Spring Barley Varieties Research Articles

Leveraging genomic prediction to surpass current yield gains in spring barley

Key messageGenetic gain in Nordic spring barley varieties was estimated to 1.07% per year. Additionally, genomic predictive ability for yield was 0.61 in a population of breeding lines.Barley is one of the most important crops in Europe and meeting the growing demand for food and feed requires continuous increase in yield. Genomic prediction (GP) has the potential to be a cost-efficient tool in breeding for complex traits; however, the rate of yield improvement in current barley varieties is unknown. This study therefore investigated historical and current genetic gains in spring barley and how accounting for row-type population stratification in a breeding population influences GP results. The genetic gain in yield was estimated using historical data from field trials from 2014 to 2022, with 22–60 market varieties grown yearly. The genetic gain was estimated to 1.07% per year for all varieties, serving as a reference point for future breeding progress. To analyse the potential of using GP in spring barley a population of 375 breeding lines of two-row and six-row barley were tested in multi-environment trials in 2019–2022. The genetic diversity of the row-types was examined and used as a factor in the predictions, and the potential to predict untested locations using yield data from other locations was explored. This resulted in an overall predictive ability of 0.61 for yield (kg/ha), with 0.57 and 0.19 for the separate two-row and the six-row breeding lines, respectively. Together this displays the potential of implementing GP in breeding programs and the genetic gain in spring barley market varieties developed through GP will help in quantifying the benefit of GP over conventional breeding in the future.

The influence of climatic factors on the effect of growth regulators in agrocenoses of spring barley

Relevance. In recent years, under the conditions of climate change, there has been a tendency to reduce the acreage of spring barley, reduce the quantity and quality of grain. From the point of view of ensuring the stability of gross grain harvests and ecology, it is necessary to manage the agrocenosis.Methods. The experiments were conducted in 2021–2024 agricultural years in the conditions of the Azov sea zone of the Rostov region. Objects of research: Leon spring barley variety and growth regulators “Artafit” (0.3 l/ha), “Biodux” (3 ml/ha), “Obereg” (60 ml/ha), “Trainer” (3 l/ha), “Fulvohumate” (0.4 l/ha).Results. The climatic conditions in 2024 were extreme in terms of low rainfall and high amounts of spring temperatures. The year 2023 was the most favorable from this point of view. The yield level correlates with the level of moisture in the spring period, the highest indicators were observed in 2023, and the lowest in 2024. In the current market conditions and annual price increases, unit production costs are increasing. Thus, in 2024, the cultivation of spring barley turned out to be unprofitable. Moreover, the use of biological products did not allow us to gain a plus. In 2022 and 2023, the use of the drug “Trainer” turned out to be unprofitable due to the high cost of the drug. “Biodux” and “Obereg” showed the highest profitability.

The effect of nitrogen fertilisation, biostimulant application and extra-root phosphorus fertilization on yield and quality of malting barley grain

A series of small-plot field trials were conducted between 2019 and 2021 with the spring barley variety Francin. The impact of Vital Root and YaraVita KOMBIPHOS on the grain quality of malting barley at varying nitrogen fertilization rates (50 kg·ha-1 N, 70 kg·ha-1 N, 90 kg·ha-1 N, and 110 kg·ha-1 N) was investigated. The following parameters were evaluated: grain size, thousand grain weight, specific weight, starch content, and protein content. The portion of grain <2.5 mm, weight of thousand grains, and specific weight decreased with increasing nitrogen fertilization. Additionally, a decrease in starch content was observed with an increase in protein content in the grain. The application of Vital Root and YaraVita KOMBIPHOS at lower nitrogen fertilization rates up to 70 kg·ha-1 N had a positive effect on grain quality.

