Barley Landraces Research Articles

Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Barley Landraces through Agro-Morphological and Biochemical Characterization

| Genetic diversity can be investigated through different methods such as morphological traits, biochemical (SDS PAGE) and molecular markers. The present work was conducted on the basis of morphological and biochemical characterization in order to estimate the genetic diversity among the barley landraces; to explore significant variation which can be used in breeding programs. For this purpose, 40 barley landraces were collected from Dir Lower and Swat, districts of KP, Pakistan. A total of 18 traits were recorded, 10 qualitative characters including spike density, awn barbs, glume awn, lemma type and awn color, length of the rechilla hairs, lemma color, auricle pigmentation, photoperiod sensitivity and stem pigmentation. Variation was observed in these qualitative traits through frequency distribution. In quantitative traits maximum variation was found for plant height ranging from 36cm to 50cm, days to flowering range from 130 to 133 days), while 100 seed weight ranged from 36 to 86 g and plant biomass range from 50 to 199.5 g per plant. SDS-PAGE analyses of total seed storage protein resulted in a total of 18 polymorphic bands. Total genetic diversity on the basis of total seed storage protein analysis was 17.5%. In Band, the 14 total genetic diversity was (0.60%) followed by Band 16 (0.58%) and Band 17 (0.55%). Similarly, Band 3 showed diversity, while Band 8, 4 and 5 indicated 0.45, 0.38 and 0.35%, respectively. A cluster dendrogram tree was constructed which was divided into two linkage and further divided into seven clusters. The variation was found among the clusters. The information obtained from the study is useful in planning further crop improvement.

Variations in spike traits among pure lines ed from a barley landrace

Variations in spike traits among pure lines ed from a barley landrace

Genetic Variability of Ethiopian Barley (<i>Hordeum Vulgare </i>(L.)) Genotypes for Yield and Yield Related Traits

The existence of genetic diversity is very essential in identifying possible genotypes for further crop improvement. One hundred thirty-five landrace barley accessions and three released varieties were evaluated for their genetic variability and the preliminary performance for agronomic importance traits using augmented block design during the 2019 main cropping season under rain-fed condition. Data were recorded from nine quantitative characters and analysis of variance indicated the presence of significant variations at (P<0.01) between the tested genotypes for days to 50% flowering, number of tillers per plant, spikelet per spike and thousands seed weight. The phenotypic and genetic coefficients of variations ranged from 11.19 to 38.84% and 3.77 to 33.87%, respectively. Both coefficients of variations had high values for the number of spikelets per spike, number of kernels per spike and grain yield. Broad sense heritability ranged from 11.35% to 98.01% and all traits had high heritability except plant height which had low heritability. Also, the genetic advance as per cent of mean ranged from 2.6 (plant height) to 67.35% (kernel per spike), respectively. Generally, the study revealed the existence of a wide range of variability among the studied barley genotypes which has paramount importance for further exploitation of genotypes for their important traits to enhance the breeding program of barley in the country.

Phenotypic diversity and population structure of Ethiopian barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) landrace collections

Landraces play a key role in crop breeding by providing beneficial trait for improvement of related crops and their genetic diversity studies are very important for breeding program and identification of parental lines. In this study, 585 barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) landraces collected from 13 agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia were evaluated along with 10 cultivars for their phenotypic diversity and population structure in relation to agronomic traits, resistance to major diseases and barley shoot fly. Data on 22 agronomic traits, three major diseases and barley shoot fly resistance-related traits were recorded. Univariate and multivariate approaches such as principal component and cluster analyses were applied to assess the genetic diversity and population structure. The analysis of variance indicated significant genotypic main, accessions x year and accession x environment interaction effects for almost all the traits evaluated. However, the accessions x environment interactions were mainly due to changes in magnitude rather than crossover types of interactions. The diversity analysis indicated that the population was highly structured according to kernel row-type, region (geographic) origin and altitude classes. Since the population is highly structured, appropriate statistical models will be needed when this population is used for association mapping studies. Eight principal components (PCs) in principal component analysis (PCA) accounted for the variation of 83.01%. The most related traits were included in the same PC, implying that results from PCA could give clues as to the relationship among traits. Though variability existed within and among clusters, useful germplasm clustered together. These materials are important sources of germplasm for the improvement of agronomic, disease and insect pest resistance traits. Keywords: Barley, diseases, genetic diversity, landraces, multivariate, shoot fly

