 346 QTLs for seven barley yield-related traits were identified in GWAS, including 93 stable QTLs across multiple environments. Two major-effect QTLs for spike length and thousand kernel weight, along with several moderate-effect QTLs, show potential for breeding. Candidate gene analysis revealed 134 highly expressed genes linked to stress response, transport, and metabolism. Notable genes include HORVU.MOREX.r3.5HG0514790 (growth and stress adaptation) and HORVU.MOREX.r3.2HG0212810 (seed storage protein). A total of eight presumably novel QTLs were identified. One of the novel QTLs, Hv_TKW_3H.5, had the strongest effect on total barley grain yield. The integration of favorable alleles from eight moderate- and major-effect QTLs significantly influenced the weight of kernels per spike.ConclusionsThis study aimed to identify and characterize QTLs associated with barley yield-related traits through GWAS. Integrating genomic and transcriptomic methods suggests a promising strategy for genomic selection and marker-assisted breeding to enhance barley grain yield.

It uses non-traditional ingredients in complete feed for fattening piglets

The experimental research aimed to study the effect of feeding compound feed to fattening piglets with different proportions of flour from apple pomace on the quality of their slaughter products. The research was conducted on piglets of a large white breed of French breeding. During the fattening period, the piglets of the research groups were fed compound feed with different proportions of apple flour (5 %, 10 and 15 % by weight). It was established that compared to the control group, in the pigs' meat from the experimental groups, total moisture content decreased by 0.4–0.6 % and fat by 0.1–0.5 %. Regarding protein content, the piglets from the experimental groups prevailed by 0.5–1.0 % of their peers from the control group. At the same time, there is a tendency to increase the energy and biological value of the pigs' meat, which, during the fattening period, were fed apple pomace flour in the amount of 5 and 10 % by weight instead of barley grain. Regarding the quality of adipose tissue, a slight increase in total moisture content by 0.1–0.8 % and a decrease in fat content by 0.5–1.7 % was observed in the piglets from experimental groups, compared to similar indicators in the control group. The results of studies of physicochemical indicators of adipose tissue indicate some advantages of the fat of piglets from the control group. In particular, the melting temperature of pig fat in experimental groups was higher by 0.9–1.7 °C, and the iodine value of fat was lower by 3.3–7.1 % compared to the control group. It has been proven that using flour from apple pomace in the composition of compound feed for fattening piglets does not significantly affect the quality of their muscle and fatty tissues. At the same time, it saves part of expensive grain feed and thereby increases the efficiency of pork production.

Investigating the impact of sesame hulls on milk yield and blood parameters in Awassi ewes.

This experiment was conducted to study the impact of replacing barley grains with sesame hulls (SH) in Awassi ewes' rations during lactation. Thirty ewes aged 4 to 5years and averaging 56.7 ± 3.7kg in body weight were used for 63days. Ewes were offered three experimental diets: control diet with 0% SH (CON), SH10 with 10%, and SH20 with 20% SH dry matter. Animals were individually housed and fed ad libitum. Ewes were hand-milked during the whole experimental period for milk production and composition. At the end of the lactating period, four ewes per group were randomly chosen for a digestibility trial that lasted 10days. Blood samples were collected from all ewes at the experiment's beginning and end. Results indicated that ether extract (EE) intake was higher (P < 0.05) for ewes consuming SH20, followed by SH10, compared to CON ewes. However, the intake of DM, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) was similar among the diets. Ewes' body weight and pre-weaning growth of the lambs did not differ among the diets. The cost of milk production was reduced (P < 0.05) by 33% with the SH20 group and by 27% with the SH10 group compared to CON. The milk yield and other milk component parameters were comparable among the diets. Digestibility of EE was higher (P < 0.05) with the SH groups compared to the CON group. The blood urea nitrogen increased with Ewes' consumption of SH-containing diets (P < 0.05), whereas the other blood traits did not differ among the diets. In conclusion, including sesame hulls into the diet of lactating Awassi ewes proved to be a cost-effective approach without negatively impacting milk yield, composition, or feed efficiency, highlighting its potential as a viable and economical alternative in ewe feeding systems.

Effect of Wood Vinegar on Cadmium Enrichment and Transport of Gramineous Crops in Cd-contaminated Farmland

