Barley Research Articles

Effect of NPK fertilization and seed rate on barley (Hordeum vulgare) yield, yield component and nitrogen dynamics in semi-arid conditions

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of varying of NPK fertilization doses and seed rates on barley (Hordeum vulgare) yield, yield components, and inorganic nitrogen (NH4-N and NO3-N) dynamics in semi-arid conditions without artificial irrigation. Material and Methods: The field experiment was conducted at the Gobustan Experimental Station from October 2018 to June 2019, utilizing the "Celilabad-19" barley variety. A randomized complete block design with four replications was employed, incorporating various seed rates and NPK fertilizer treatments. Plant and soil samples were collected at different phenological stages, and analyses included grain and straw yield, yield parameters, total N content of plant, and soil NH4-N and NO3-N levels. Results and Discussion: The results the treatment with a seed rate of 140 kg/ha and N60P45K45 fertilizer application consistently demonstrated the highest aboveground biomass, grain, and straw yields. This treatment exhibited optimal N content during the Full Maturity stage of plant. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study has provided insights into optimizing barley cultivation practices in semi-arid climates, such as seed rate and NPK fertilizer dose. With a seed rate of 140 kg/ha and N60P45K45 fertilizer application, the highest yield and performance indicators were achieved in the “Celilabad-19” barley variety.

A Deeper Insight into the Yield Formation of Winter and Spring Barley in Relation to Weather and Climate Variability

A Deeper Insight into the Yield Formation of Winter and Spring Barley in Relation to Weather and Climate Variability

Comparisons of the amylolytic enzymes and malt starch hydrolysates of two barley cultivars, Hokudai 1 (the first cultivar developed in Japan) and Kitanohoshi (currently used cultivar for beer production).

Starch degradation in malted barley produces yeast-fermentable sugars. In this study, we compared the amylolytic enzymes and composition of the malt starch hydrolysates of two barley cultivars, Hokudai 1 (the first cultivar established in Japan) and Kitanohoshi (the currently used cultivar for beer production). Hokudai 1 malt contained lower activity of amylolytic enzymes than Kitanohoshi malt, although these cultivars contained α-amylase AMY2 and β-amylase Bmy1 as the predominant enzymes. Malt starch hydrolysates of Hokudai 1 contained more limit dextrin and less yeast-fermentable sugars than that of Kitanohoshi. In mixed malt saccharification, a high Hokudai 1 malt ratio increased the limit dextrin levels and decreased the maltotriose and maltose levels. Even though Kitanohoshi malt contained more amylolytic enzymes than Hokudai 1 malt, addition of Kitanohoshi extract containing the amylolytic enzymes did not enhance malt starch degradation of Hokudai 1. Hokudai 1 malt starch was less degradable than Kitanohoshi malt starch.

Leave no stone unturned: Exploring the metaproteome of beerstone for the identification of archaeological beer production

In archaeological contexts, identifying processes of beer production and consumption has contributed to our understanding of agriculture, labor mobilization, economic surplus, feasting, gender dynamics, social structure, tribute, community, identity and politics. Nevertheless, in the absence of pictorial representations and characteristic objects, beer brewing is difficult to identify in the archaeological record, and molecular methods are often limited by constraints of preservation and specificity. A potential target for studies of ancient beer production are residues formed during brewing activity, including beerstone, a calcium oxalate residue. Here, we apply shotgun proteomics analyses to a sample of modern beerstone to explore this residue's capacity as a marker for beer in archaeological contexts. The beerstone proteome was compared to the protein profiles of ungerminated and germinated barley to identify key proteins indicative of malted grains which may be encased by the residue. Proteins matching to barley grain (Hordeum vulgare) and Baker's/Brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were successfully identified in the beerstone. In particular, we identified hordeins, lipid transfer proteins, trypsin/α-amylase inhibitors, and protein Z, which are barley proteins abundant in proteomic characterisations of beer. In comparison to ungerminated and germinated barley grains, we find that beerstone preserves only a subset of the barley proteome, with the residue being more reflective of the final brewing product than of earlier brewing steps such as malting. Overall, we demonstrate that beerstone has potential to entrap and preserve proteins reflective of the beer-making process and identify proteins that we might anticipate in future archaeological analyses.

