Hordeum Distichum Research Articles

Effects of vermicompost and mineral fertilizers on soil properties, malt barley (Hordeum distichum L.) yield, and economic benefits

AbstractSoil fertility depletion has significantly reduced the yields of various crops in Ethiopia, mainly the yield of malt barley in the district. To address this issue, integrated applications of vermicompost and mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizers were tested. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of vermicompost and mineral nitrogen fertilizers application on malt barley yield (Hordeum distichum L.), soil properties, and economic benefits. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were nine in various combinations of vermicompost (VC) and N fertilizer (N): (69 kg N; 0.79 t VC + 58.65 kg N; 1.59 t VC + 48.30 kg N; 2.39 t VC + 37.95 kg N; 3.19 t VC + 27.60 kg N; 3.98 t VC + 17.25 kg N; 4.78 t VC + 6.90 kg N; 5.31 t VC ha−1 and control). The highest soil pH was recorded by applying 5.31 t of vermicompost ha−1 alone. The highest total nitrogen (0.34%), available phosphorus (15.58 mg kg−1), grain yield (4950 kg ha−1), and net benefit (4255.74 USD) were recorded from the application of 2.39 t VC plus 37.95 kg N, while the highest soil organic carbon (3.38%) and cation exchange capacity (26.17 cmol (+) kg−1) were recorded from 3.19 t VC plus 27.60 kg N ha−1 compared to the control. This study concludes that applying 2.39 t VC and 37.95 kg N ha−1 in combination improves soil fertility, malt barley yield, and economic benefits for smallholder farmers in the study district and adopts this in similar soil types and agroecologies.

Early Vegetative Growth of Barley And Triticale Sown at Different Seed And Dap Fertilizer Rates under Rainfed Conditions

This study was carried out during the growing season 2020-2021 at two locations (Sumail and Zakho) to study the influence of different seeding (2,500000, and 3000,000 and 3,500000 seeds.ha-1) and DAP (0, 200, and 300 kg.ha-1) rates on some early growth characters of barley (Hordeum distichum L.) and Triticale (X Triticosecale wittmack). The experimental was designed as factorial of three factors in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Some early and pre harvest (flag leaf area, plant height, number of total tillers and number on fertile tillers) were measured. The results displayed significant superiority of all studied characters for Zakho location compered to Sumail location. Also, Barley surpassed Triticale crop in flag leaf area, plant height, but inferior in number of total and fertile tillers. Higher numbers of tillers were recorded in Sumail location of experiment with lower seeding rate (314.17 tillers) compared to Triticale or other seeding rate or Fertilizer treatments. DAP fertilizer treatment enhanced most of the studied traits while their effect was not reached significant level. The results recommend that the crops or varieties with fewer tillers are favorable in water limited environments and more studies are recommended mainly for Triticale crop as the studies on this crop in our areas are very rare rather than its economic importance in feeding and food processing

Early Vegetative Growth of Barley And Triticale Sown at Different Seed And Dap Fertilizer Rates under Rainfed Conditions

This study was carried out during the growing season 2020-2021 at two locations (Sumail and Zakho) to study the influence of different seeding (2,500000, and 3000,000 and 3,500000 seeds.ha-1) and DAP (0, 200, and 300 kg.ha-1) rates on some early growth characters of barley (Hordeum distichum L.) and Triticale (X Triticosecale wittmack). The experimental was designed as factorial of three factors in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Some early and pre harvest (flag leaf area, plant height, number of total tillers and number on fertile tillers) were measured. The results displayed significant superiority of all studied characters for Zakho location compered to Sumail location. Also, Barley surpassed Triticale crop in flag leaf area, plant height, but inferior in number of total and fertile tillers. Higher numbers of tillers were recorded in Sumail location of experiment with lower seeding rate (314.17 tillers) compared to Triticale or other seeding rate or Fertilizer treatments. DAP fertilizer treatment enhanced most of the studied traits while their effect was not reached significant level. The results recommend that the crops or varieties with fewer tillers are favorable in water limited environments and more studies are recommended mainly for Triticale crop as the studies on this crop in our areas are very rare rather than its economic importance in feeding and food processing

Proper management of irrigation and nitrogen-application increases crop N-uptake efficiency and reduces nitrate leaching

