Barley Production Research Articles

Drought Stress on Barley Crop: A Review

In worldwide water is one of the main limiting factor for crop production. Drought stress is one of the complex phenomenon affects the crop growth in physiological, morphological and molecular level. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a cereal crop of commercial importance, which is subjected to severe drought stress. Drought stress is the main constraint in crop production of barley, it will cause more yield loss than other abiotic stress. Due to climate change the severity and frequency of drought stress is also increasing worldwide. Drought stress affects and influence almost all the stages of plat growth development by decreasing the photosynthetic rate, flowering, quality of grain and ultimately end up with reduction in yield. Meanwhile it is a serious challenge for global food security due to increase in world population. Therefore the most effective way to overcome the food crisis due to climate change for the increasing population is identification and development of high drought tolerance barley cultivars with good yield.

The Application of Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) in Barley Processing as an Environmentally Friendly Alternative.

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a novel and versatile technology, which is not yet used in the food and agricultural sector for barley processing. In lab-scale applications, the technology shows potential in extending shelf life and ensuring food safety and quality, e.g., during storage. CAP reactive nature counteracts insect pests, fungi, and bacteria, but also improves seed germination and facilitates plant growth not only under stress conditions. Its generation does not require water, chemicals, or solvents and consumes little energy due to low operating temperatures (<60 °C) with a short time span that makes additional production steps (e.g., cooling) obsolete. Therefore, CAP is a sustainable technology capable of further optimising the use of limited resources with the potential of offering solutions for upcoming environmental challenges and political requirements for replacing existing practices and technologies due to the growing impact of climate change. This review summarises recent developments and findings concerning CAP application in barley production and processing with air as the process gas. Furthermore, this comprehensive overview could help identify further research needs to overcome its current technical limitations, e.g., efficiency, capacity, etc., that hamper the upscale and market introduction of this environmentally friendly technology.

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.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation and biochar application enhance soil carbon and productivity in wheat and barley.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation and biochar application enhance soil carbon and productivity in wheat and barley.

Effect of different thermal treatments on starch digestion of Tsamba (Highland barley products): Insights from starch structural properties and enzyme activity.

Effect of different thermal treatments on starch digestion of Tsamba (Highland barley products): Insights from starch structural properties and enzyme activity.

Beneficial Analysis of the Effect of Precipitation Enhancement on Highland Barley Production on the Tibetan Plateau Under Different Climate Conditions

While highland barley on the Tibetan Plateau is adversely affected by water stress during its growth period, precipitation enhancement could potentially mitigate this issue. Accurate assessment of the benefits obtained through precipitation enhancement is crucial for local governments to develop policies for sustainable agriculture. To quantify these benefits, the WOFOST model was employed to evaluate the effects under four different precipitation enhancement scenarios. The model demonstrated strong performance, with a Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) of 0.93 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.66. Using the calibrated WOFOST model, yield increases were simulated under three meteorological drought conditions classified by the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). The results showed that yield increases were minimal during years with less rainfall, primarily due to a lower leaf area index under extreme meteorological drought conditions. Additionally, the impact of precipitation enhancement on yield increases was nonlinear. An enhancement of 5% had negligible effects, while enhancements greater than 10% led to significant increases. Specifically, precipitation enhancement during the reproductive stage resulted in regional yield increases of 170.7, 325.5, 465.9, and 580.5 kg/ha for enhancements of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, respectively, surpassing yield increases from enhancements during the vegetative stage. This greater yield increase is attributed to highland barley’s sensitivity to water stress at critical growth stages and the unique climate conditions of the Tibetan Plateau. For Longzi—the largest base for highland barley production, with a planting area of 3440 ha in 2024—a 10% enhancement at the reproductive stage could yield an economic benefit of CNY 9.8 million. Under climate change scenarios, the decreasing trends in highland barley yields could be effectively offset by precipitation enhancement, highlighting the applicability of precipitation enhancement as an effective tool for mitigating climate change in Tibet. Future studies should integrate crop models with weather numerical models to better address uncertainties.