Unravelling drought and salinity stress responses in barley genotypes: physiological, biochemical, and molecular insights.

In the face of escalating environmental challenges, understanding crop responses to abiotic stress is pivotal for sustainable agriculture. The present study meticulously investigates the intricate interplay between drought and salinity stress in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Employing three distinct barley genotypes-Traveller, Prunella, and Zahna-we scrutinize their physiological, biochemical, and molecular adaptations under stress conditions. Our findings underscore genotype-specific responses, unravelling the multifaceted mechanisms that govern stress tolerance. Chlorophyll content, a vital indicator of photosynthetic efficiency, exhibits significant variations across genotypes. Salinity stress induces a decline in chlorophyll levels, while drought stress triggers a more nuanced response. Stomatal conductance, a key regulator of water loss, also diverges among the genotypes. Traveller displays remarkable stomatal closure under drought, conserving water, whereas Prunella and Zahna exhibit contrasting patterns. Antioxidant enzyme activities, crucial for combating oxidative stress, fluctuate significantly. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) surge under salinity stress, while drought predominantly impacts SOD. Gene expression profiling reveals genotype-specific signatures, with stress-responsive genes modulating adaptive pathways. Correlation analyses revealed the intricate interplay of the physiological and biochemical parameters. Genotype-specific adaptations, coupled with dynamic physiological and molecular responses, underscore the plasticity of barley's stress tolerance mechanisms. Throughout the study, the Zahna genotype demonstrated notable tolerance in terms of performance. These insights hold promise for breeding resilient cultivars, bolstering food security in an increasingly unpredictable climate. By deciphering the barley stress symphony, we contribute to the harmonious orchestration of sustainable agricultural practices.

A new geminialphasatellite associated with wheat dwarf virus identified in winter barley in France.

Using a high-throughput sequencing (HTS) approach, we report the discovery of a new alphasatellite identified in a winter barley plant collected in France in 2022 that was also infected by wheat dwarf virus (WDV). The presence of the satellite and of WDV was confirmed by several independent PCR assays, and the complete genome sequence was determined. The circular satellite genome is 1424 nt long and shows typical hallmarks of members of the subfamily Geminialphasatellitinae, including a replication-associated hairpin with a CAGTATTAC sequence and a Rep-encoding open reading frame (ORF). It also possesses a second ORF, embedded in a different frame within the Rep ORF, which is also observed in clecrusatellites and a few other members of the family Alphasatellitidae. Pairwise sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis showed that this satellite represents a novel species. Its closest relatives are in the genus Colecusatellite, but it likely represents a new genus given its divergence from other genera of the subfamily Geminialphasatellitinae. Given that WDV was the only virus observed in coinfection with the satellite, the name "wheat dwarf virus-associated alphasatellite" is proposed for this novel agent.

Study of the microRNA fraction in food waste and other biomasses. Assessment of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs with important biological functions. Their presence in food and their potential role as new bioactive molecules is generating great expectations. For the first time, the miRNA fraction within food waste and algae has been studied, highlighting their bioactivity and its potential upcycling. MiRNAs from barley malt rootles, brewer’s spent grains, Spirulina, Chlorella, orange peels, pomegranate and apricot seeds, and watermelon waste were extracted using two kits, one with chloroform and a more sustainable alternative. Higher extraction yields were obtained with the chloroform-containing kit. Purity of extracts was confirmed by UV spectroscopy and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with UV detection. Further analysis by RP-HPLC and high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) demonstrated the potential and feasibility of this technique for the analysis of miRNA although there are still some limitations to overcome before its routine application. Apricot seed miRNAs demonstrated remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity.