Role of total polyphenol content in seed germination characteristics of spring barley varieties amidst climate change

The amount of total polyphenol content (TPC) in the grain could provide insights into the conditions during maturation and might also serve as an indicator of the grain’s ability to germinate in the malting process or as seeds in the field. Varieties with higher natural TPC content might exhibit better germination parameters both in the field and in the malt house. This study investigates the relationship between TPC and seed germination characteristics i.e. seed vigour in four spring barley varieties over two years, considering diverse environmental conditions and exposure to drought conditions. The evaluation of seed germination characteristics in barley, with a focus on the root length and average diameter under drought conditions (−0.5 MPa) and suboptimal temperature (10 °C), was conducted. Drought conditions were induced using polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). After durations of seven and fourteen days, the germinated seeds from the Petri dishes were scanned and subjected to analysis using WinRHIZO software following the metrics: Len 7, Len 14 (root length after seven and fourteen days in cm) and AvgD 7, AvgD 14 (root diameter after seven and fourteen days in mm). The findings support our initial hypothesis, indicating a variety-specific relationship between seed germination characteristics and increased TPC, where higher germination parameters might be associated with elevated TPC levels in some barley varieties.

Opportunities to Improve the Recommendation of Plant Varieties under the Recommended List (RL) System

Recommended List (RL) is the UK plant variety recommendation system introduced in 1944 for supporting growers in making decisions on variety choices. The current RL system is heavily focused on single-trial analyses developed in the 1980s without making full use of information across varieties and trial sites. Given the statistical advances that have been developed and adopted elsewhere, it is timely to review and update the methods for data analysis in RL. In addition, threats from climate change challenge the prediction of variety performance in future environments. Better variety recommendations, particularly for matching varieties to specific environments can be achieved through the improved modeling of effects from genetics, environments, and genetic-by-environment interactions. Here, we evaluate grain yield data from 153 spring barley varieties that were trialed for RL from 2002 to 2019. Our results show that the current RL system produces poor and inconsistent predictions on variety performance across environments. Improvement in RL can be achieved by using mixed models that account for genetic relationships among varieties, and additional improvement is possible if genetic-by-environment interaction can be modeled accurately. We highlight the relevance and importance of genomics in both variety registration and recommendation.

Vasil Yakovych Yuriev: Life and scientific heritage (on the 150th anniversary of his birth)

The article discusses the main stages of life and scientific activities of the renowned and respected academician-breeder Vasyl Yakovych Yuriev. His name is inextricably linked with the activities of the Ukrainian Research Institute of Plant Breeding, Selection, and Genetics (now Yuriev Plant Production Institute of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine). It is shown that in his scientific work, Vasyl Yakovych paid special attention to the collection of initial material, the selection of parental forms for crossing, developed methods for testing hybrids and varieties at different stages of the selection process, and demonstrated the advantages of the method of selecting pure lines from local wheat populations compared to the ineffective method of mass selection. Based on this method, under his leadership, many high-yielding valuable varieties of winter and spring wheat, rye, millet, barley, and corn were developed. To study the patterns of inheritance of important valuable traits in wheat, V. Ya. Yuriev used intervarietal and interspecies crosses of the diallel type. Many studies have been conducted in the field of breeding varieties for disease and pest resistance and immunity. In recognition of his scientific achievements, the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine established the Vasyl Yakovych Yuriev Prize, which is awarded for the highest achievements in the field of selection and genetics.

Evaluation of productivity and grain quality of spring barley varieties under monsoon climate conditions

Evaluation of productivity and grain quality of spring barley varieties under monsoon climate conditions

Yield Stability and Adaptability of Spring Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Varieties in Polish Organic Field Trials

Yield Stability and Adaptability of Spring Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Varieties in Polish Organic Field Trials

Yield and quality of spring barley grain depending on the influence of precursors and mineral fertilizers under the conditions of the Central Black Earth region