Time Series Models to Forecast Barley Crop Production in The Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Time series are important methods in analyzing phenomena and events during specific time periods and predicting future values ​​that contribute to giving an estimated picture of the phenomenon. Therefore, the study aimed to use the Box Jenkins methodology to forecasting barley production in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq for the period (2024-2030) based on the time series of barley production in Kurdistan for the period (1981-2023). It was found through studying the time series of barley production quantities for the period (1981-2023) that the time series is unstable in the mean and variance; after taking the second difference of the data to convert it to a stable series in the mean and then taking the natural logarithm transformation to convert it to a stable series around the variance, it was found that the appropriate model for predicting barley production in the Kurdistan Region is ARIMA (1,2,1) among the group of proposed models for having the lowest values ​​for the criteria (BIC, SBC, H_Q). The study recommends using the models that have been developed to predict barley production in the Kurdistan Region and adopting the predictions resulting from these models in developing future plans. The study also recommends applying the Box-Jenkins methodology to deduce and develop models to predict other crops, based on the actual analysis of the time series as explained in the study.

Ramularia Leaf Spot: A Major Threat to Barley Production in Ireland

Ramularia Leaf Spot: A Major Threat to Barley Production in Ireland

ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ СТИМУЛЯТОРОВ РОСТА И ГУМИНОВЫХ ВЕЩЕСТВ В ЗВЕНЕ ПЕРВИЧНОГО СЕМЕНОВОДСТВА ЯЧМЕНЯ СОРТА ЗНАТНЫЙ ПРИ ПОСЕВЕ КОЛОСОМ

The study was conducted in 2021-2023 in the forest-steppe zone of the non-chernozem zone of the Central region of the Russian Federation (Ryazan region) in order to assess the effect of plant growth and development regulators (Zircon, Biosil), as well as humic substances (Potassium Humate) on the productivity and biometric indicators of spring barley in the primary seed production link when sowing in one spike. The field laying of the experiment with pre-soaked elite ears was carried out in the nursery for testing 1-year-old progeny (PIP-1). The experimental design included the following options: water (control); Zircon (1 ml/10 l of water); Biosil (1 ml/0.5 l of water); Potassium humate (100 ml/1 l of water). The object of the study is spring barley of Znatnyy variety. The use of the studied preparations, in comparison with the control variant, has a positive effect on the growth and development of plants, which was manifested in an increase in the area of photosynthetic activity of the leaf surface in different phases of crop development and elements of the crop structure. The greatest reliable progressive effect for all the studied structural indicators was provided by the use of Biosil, the growth relative to the control variant was 101.7 ... 111.3%, compared to other experimental variants - 2.7 ... 5.4%. The ear length was 9.8 cm, the number of grains in an ear was 24.9 pcs., the number of productive stems was 108.5 pcs., the tillering coefficient was 3.8, the grain weight per ear was 1.58 g, the weight of 1000 grains was 54.2 g, and the plant height was 67 cm. The Biosil variant showed the highest yield per family – 131.8 g, the highest profitability (45.4%) and conditional net income (13.18 thousand rubles/ha).

EVALUATION OF MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS OF BARLEY (Hordeum vulgare L.) VARIETIES IN DIFFERENT INTER-ROW SPACINGS AND NITROGEN RATES UNDER IRRIGATION

A field experiment was conducted over two consecutive cropping seasons, 2021/2022 and 2022/2023, at the National Root Crop Research Institute’s station in Vom, located in the Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State (Longitude 8°53' E, Latitude 9º56' N) at an altitude of 1,217 meters above sea level. The aim of the study was to evaluate how different barley genotypes, inter-row spacing, and nitrogen application rates affect barley production. The experimental setup included three barley genotypes (Traveler, Zhana, and Arupo‘s’), four nitrogen levels (0, 80, 100, and 120 kg N ha-1), and three inter-row spacing configurations (20, 30, and 40 cm), organized in a split-split plot design with three replications. The findings indicated that the control treatment resulted in significantly fewer days to heading, with 49.00 days recorded in the 2021/2022 season and 49.30 days in 2022/2023 at a nitrogen application of 80 kg/ha-1. In contrast, the 120 kg N/ha treatment led to delayed heading in both years. However, both the control and the 120 kg N/ha-1 treatment resulted in significantly earlier flowering days at a 40 cm inter-row spacing during both seasons. The genotype Arupo's achieved the highest grain yields, reaching 1251.0 kg/ha in 2021/22 and 1876.4 kg/ha in 2022/23 at a 20 cm inter-row spacing, with the application of 120 kg N/ha-1. The study found significant interactions among the number of days to heading, flowering, physiological maturity, and grain yield concerning nitrogen levels, row spacing, and variety. In conclusion, the genotype Arupo's was the earliest to reach heading, flowering, and maturity, while also yielding the highest grain production in the 20 cm inter-row spacing with a nitrogen level of 120 kg/ha. It is recommended that farmers utilize the Arupo's genotype with a 20 cm inter-row spacing and 120 kg N/ha for optimal barley production.