ABSTRACT Irrigation is, on one hand, expected to increase the risk of nitrate leaching through increased rates of percolation, but, on the other hand, enhances plant nutrient uptake and growth, thereby limiting the risk of leaching. To investigate this dichotomy, we analysed the effects of irrigation at three nitrogen (N)-application rates in spring barley (Hordeum distichum L., two experiments with 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha−1) and winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L., one experiment with 50, 150, and 250 kg N ha−1) on a coarse sandy soil in Denmark in a humid climate, which facilitates nitrate leaching. Analyses comprised grain/seed dry matter yield, N-uptake, nitrogen use efficiency (partial nitrogen budget, PNB, and partial-factor productivity, PFP) and nitrate leaching. For both crops, increasing N-application without consideration of the crops’ drought-stress responses lead to a relatively lower N-uptake in grain, lower yield, lower PNB and PFP and higher nitrate leaching, although responses were not proportionally to increasing N-application. The effect of irrigation at the lowest N-rates was limited. The non-irrigated treatments with the highest N-rates had a grain/seed yield of 3.2, 2.3 and 0.7 t ha−1 and nitrate leaching rates of 64, 72 and 127 kg N ha−1 compared to a grain/seed yield of 5.3, 5.0 and 2.6 kg N ha−1 and nitrate leaching rates of 61, 42 and 85 kg N ha−1 (for spring barley, spring barley and winter oilseed rape, respectively). These results show that synchronised management of both irrigation and N-application are essential for reducing the risk of nitrate leaching and to promote efficient crop N-uptake in periods of droughts.

Response of Malt Barley (Hordeum Distichum L) Varieties to Different Row Spacing under Contrasted Environments of North Gondar, Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted in north Gondar to investigate the response of malt barley varieties to different inter-row spacing under contrasted environment. The experiment was laid out using randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were three different inter-row spacing (i.e., 20, 25, and 30 cm), six malt barley varieties (i.e., Holker, HB1963, Sabine, Ibone174/03, EH1847, and Freygebse), and two locations (Miligebsa and Kino). The result sowed that days to 50% heading, days to 90% physiological maturity, plant height, spike length, and number of kernels per spike were significantly ( p < 0.01 ) affected by the main effect of location and varieties. Similarly, effective tiller number, biomass yield, grain yield, and straw yield were significantly ( p < 0.01 ) influenced by the main effect of variety, inter-row spacing, and location. Important interaction was also observed between varieties × inter-row spacing × location on days to 50% heading, spike length, biomass yield, grain yield, and straw yield. Location × variety interaction significantly influences the days to 90% physiological maturity and effective tiller number. Similar significant ( p < 0.05 ) trend was also observed between varieties with inter-row spacing on effective tiller number and thousand kernel weight even at p < 0.01 level of significance. It was found that optimization of row spacing was found to be influenced by location and varietal difference. Hence, on the basis of the result, it can be inferred that 25 cm row spacing combined with the varieties “HB1963,” “Hollker,” and “Sabine” was optimum for maximum yielding potential under potential environment (Miligebsa).

Beneficial effects of Lactobacillus-fermented black barley on high fat diet-induced fatty liver in rats.

A long-term high-fat (HF) diet can cause metabolic disorders, which might induce visceral obesity and ectopic triglyceride storage (e.g., hepatic steatosis), and increase hepatic oxidative stress. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the development of complications associated with obesity. Fermented whole cereal foods exhibit healthy potential due to their unique phytochemical composition and the presence of probiotics. In the present study, the regular nutrients and phytochemicals of Lactobacillus-fermented black barley (Hordeum distichum L.) were analyzed. Further, the black barley fermentation broth (1 mL per 100 g BW per d, equivalent to 1 mL per kg BW of daily human intake) was administered orally to the rats fed on a high fat diet (HF). The anti-oxidative activity and hepatic metabolic profile of Lactobacillus-fermented black barley were investigated. The results showed that the fermentation processing significantly increased the contents of polyphenols (e.g., ferulic acid, etc.), flavonoids (e.g., flavone, etc.), vitamin B1 and B2, partial mineral elements (e.g., Ca, etc.), and thymine. Furthermore, compared to the HF-fed only rats, fermented black barley treatment significantly increased the activities of SOD (superoxide dismutase) and GSH-PX (glutathione peroxidase), and decreased the level of TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) in serum, the levels of TG (triglyceride), TC (total cholesterol), NEFA (non-esterified fatty acid) in the liver, and the levels of TC, NEFA in the adipose tissue. This suggested the beneficial effects of fermented black barley on ameliorating oxidative stress and hepatic steatosis, which could be attributed to its regulatory role in the hepatic metabolism of glycerophospholipids, nicotinate and nicotinamide, glutathione, and nucleotide, and on the expression of genes related to oxidative stress (Heat shock protein 90 and reactive oxygen species modulator 1).