Selection of Pyramided Barley Advanced Lines for Stripe Rust, Leaf Rust and Crown Rust Diseases Using Molecular Markers

Barley diseases are the major yield limiting factors for barley cultivation in Nepal. Stripe/Yellow rust (P. striformis f.sp. hordei and P. striformis f.sp. tritici), leaf rust (Puccinia hordei), and crown rust (P. coronata) are the major rust diseases in Nepal. Pyramiding resistance genes against all these rust diseases are possible through molecular marker assisted breeding. Sweden originated barley variety ‘Bonus’ is found resistant to stripe rust and having linked microsatellite markers for stripe rust and crown rust resistance. Similarly, Nepalese hull-less barley variety ‘Solu Uwa’ and Nepalese awn-less barley landrace NPGR Acc# 2478 have linked microsatellite markers for leaf rust resistance. Therefore, one polymorphic sequence tagged sites (STS) marker (ABG054) for stripe rust resistance, two polymorphic simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers (Bmac0144h and HVM049) for leaf rust and one polymorphic SSR marker (Bmag0006) for crown rust resistance were used to select the advanced barley lines (at F8 stage) from above parents. Field screening of stripe rust resistance was also conducted. Among 51 advanced and field disease resistance lines from Bonus/Solu Uwa cross, we have selected 10 pyramided lines for all three types of barley rust resistance. Similarly, among 39 advanced and field disease resistance lines from Bonus/NPGR Acc#2478 cross we have selected three pyramided lines and advanced for further yield testing for general cultivation purpose. The chances of losing the desired gene are high in late generation selection using molecular marker assisted selection (MAS); but the chances of getting agronomically superior varietal output will also increase.

Multifaceted Analysis of Barley Landraces Collected during Gene Bank Expeditions in Poland at the End of the 20th Century

The extensive genetic diversity of crop landraces deposited in gene banks is an important part of future breeding programs. However, in order to exploit this potential, it is necessary both to preserve germplasm and to collect and share a wide range of data on its characteristics and evaluation. The main objective of the presented paper was to evaluate the diversity of spring barley landraces originating from Poland. Historical data from standard field evaluation of agronomic traits, genetic data obtained from Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) analysis and grain morphometric data were used. The analysis showed that groups of hulled and hulls barley accessions were substantially separate. Genetic and grain morphological variation did not show any relationship with eco-geographical conditions in the place of origin. There was also no clear division into forms with two- and six-row ears. The combination of the results of various types of analyzes describing this collection makes us believe that its chances of being used in research and breeding will increase.

BarleyVarDB: a database of barley genomic variation.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the first domesticated grain crops and represents the fourth most important cereal source for human and animal consumption. BarleyVarDB is a database of barley genomic variation. It can be publicly accessible through the website at http://146.118.64.11/BarleyVar. This database mainly provides three sets of information. First, there are 57 754 224 single nuclear polymorphisms (SNPs) and 3 600 663 insertions or deletions (InDels) included in BarleyVarDB, which were identified from high-coverage whole genome sequencing of 21 barley germplasm, including 8 wild barley accessions from 3 barley evolutionary original centers and 13 barley landraces from different continents. Second, it uses the latest barley genome reference and its annotation information publicly accessible, which has been achieved by the International Barley Genome Sequencing Consortium (IBSC). Third, 522 212 whole genome-wide microsatellites/simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were also included in this database, which were identified in the reference barley pseudo-molecular genome sequence. Additionally, several useful web-based applications are provided including JBrowse, BLAST and Primer3. Users can design PCR primers to asses polymorphic variants deposited in this database and use a user-friendly interface for accessing the barley reference genome. We envisage that the BarleyVarDB will benefit the barley genetic research community by providing access to all publicly available barley genomic variation information and barley reference genome as well as providing them with an ultra-high density of SNP and InDel markers for molecular breeding and identification of functional genes with important agronomic traits in barley. Database URL: http://146.118.64.11/BarleyVar