Preparation of copper glycinate and study of its effect on the germination of winter barley seeds

We analyzed the encrustation of winter barley seeds, which includes its preliminary treatment with cuprum glycinate, with the purpose of increasing yield and biochemical indicators of grain, and also improving the ecological condition of the soil. The objective of the research was to select methods for the synthesis of cuprum glycinate, study its chemical composition and the possibility of using this compound as a chelated micro-fertilizer for pre-sowing encrustation of winter barley seed as part of a tank mixture. Two well-known synthesis methods were used to obtain cuprum glycinate. The first method was the interaction between CuO with a solution of glycine during heating, during which pink metallic copper inclusions were noticed in the mixture of reaction products. It was found that it is expedient to synthesize the glycine complex of cuprum by the reaction of a suspension of Cu2CO3(OH)2 with glycine during heating (the yield is 97%), since a complex compound Cu(NH2CH2COO)2•H2O of sufficient purity is formed. The composition of the synthesized substance and the confirmation of the formula of the compound Cu(NH2CH2COO)2•H2O were obtained by determining the infrared and the atomic absorption spectrum of the aqueous solution. Based on the obtained differences in the atomic absorption spectra of the synthesized copper sulfate and copper glycinate the formation of the latter was confirmed. The IR spectrum confirms the formula of the complex compound and the formation of strong covalent bonds between the metal cation and the ligands. The study of the effect of cuprum glycinate on the germination of winter barley Tutankhamun seeds was carried out in comparison with the similar effect of a complex compound of cuprum with ethylenediaminetetraacetate. The study of the influence of cuprum glycinate on the germination of winter barley revealed positive results in which the germination exceeded the control by 9–27%. Winter barley seeds treated with distilled water served as a control. Treatment of winter barley seeds with an aqueous solution of cuprum glycinate in the amount of 20 g of cuprum per 1 ton of grain led to better germination than pre-treatment of seeds with a twice concentrated corresponding solution. Treatment with a complex compound of copper with ethylenediaminetetraacetate had no significant effect on the germination and characteristics of sprouts. The results of laboratory studies confirmed the feasibility of using complex compounds of biometal copper with organic chelating ligands as microfertilizers for pre-sowing seed encrustation, as they have high stability and sufficient solubility in water, are non-toxic, are better absorbed by plants and are considered cost-effective and environmentally safe.

Nomenclatural standards of spring barley cultivars bred by the Volga Scientific Research Institute of Selection and Seed-Growing named after P.N. Konstantinov

The article discusses the cultivars of spring two-row barley ‘Povolzhsky 22’, ‘Povolzhsky 49’, ‘Povolzhsky Yantar’, and ‘Povolzhsky Priz’ bred by the Volga Scientific Research Institute of Selection and Seed-Growing named after P.N. Konstantinov, a branch of the Samara Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The article describes the morphological, biological and economic characteristics of the cultivars. To prepare herbarium specimens of nomenclatural standards, plant material of cultivars ‘Povolzhsky 22’, ‘Povolzhsky 49’, and ‘Povolzhsky Yantar’ was used. These cultivars are represented by one herbarium sheet each and duplicated by 2, 1 and 3 sheets, respectively. A herbarium specimen of cultivar ‘Povolzhsky Priz’ has also been prepared, although State Variety Testing of the cultivar was not completed in 2023. This herbarium specimen will be registered as the nomenclatural standard of the cultivar when the latter will be included in the State Register.All herbarium specimens include whole plants at the milky ripeness stage, ears at the waxy ripeness stage, and grain samples. Appropriate plants were collected in Pushkin, in the fields of the “Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR” (St. Petersburg), and ears and grains were obtained from the Volga Scientific Research Institute of Selection and Seed-Growing named after P.N. Konstantinov (Samara Province).All materials used for preparing herbarium specimens of a cultivar are the offspring of plants obtained as a result of individual family selection. Herbarium specimens of nomenclatural standards, their duplicates and herbarium specimens of cultivar ‘Povolzhsky Priz’ were prepared in accordance with the recommendations of the International Code of Nomenclature of Cultivated Plants (ICNCP), registered in the VIR Herbarium database and transferred to the Herbarium of Cultivated Plants of the World, their Wild Relatives and Weeds (WIR) at the National Center for Plant Genetic Resources.

