Spring Malting Barley Research Articles

Продуктивность пивоваренного ячменя в зависимости от приёмов основной обработки почвы и регулятора роста Моддус

In modern conditions, the most effective way to increase the gross production of spring barley is to select the most productive varieties and realize their potential productivity by improving the technology of cultivation of spring barley for specific soil and climatic conditions of the zone. In this regard, the improvement of the complex of agricultural practices that increase the yield of barley is relevant and of particular scientific and practical interest. The purpose of the research was to improve the techniques of basic tillage and the use of growth regulators in the cultivation of spring malting barley. The research was conducted from 2022 to 2024 in the Moscow region at the experimental field of the Federal Research Center "Nemchinovka". The soil is sod-podzolic, heavy loamy. pH is 5.4 units. The humus content is 1.7%. As a result, on average for 2022-2024, observations of the spread of weeds in malting barley crops found that the smallest number of all weeds was fixed on the variant of chisel processing by Ranch workers with pruning paws to a depth of 0.27-0.30 m and amounted to 154 pcs/case. The highest height of brewing barley plants of the Reliable variety on average for 2022-2024 turned out to be on the variant of chisel tillage m without the use of growth regulators and was 69 cm. The largest number of productive stems was established on the variant of chisel tillage to a depth of 0.27-0.30 m without the use of a growth regulator and amounted to 498 pcs./m2, that is, 51 pcs./m2 more than the lowest value. The largest grain mass in the ear was set on a variant of chisel tillage to a depth of 0.27-0.30 m using the growth regulator Moddus CE at a dose of 0.4 l /ha and was equal to 1.25 grams, that is, 0.17 grams more than the lowest value. The highest yield was also formed on the variant of chisel processing by the working body of the Ranch with pruning paws to a depth of 0.27-0.30 m using the growth regulator Moddus CE at a dose of 0.4 l /ha and averaged 6.10 t/ha.

Fungicidal effect of gaseous ozone in malting barley: Implications for Fusarium infections and grain germination

Fungal infections pose a challenge in cereal grains, with Fusarium species, especially in malting barley, causing substantial economic losses and quality degradation. We investigated the effect of gaseous ozone on fungal deactivation and grain germination in spring malting barley, with focus on Fusarium spp. Five studies were performed: (1) ozone concentration (10–100 ppm) and exposure time (1–24 h) on high-moisture barley (19.8%); (2) ozone-treated barley stability over 120 days at 4 °C; (3) grain moisture content (12–20%); (4) relative humidity (23%, 54%, and 98%); and (5) temperature (13 °C, 20 °C, and 33 °C). Significant reductions in total fungal count and Fusarium spp. across all treatments were observed. Higher ozone concentrations and longer exposure times yielded greater reductions, with 100 ppm for 24 h achieving 99.2% and 98.2% reductions in total fungal count and Fusarium incidence, respectively. Grain germination exhibited a negative dose-dependent response but remained within recommended values. Ozone-treated barley preserved quality for 60 days in storage. Grain moisture content, relative humidity, and temperature did not significantly affect ozone's efficacy on fungi and grain germination. This study demonstrates ozone's efficacy against fungi while preserving barley germination, suggesting it as an eco-friendly fungicidal alternative.

Registration of ‘UC‐Alameda’, a California adapted, non‐glycosidic nitrile‐producer, two‐row spring malting barley

AbstractThe emerging malting industry in California needs adapted cultivars for a sustainable local barley production. ‘UC‐Alameda’ (Reg. no. CV‐381, PVP 202300263, PI 701932) is a two‐row, spring malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) released by the University of California, Davis, Agricultural Experiment Station, in 2022. UC‐Alameda is a highly productive cultivar with satisfactory malting quality for local craft maltsters. UC‐Alameda is adapted to the California Central Valley (Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys) and is resistant to the most common diseases present in this region (e.g., Barley yellow dwarf virus, Cereal yellow dwarf virus, stripe rust, and powdery mildew) and moderately resistant to scald and net blotch. It was evaluated in preliminary trials, as B9K62, from 2017 to 2023 at Davis, CA, and by the University of California Regional Small Grains Testing program, as UC1911, from 2018 to 2023 for late fall planting in the Central Valley. UC‐Alameda is a non‐glycosidic nitrile producer, which is an important trait for craft‐maltsters and distillers. UC‐Alameda satisfies the quality criteria of the local craft malting and brewing industry interested in sourcing locally grown malting barley.

