Spring Malting Barley Research Articles

Barley varieties registered in the Slovak Republic after the harvest of 2019

This study presents the results of malting quality and agronomic characters obtained within state varietal testsof malting barley in the Slovak Republic. After the harvest of 2019, new spring malting barley varieties of Avus,Bernet, and LG Nabuco were registered. The spring barley varieties provided malt with extract content above 83%. All varieties degraded nitrogenous substances easily. The values of Kolbach index ranged from 47.5 to 49.5%. Diastatic power was at the optimal level and moved above the level of 300 WK un. in all the studied varieties. Also, cell wall degradation was optimal and friability was higher than 90%. Content of β-glucans in wort reached favourable values (72–141 mg/l). Quality of wort characterized by apparent final attenuation was at the above average value to the optimal level (81–81.8%) in the studied spring barley varieties.

A connected half‐sib family training population for genomic prediction in barley

AbstractGenomic prediction accuracy is affected by population size, trait heritability, relatedness of training and validation populations, marker density, and genetic architecture. Nested association mapping (NAM) populations have advantages in many of these features compared with biparental families and may be an effective strategy for increasing prediction accuracy. The classic NAM design was modified to create a two‐row spring malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) population of 1341 F3:F4 lines in seven families that was phenotyped for heading date, plant height, leaf rust, spot blotch, pre‐harvest sprouting, and grain protein. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected for plant height, leaf rust, pre‐harvest sprouting, and spot blotch with genome‐wide association analyses. Prediction accuracies were assessed in validation populations consisting of a single family or multiple families. Across‐family prediction accuracy (.607–.811) generally surpassed within‐family prediction accuracy, particularly for traits with high across‐family variance. Reductions in marker density (70–80%) and training population size (25–50%) did not cause significant loss of prediction accuracy. Addition of fixed marker effects from genome‐wide association had minimal impact on prediction accuracy in the full training population but improved accuracy in reduced training populations. Within‐family prediction for traits highly influenced by family structure was improved by adding half‐sibs to the training population. Connected half‐sib training populations could be useful for new and established breeding programs looking to implement genomic selection due to benefits of family structure on prediction accuracy, genotyping, genetic diversity, and genetic mapping.

Effect of seed size on soil cover, yield, yield components and nitrogen uptake of two-row malting barley

Summary Seed size can influence germination, growth and yield formation of crops. A two-year field experiment was conducted in eastern Austria in 2012 and 2013 with two cultivars (Paula and Tatum) and four seeds size (< 2.5, 2.5–2.75, 2.75–3.25 and > 3.25 mm) to assess the effect of seed size on soil coverage, yield, yield components, nitrogen concentrations and nitrogen yield of spring malting barley. Soil coverage during the vegetation period was higher with a larger seed size in one year. Above-ground biomass and grain yield were not affected by seed size but differed between varieties and years. Seed size, however, affected the yield components. Both varieties had a higher ear density with the largest seed size compared to the smallest seed size. Higher ear density resulted in a lower thousand kernel weight. Grains ear-1 did not differ between seed sizes. Harvested grain fractions, nitrogen concentrations and nitrogen yields were also not affected by seed size.

Assessment of the Quality of Malt Obtained from Spring Malting Barley Delivered to the San Farmers’ Cooperative in 2018

AbstractThe study assesses the quality of malt from spring malting barley grown in the Podkarpackie Province, and delivered to the SAN Farmers' Cooperative in 2018. After the initial technological assessment in the laboratory of SAN, the grain was malted in the Department of Agricultural and Food Production Engineering at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Land Management and Environmental Protection of the University of Rzeszow. Moisture, protein content, runoff time, viscosity, pH, wort clarity, extract content and diastatic power were determined in the tested malt, as well as wort obtained from it in the process of mashing. The average parameters of protein content, extractivity of malt ground into flour, of pH and the wort extract were normative, while the other researched parameters did not meet high quality requirements. A high loss of grain mass was noted during malting. After laboratory tests of malt and wort, it was determined that part of the malting raw material is of high malting quality and can be used without modification in the brewhouse for the malting and mashing process.

The effect of sowing date and nitrogen rate on the grain yield, grain quality and malt analyses of spring malting barley for distilling in Ireland