Efficiency of Productive Resource Utilization for Barley Crop in Nineveh Governorate for the 2022-2023 Production Season: Al-Baaj District as a Case Study

Abstract The research aimed to estimate the optimal size of productive resources needed to achieve the optimal production of barley in Nineveh Governorate for the 2022-2023 production season, using a random sample of 90% of barley farmers in the Al-Ba’aj district. Data relevant to the research objective were collected through personal interviews with the farmers using a questionnaire designed for this purpose. The polynomial production function was used to represent the relationship between production quantity and the productive resources, which included: (X1: cultivated area, X2: quantity of seeds, X3: human labor, X4: mechanical labor, X5: irrigation water). Various functional forms (linear, double-logarithmic, semi-logarithmic) were applied, and the explanatory variables were estimated using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method. The results of the analysis indicated that the double-logarithmic function was the most suitable model for representing the relationship between the explanatory variables and barley production, based on statistical, econometric, and economic indicators. It was found that the cultivated area had the greatest effect on production quantity, with a production elasticity of 0.233 for the cultivated area. This indicates that a 1% increase in the cultivated area would lead to a 0.233% increase in production quantity. Additionally, 97% of the changes in production quantity were attributed to the productive factors involved in the production process. The analysis also revealed a surplus in the seed variable by 27%, while human labor, mechanical labor, and irrigation water achieved efficiency rates of (8.28%, 68.87%, and 42.56%) respectively. Meanwhile, there was a production gap of approximately 35% in reaching the optimal production quantity. The study recommended that farmers should aim to achieve the optimal production level by utilizing productive resources efficiently.

Effects of Combining Compost, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus on Barley Production in Tie-Ridge Cultivation in Wag-Lasta, Ethiopia.

This trial aimed to assess the composting potential of local materials and their integration with inorganic fertilizers to enhance barley productivity. The experiment involved preparing compost and evaluating its effects on barley production at two locations over two years. Mean treatment differences were analyzed using the analysis of variance (Proc-GLM) procedure. The combined analysis over the two years in the Dahana and Lalibela areas revealed that applying the recommended blanket inorganic fertilizer resulted in the highest biomass and grain yield. However, using one tone of compost along with half of the recommended nitrogen and phosphorus also achieved comparable biomass and grain yield. Additionally, this approach improved the soil's physical and chemical properties over time. Therefore, using one ton of compost with half the recommended nitrogen and phosphorus is recommended for the Wag and Lasta highlands and similar agro-ecologies where barley is grown.

Positive response to inoculation with indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as modulated by barley genotype

Climate change-driven extreme events are reducing barley productivity. The high use of mineral fertilizers, combined with low nutrient use efficiency, leads to environmental and economic concerns. Indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculants offer a sustainable alternative, especially in intensive farming systems where AM colonization and diversity are low. However, poor adaptation to local conditions limits inoculant success. Few studies have tested indigenous AMF inoculated on field crops, with limited research on barley. No research has yet explored how barley genotype and environment modulate field inoculation outcomes in terms of crop productivity. Key factors such as AM fungal abundance and community structure shifts remain unidentified. This study evaluated the agroecological effects of an indigenous AM fungal consortium on three barley varieties (Atlante, Atomo, and Concerto) over 2 years. In 2020, Atomo and Concerto responded positively to inoculation in terms of root colonization, with grain yield increases of 64% and 37%, respectively. In 2021, only Concerto showed enhanced root colonization, while grain yield increased by 78% in Concerto and 134% in Atlante. Multivariate analysis revealed a strong impact of environment on barley productivity, with a significant third-order interaction among AMF, genotype, and environment. Inoculation slightly altered AM composition but strongly influenced community structure, particularly at different plant growth stages. Root colonization was strongly correlated with barley productivity, with root length containing arbuscules being the best predictor. Changes in the AM community structure, rather than composition, drove barley response, with Glomus and Septoglomus, present in the inoculum, being main players. These findings support the use of indigenous AMF for sustainable biofertilization and highlight the importance of selecting genotypes with a stable AM response across environments. Our results disclose for the first time the role of barley genotype and plant growth stage on AM host preference with and without indigenous AM fungal inoculants.