Adding value in barley malt rootlets as a source of 5’-phosphodiesterase

A thermostable 5’-phosphodiesterase (5’-PDE, EC 3.1.4.1) was extracted from barley (Hordeum distichum var. Rex) malt rootlets. The purification procedure comprised acetone precipitation, S-Sepharose cation-exchange and DEAE-Sepharose anion-exchange chromatography. The enzyme was purified 101-fold with a recovery of 22% and a specific activity of 81.9 U mg-1 protein, Optimum enzyme activity was obtained at 70 °C, and pH 8.9. The SDS-PAGE profiling of the purified protein exhibited molecular weight of 116 kDa and revealed three sub-unit fractions of 26, 43, and 56 kDa making up its active configuration. The kinetic constants Km and Vmax were determined as 0.25 mM and 0.816 mmol min-1, respectively. Thermodynamic studies showed that the thermal inactivation of purified barley malt rootlets 5’-PDE followed the first-order kinetics, indicating inactivation energy (Ed) of 134 kJ mol-1. The half-life (t1/2) at 70 °C was estimated as 169 min. Thermodynamic parameters ΔH*, ΔS* and ΔG* were determined as a function of temperature and were 131.15 kJ mol-1, 37.01 kJ mol-1 K-1 and 118.4 kJ mol-1, respectively. The purified enzyme has long half-life with 11 days at 0 °C, 37 hours at 4 °C and 11 hours at room temperature. These results provide useful information about the factors that affects the activity of barley malt rootlets 5’-PDE and suggests a good indication for application of this enzyme in pharmaceutical and food industry.

Towards an integrated weed management decision support system: A simulation model for weed-crop competition and control

A mathematical simulation model for the multi-annual assessment of Integrated Weed Management strategies is presented. The model allows the simulation of the competitive interaction between annual weeds and crops. For weed development, the following processes are represented: (i) demographic dynamics on a daily basis considering the numeric composition of the different phenological states, (ii) intra and inter specific competition, (iii) seed production and (v) the effect of different control methods. For the crop development, the computed variables are: (i) Leaf Area Index, (ii) competitive effect over the weed, (iii) the expected yield as a function of weed competition. The model was developed in close collaboration with agricultural technicians and extensionists aiming to target a decision-making related audience. Results are provided for a wild oat (Avena fatua) – winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) / malting barley (Hordeum distichum) rotation system, typical of the Semiarid Pampean Region of Argentina. Multi-annual scenarios were generated to evaluate the effect of different management strategies against common herbicide-based practices in susceptible and resistant weed populations. Parts of the model were validated with independent experimental data. Finally, future improvements of the model and some guidelines towards the development of a long-term Decision Support System for weed management are provided.

EFFECTS OF LIGNOHUMATE ON THE PHYTOTOXICITY OF PHOSPHORUS-CONTAINING COMPOUNDS (MODEL EXPERIMENTS)

In conditions of chemical pollution, it is relevant to enhance the resistance of plants with substances that have a protective action. The effect of humic substance Lignohumate on the phytotoxic properties of phosphorus-containing compounds methylphosphonic acid (MPA) and sodium pyrophosphate (SPP) was studied in model experiments. Lignohumate was tested at three concentrations (0.1, 0.5, and 1 g/L) on Hordeum distichum L. of the Novichok variety. The test functions were such indicators as the germinating and sprouting ability of seeds, the growth and biomass accumulation of seedlings, and the inhibition effect. Lignohumate in the studied concentrations did not affect germination of the barley seeds, but it stimulated growth of the barley seedlings. In the conditions of MPA pollution (0.01 mol/L), Lignohumate exerted a protective effect on the plants, and the highest concentration of humic preparation (1 g/L) was the most effective. In the experiments with SPP (0.01 mol/L), Lignohumate stimulated germination the barley seeds but it did not reduce the growth inhibitory effect of SPP. The combined exposure to the studied pollutants negatively affected growth and accumulation of biomass by the barley roots. The introduction of Lignohumate weakened the combined effect but could not completely countervail it. The calculation of inhibition effect showed that the phytotoxicity of phosphorus-containing substances reduced in the order MPA (without buffer) - SPP - MPA (with buffer) - MPA+SPP . The introduction of Lignohumate to the growth medium was the most effective in experiments with low-toxic substances.