The barley crop (Hordeum sativum L.) for the Central Black Earth region of Russia is a promising area for producers of all types of ownership. Barley is a valuable universal crop rich in complete protein and starch. In Russia, up to 70 % of barley is used for feed purposes. The feed value of barley is higher than that of wheat and corn, since it has a more balanced amino acid composition of protein, especially lysine. The protein complex of barley contains more than 20 amino acids, 5 of which are essential. The purpose of the research was to investigate the yield and quality of spring barley grain depending on the eff ect of predecessors and mineral fertilizers under the conditions of the Central Black Earth region. The object of the study was the spring barley variety Knyazhich. The following predecessors were studied such as grain corn, sunfl ower, sugar beet and soybeans. The fertilizer application rates were such as N10P10K10, N30P30K30, N50P50K50 and N70P70K70. It was found that the highest yield of spring barley was obtained with sugar beet as a predecessor. Thus, with a low background of mineral nutrition N10P10K10 it was 3.84 t/ha, with an average N30P30K30 it was 4.87 t/ha, with a high N50P50K50 it was 5.48 t/ha and with an intensive N70P70K70 it was 5.33 t/ha. Thus, the analysis of the eff ectiveness of the studied predecessors and the application of mineral fertilizers under spring barley indicate that for the predecessors sugar beet and soybeans, mineral fertilizers in the dose of N50P50K50, the highest profi t of 30343.5 and 25747.1 rubles/ha and a high bioenergy coeffi cients of 4.84 and 4.51 were obtained.

Economic efficiency of spring barley varieties from the use of microbiological preparation “Organit N, Zh” and “Organit R, Zh” in the Ryazan region

Economic efficiency of spring barley varieties from the use of microbiological preparation “Organit N, Zh” and “Organit R, Zh” in the Ryazan region

Bioenergy estimation of spring barley and oat varieties’ cultivation depending on seed-sowing rates in the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe

The purpose of the current study was a bioenergy estimation of different seed sowing rates of spring barley and oat varieties in the conditions of the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe. The trials were carried out in the village of Minino, Emelyanovsky district, Krasnoyarsky Krai in 2021–2023. The objects of the study were the spring barley varieties ‘Abalak’, ‘Takmak’, ‘Oplot’, ‘Biom’ and the spring oat varieties ‘Tubinsky’, ‘Sayan’, ‘Kazyr’, ‘Uspekh’. Experimental schemes were as follows: barley varieties with seeding rates of 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 million germ. grains per hectare; oat varieties with seeding rates of 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 million germ. grains per hectare. High yields (5.60–5.71 t/ha) were produced by the barley varieties ‘Oplot’ and ‘Takmak’, while other varieties produced less on 0.9–1.4 t/ha. There has been revealed that the reproduction coefficient of barley seeds increased to 34.6 at a seed-sowing rate of 3.5 million germ. grains per hectare and decreased to 22.2–31.3 at a seed-sowing rate of 4.5 million germ. grains per hectare. There has been established that among oats, the variety ‘Tubinsky’ produced the highest yield of 4.79 t/ha at a seeding rate of 5.0 million germ. grains per hectare, followed by the variety ‘Sayan’ with 4.85 t/ha, the new promising variety ‘Uspekh’ with 4.67 t/ha and ‘Kazyr’ with 4.53 t/ha. The reproduction coefficient reached 26.9–29.7 with 4.0 million germ. grains per hectare and 21.3–23.5 at 5.0 million germ. grains per hectare. The energy estimation has shown that the optimal seed-sowing rate is 4.5 million germ. grains per hectare for barley varieties and 4.0 million germ. grains per hectare for oat varieties. The total energy increase (the difference between the total energy and energy costs) was 94.4 and 83.2 GJ/ha for the barley varieties ‘Takmak’ and ‘Oplot’, respectively and 58.9 and 59.0 GJ/ha for the oat varieties ‘Tubinsky’ and ‘Sayan’.

Study of Drought Resistance of New Varieties of Spring Barley Based on Photosynthetic Potential and Leaf Diagnostics “Ecotest 2020” in Arid Conditions of the Lower Volga Region

Study of Drought Resistance of New Varieties of Spring Barley Based on Photosynthetic Potential and Leaf Diagnostics “Ecotest 2020” in Arid Conditions of the Lower Volga Region

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.