Novel QTL Hotspots for Barley Flowering Time, Plant Architecture, and Grain Yield

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the oldest cultivated grains and remains a significant crop globally. Barley breeders focus on developing high-yield cultivars resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses. Barley’s flowering time, regulated genetically and by environmental stimuli, significantly impacts all of its agronomic traits, including the grain yield and plant architecture. This study aimed to detect the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting these traits in 273 two-row spring barley accessions from the USA, Kazakhstan, Europe, and the Middle East across two regions of Kazakhstan, evaluating their impact on grain yield. Genotypic data were obtained from 26,529 segregating single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and field trial data for 273 accessions, which were obtained for six traits (heading time, maturity time, vegetation period, plant height, peduncle length, and grain yield) in two regions of Kazakhstan over three growth years. As a result of a genome-wide association study (GWAS), 95 QTLs were identified for 6 agronomic traits, including 58 QTLs linked with candidate genes and/or QTLs. The remaining 37 QTLs were putatively novel, with 13 of them forming 3 QTL hotspots on chromosomes 1H (5 QTLs in the interval of 13.4–41.4 Mbp), 3H (4 QTLs in 608.6–624.9 Mbp), and 6H (4 QTLs in 553.8–572.8 Mbp). These hotspots were pleiotropic, and targeting these regions would allow breeders to enhance multiple yield-associated traits.

Role of ten different exogenous plant growth promoters in regulating cytotoxic and genotoxic processes in barley exposed to high temperature stress

Agricultural crop affected preliminary and the most prominent by the adverse effects of global climate change have to adapt to various abiotic factors that will occur as a result of climate fluctuations in the near-future and struggle to survive. Among abiotic factors, the one of the greatest impact on plant stress is high temperature. Therefore, the most important step to take action against the global threat is the development of new temperature tolerant varieties. Barley, which is the fourth most important cereal in the world after wheat, maize, and rice are affected by high ambient temperatures. In this work, the effects of their alone and in double, triple combinations of ten various plant growth regulators (PGRs) on mitotic activity and chromosome behaviors in root meristems of barley exposed to high temperature (30°C) were investigated. In the experiments, Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Bülbül 89 variety and GA3, KIN, BA, E, EBR, TRIA and PAs (Spm, Spd, Put, Cad) as growth regulators were used. The results obtained were compared with each other and with those of the seeds germinated at optimum temperature (20°C). Consequently; it has been determined that most of the PGRs studied, especially the GA3 and their combinations with GA3, exhibit a very successful performance on mitotic activity and cytogenetic aberrations in barley seeds germinated under high temperature stress- HTS conditions. The effects of these PGRs (except for EBR) and their combinations on mitotic activity and chromosome behaviors under HTS have been presented in this study for the first time.

The Effect of Grass Juices on The Agricultural Properties of Legumes Grown in Different Root Media

The consumption of grass juices obtained from cereals for health purposes is increasing day by day. For this purpose, research on different plant solutions has gained momentum. In our study, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) grass juices grown in hydroponic conditions were used. Obtained grass juices were applied to pea and lupine seeds in 100% soil (control), 100% pumice, 100% perlite, 100% tea waste and 100% cocopeat substrate. Germination percentage, germination rate, average daily germination, peak value, germination value, root dry and fresh weight, stem dry and fresh weight, root and stem length, plant yield, grass yield, plant yield seed rate, macro and micro (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) mineral substance contents were investigated pea and lupine. Grass juices were obtained by mowing barley and oat seeds sown in 30 × 50 × 7 cm plastic tubs in ten days and passing them through a juicer. Pea and lupine 25 seeds, which were placed in each pot, were grown in different root media (100% soil, 100% cocopeat, 100% pumice, 100% perlite, and 100% tea waste) under in vitro conditions. 150 ml of water (control), barley grass juice, oat grass juice and barley + oat grass juice were applied to the seeds according to their subjects. The experiment was carried out in 400 pots with 10 replications x 2 species x 4 treatments x 5 media, according to the factorial fully randomised design. As a result of the research, germination physiology (germination percentage, germination rate, average daily germination, peak value and germination value), mineral substance content (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn), growth and yield parameters at (root dry and wet weight, stem dry and wet weight, root and stem length, plant yield, grass yield, plant yield seed rate) barley grass juice application was found to be more effective than other applications after control. In all parameters examined in the research, it was determined that the five different medias used as growing media followed the order of soil>cocopeat>pumice>perlite>tea waste, and after the control and the best growing medium was cocopeat.