A Study on Variability in Resistance to Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDVPAV) among Ethiopian Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Landraces

Ethiopian barley landraces are recognized as an important genetic resource with which to search for tolerance to biotic stresses. Five hundred eighty five barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) landraces collected from 13 barley producing zones of Ethiopia were evaluated for resistance to BYDV serotype PAV under field conditions at Sinana and Goba during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. The trial was laid out in an augmented design consisting of six blocks. Data on disease incidence, severity and some agronomic traits were recorded. The result of analysis showed highly significant variations among landraces for disease incidence, severity and agronomic traits. The BYDV incidence and severity varied from 0.0 to 45.3% and 12.0 to 58.0%, respectively. Similarly, the variations among landraces in terms of regions of origin, altitude classes and kernel row number were significant. Landraces originated from Arsi, Gojam, Bale and Gonder had significantly lower disease incidence and severity levels than others. Furthermore, landraces collected from altitude class IV (above 2500m) and those with 6-row and irregular kernel type had lower disease severity. Segregation in infection was observed in some landraces due to a reduction of disease severity and 68 landraces showing lowest disease severity were selected. The resistant landraces identified in the present investigation can be utilized as good resource for barley improvement program targeting BYDV, which subsequently will help to incorporate the resistant genes into several elite backgrounds of barley.

The influence of breeding history, origin and growth type on population structure of barley as revealed by SSR markers

Natural and mass selection during domestication and cultivation favored particular traits of interest in barley. In the present study, population structure, and genetic relationships among 144 accessions of barley landraces and breeding materials from various countries were studied using a set of 77 and 72 EST-SSR and gSSR markers, respectively distributed on seven chromosomes of barley. In total, 262 and 429 alleles were amplified in 77 EST-SSRs and 72 gSSR loci, respectively. Out of which, 185 private/group-specific alleles were identified in the landraces compared with 14 in "cultivar and advanced breeding lines", indicating the possibility to introgress favorite alleles from landraces into breeding materials. Comparative analysis of genetic variation among breeding materials, Iranian landraces, and exotic landraces revealed higher genetic diversity in Iranian landraces compared with others. A total of 37, 15, and 14 private/group-specific alleles were identified in Iranian landraces, exotic landraces, and breeding materials, respectively. The most likely groups for 144 barley genotypes were three as inferred using model- and distance-based clustering as well as principal coordinate analysis which assigned the landraces and breeding materials into separate groups. The distribution of alleles was found to be correlated with population structure, domestication history and eco-geographical factors. The high allelic richness in the studied set of barley genotype provides insights into the available diversity and allows the construction of core groups based on maximizing allelic diversity for use in barley breeding programs.

Donors of effective genes for scald resistance in barley

Background. One of the most harmful diseases of barley in all areas of its cultivation is scald. The causal agent Rhynchosporium commune Zaffarano, B.A. McDonald &amp; A. Linde (formerly – Rhynchosporium secalis (Oudem.) J.J. Davis) is characterized by a high level of variability, which leads to the emergence of new pathotypes and the loss of resistance of a number of cultivars. Most barley cultivars recommended for cultivation are highly affected by the pathogen. The aim of the study was to find new donors of effective barley resistance genes to R. commune.Materials and methods. Resistance to the fungus was tested in 99 accessions of barley landraces from 18 countries under laboratory and field conditions. The experiments employed isolates and clones of R. commune isolated from plants collected in Leningrad Province. Plant resistance was scored using point scales. Genetic control of fungal resistance was studied in the selected accessions using hybridological analysis.Results and conclusions. We identified 3 accessions of barley landraces, which retained high resistance to the fungus for six years of study in the field under inoculation with different populations of R. commune. Accessions k-31504 (Macedonia), k-31505 (Ethiopia) and k-31503 (India) are protected by R. commune resistance genes, which differ from each other, are not allelic to the previously identified effective Rrs9 gene, and manifest themselves throughout all stages of barley ontogenesis. Each of accessions k-31504 and k-31505 incorporates 2 recessive pathogen resistance genes; k-31503 carries 3 recessive resistance genes.