Barley varieties registered in the Czech Republic after the harvest of 2023

After the 2023 harvest, four varieties of spring barley were registered in the Czech Republic. The malting quality was determined in three varieties. After four years of testing, LG Tuplak was registered. After three years of testing, the spring barley varieties LG Lokal, Sting, and the non-malting variety Ranee were registered. LG Tuplak and LG Lokal showed low activity of proteolytic and cytolytic enzymes and a low level of apparent final attenuation and thus fulfilled the conditionsfor varieties recommended for the production of beer with the protected geographical indication 'České pivo'. The spring barley variety Sting showed very good malting quality. It provided a sweet wort with a rich extract content in malt dry matter (above 83%). Proteolytic modification was optimal to higher in this variety. Cell wall degradation was at an optimal level in the Sting variety. The varieties tested gave clear to opalescent sweet wort.

Quality of beer from historical and current varieties of spring barley with addition of valerian and hops

Historic spring barley varieties can be a source of resistance to abiotic (drought) and biotic (diseases) environmental factors in breeding programs. They can be a source of the new technological characteristics of malt or sensory characteristics of beer. Beers made from Pilsner malt from two historical varieties – Chlumecky (1902) and Stupicky Starocesky (1926) and two contemporary varieties – Bojos and Sebastian (2005) were evaluated. These beers have beenflavoured with valerian, which in combination with hops has been shown to have anxiolytic and sedative effects. A comparison of elementary and sensory parameters of beers with addition of 0.5 g.L-1 and 1.5 g.L-1 of valerian to two different series of beers was carried out. The Chlumecky samples had the lowest content of alcohol by volume (6.17% and 5.12%) in both batch series of beer and the highest real extract in the first batch series (4.11%). The samples of beer from the Stupicky Starocesky variety had low real extract (3.57% and 3.60%) and high content of alcohol by volume in both batch series (6.34% and 5.96%). In terms of sensory analysis it means that beers brewed from the malt made from the older barley varieties – Chlumecky and Stupicky Starocesky with addition of 0.5 g.L-1 of valerian had the highest overall impression.

The influence of biological preparations on the formation of quantitative indicators of spring barley variety «Bravyi» under different nutritional backgrounds

The influence of biological preparations on the formation of quantitative indicators of spring barley variety «Bravyi» under different nutritional backgrounds

Comparative analysis of the photosynthetic potential of new spring barley varieties in the arid climate zone of the Lower Volga region

Since the climatic conditions have become more arid in the Southern Federal District over the past thirty years, spring barley productivity has sharply reduced. According to the early research and data on meteorological forecasts, in 2022–2023 in the Gorodishchensky district of the Volgograd region there was established an experimental plot based on the Federal Research Center of Agroecology of RAS to test such spring barley varieties as ‘Medikum 139’ (standard, FRC of Agroecology of RAS), ‘Ratnik’, ‘Fedos’, ‘Format’, ‘Azimuth’ ‘Shchedry’, ‘Leon’ (FSBRI “ARC “Donskoy”). These varieties were selected based on their characteristics as the most resistant to abiotic stress factors of the environment. All records and observations were carried out according to generally accepted methods. During the vegetation period, there were carried out observations and there were taken samples to study photosynthetic indicators in the sprouting, tillering, booting, heading stages. There was also carried out leaf diagnostics by the mobile laboratory «Ecotest-2020» to identify the mobility of chloroplasts and nutrients in plants during the tillering period. There was established that the spring barley varieties ‘Azimut’, ‘Format’, ‘Shchedry’ and ‘Leon’ showed the highest adaptability to the acutely arid conditions of the Volgograd region. Based on the analyzed traits of photosynthetic activity, the variety ‘Azimut’ has been included in the State List of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation for the Lower Volga region since 2022.