Malting quality and preharvest sprouting traits are genetically correlated in spring malting barley

Key messageMalt for craft “all-malt” brewing can have high quality, PHS resistance, and malted in normal timeframes. Canadian style adjunct malt is associated with PHS susceptibility.Expansion of malting barley production into non-traditional growing regions and erratic weather has increased the demand for preharvest sprouting (PHS) resistant, high quality malting barley cultivars. This is hindered by the relatively unknown relationships between PHS resistance and malting quality. Here we present a three-year study of malting quality and germination at different after-ripening durations post physiological maturity. Malting quality traits alpha amylase (AA) and free amino nitrogen (FAN) and germination rate at six days post PM shared a common association with a SNP in HvMKK3 on chromosome 5H in the Seed Dormancy 2 (SD2) region responsible for PHS susceptibility. Soluble protein (SP) and soluble over total protein (S/T) both shared a common association with a marker in the SD2 region. Significant genetic correlations between PHS resistance and the malting quality traits AA, FAN, SP, S/T were detected across and within HvMKK3 allele groups. High adjunct malt quality was related to PHS susceptibility. Selection for PHS resistance led to a correlated response in malting quality traits. Results strongly suggest pleiotropy of HvMKK3 on malting quality traits and that the classic “Canadian-style” malt is caused by a PHS susceptible allele of HvMKK3. PHS susceptibility appears to benefit the production of malt intended for adjunct brewing, while PHS resistance is compatible with all-malt brewing specifications. Here we present our analysis on the effect of combining complexly inherited and correlated traits with contrasting goals to inform breeding practice in malting barley, the general principles of which can be extended to other breeding programs.

AAC Prairie barley

AAC Prairie is a hulled two-row spring malting barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar widely adapted to western Canada. It was developed from the cross CDC Kindersley/TR08204 made in 2008 and it was evaluated in the Western Cooperative Two-row Barley Registration Test (2017–2018) as well as the Collaborative Malting Barley Trials (2018–2019) conducted by the malting and brewing industry before being registered in 2021. AAC Prairie’s good combination of agronomic and disease resistance traits as well as a desired malting quality profile should make it a useful cultivar for the barley industry.

QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF SPRING BARLEY VARIETIES INTENDED FOR MALTING PROCESS

The suitability of a barley grain for malt production depends upon a large number of quality parameters that are crucial for the identification of high-quality malt varieties. The grain and malt technological quality parameters of five samples of four spring malting barley varieties were studied in order to estimate their malting potential. Selected barley varieties proved to be of satisfactory malting quality in terms of analyzed technological parameters. First-class grain percentage in the analyzed samples ranged from 84.9 to 94.6 %. Hectoliter weight reached values from 634.2 to 737.1 g.dm-3. Barley samples also contained a relatively high starch content of 63 to 68 %. Nitrogenous substances ranged from 9.9 to 11.3 % and all tested varieties met the requirement for nitrogen content. These samples were micro-malted and resulting malt was analyzed. All tested malt samples achieved high and satisfactory extract content of 82.4 - 84.3 %. Statistically significant (p<0.05) the highest extract content was confirmed in variety LG Tosca (84.3 %) which was found to be relatively the best technological quality also for its kernel size and optimal starch and protein content. The average value of friability was 98 %. The intensity of proteolytic modification among varieties was satisfactory (Kolbach index 39.18 - 47.17 %). The viscosity of the wort reached values from 1.41 to 1.47 mPa.s-1, varieties provided clear wort in all cases. Based on the results of grain and malt quality parameters it can be concluded that all tested spring barley varieties are suitable for malting process.