Effects of hydrogen-rich water on the nutrient composition and antioxidative characteristics of sprouted black barley

Hydrogen gas (H2), a multifunctional signaling molecule, has received increasing attention in recent years. In the present study, hydrogen-rich water (HRW) (2 ppm) was used for the processing of sprouted black barley (Hordeum distichum L.), and the results showed that the HRW treatment could significantly increase the germination rate and growth rate of black barley (P < 0.05). A chemical component analysis showed that in sprouted black barley, the HRW treatment could change the distribution of phytochemicals (e.g., the ionic strength of guanosine), increase the concentrations of free vanillic acid, coumaric acid, sinapic acid, conjugated sinapic acid, Ca and Fe and the hydroxyl radical scavenging rate, and decrease the protein, fat, starch and dietary fibre contents compared with the results obtained after treatment with ultra-pure water (P < 0.05). HRW can be used for the processing of sprouted grains to effectively increase their germination efficiency and concentrations of bioactive phytochemicals.

Yield and quality of malt barley (Hordeum distichum L.) as influenced by seed rate, row spacing and nitrogen levels

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season 2014–15 at Agronomy Research Farm, CCSHAU, Hisar (India) to assess the effect of seed rate, row spacing and nitrogen on yield and quality of malt barley. The experiment comprised of two seed rates (87.5 and 100 kg ha−1) and three spacings (22, 20 and 18 cm) in main plots and four nitrogen levels (60, 75, 90 and 105 kg N ha−1) in sub-plots, laid out in a split plot design. The application of 100 kg seed ha−1significantly improved grain, protein and malt yield over 87.5 kg seed ha−1. However, the quality parameters like bold grain, hectoliter weight, starch content, protein content, husk content and malt recovery were at par under both the seed rates. Row spacing of 18 cm gave significantly higher grain and malt yield as compared to 22 cm but was at par with 20 cm spacing. The grain, protein and malt yield increased significantly up to 90 kg N ha−1. It appears that 100 kg ha−1 seed rate, 18 or 20 cm row spacing and 90 kg N ha−1are optimum for most yield and quality parameters for two rowed barley under Haryana conditions.

A Novel Phosphogypsum Application Recommendation Method under Continuous No‐Till Management in Brazil

Core Ideas Phosphogypsum application increases grain yield, particularly in acidic subsoils. Phosphogypsum rates can be based on Ca2+ saturation in the ECEC of the subsoil. We show a new method for phosphogypsum recommendation based on M5‐Rules. Phosphogypsum (PG) is used in tropical and subtropical agriculture when subsoil acidity is an important yield‐limiting factor. However, the conditions that increase crop yield under PG application in continuous no‐till systems remain unclear. In addition, the methods used in Brazil to estimate the PG requirements are sometimes imprecise. Thus, to develop an accurate method for establishing PG recommendation, a dataset from experiments performed in southern Brazil and selected published papers involving PG application on various Oxisols under continuous no‐till was analyzed by computational techniques of data mining using the M5‐Rules algorithm to create regression models. Experimental areas consisted of annual crops managed under a long‐term (≥10 yr) no‐till system. These included maize (Zea mays L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and barley (Hordeum distichum L.). Results allowed the proposal of a new method for establishing the PG requirement to increase Ca2+ saturation to 60% in the effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) at the 20‐ to 40‐cm soil layer when this is lower than 54% using the following equation: PG (Mg ha−1) = (0.6 × ECEC – exchangeable Ca2+ content in cmolc dm−3) × 6.4. The PG rates indicated by this method agreed with those leading to the maximum economic yields obtained in most studies conducted on continuous no‐till soils in Brazil. The proposed method might be efficiently used when subsoil acidity is an important growth‐limiting factor.