AbstractThe significant expansion of whiskey distillation in Ireland has increased requirements on the Irish malting barley industry to supply spring barley with low grain nitrogen concentration (GNC). Published literature suggests that genetics, soil type and environmental conditions are the predominant drivers controlling production of malting barley with low GNC values. However, it is acknowledged that agronomic practices such as sowing date and nitrogen (N) application are also important factors in determining the grain yield (GY) and grain quality (GQ) of malting barley. The effects of four N fertilizer rates (90, 110, 130 and 150 kg N/ha) and two sowing dates (March and April) on GY and GQ of a two-row spring barley variety (Hordeum vulgare L. cvar Overture) was evaluated at two different sites over a 3-year period (2014–2016). Earlier sowing dates resulted in significantly higher mean GY (7.98 t/ha) compared with later sowing dates (7 t/ha). GY and GNC also increased consistently with greater increments of fertilizer N. Earlier sowing dates also significantly improved several distilling malt quality parameters, such as soluble extract (SE), fermentable extract, predicted spirit yield and fermentability. Later sowing dates increased diastatic power and soluble N. The results of the current study suggest that the likelihood of producing spring malting barley with low GNC values and better malting quality is enhanced through earlier sowing dates on suitable soil types. Earlier sowing dates also facilitated the use of higher fertilizer N rates, enabling high GY potential without crossing the GNC threshold for the distilling market.

Relation between nitrogen nutrition index and production of spring malting barley

Although the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) is a widely used indicator of plant nitrogenstatus, no model of NNI calculation for spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) reflecting also specificmalting requirements on grain has been published. The aim of this study was to determinean optimal range of the nitrogen nutrition index (ratio of nitrogen concentration in shootbiomass to critical nitrogen concentration) with respect to optimal grain protein content(N × 6.25 = 9.0 – 11.5 %), plump grain (grain > 2.5 mm) yield and lodging of spring maltingbarley during 7-year (2007 – 2013) strict field experiments realized under the conditions of threeexperimental sites in the Czech Republic. A dose of 80 kg N/ha and 130 kg N/ha, respectively,was applied in mineral fertilizers. The nitrogen nutrition index was determined at the BBCH 30(beginning of stem elongation) and BBCH 45 (late boot stage) growth stages. The most suitableindicators for evaluation of the nitrogen concentration in shoot biomass of the spring maltingbarley in our experiments proved to be Justes et al.´s model Nc = 5.35 DM(-0.442) designated forwinter wheat and Zhao´s model Nc = 4.76 DM(-0.39) designated for winter barley, where DM isshoot dry matter in t/ha. The nitrogen nutrition index for spring malting barley should notexceed a value of NNI = 0.80 and NNI = 0.90 using the Justes et al.´s model and the Zhao´s oneduring the BBCH 30 – 45 growth stages.

Influence of genotype and nitrogen nutrition on grain size variability in spring malting barley

Grain size is an important quality parameter of malting barley, which depends on genotypes, environmental factors and their interactions. Also, grain size is governed by the efficiency of assimilation and translocation of mineral nutrients (mainly nitrogen) during grain endosperm development, which affects grain yield. The aim of this study was to evaluate variability in the percentage of three different grain size classes: class I (thickness ?2.5 mm), class II (2.2-2.5 mm) and class III (<2.2 mm) in spring malting barley genotypes ('Novosadski 448', 'Novosadski 456', 'Dunavac' and 'Jadran'). The experiment was conducted during three years (2012-2014) in a randomized complete block design with three replications at different rates of nitrogen fertilization (N1=45, N2=75, N3=105 and N4=135 kg ha-1). The presence of different grain sizes in barley cultivars in all N fertilization treatments after harvest was investigated. The proportion of the three grain classes was dependent upon year, cultivar and nitrogen fertilization rate. The highest percentage of class I grains was recorded in 'Novosadski 456', and that of class II and class III grains in 'Dunavac'. The percentage of class I grains increased significantly with increasing nitrogen rates up to 75 kg ha-1, stagnated at 105 kg ha-1, and decreased significantly as the nitrogen level was further increased to 135 kg ha-1. Class II and class III grain contents decreased at nitrogen rates up to 105 kg ha-1, but increased significantly at 135 kg ha-1. The best response to favorable environmental conditions and the highest percentage of class I grain in all years were recorded in ?Novosadski 456?. The most favorable effect on grain size in the studied spring malting barley genotypes was exhibited by the nitrogen rate of 75 kg ha-1.

Urodov� potenci�l odr�d sladovn�ckeho jacmena (Hordeum vulgare L.) v pestovatelsk�ch podmienkach juhoz�padn�ho Slovenska

The field experiment was set up as a block plot design with four replications on the experimental base of the Central Controlling and Testing Institute in Agriculture situated in south-western Slovakia during 2011-2012. Spring malting barley varieties were growing after sugar beet and spring barley forecrops. Besides the year condition, the forecrop value significantly influenced the variability of grain yield. Interaction of forecrop with year condition contributed significantly to the overall variability of yield and was higher than that of the interaction of variety and year. Due to the balanced set of genotypes, variability of yield influenced by varieties was relatively low in both very contrasting years. Two year average yield was in relatively narrow range of 6.05 t*ha-1- 6.66 t*ha-1. Due to the very dry condition in 2012, mainly during crucial period of yield formation, average yield of evaluated genotypes decreases by 43% with comparison to 2011. The phenotypic plasticity of evaluated genotypes was reflected in less favourable weather condition of 2012 in range of 0.97 t*ha-1 grain or 1.14 t*ha-1 grain in good growing conditions of the year 2011, respectively. Better forecrop value of spring barley with comparison to sugar beet was confirmed in both evaluated year. Significantly higher yield (7.10 t*ha-1) of grain was achieved after spring barley forecrop with comparison to 5.38 t*ha-1 of grain after sugar beet forecrop. For better interpretation of forecrop value it is proposed Environmental index for “forecrop gain” or “forecrop lost”, calculated separately as share of increasing or decreasing grain yield due to the forecrop for at least two agronomically different years.