To explore the effect of wood vinegar on the enrichment and transport of heavy metal Cadmium （Cd） in gramineous crops （wheat, barley, and oat） in Cd-contaminated farmland, a field plot experiment was conducted involving nine treatments. The effects of wood vinegar on the growth of gramineous crops （wheat, barley, and oat） and the enrichment and transport of Cd in crops were studied by measuring the Cd content in plants and rhizosphere of the soil. The results showed that wood vinegar increased the biomass of crops （wheat, barley, and oats biomasses were 0-6.73%, 14.45%-15.91%, and 19.48%-21.97%, respectively, P &lt; 0.05） and the Cd content of straw （those of wheat, barley, and oat were 12.32%-45.74%, 7.02%-42.11%, and 19.90%-25.00%, respectively, P &lt; 0.05）. On applying wood vinegar diluted 400 times, the Cd content in roots of wheat and barley decreased by 7.77% and 29.26%, respectively, and that of oats increased by 28.74%. The translocation factor （TF） root-straw of wheat and barley increased by 58.30% and 100.87%, whereas the TF straw-grain decreased significantly by 30.40% and 32.20%, respectively. The TF root-straw of oat decreased by 3.14%, whereas the TF straw-grain decreased by 21.02%. The difference in Cd content before and after planting of barley and oats was significantly higher than that of wheat at the harvest stage. Among them, the Cd content of barley D-T1 and oat E-T2 decreased by 18.53% and 19.59% compared with that before planting. Based on the comprehensive analysis of Cd accumulation, transport coefficient, and Cd content in different parts of wheat, barley, and oat, the risk coefficient of Cd content in barley grain was the lowest, which was suitable for planting in moderate and mild Cd-contaminated farmland and could be remediated during production by leaving the straw in the field to realize the safe cultivation of moderately and mildly Cd-contaminated farmland.

Survey of fungal endophytes in barley under Fusarium head blight infection.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating fungal disease caused by Fusarium graminearum, which affects barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and other small cereal grains. Fungal endophytes are microorganisms that reside inside tissues and considered that they may have been involved in various roles of the plants. This study involved the comparison of fungal endophytes between "non-infected/clean" and "FHB-infected" barley genotypes in various tissues collected at different plant developmental stages and were grown under different conditions (i.e., greenhouse, research field, and FHB-field nursery). We hypothesized that fungal endophytes diversity and abundance may differ between plant tissues in various barley genotypes that were non-infected and FHB-infected. The 18S-internal transcribed spacer sequencing analysis revealed a greater number of fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and endophyte species in FHB-infected barley compared to clean barley. A one-way ANOVA and Tukey's pairwise comparison test (p≤0.05) were performed to test significant differences. Higher seed endophyte diversity was found in FHB-infected (120 OTUs) compared to non-infected (113 OTUs) harvested in 2021. The increase in diversity of endophytes that contributes to different roles in plant protection and defense, such as biocontrol agents, may prevent the growth of Fusarium species and decrease FHB-infection.

Automatic grading of barley grain for brewery industries using convolutional neural network based on texture features

Automatic grading of barley grain for brewery industries using convolutional neural network based on texture features

Addition of selenium nanoscale to high diets with wheat bran and its effect on Biochemical and characteristics blood and somatic cell count in milk in Awassi ewes

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of selenium nanoscale in improving the utilization of high wheat bran diet using 15 Awassi ewes weighing 51.58 ± 1.71 kg and their ages ranged between 3-4 years, the ewes were divided into three groups, each group included five ewes, the ewes were fed during the study period, which amounted to 72 days, and the amount of feed provided to ewes was equivalent to 1.5 kg of dry matter per ewe per day. The first group (control) was fed a diet high in barley grains with an ideal percentage of wheat bran, in the second group the ewes were fed a diet that contained less barley with a bran percentage raised to 35% of the components of the diet, while the third group was fed a diet similar to the second diet with daily doses of ewes with 0.3 mg / ewe of nano-selenium. The results indicated that there were no significant differences (P?0.05) for the biochemical blood traits, in Blood standards for a blood picture, there was no significant difference in the number of white blood cells, the percentage of lymphocytes, the mean corpuscular volume, the number of red blood cells, and blood hemoglobin. At the same time, the ratio of granulocytes increased for each of the second and third treatments, the platelet Counts decreased for each of the second and third treatments, and the number of somatic cells was much less in the second period of the study in Bran and selenium groups compared to control.

Effect of Soaked Barley Flour Incorporation in Whole Wheat Flour on the Nutritional Characteristics and Acceptability of Flat Bread (Chapatti)

Pre-cleaned wheat grains were milled to produce whole wheat flour. Cleaned barley grains were soaked in water overnight which were dried till the desirable moisture of 9.0 % and milled to produce barley flour. After this, composite flour of wheat and soaked barley was made at a combination of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% barley in the whole wheat flour. The composition and rheology of composite flour were tested and then the chapatti was made from different combinations of flour blend. A sensory evaluation of wheat barley chapatti was also done to know product acceptability. It was observed that protein, ash, beta-glucan, energy value, mineral digestibility (20.28%), and protein digestibility rate (47.96%) increased significantly while the gluten, carbohydrates, and phytates decreased in a significant manner. Dough rheology depicted a significant increase in water absorption and dough development time while dough stability was reduced. Moreover, chapatti developed from 20% soaked barley flour had a significant increase in protein, ash, beta-glucan, and calorie value but carbohydrates were momentously reduced. To summarize, chapatti made from a blend of 20% soaked barley flour in whole wheat flour had increased nutritional value (more mineral and protein digestibility) and good acceptability.