An Evolutionary Approach to the History of Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Cultivation in the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are an archipelago that lies about 100 km west of North Africa. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) has been continuously cultivated since the colonization of the islands. To investigate the agricultural history of the islands, the DNA from multiple individuals of six extant landraces of barley was sequenced, and the resulting data were analyzed with ABC modeling. Estimates of separation times of barley populations on the different islands and the mainland were congruent with archaeological dating of the earliest settlements on the islands. The results of the genetic analyses were consistent with the continuous cultivation of barley on Lanzarote island since it was first colonized, but suggested cultivation was carried out at a smaller scale than on Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Contrary to archaeological evidence and early written historical sources, the genetic analyses suggest that barley was cultivated on a larger scale on Tenerife than on Gran Canaria. The genetic analysis of contemporary barley added support to the dating of the colonization of the islands and pointed to the need for more archaeological data concerning barley cultivation on Tenerife.

Assessment of variability of yield affecting metric characters in barley (Hordeum vulgare) landraces

Assessment of variability of yield affecting metric characters in barley (Hordeum vulgare) landraces

Salt Stress Induces Differentiated Nitrogen Uptake and Antioxidant Responses in Two Contrasting Barley Landraces from MENA Region

The interaction between salinity and nitrogen metabolism has been investigated in two barley landraces, one tolerant (“100/1B”) and one susceptible to salinity (“Barley medenine”) from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Barley plants were exposed to 50 mM NaCl for 7 days; then, salinity was increased to 150 mM NaCl in the presence (10 mM) or limitation (1 mM) of ammonium as a nitrogen source. Upon salinity, “100/1B” was shown to support N assimilation by enhancing the glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamine oxoglutarate aminotransferase (GOGAT) cycle under high N, and the stimulation of the glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) pathway under low N treatment. In “Barley medenine”, salinity reduced the GS/GOGAT cycle, and increased GDH activity. Upon salinity, Heat Shock Proteins 70 and PEPC remained unchanged in “100/1B”, while they decreased in “Barley medenine”. The tolerance degree is a determining factor in enzymes’ occurrence and regulation: exposed to salinity, “100/1B” rapidly increased APX and PEPC activities, while this was delayed in “Barley medenine”. Salinity increased cyt-G6PDH levels in “100/1B”, while “Barley medenine” showed a decrease in G6PDH isoforms. Correlation analyses confirm GOGAT was related to G6PDH; GDH and APX with PEPC in “100/1B” under moderate salinity; severe salinity correlated GDH with G6PDH and PEPC. In “Barley medenine” under salinity, GOGAT was correlated with G6PDH, while APX showed a relation with PEPC. Therefore, specific enzymatic activities and occurrence can be used to determine stress responsiveness of different landraces. We suggest that the rapid increase in G6PDH, APX, and nitrogen assimilation enzymes activities represents an index of tolerance in “100/1B” and a stress symptom in “Barley medenine”.

Evaluation of drought tolerance indices for barley landraces under irrigated and dry conditions

Barley cultivation for drought areas requires reliable assessment of drought tolerance variability among the breeding germplasms. Hence, 121 barley landraces, advanced breeding lines and varieties were evaluated under both moisture non-stress and stress field conditions using a lattice square (11×11) design with two replications for each set of trials. Twelve drought tolerance indices (SSI, TOL, MP, GMP, STI, YI, YSI, HM, SDI, DI, RDI and SSPI) were used based on grain yield under normal (Yp) and drought (Ys) conditions. Analysis of variance showed a significant genetic variation among genotypes for all indices with the exception of TOL and SSPI indices. Yp had a very strong association with Ys (r=0.92**) that indicates high yield potential under non-stress can predict better yield under stress conditions. Yp and Ys were positively and significantly correlated with MP, GMP, STI, YI, HM and DI indices, whereas they were negatively correlated with SSI and SDI. In principal component analysis (PCA), the first PC explained 64% of total variation with Yp, Ys, MP, GMP, STI, YI, HM and DI. The second PC explained 35.6% of the total variation and had positive correlation with SSI, TOL, SDI and SSPI. It can be concluded that MP, GMP, STI, YI, HM and DI indices with the most positive and significant correlation with yield at both non-stress and stress environments would be better indices to screen barley genotypes, although none of the indices could undoubtedly identify high yield genotypes under both conditions.