Registration of ‘UC‐Capay’, a low‐grain‐protein, non–glycoside nitrile producing, California‐adapted, two‐rowed spring malting barley

AbstractCalifornia has a fast‐growing malting industry in need of local production of malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to provide malt to a well‐established craft brewing industry. ‘UC‐Capay’ (Reg. no. CV‐376, PI 698168, PVP application number 202100205) is the third malting barley cultivar released by the University of California, following ‘UC Tahoe’ (2016) and ‘Butta 12’ (2019). UC‐Capay is an early‐flowering, two‐rowed spring malting barley with low grain protein content, characterized by its exceptional large and plump grains. UC‐Capay is adapted to the California's Central Valley (Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys) and is resistant to all common diseases present in this region. UC‐Capay is a non‐glycoside nitrile producer, a trait highly valued by craft maltsters and distillers. UC‐Capay meets the quality standards of a craft malting and brewing industry interested in sourcing locally grown barley.

Time series barley germination is predictable and associated with known seed dormancy loci

AbstractPreharvest sprouting (PHS) resistance is essential in malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) production to prevent damage caused by late season moisture but may be negatively correlated with malting quality traits. The germination percentage and germination rate (GI) in malting barley are measures of both PHS resistance and suitability for malting. Functional principal component analysis (FPCA) and logistic regression on time series spring malting barley GE and GI were performed to identify genetic regions associated with germination trait changes from 0 to 22 wk after maturity. Both analysis methods identified the SD1 and SD2 regions known to affect germination traits, as well as one novel locus on chromosome 6H at 473 Mbp. Several other associations were detected with a single analysis method. Genomic prediction (GP) was used in conjunction with the time series models to test GE and GI predictability over time. Germination traits of unobserved lines at unobserved times were predicted with high accuracy using ridge regression GP coupled with FPCA or logistic regression. The results demonstrate applicability of time series data analysis in determining genetics of germination trait changes in malting barley and that time series germination is predictable. Threshold traits calculated with these time series models, such as the after‐ripening time needed until a line achieves a GE of 95%, can be used as an estimate for dormancy duration, which will be useful in breeding for combined PHS resistance and malting quality.

Gain from genomic selection for a selection index in two-row spring barley.

New breeding programs are faced with many challenges including evaluation of unknown germplasm, initiation of breeding populations that will satisfy short- and long-term breeding goals, and implementation of efficient phenotyping strategies for multiple traits. Genomic selection (GS) is a potentially valuable tool for recently established breeding programs to quickly accelerate genetic gain. Genomic selection on selection index (SI) values may increase gain over phenotypic selection but empirical studies remain limited. We compared gain in overall SI value for height, heading date, preharvest sprouting (PHS) resistance, and spot blotch resistance and component traits in two cycles of GS with one round of phenotypic selection (PS) in two-row spring malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Higher realized gain for SI value, height, and PHS was observed with GS compared with PS but GS did not result in significant gain for heading date and spot blotch. Genetic variances for height and heading date, which had small index weights, were not reduced with GS but variances were substantially reduced for heavily weighted PHS and correlated seed germination traits. Inbreeding was increased by GS compared with PS but restricted mating of high breeding value individuals limited potential inbreeding. Our results indicate GS is a useful method to improve selection on index values with different weights.

Partitioning and Translocation of Dry Matter and Nitrogen During Grain Filling in Spring Barley Varieties and Their Roles in Determining Malting Quality.

To meet the strict requirements for the malting quality of both grain size and protein content for malting barley, a better understanding of the partitioning and remobilization of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) from individual vegetative organs during grain filling may contribute to adjusting a balance in both quality parameters to satisfy the malting criteria of the brewing industry. A 2-year experiment that included 23 spring malting barley varieties was carried out to determine the DM and N partitioning in different organs at anthesis and maturity and to estimate their remobilization to grains. In contrast to the genetic variation of the 23 barley varieties, year effect was the most important single factor influencing the DM and N accumulation at pre-anthesis, and the DM and N translocation from their reserves at pre-anthesis. Post-anthesis assimilates accounted for 71–94% of the total grain yield among the barley varieties in 2014 and 53–81% in 2015. In contrast, the N reserved in vegetative tissues at anthesis contributed to barley grain N from 67% in the variety Union to 91% in the variety Marthe in 2014, and 71% in the variety Grace to 97% in the variety Shakira in 2015. The results concluded that photosynthetically derived assimilates at post-anthesis played an important role in determining grain size, whereas N reserves at pre-anthesis and N remobilization at post-anthesis probably determined the grain protein content of the malting barley. To achieve a high quality of malting barley grains in both grain size and protein content simultaneously, balancing photosynthetic assimilates at post-anthesis and N reserves at pre-anthesis and N remobilization should be considered as strategies for the combination of the selection of spring malting barley varieties together with agronomic N management.