Moderated Starch Nutrition for a Sustainable Dairy Industry: A Refined Pragmatic Wisdom

Increased cow loss and treatment costs, and reduced longevity and sustainability in the world dairy industry may provide an insight into rethinking the starch feeding in dairy cows. The objective of this mini-review article was to underline the importance of moderated starch nutrition on the sustainable productivity and health of high-producing dairy cows. Increased milk production per cow through both genetic selection and nutritional programs may have led to decreased longevity and higher culling rates in commercial dairy farms. Starch is the primary energy source for lactating dairy cows, supplied mainly by cereal grains such as barley and corn. Feeding higher rates of starch, especially from barley grain with high rumen degradability can lead to health issues such as subacute rumen acidosis, causing economic losses. Reviewing the literature and large dairy herd observations, moderated starch feeding to modern dairy cows without major negative effects on milk yield and cow health should become a new pragmatic wisdom. It is suggested that short and long-term effects of feeding varying amounts of different starch grains in high-merit dairy cows be of focused future research attention.

Effects of replacing barley grain with corn grain on performance, rumen and blood parameters in dairy cows fed alfalfa hay or corn silage.

Different grain sources in the diet have shown varying effects on performance of dairy cows. Also, the variability in response to different starch sources is influenced by the type of forage used. This study investigates the combined effects of two forage (alfalfa hay vs. corn silage) and grain (barley vs. corn) sources on dry matter intake (DMI), feed efficiency, milk production and composition, apparent nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites, and ruminal metabolism of dairy cows. Eight second-parity early lactation Holstein cows (63 ± 5 d in milk) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square with a 2 × 2 factorial design. Diets were iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous and were based on either corn (CG) or barley (BG) grains, and corn silage (CS) or alfalfa hay (AH). Diets with CS had more long (108 vs. 68 g/kg DM) and medium particles (369 vs. 331 g/kg DM), and thus, longer mean particle size (5.4 vs. 4.6 mm) compared to diets with AH. Cows fed BG had less DMI and lower actual and energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield than CG-fed cows. The total tract digestibility of starch (952 vs. 987 g/kg) and crude protein (CP) (687 vs. 743 g/kg) were lower in CG cows than cows fed BG. Additionally, cows fed CG tended to have lower ruminal propionate concentrations than those fed BG, suggesting differences in ruminal fermentability between BG and CG. Milk fat content (30.6 vs. 29.2 g/kg) and ECM production (42.6 vs. 40.7 kg/d) tended to be greater in cows fed diets containing AH rather than CS. Furthermore, despite similar nutrient digestibility and total volatile fatty acid production, AH-fed cows had a higher ruminal acetate-to-propionate ratio compared to those fed CS. Replacement of BG with CG improved performance by increasing DMI; however, the expected positive effects of substituting CS with AH in BG-based diets may be obscured by the impact of differences in forage particle size (PS). These results indicated that inclusion of CG might be an optimum choice for modulating ruminal condition and enhancing performance compared to BG during early lactation.

An Innovative Analytical Approach for Multi-Mycotoxin Detection in Craft Beer Using Freeze-Dried Samples, IAC Column and HPLC/ESI-MS/MS.

The detection and quantification of mycotoxins in beer are critical for ensuring consumer safety and regulatory compliance. These contaminants, originating from barley and other grains, persist and potentially transform during the brewing process. This study presents an innovative analytical protocol using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS/MS) for the simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of nine mycotoxins, including aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2), Ochratoxin A (OTA), Fumonisins (FB1, FB2), Deoxynivalenol (DON), and HT-2. The method leverages the efficiency of multi-mycotoxin immunoaffinity columns, providing streamlined sample preparation with high specificity and sensitivity. Validation was conducted using craft beers from Calabria, including freeze-dried samples to enhance analytical consistency and stability. The method's accuracy was confirmed by using spiking samples with mycotoxins at concentrations compliant with the European Commission's regulations (Recommendation 2024/1038/EU). The developed protocol delivers reliable results with minimized resource consumption, offering a robust tool for quality control and safety assessments in brewing. By addressing knowledge gaps in freeze-dried craft beer, this study contributes to advancing food safety standards in the brewing industry.

Optimizing year-round fodder production for sustainable goat based integrated farming systems in the Yamuna ravines of Uttar Pradesh

The field experiment was conducted during the kharif and rabi seasons of 2020 and 2021 at ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh to optimize year-round fodder production for 20 goats and their 30 followers using one acre of land through the development of intercropping concept with different cereals and leguminous fodder crops; along with the implementation of good agricultural practices (GAP) during rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons. The technique demonstrated the potential to yield 7,600 kg of green fodder and 760 kg of maize grain from approximately one acre area during the kharif season. This output was sufficient to meet the green fodder requirements of the herd for six months. Similarly, during the rabi season, the technique produced 19,545 kg of green fodder and 652 kg of barley grain from one acre area, providing a surplus of green fodder and replacing over 85% of the barley requirement in concentrate feed for the herd over six months. The study highlights that by integrating intercropping strategies and GAP, goat farmers can sustainably produce the required green fodder and concentrate grain for a herd of 20 goats and 30 followers for a full year on just one acre of land.