Diversity and resistance components analysis of barley landraces to barley shoot fly (Delia flavibasis)

Barley shoot fly (Delia flavibasis) is one of the destructive insect pests of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) at seedling stage. Resistance to barley shoot fly is governed by complex traits that derived from both morphological and/or biochemical characters of the plant. These host plant characters influence the relative degree of damage caused by the insect. The study aimed to evaluate phenotypic variability and interrelationships of factors influencing barley shoot fly resistance. Five hundred eighty-five landraces and ten cultivars were tested at Sinana Agricultural Research Center on station and Goba on-farm, during 2018 and 2019 main cropping seasons using augmented design consisting six blocks. High heritability percentage was obtained for yield and shoot fly resistance components like biomass (95.38%), early seedling growth vigour (91.41%), total tillers plant−1 (89.41%), fertile tiller plant−1 (88.91%), seedling colour (85.36), plant height (82.83%), 1000 seed weight (82.53%), number of seeds spike−1 (81.80%), spike length (81.11%), oviposition (65.74%) and dead heart (61.26%). Thus, this study revealed the presence of sufficient variability among the barley landraces in the country that can be exploited for germplasm enhancement. Furthermore, the defensive characters of accessions for shoot fly strongly influence the oviposition and dead heart percentage.

Breeding for low cadmium barley by introgression of a Sukkula-like transposable element.

Barley is the fourth most produced cereal crop in the world and one of the major dietary sources of cadmium (Cd), which poses serious threats to human health. Here, we identify a gene that encodes a P-type heavy metal ATPase 3 (HvHMA3) responsible for grain Cd accumulation in barley. HvHMA3 from the high Cd barley variety Haruna Nijo in Japan and the low Cd variety BCS318 in Afghanistan shared 97% identity at the amino acid level. In addition, the HvHMA3 from both varieties showed similar transport activity for Cd and the same subcellular localization at the tonoplast. However, the expression of HvHMA3 was double in BCS318 than in Haruna Nijo. A 3.3-kilobase Sukkula-like transposable element was found to be inserted upstream of the gene in the low Cd variety, which functioned as a promoter and enhanced the expression of HvHMA3. Introgression of this insertion to an elite barley cultivar through backcrossing resulted in decreased Cd accumulation in the grain grown in Cd-contaminated soil without yield penalty. The decreased Cd accumulation resulting from the insertion was also found in some other barley landraces in the world. Our results indicate that insertion of the Sukkula-like transposable element plays an important role in upregulating HvHMA3 expression.

Evaluation of Diverse Barley Cultivars and Landraces for Contents of Four Multifunctional Biomolecules with Nutraceutical Potential

Barley is long-identified as a functional food due to its content of micronutrients, β-glucans and vitamins. However, there is scant literature on a number of other nutritionally important biomolecules in the barley grain. This study determined the contents of four biomolecules, each with multiple known human and/or other animal health benefits, in the grains of 27 commercial barley cultivars and 7 landraces of barley from diverse countries of origin. These included the antioxidants, comprised of various vitamin E isomers and polyphenols, the osmoprotectant glycine betaine (GB) that protects cellular cytoplasm from osmotic shock, and the ‘plant stress hormone’ abscisic acid (ABA) which is endogenously expressed in humans and has multiple roles in physiology. All grains exhibited the presence of all biomolecules, suggesting they could potentially make some contribution to the health benefits of barley. The total vitamin E content varied between 19.20 - 54.56 μg/g DW, with α-tocotrienol being the major component (33.9 - 60.7%). The phenolics made up 3.21 - 9.73 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g DW, exceeding the amounts in the two major cereals, rice and wheat. GB ranged between 0.41-1.40 mg/g DW. The total vitamin E contents and GB typically exceeded those in corn. ABA ranged as 8.50 - 235.46 ng/g dry weight (DW), with the highest inter-variety variability. The data confirm barley to be an excellent source of these nutraceuticals, generally better than other major cereals. Our results thus offer more detailed insights into the potential of barley as a functional food and suggests the need to investigate in depth the health effects of this grain as well as the contribution of genetic and environmental factors.