Effects of Maturity, Wilting, Lactic Acid Bacteria Inoculant and Rate of Application of Cellulase on the Fermentation Quality and Feeding Value of Whole-Crop Two-Rowed Barley (Hordeum distichum L.) Silage

Effects of Maturity, Wilting, Lactic Acid Bacteria Inoculant and Rate of Application of Cellulase on the Fermentation Quality and Feeding Value of Whole-Crop Two-Rowed Barley (Hordeum distichum L.) Silage

Homeostasis and Genotypic Resultant for the Main Spike Characters of Two-rowed Barely

Five genotypes of two-rowed barley (Hordeum distichum L.) named MORA, ABN-B, Arabi Aswad, Clipper and Bohoth H1 with their twenty F 1 progeny were evaluated inKurdistan Region-Iraq at three different locations, Erbil-Grdarasha, Garmian-Kalar andSulaimani-Qilyasan during the winter season 2011-2012 using Randomized CompletelyBlock Design (RCBD) with three replications in order to study the homeostasis andgenotypic resultant growth and spike characters. The results revealed highly significanteffects due to genotypes × locations in most of the studied characters with exception offlag leaf length, spike length, and grin weight / spike. Parent 1 was the best genotypewhich had the highest homeostasis values for five characters no. of grain / spike (0.936),flag leaf length (0.915), peduncle diameter (0.962), spike length (0.933) and no. ofspiklets / spike (0.975), while the hybrid (1×2) had the highest homeostasis values forthree characters flag leaf length (0.985), spike length (0.988), and no. of spiklets / spike(0.990). So the homeostasis of these genotypes needs to be better evaluated in a set ofenvironments tested across different years. Very high genotypic resultant values wereobtained for no. of grain / spike (1.135 by the hybrid 2×5), flag leaf length (1.074 by thehybrid 5×4), spike length and no. of spikelets / spike (1.061 and 1.059, respectively bythe hybrid 2×5) indicating these genotypes having high performances at differentenvironments and should be not ignored in future studies.

Effect of different doses of post-emergence-applied iodosulfuron on weed control and grain yield of malt barley (Hordeum distichum L.), under Mediterranean conditions

AbstractA study was carried out over a two year period (2009/2010 and 2012/2013) on an experimental farm in the Alentejo region (Beja), in southern Portugal where rainfed malt barley (Hordeum distichum L.) is sown at the end of autumn or beginning of winter (November- December). The aim of this experiment was to study the efficiency of the herbicide iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium to control post-emergence broadleaved weeds in this cereal crop. The malt barley crop was established using no-till farming. This technology provides the necessary machine bearing capacity of the soil to assure the post-emergence application of herbicides at two different weed development stages. The herbicide iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium was applied at three doses (5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 g a. i. · ha-1) and at two different broadleaved weed development stages (3 to 4 and 6 to 7 pairs of leaves), that also corresponded to two different crop development stages (beginning of tillering and complete tillering). The results indicated that early herbicide application timing provided a significantly higher efficiency for all the applied herbicide doses, but this better weed control was not reflected in a higher crop grain yield. The lack of a higher crop grain yield was probably due to a crop phytotoxicity of the herbicide, when used at an early application timing.

Effect of roller-crimper technology on weed management in organic zucchini production in a Mediterranean climate zone

AbstractIntegrating cover crops into vegetable cropping systems can provide a wide range of ecological services, of which weed management is a key component. Cover crop effects on weed control, however, are dependent on termination methods and weed species present in specific cropping seasons. A 2-year weed management experiment with two cultivars of organic zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) in central Italy was carried out to compare the effect of a barley (Hordeum distichum L.) cover crop terminated with a modified roller-crimper (RC) to incorporated barley as green manure (GM) and a tilled control left fallow (FA) in the off-season. The effects of cover-crop management on crop competitiveness, yields and weed populations were evaluated by direct measurement, visual estimation and competition index methods. Results showed a significant reduction in weed biomass (&gt;80%) and weed abundance with the RC compared to the GM and FA treatments. Moreover, the RC barley mulch maintained weed control in zucchini plots even under high weed pressure, as determined by the agronomic tolerance to competition (ATC) value of 67% in the RC treatment compared to 40 and 34% in the FA and GM treatments, respectively, averaged over both years of the experiment. The competitive balance (Cb), which quantified the ability of the zucchini crop to compete with weed populations, was also greater (+0.37) in the RC treatment compared to FA (−0.87) and GM (−0.69) treatments over the same period. Zucchini crop biomass was greatest in the RC treatment in 2011. Zucchini fruit yields varied from an average over both years of 1.4 Mg ha−1 in the RC treatment to 0.7 Mg ha−1 in the GM treatment, but yields in the FA treatment, 1.2 Mg ha−1, did not differ from the RC treatment. No differences in yield between ‘Dietary’ and ‘Every’ zucchini, or any significant interactions between cultivar and cover management related to fruit biomass, were observed. Our findings suggested the viability of the modified RC in creating a barley cover-crop mulch to effectively manage weeds and enhance yields in transplanted zucchini.