Unveiling the mysteries of HvANS: a study on anthocyanin biosynthesis in qingke (hordeum vulgare L. var. Nudum hook. f.) seeds

BackgroundBased on our previous research, a full-length cDNA sequence of HvANS gene was isolated from purple and white Qingke. The open reading frame (ORF) in the purple variety Nierumuzha was 1320 base pairs (bp), encoding 439 amino acids, while the ORF in the white variety Kunlun 10 was 1197 bp, encoding 398 amino acids. A nonsynonymous mutation was found at the position of 1195 bp (T/C) in the coding sequence (CDS) of the HvANS gene. We carried out a series of studies to further clarify the relationship between the HvANS gene and anthocyanin synthesis in Qingke.ResultsThe conservative structural domain prediction results showed that the encoded protein belonged to the PLN03178 superfamily. Multiple comparisons showed that this protein had the highest homology with Hordeum vulgare, at 88.61%. The approximately 2000 bp promoter sequence of the HvANS gene was identical in both varieties. The real-time fluorescence PCR (qRT-PCR) results revealed that HvANS expression was either absent or very low in the roots, stems, leaves, and awns of Nierumuzha. In contrast, the HvANS expression was high in the seed coats and seeds of Nierumuzha. Likewise, in Kunlun 10, HvANS expression was either absent or very low, indicating a tissue-specific and variety-specific pattern for HvANS expression. The subcellular localization results indicated that HvANS was in the cell membrane. Metabolomic results indicated that the HvANS gene is closely related to the synthesis of three anthocyanin substances (Idaein chloride, Kinetin 9-riboside, and Cyanidin O-syringic acid). Yeast single hybridization experiments showed that the HvANS promoter interacted with HvANT1, which is the key anthocyanin regulatory protein. In a yeast two-hybrid experiment, we obtained two significantly different proteins (ZWY2020 and POMGNT2-like) and verified the results by qRT-PCR.ConclusionsThese results provide a basis for further studies on the regulatory mechanism of HvANS in the synthesis of anthocyanins in Qingke purple grains.

Metabolomic profiling of barley extracts obtained via different solvents and evaluation of their anti-inflammatory efficacy

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) stands out for its special nutritional value compared to other cereals, garnering significant attention in recent years. In this study, a comprehensive chemical and biological evaluation of different barley cultivars extracted with different solvents was performed. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) was used in the phytochemical study. The molecular docking with absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) study and multivariate analysis alongside the quantification of total phenolic contents (TPC) were performed. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory action was in vitro assessed by measuring COX-1, COX-2, and 5-LOX inhibition. This study seeks to establish a suitable solvent for extracting anti-inflammatory properties from diverse barley cultivars. The methanol extract obtained from the G.131 cultivar, followed by the 80% methanol extract from the G.136 cultivar, exhibited the most favorable IC50 values in comparison to the reference drugs indomethacin and celecoxib. The phytochemical profile revealed more than 60 compounds that belonged to nitrogen-containing compounds, phenolic compounds, organic acids, flavonoids, and their glycosides, hordatines, and other classes. The TPC and COX-2 inhibition was positively correlated with isoscoparin, coumaroyle–OH–eagmatine, isoorientin, isovitexin 7-O-rhamnosylglucoside, isoscoparin 7-O-glucoside, and isoorientin-7-O-[6-feruloyl]-glucoside. These findings along with their pharmacodynamics study suggested a potential synergistic and significant contribution of these compounds with the anti-inflammatory activity.

Investigation of in vitro biological activity of young Hordeum vulgare leaf in correlation with its bioactive compounds.