The Breeding of Winter-Hardy Malting Barley

In breeding winter malting barley, one recurring strategy is to cross a current preferred spring malting barley to a winter barley. This is because spring malting barleys have the greatest amalgamation of trait qualities desirable for malting and brewing. Spring barley breeding programs can also cycle their material through numerous generations each year—some managing even six—which greatly accelerates combining desirable alleles to generate new lines. In a winter barley breeding program, a single generation per year is the limit when the field environment is used and about two generations per year if vernalization and greenhouse facilities are used. However, crossing the current favored spring malting barley to a winter barley may have its downsides, as winter-hardiness too may be an amalgamation of desirable alleles assembled together that confers the capacity for prolonged cold temperature conditions. In this review I touch on some general criteria that give a variety the distinction of being a malting barley and some of the general trends made in the breeding of spring malting barleys. But the main objective of this review is to pull together different aspects of what we know about winter-hardiness from the seemingly most essential aspect, which is survival in the field, to molecular genetics and gene regulation, and then finish with ideas that might help further our insight for predictability purposes.

Genetic Variation in Grain Yield and Quality Traits of Spring Malting Barley

Cultivation of malting barley is particularly challenging as the requirements of growers, for high yield, and that of the brewing industry, seeking a specific quality criteria, must be met simultaneously. Furthermore, significant genotypic and environmental variations in grain yield and quality properties may occur. To investigate the relationships between grain yield and quality parameters of spring malting barley, a 2-year experiment was carried out in order to characterise the genotypic and year effects on grain yield, quality properties, and yield components of 23 high-yielding varieties of spring malting barley under optimal nitrogen (N) fertilisation. Compared to the grain quality properties of the grain protein content and the grain retention fraction of grain size >2.5 mm, less genotypic and environmental variation in grain yield was observed. Grain yield was closely related to spikes per m2, suggesting the importance of tiller formation and establishment as a decisive factor influencing malting barley yields. A major interactive effect of genotypes and year on grain size was observed. Regarding weather effects, the global radiation intensity during the post-anthesis phase was the major factor affecting the final grain size in this study. Grain protein content was primarily dependent on the year effect, suggesting that optimal N fertilisation levels must vary between years to ensure the correct protein content required for the needs of the brewing industry is met. Therefore, we recommend further development strategies addressing N fertilisation and soil N mineralisation to optimise the production of spring malting barley.

Cover Image, Volume 15, Issue 2

On the cover: Barley seedlings on 25 December 2020, in a New Zealand nursery. Using the New Zealand nursery each year to advance the barley populations speeds the breeding process. See G. Hu et al., “Registration of spring malting barley germplasm ARS84‐27, ARS98‐31, and ARS10‐82,” https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20114. Photo by Steve Inwood. image

Registration of spring malting barley germplasm ARS84‐27, ARS98‐31, and ARS10‐82

AbstractGermplasm lines are the most important genetic resources for cultivar development. ARS84‐27 (Reg. no. GP‐212, PI 693601), ARS98‐31 (Reg. no. GP‐213, PI 693602), and ARS10‐82 (Reg. no. GP‐214, PI 693603) are three high‐yield and good malting quality two‐rowed spring malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) germplasm lines developed by the USDA‐ARS breeding program at Aberdeen, ID. All three germplasm lines were evaluated in 27 irrigated and 14 dryland trials. ARS10‐82 had significantly higher yield than all the checks, and ARS98‐31 and ARS84‐27 were competitive with the best check cultivar ‘Voyager’ (Busch Agricultural Resources). Malting evaluation results showed acceptable quality profiles with specific quality traits including high extract, low protein content, and low beta‐glucan for the years tested. They are all classified as moderately resistant to Fusarium head blight infection with low deoxynivalenol (DON) levels.