Fungicide Resistance Management in West Australia’s Wheatbelt

Barley growers from the West Australia Wheatbelt were invited to share information on their fungicide resistance management strategies. The study aimed to identify gaps in growers’ knowledge about issues like fungicide resistance and the objective and/or perceived obstacles and constraints associated with the management of fungal epidemics. To gather this information, we used a case study approach and co-designed the survey in collaboration with industry stakeholders. Socio-economic data was collected using in-depth phone interviews (which made up 82% of the responses) and self-administered questionnaires (which accounted for 18%). The data included both qualitative and quantitative responses. This data covered several aspects: growers’ demographic details, barley production statistics, current knowledge and understanding about fungicide resistance, current agronomic practices, willingness to pay to mitigate fungicide resistance risk, types of fungicide resistance management extension services growers currently use, the reasons for their preferences and additional types of fungicide resistance management extension services growers would like to access in the future.

Wheat, Barley, and Triticale Response to Nitrogen Fertilization in Pannonian Environment

Small-grain producers in the southern Pannonian Plain prefer winter barley production in poor soils and drought-prone areas, assuming higher resource use efficiency in barley than in wheat. Similarly, triticale is known to perform well in low-fertility soils and dry environments. However, information about the comparative performance of these crops within the same trials is less available for the Pannonian environment. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency traits of winter wheat, triticale, and two-rowed and six-rowed barley cultivars across different N applications in different growing seasons and locations in the Pannonian Plain. The study was conducted over two seasons at three locations (Novi Sad, Sremska Mitrovica, and Sombor) using a split-plot design. Treatments consisted of winter wheat, triticale, and two-rowed and six-rowed barley under three nitrogen fertilization levels of low, moderate, and high. Averaged across species, the reduction in grain yield in 0 N compared to 100 N was 1218 kg ha−1 (15.7%) in wheat, 1037 kg ha−1 (11.6%) in triticale, 1128 kg ha−1 (13.7) in two-rowed barley, and 1340 kg ha−1 (17.1%) in six-rowed barley. Grain yield was closely related to nitrogen uptake, showing a relationship (R2) from 0.652 in triticale to 0.956 in six-rowed barley. Nitrogen use efficiency showed a positive relationship with nitrogen uptake efficiency, while the relationship with nitrogen utilization efficiency was insignificant. There was a notable difference between crops in terms of grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency traits. Notably, two-rowed barley outperformed wheat in terms of grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency, while wheat outperformed six-rowed barley. Triticale showed the highest yield among all the studied cereal crops, attributed to increased nitrogen use efficiency and uptake, especially under low fertilization conditions.

Effect of integrated nutrient management on performance, productivity and economic feasibility of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in Easter Uttar Pradesh

Effect of integrated nutrient management on performance, productivity and economic feasibility of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in Easter Uttar Pradesh

Environmental benefits and changes in ecosystem services of climate-smart agriculture relative to conventional agriculture in Norway.

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices aim to reduce land degradation and enhance climate resilience through sustainable land use. The environmental benefits of CSA often go undetected and appear negative in life cycle assessment (LCA), which typically focuses on product-based outputs, overlooking ecosystem services and resilience. Integrating ecosystem services within LCA of agricultural systems can help provide evidence of the environmental benefits of CSA and favor its consideration by farmers and decision makers. Here, we explore how CSA can be better represented in LCA by investigating barley production on cropland at risk of soil erosion in Norway under three management scenarios: conventional agriculture, integration of winter cover crops, and establishment of trees as buffer zones. The assessed environmental impacts combine ecosystem services (reduction of soil erosion, habitat quality, carbon sequestration) with traditional life-cycle impact categories (eutrophication, climate change, etc.). Relative to the conventional system, buffer zones improve all environmental indicators, while cover crops show an improvement in all indicators but terrestrial acidification and freshwater ecotoxicity. Buffer zones and cover crops increase habitat quality, terrestrial carbon storage, and reduce nutrient and soil-particle runoff, thereby supporting long-term yields, despite a small short-term reduction in barley yields. Overall, concerns about additional costs and management practices, limited know-how by farmers, and poor policy schemes limit the widespread CSA adoption. Engagement of farmers, local authorities and stakeholders is instrumental to overcome these barriers. Incorporating ecosystem services into LCA provides scientific evidence to support the shift toward sustainable agriculture while capturing environmental benefits of CSA.