Phenotypic response of barley landrace and its wild progenitor Hordeum spontaneum from Jordan to salt stress

Populations of barley landrace [Hordeum vulgare (L.)] and wild barley progenitor [Hordeum spontaneum (L.)] were collected from 13 diverse eco-geographical regions in Jordan. In addition to two check varieties (Rum and Acsad 165) were collected from farmers’ fields. In total, 28 genotypes were evaluated during germination, early seedling and maturity stages for salt tolerance. Barley populations were exposed to tap water of 0.85 dS m-1 and saline solutions (NaCl, CaCl2 and MgSO4) of 4, 8, 12 and 16 dS m-1. Final germination percentage, the lengths of shoot and seminal root, growth and yield related traits were significantly decreased by increasing the level of salinity. Proline content was increased by increasing the level of salinity. A high level of salinity of 16 dS m-1 had a strong impact on reduction of grain yield and other agronomic traits in the examined populations. A considerable variation among populations was detectable. Barley landrace and wild barley that were collected from Tafila region were the most tolerant grown populations in Jordan. Interestingly, the ranking pattern of these two populations at the germination and seedling related-traits was consistent with the ranking pattern at the maturity phase. In conclusion, this study indicates that barley landrace and wild barley populations are potential donors for genes of salt tolerance that can be used to enhance salinity tolerance in barley.

Agronomic Traits and Yield Performance Variation in Hulled and Naked Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Varieties for Adaptation in East Algeria

Background: Hulled barley has been extensively cultivated in Algeria. While naked barley was neglected in terms of research and genetic improvement. But it is now receiving renewed interest due to the potential health and agronomic benefits. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the agronomic performance of naked and hulled barley landraces collected from main production areas in the East of Algeria.Methods: The field experiments were conducted under rain-fed conditions, in 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons, in semi-arid zone of eastern Algeria. Both populations of plants were characterized agronomically, taking into account for nine quantitative traits.Results: Hulled barley cultivars outperformed the naked barley and from the results of Principal Component Analysis, it was found that the most important variables for the classification of barley cultivars are high grain yield, high straw yield and high biological yield. Hulled barley varieties showed the best yield performance, contrary to naked barley, which showed the poorer yield performance.

Variability analysis for qualitative characters in Ethiopian barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) landraces

Five hundred eighty five Ethiopian barley landraces were studied for their phenotypic diversity for certain qualitative characters in respect to region and altitude of origin using augmented design consisting of six blocks. Data collected on qualitative characters were subjected to multivariate analyses. The diversity was estimated by using the Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H’) for each of the characters to examine overall genetic divergence between accessions on the basis of ecogeographical zones and altitudinal ranges. Phenotypic diversity index was very high for rachilla hair length, spike length, grain color and kernel row number and low diversity index for kernel cover/caryopsis. Rachilla hair length, spike length, spike density, kernel row and grain color from qualitative traits were the most characters which contributed variance among accessions. High diversity index among characters obtained at Gojam, Gonder, Wellega, Wello and Shewa and diversity index increased with altitude between 2000 and 2500 AMSL and decreases at altitude beyond 2500 AMSL. Based on the characters considered and populations evaluated, the marked diversity observed among the barley landraces could be utilized in future crop improvement for various traits. The information generated complements the robust barley breeding program of competitive, stable and climate-resilient varieties for barley farming communities in different agro-ecologies of Ethiopia.