English

Agronomic management and environment affect malting barley yield and quality. The objective of this study was to determine optimum agronomic practices (cultivar, fertilization, and seeding rate) for yield and quality of malting barley. A study was conducted during 2012–2014 in the region of Požarevac, southeastern Serbia, to evaluate the weather-dependent effect of seeding rate (S1=350, S2=450 and S3=550 seeds m–2) and nitrogen fertilization rate (N1=45, N2=75, N3=95 and N4=135 kg N ha–1) on the yield and quality of spring malting barley cultivars ('Novosadski 448', 'Novosadski 456', 'Dunavac' and 'Jadran'). Increasing seeding rate had a significantly negative effect on the quality, whereas the effect on yield was dependent upon weather during the growing season. Grain yield and grain protein content significantly increased with an increase in nitrogen rate up to 135 kg N ha–1. The optimum nitrogen rate for the average thousand-kernel weight and percentage of kernels ≥ 2.5 mm in all years was 75 kg N ha–1, and for test weight 105 kg N ha–1. Germinative energy depended on genotype and weather conditions, whereas seeding and nitrogen rates had a significant effect only during the first year. Results indicated that seeding rates above 350 seeds m–2 and nitrogen rates above 75 kg N ha–1 led to substantial grain quality deterioration in barley cultivars. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers

Uticaj genotipa i azotne ishrane na varijabilnost prinosa i kvaliteta zrna kod jarog pivskog ječma

Production traits and grain quality of spring malting barley as the major raw material in malt and beer production were evaluated over a period of three years (2012–2014) in the region of Požarevac, Serbia. Four cultivars of two-rowed spring barley released in the Republic of Serbia (‘Novosadski 448’, ‘Novosadski 456’, ‘Dunavac’ and ‘Jadran’) were used. The objective of this research was to assess variability in grain yield and yield components in genetically divergent cultivars of two-rowed spring barley grown at different nitrogen application rates, as dependent on precipitation and air temperature during the growing season. The results showed significant variations in grain yield, yield components and grain protein content across genotypes (G), N application rates (N) and experimental years (E). Significant interdependence was found between grain yield and yield components. Increasing the N application rate up to 135 kg/ha had a positive effect on grain yield, plant height, number of spikes per unit area, spike length and grain protein content. Number of grains per spike and 1,000-kernel weight increased significantly at N application rates up to 105 kg/ha and 75 kg/ha, respectively.

Dependence of beta-glucan content in spring malting barley wort on the effect of foliar fertilization with microfertilizers

Dependence of beta-glucan content in spring malting barley wort on the effect of foliar fertilization with microfertilizers

Features of the heavy metals content accumulation in grain of spring barley varieties (Hordeum sativum) for different applications as affected by the duration of storage

Purpose. Investigate the content of heavy metals in spring barley varieties for different applications depending on the duration of grain storage.
 Methods. Laboratory, analytical, statistical.
 Results. It was found that the studied varieties, regardless of the application had an individual accumulation of heavy metals. Grain varieties have an inverse relationship with the intensity of lead concentration in the grain of spring barley: the longer the storage, the lower its content in the grain. The accumulation of heavy metals of mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) in the grain of spring barley varieties of grain use allows us to note that with increasing storage, their content decreases. It was found that the accumulation of heavy metals copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the grain of spring barley for grain increases as affected by the storage period. There was a decrease in zinc content after a month of storage and depending on varietal characteristics. A slight increase, in the varieties of the brewery application was found after three and six months of grain storage. When analyzing the data, it can be noted that after nine months and a year of storage, there was an increase in the copper content, but to the maximum permitted level.
 Conclusions. Varieties of spring barley, regardless of the application, had an individual accumulation of heavy metals. Varieties ‘Stalker’ and ‘Ahrarii’ are sensitive to lead: the content of this element immediately after threshing was 1.08 mg/kg and 1.12 mg/kg. A month later, these figures were 0.73 mg/kg and 1.02 mg/kg. Storage of spring barley grain for 9 and 12 months shows that the accumulation of cadmium has increased compared to the indicators obtained immediately after threshing. Thus, in the varieties ‘Stalker’ this figure was 0.09 mg/kg, and in ‘Ahrarii’ 0.13 and 0.014 mg/kg. The most sensitive to the accumulation of copper (Cu) immediately after threshing were varieties ‘Ahrarii’ with 3.00 mg/kg and ‘Vzirets’ with 2.56 mg/kg, and the lowest content had varieties ‘Shchedryk’ with 2.27 mg/kg and ‘Stalker’ with 2.31 mg/kg. ‘Enei’ variety of universal application was characterizing by a lower content of heavy metals in comparison with grain varieties. In spring malting barley, depending on the duration of grain storage, it was found that as in previous grain and universal application, the content of heavy metals accumulates differently depending on the varietal characteristics.