Irrigated spring hull‐less food barley response to nitrogen fertilization

AbstractBarley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is used mainly for malting, brewing, and animal feed. In antiquity, barley was a major calorie source for humans and has recently become of increased interest as consumers seek healthier options. Hull‐less barley plays a key role in this resurgence as the need to process barley through pearling is removed and modern cultivars have high fiber content. To our knowledge, no work has established fertilizer‐nitrogen (N) recommendations for hull‐less food barley under high‐yielding irrigated conditions common in the semi‐arid western United States. Research was conducted in the major irrigated production area of southern Idaho over 11 site‐years of replicated N response trial data (∼5 fertilizer‐N rates) from 2019 to 2023 for the cultivars Goldenhart and Julie. N‐supply is reported and is the sum of applied fertilizer‐N and soil inorganic‐N to 60 cm. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) critical N‐supply (CNS) was calculated site‐by‐site as the lowest yield that did not differ from the maximum. The average ANOVA CNS was 194 kg N ha−1 across all site‐years. A yield‐based approach and corresponding nitrogen requirements (Nr) from the ANOVA CNS resulted in an N‐supply range from 200 to 224 kg N ha−1. A 95% relative grain yield (RGY) was used for linear‐ and quadratic‐plateau models which determined CNS of 194 and 234 kg N ha−1, respectively. Protein increased slightly but was poorly explained by N‐supply. A static‐N range from 194 to 234 kg N ha−1 is suitable for irrigated hull‐less barley production.

The influence of the plant growth regulator Biosil on the productivity of spring barley on dark gray soil in the Central region of the Russian Federation

The effectiveness of using the biological growth regulator Biosil (100 g/l of a mixture of triterpenic acids) with a consumption rate of 0.02 l/ha was studied in crops of ‘Yaromir’ spring barley (2021-2023) in the Ryazan region (Non-Black Earth zone of the Central Region of the Russian Federation) on dark gray soil of average fertility. The scheme of the field experiment: 1) control (without treatment); 2) single spraying of crops with a Biosil growth regulator in the "tillering" phase; 3) double – in the "tillering", "shooting" phases; 4) triple – in the "tillering", "shooting", "flag leaf emergence" phases. It was revealed that the yield value depended on the number of plants preserved for harvesting (r = 0.709). The maximum indicators of plant safety before harvesting (76.2 %) were recorded in the variant with three-fold spraying of plants, the minimum (58.9 %) – in the control variant. It was found that the treatment of Biosil crops in all experimental variants contributed to a statistically significant increase in the yield of spring barley grain in comparison with the control from 11.4 % (single spraying) to 20.7 % (triple spraying). A significant contribution to the formation of biometric elements was revealed: the length of the ear (r = 0.503), the number of grains in the ear (r = 0.830), the weight of grain from the ear (r = 0.746) and the weight of 1000 grains (r = 0.996). The greatest accumulation of protein (13.3 %) was due to single spraying of crops in the "tillering" phase, the least (12.6 %) was due to triple spraying. When calculating economic efficiency, it was found that the maximum indicators of conditional net income and profitability (74.8 %) were achieved with a single application of the Biosil growth regulator in the "tillering" phase with a yield of ‘Yaromir’ barley of 7.78 t/ha.

Transcriptomics-Driven Discovery of New Meroterpenoid Rhynchospenes Involved in the Virulence of the Barley Pathogen Rhynchosporium commune.

Rhynchosporium commune, the causal agent of barley scald disease, poses a major threat to global barley production. Despite its significant impact, the molecular mechanisms underlying R. commune's infection process remain largely unexplored. To address this, we analyzed the differential gene expression data of R. commune WAI453 cultivated under both in planta and in vitro conditions, aiming to identify secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters that are potentially involved in the pathogenicity of R. commune. Our analysis revealed increased expression of a polyketide-terpene gene cluster (the rhy cluster), containing a specific myeloblastosis (MYB)-type transcription factor gene rhyM, during in planta growth. Overexpression of rhyM in an axenic culture activated the expression of the rhy cluster, resulting in the production of a series of new meroterpenoid metabolites, which we named rhynchospenes A-E. Their structures were elucidated through a combination of spectroscopic methods and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Infiltration of rhynchospenes into barley leaves resulted in strong necrosis, with rhynchospene B demonstrating the highest phytotoxicity and causing necrosis at a minimum concentration of 50 ppm. Silencing rhyM in R. commune WAI453 confirmed the role of rhynchospenes as virulence factors in barley disease. The resulting mutant showed significantly reduced expression of the rhy cluster in planta compared to the wild-type strain and decreased virulence in seedling pathogenicity assays on barley. The characterization of the rhy cluster and rhynchospenes provided insights into the role of secondary metabolites in R. commune virulence and barley scald disease development. The study also highlights the potential use of MYB-type transcription factor overexpression in uncovering cryptic SMs involved in pathogenicity and host adaptations.