Adaptability parameters of the trait ‘1000-grain weight’ of spring barley in the conditions of the Ryazan region

The purpose of the current work was to study the ecological adaptability and stability of the trait ‘1000-grain weight’ of spring barley varieties of different ecological and geographical origins over three years of research in the conditions of the Ryazan region. To analyze and study this issue 26 varieties of the collection nursery were studied on the fields of the laboratory of breeding and primary seed production of ISA, a branch of the FSBI FRAEC VIM, located in the forest-steppe agroclimatic zone of the Ryazan region in 2021–2023. To calculate the adaptability parameters, there were used the following coefficients and indicators: adaptability coefficient (AC), yield range (d, %), homeostatic index (Homi), variety yield stability level index (VISLi, %), environmental adaptability (a linear regression coefficient) (bi), stability of the trait (σd2), index of environmental conditions (Ij), stability factor (SF), genetic flexibility of the variety (Ymin+Ymax/2), stress resistance (Ymin–Ymax) and coefficient of responsiveness to favorable growing conditions (Cr), calculated using appropriate methods. The study has established that the dominant influence (66.4 %) on the variability of the trait ‘1000-grain weight’ of the studied varieties is made by the factor “year” (growth and development conditions). A significant contribution to the formation of the indicator “weight of 1000 grains” is made by the meteorological conditions of the grain filling phase (July) – HTC (r = +0.722 p = 0.01) and the amount of precipitation (r = +0.637, p = 0.01). 80.8 % of the 26 varieties studied belonged to the large-grain group (1000-grain weight was more than 50.0 g), the average varietal yield of the varieties was quite high with 6.84 t/ha. Based on the principle of ranking the obtained indicators of adaptability of the trait ‘1000-grain weight’ and its components, there were identified the varieties ‘Dobry’, ‘Magutny’ (Republic of Belarus) and ‘Lenetah’ (USA), which took, respectively, first, second and third places in the rating scale. It can be recommended to involve these varieties in a breeding crossbreeding program to increase grain size.

Barley varieties registered in the Slovak Republic after the harvest of 2023

After the harvest 2023, three varieties were registered in the Slovak Republic after three years of testing: the spring barley variety LG Rhapsody, the two-row winter barley variety Claudia, and the six-row winter barley variety MH Irén. The malting quality was determined for the varieties LG Rhapsody and Claudia. LG Rhapsody gave extract in malt dry matter of 83.2%. Proteolytic modification of this variety was high (Kolbach index 52.3%). The diastatic power (343 WK), the quality of the sweet wort (apparent final attenuation 82.1%), and the cytolytic modification (friability 94% and β-glucan content 60 mg/l) were at an optimal level. In all cases, the variety gave a clear sweet wort. The winter two-row barley variety Claudia gave a sweet wort with an extract of 81.5%. Kolbach index (46.2%) and diastatic power (508 WK) were at optimal levels. The quality of the sweet wort (apparent final attenuation 80.5%) and the cytolytic modification (friability 83% and β-glucan content of the wort 169 mg/l) were at an average level.

Analysis of the variability of morphometric and physiological parameters of grain crops when using biofertilizers

Currently, solving the problem of improving agricultural crops’ productivity is of great relevance. The parameters of photosynthetic activity play an important role in photosynthesis and ensure the efficient functioning of plants under various conditions. Understanding of these processes helps better understand the mechanisms of plant growth and development, as well as develop methods to increase productivity and resistance to stress conditions. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the effect of biofertilizers on the functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus and the variability of the area of leaf blades of agricultural grain crops (durum wheat, spring barley), and to establish the dependence of productivity on the ameliorant used. The objects of study were the spring barley variety ‘Anna’ and the durum wheat variety ‘Orenburgskaya’. The area of the leaf blade was measured by scanning using the APFill Ink&Toner Coverage Meter program. To determine the chlorophyll content, there was used a portable N-tester. There has been reliably established positive correlation between productivity increase and the size of the leaf blade of the experimental plants. The application of the studied biofertilizer has had a positive effect on chlorophyll increase in the barley leaf blades. This explains the possibility of changing the studied parameters by agricultural methods (fertilizer application). There has been found a significant correlation (at p˂0.05) between the height parameters with a number of seeds in a head (r = 0.63) and a leaf blade area (r = 0,69), a number of seeds in a head and productivity (r = 0.86). As a result of the study, there has been established a relationship between some quantitative parameters of the seed material (head length – number of seeds in a head), and a positive correlation was identified between a leaf area and a head length (r = 0.69). There has been obtained a significant dependence of barley productivity on the ameliorant used. At the same time, the productivity increase when using fertilizer compared to the control was 58.9 %.