Genetic Variance of Metabolomic Features and Their Relationship With Malting Quality Traits in Spring Barley.

Barley is the most common source for malt to be used in brewing beer and other alcoholic beverages. This involves converting the starch of barley into fermentable sugars a process that involves malting, that is germinating of the grains, and mashing, which is an enzymatic process. Numerous metabolic processes are involved in germination, where distinct and time-dependent alterations at the metabolite levels happen. In this study, 2,628 plots of 565 spring malting barley lines from Nordic Seed A/S were investigated. Phenotypic records were available for six malting quality (MQ) traits: filtering speed (FS), wort clearness (WCL), extract yield (EY), wort color (WCO), beta glucan (BG), and wort viscosity (WV). Each line had a set of dense genomic markers. In addition, 24,018 metabolomic features (MFs) were obtained for each sample from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra for wort samples produced from each experimental plot. The genetic variation in the MFs was investigated using a univariate model, and the relationship between MFs and the MQ traits was studied using a bivariate model. Results showed that a total of 8,604 MFs had heritability estimates significantly larger than 0 and for all MQ traits, there were genetic correlations with up to 86.77% and phenotypic correlations with up to 90.07% of the significant heritable MFs. In conclusion, around one third of all MFs were significantly heritable, among which a considerable proportion had significant additive genetic and/or phenotypic correlations with the MQ traits (WCO, WV, and BG) in spring barley. The results from this study indicate that many of the MFs are heritable and MFs have great potential to be used in breeding barley for high MQ.

Quantitative trait loci for field resistance to barley stripe rust derived from malting line 95SR316A

AbstractDeveloping improved barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) germplasm with resistance to barley stripe rust (BSR) has been a goal of several breeding programs since the introduction of this disease into the Americas. The USDA–ARS two‐rowed spring malting barley breeding line 95SR316A, while susceptible at the seedling stage, has field resistance to BSR. This study was conducted to identify markers useful for marker‐assisted selection for resistance to BSR. This line was used as a parent in two biparental mapping populations: 95SR316A × ‘Lenetah’ (susceptible), and 95SR316A × ‘Grannelose Zwiezelige’ (GZ; seedling resistance). Progeny were observed for response to BSR infection in the field at four location–years per population. Disease severity was taken as the percentage of leaf area infected. The 95SR316A × GZ (F5–derived recombinant inbred line [RIL]) and 95SR316A × Lenetah (doubled haploid) populations were genotyped using Illumina's 50K barley array. Interval mapping revealed quantitative trait loci (QTL) in both populations on chromosome 2H (Qpsh.316A.2Ha) near the p‐terminal, with the allele derived from 95SR316A contributing to lower disease severity. In addition, the 95SR316A × GZ population was segregating for a QTL on chromosome 2H (Qpsh.316A.2Hb) at ∼35 cM with effects on BSR observed in two location years. The 95SR316A × Lenetah population was segregating for Qpsh.316A.7H at 94.04 cM on chromosome 7H with peak logarithm of the odds (LOD) scores of 25.81, 36.75, and 5.35 observed in Corvallis, OR, in 2018, Davis, CA, in 2018, and Mt. Vernon, WA, in 2018, respectively. The QTL on chromosomes 3H, 5H, and 6H were observed in only single location–years in the 95SR316A × Lenetah population.