Young shoots of cereals are widely regarded as superfoods with health benefits attributed to their potential antioxidant activity and antioxidant-related effects (e.g. anticancer). The current study aimed to examine the chemical characteristics of Hordeum vulgare methanolic and aqueous extracts and assess their antioxidant activity using the DDPH and ORAC. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of xanthine oxidase was screened. TLC bioautography was employed to determine the polarity of the compounds present in the extracts that exhibited the most potent free radical scavenging activity. Total flavonoid content of the methanolic and aqueous extracts was 0.14mgQE/g and 0.012mgQE/g, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract was found to be more potent, with a value of 0.97 ± 0.13mmolTE/g than the aqueous extract which had no activity. This study presents novel findings on the xanthine inhibitory activity of H. vulgare. The methanolic extract demonstrated moderate inhibition of xanthine oxidase with a value of 23.24%. The results of our study were compared with the phytochemical and pharmacological analysis of Triticum aestivum, and further comparison was made with the data reported in the literature. Inconsistencies were observed in the chemical and pharmacological properties of H. vulgare, which could be a result of using herbal material harvested in different vegetative phases and various methods used for extraction. The findings of our study indicate that the timing of the harvest and extraction method may play crucial role in attaining the optimal phytochemical composition of H. vulgare, hence enhancing its pharmacological activity.

Ethnomedicinal survey of anti-urolithiatic medicinal plants used in the region of Mascara, Algeria

Objective: To conduct an ethnomedicinal survey and conserve traditional medicinal practices in the Mascara region of northwestern Algeria. In this region, traditional medicinal knowledge has primarily been transmitted orally, and the study aims to document it in written form for better utilization in the field of pharmacology. Methods: Purposive sampling with semi-structured questionnaires was adopted with ethnobotanical data obtained from 135 local informants, including 22 herbalists. The study participants were asked about their sociodemographic profiles and ethnomedicinal knowledge about anti-urolithiatic medicinal plants. Results: Sixty-three anti-urolithiatic species belonging to 59 genera and 32 families were inventoried. All plants are prescribed orally, and decoction presents the most common preparation method (46.0%). Seeds are the most used parts (27.0%). The most frequent botanical families were Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, and Rosaceae. The predominant anti-urolithiatic plants are Hemiaria hirsute L., Hordeum vulgare L., Linum usitatissimum L., Zea mays L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., and Apium graveolens L. Conclusions: This study highlights the diversity of the phytotherapeutic practices used against urolithiasis in the region of Mascara. It also suggests that ethnomedicine is well-entrenched in local health practices in this area. However, this knowledge acquired by the local inhabitants over the centuries risks disappearing since it is mainly held by older people and is not documented.

How does silicon alleviate Cd-induced phytotoxicity in barley, Hordeum vulgare L.?

Toxic heavy metal accumulation in edible plants has become a problem worth worrying about for human health. Cadmium is one of the most toxic metals presenting high bioavailability in the environment. The main route of transfer of Cd to humans is the consumption of contaminated food which suggests that reducing of Cd absorption by plants could reduce this risk. In this context, it was suggested that silicon supply would be able to limit the transfer of Cd to the plants. Thus, this work evaluated the effects of 0.5 mM Si on Cd absorption and accumulation in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Plants were grown hydroponically for 21 days in the presence of 0 and 15 μM Cd2+ combined or not with 0.5 mM Si. Analyses were related to growth and photosynthesis parameters, Cd accumulation in organs and Cd subcellular distribution in the shoots. Results showed that, under Cd alone, plants showed severe toxicity symptoms as chlorosis and necrosis and produced significantly less biomass as compared to control. 0.5 mM Si in the medium culture significantly reduced Cd-induced toxicity by mitigating symptoms and restoring growth, photosynthesis, and nutrition. Si also induced a significant reduction of Cd concentration in plants and changed its sub-cellular compartmentalization by enhancing fixation to cell walls and reducing the Cd concentration in the cytoplasmic and organelles fractions. These data suggest that the application of Si could significantly increase Cd tolerance and reduce the risk of the Cd accumulation in edible plants.