Spatial variability of organic matter in soil dedicated to growing malting barley (Hordeum distichum L.)

The organic matter (OM) contained in soils is one of the properties of major interest due to his paper in the structure and to his recognized influence in the dynamics of solutos. Characterization is therefore an aspect of great interest. The OM in soils cropped malting barley (Hordeum distichumL.) are relatively low, so that the uncertainty and possible errors of the analytical method may determine spatial variability studies. In this paper we developed and validated a method for analysis of OM according to the criteria of ISO-17025 and designed a quality control, including a study of the variability that the methodology introduced in the results. With the developed methodology has conducted preliminary sampling and sampling end of 39 and 248 representative samples from a plot planted to malting barley Apan Township, south of the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, whose aim was to evaluate the number of samples needed to be taken to characterize this soil and this property (OM). The work was completed with a geostatistical study of the values of OM, which conclusions can be drawn for future sampling plans, development of simulation models and field-scale practical application of fertilization problems.

A novel morphometric method for differentiating wild and domesticated barley through intra-rachis measurements

The main methods used for determining whether cereal remains from archaeological site were domesticated or not are based on the type of rachis scars and grain size. However, both ways suffer from uncertainties, and more reliable methods are in need. In this work we suggest such a novel differentiating method. We developed two statistical equations, one for unburned and one for burned (charred) wild (Hordeum spontaneum) and domesticated (Hordeum distichum) barley triplets. These equations are based on clearly measurable characteristics of the upper scars of triplets from modern barley populations. The equations yield the probability (P) that a triplet is from a domesticated variety. Using different batches of barley collected in Israel, it was confirmed that at P > 0.8 and P > 0.7 for unburned and charred triplets, respectively, domesticated barley was correctly identified at a certainty of >99%.

The role of cell selection for pollen grain fertility after treatment of barley sprouts (Hordeum distichum L.) with UV-B irradiation

UV-B irradiation of barley sprouts within the range of 0.5-4.3 kJ/m2 induced an increase in the number of chromosome aberrations in the root meristem and pathologies in the reproductive system. Enhancement of cytomixis, increase of polymorphism and cytopathology of pollen grains were observed in the male generative system. The inverse trend was observed when intensity of cytomixis was compared to the pollen grain sterility. Damages induced by low doses of UV-B radiation were eliminated neither by DNA reparation nor by cell selection and were preserved in many cell generations. High UV-B level led to the activation of cytomixis due to which the population of microsporocytes was released from the excess load. It is presumed that cytomixis present a form of cell selection which was induced by an excess of microsporocyte disturbances.

Population Growth of Rhopalosiphum padi L. (Homoptera: Aphididae) on Different Cereal Crops from the Semiarid Pampas of Argentina under Laboratory Conditions

The bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi L. (Homoptera: Aphididae) is one of the main pests in a number of crops in the semiarid Pampas of Argentina. In the present study, the effect of different host plants, including Triticum aestivum L., Χ Triticosecale Wittm., Hordeum vulgare L., Hordeum distichum L., Avena sativa L., and Secale cereale L. on biological parameters of R. padi L. was studied in the laboratory at 24 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 10% RH and a 14:10 photoperiod. Longevity, intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm), net reproductive rate (R0), mean generation time (T), doubling time (DT), and finite rate of increase (λ) of the bird cherry-oat aphid on the different cereal crops were estimated. Differences in fertility life table parameters of R. padi among host plants were analyzed using pseudo-values, which were produced by Jackknife re-sampling. Results indicated that beer barley might be the most suitable food for R. padi due to greater adult longevity (20.88 d), higher fecundity (41 nymphs female-1), higher intrinsic rate of natural increase (0.309 females female-1 d-1), lower doubling time (2.24), and lower nymphal mortality (22.2%). Therefore, it can be concluded from the present study that R. padi prefers beer barley for fast and healthy development over other cereal crops.