The CDPK-related protein kinase HvCRK2 and HvCRK4 interact with HvCML32 to negatively regulate drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana

Calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) as one of calcium sensors were play important roles in stress responses. CDPK-related protein kinase (CRK) was identified as subgroup III of CDPK has been characterized in many plants, but the members and functions of CRK genes in hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) has not been clarified. Here, we identified four HvCRK genes and named HvCRK1-4 according to chromosomes localization. Moreover, the physiological function of highly induced genes of HvCRK2 and HvCRK4 were investigated in drought stress tolerance by examining their overexpression transgenic lines functions generated in Arabidopsis thaliana. Under drought stress, both overexpression HvCRK2 and HvCRK4 displayed reduced drought resistance, and accompanied by higher accumulation levels of ROS. Notably, overexpression of HvCRK2 and HvCRK4 reduced sensitivity to exogenous ABA, meanwhile the expression of ABA-responsive genes in transgenic plants were down-regulated compared to the wild type in response to drought stress. Furthermore, the physically interaction of HvCRK2 and HvCRK4 with calmodulin (CaM) and calmodulin-like (CML) proteins were determined in vivo, the further results showed that HvCML32 binds to HvCRK2/4 S_TKC structural domains and negatively regulates drought tolerance. In summary, this study identified HvCRK members and indicated that HvCRK2 and HvCRK4 genes play negative roles in drought tolerance, and provide insight into potential molecular mechanism of HvCRK2 and HvCRK4 in response to drought stress.

The Use of Thioxopyrimidine Derivatives as New Regulators of Growth and Photosynthesis of Barley

New synthetic compounds - thioxopyrimidine derivatives as regulators of vegetative growth and photosynthesis of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) variety Acordine were studied. The growth-regulatory effect of new synthetic compounds, thioxopyrimidine derivatives, used in a concentration of 10-6M, was compared with the growth-regulatory effect of a plant hormone auxin IAA (1H-indol-3-yl)acetic acid) or synthetic plant growth regulators, derivatives of sodium and potassium salts of 6-methyl-2-mercapto-4-hydroxypyrimidine (Methyur, Kamethur), N-oxide-2,6-dimethylpyridine (Ivin), used in a similar concentration of 10-6M. The conducted study showed the similarity of the growth-regulatory effects of synthetic compounds, thioxopyrimidine derivatives, the plant hormone auxin IAA, and synthetic plant growth regulators Methyur, Kamethur, and Ivin. Morphometric parameters (average length of shoots (mm), average length of roots (mm), and average biomass of 10 plants (g)) and biochemical parameters (content of photosynthetic pigments chlorophylls a, b, a+b and carotenoids (µg/ml)) of barley plants treated with the plant hormone auxin IAA or synthetic plant growth regulators Methyur, Kamethur, Ivin or thioxopyrimidine derivatives were increased after 4 weeks compared to control plants. The dependence of the growth-regulatory effect of synthetic compounds, thioxopyrimidine derivatives on their chemical structure was analyzed. The use of the synthetic plant growth regulators, derivatives of sodium salt of 6-methyl-2-mercapto-4-hydroxypyrimidine (Methyur), potassium salt of 6-methyl-2-mercapto-4-hydroxypyrimidine (Kamethur), N-oxide-2,6-dimethylpyridine (Ivin) and selected most active synthetic compounds, thioxopyrimidine derivatives for regulating the growth and photosynthesis of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) variety Acordine is proposed.

Determinants of malt barley varietal adoption decisions of farmers: Evidence from the central highlands of Ethiopia

AbstractBarley is one of Ethiopia's most important cereal crops, ranking fifth in total cereal production, after maize, wheat, teff, and sorghum. Based on its intended use, it is divided into two types: food barley and malt barley. This study investigated the factors that affect farmers' decisions to adopt malt barley technology. The research was conducted in eight major malt barley‐growing districts in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain quantitative data from 400 sample farmers. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to triangulate and substantiate the quantitative data. Secondary data were also used to supplement the primary data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric models. A logistic regression model was employed to analyze quantitative data. The findings revealed that educational level of the household head, family size of the household, access to input, experience, and access to demanded variety all have a positive and significant impact on malt barley technology adoption. However, the age of the household head, income from off‐farm activities, and distance to the market have a negative and significant impact on farmers' decisions to use malt barley technology. Up to 2021, about 30 malt barley varieties were released or registered by the Ministry of Agriculture for production nationwide, while only six to seven varieties were adopted by the sampled farmer households. As a result, we concluded that strong government support and clear policy direction are required to encourage farmers and other stakeholders to invest more to enhance adoption of improved varieties across malt barley growing areas.