Plant height and internode length as components of lodging resistance in barley

With the total acreage of 50 million ha and an annual production of about 140 million tonnes, barley ranks high in world cereal production. Selection of new cultivars is mostly associated with a particular ideotype designed by the breeder in line with the targets and goals specified. Although grain yield is an ongoing objective in creating new cultivars, breeding work on barley is further expanded to include other traits, primarily grain quality and lodging resistance. Lodging resistance is largely determined by the genetic background of certain stem properties (length, strength and flexibility) and root system development i.e. structure. The degree of lodging resistance in barley is significantly affected by the morphological traits of aboveground parts (stem length, strength and flexibility; stem wall thickness; length, number and weight of internodes; spike size and spike weight). The new cultivars of winter malting barley currently used by producers are generally characterized by very good lodging resistance and an average plant height of 90 to 100 cm. Breeding spring malting barley has resulted in an optimal height (about 80 cm). Further changes should focus on increasing stem thickness and changing the anatomical structure to ensure sufficient stem strength.

β-glucan content and β-glucanase activity of winter and spring malting barley cultivars

β-Glucan content and β-glucanase activity of winter and spring barley cultivars grown under different environments were evaluated. There were significant differences in both β-glucan content and β-glucanase activity between analysed barleys. The results showed that, for all cultivars and locations, approximately 75% of β-glucan present in grains was degraded after malting, and that marked differences existed among winter and spring type of cultivars in malt β-glucan content. The correlation analysis of β-glucan content and malt quality parameters showed that malt β-glucan content was significantly positively correlated with viscosity and extract difference, and negatively with malt β-glucanase activity and friability. Regarding malt β-glucanase activity, significantly higher activity was found in spring cultivars in contrast to winter cultivars.

AAC Synergy barley

Legge, W. G., Tucker, J. R., Fetch, T. G. Jr., Haber, S., Menzies, J. G., Tekauz, A., Turkington, T. K. and Savard, M. E. 2014. AAC Synergy barley. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 797–803. AAC Synergy is a hulled two-row spring malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar with high yield and is widely adapted to western Canada. Developed from the cross TR02267/Newdale made in 2002, AAC Synergy was evaluated in the Western Cooperative Two-row Barley Registration Test (2009–2010) and the Collaborative Malting Barley Trials (2010–2011) conducted by the malting and brewing industry before being registered in 2012. AAC Synergy's excellent combination of agronomic traits, disease resistance and desirable malting quality traits should make it a useful cultivar for producers and the malting and brewing industry.

Effect of rates of nitrogen on the productive elements of spring malting barley

This study examines the effect of increasing rates of nitrogen on the productive traits of four cultivars of spring malting barley: Kraguj, Dunavac, Uros and Slavko. Nitrogen rates of 0, 60, 80 and 100 kg ha-1 were applied. In the treatments with nitrogen, 90 kg ha-1 P2O5 and K2O were also added. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nitrogen nutrition on the productive characteristics of spring malting barley. The results show that the use of nitrogen had a positive effect on the productive characteristics of spring malting barley in all treatments and in all cultivars. Different responses of the studied cultivars to the application of fertilizers are the result of their genotype characteristics.

New spring malting barley varieties: NS Mile and NS Marko

Breeding program at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops is directed to the development of new barley cultivars with a high and stable yield, good malting quality and high resistance abiotic and biotic stress. As a result of this work, two new varieties of spring malting barley NS Mile and NS Marko were developed in the 2012. The two-year trial of Commission for the registration of varieties, Republic of Serbia, showed that the NS Marko and NS Mile are distinct, uniform and stable varieties, and that on average they had significantly higher yield and better quality than standard variety for all the test sites and all years. NS Marko and NS Mile are new early varieties of NS malting barley that are characterized by high genetic potential for yield, which is more than 9 t ha-1, as well as by high quality, especially high content of malt extract and lower protein content compared to standard cultivar.

Governing plant development in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.): relation to protein composition and breakdown rates of protein polymers during malting

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis study aimed at investigating opportunities to manipulate development rhythms of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and to relate such rhythms to protein concentration, composition and breakdown during malting. The spring malting barley cultivar Tipple was grown in daylight chambers at various sowing dates, nitrogen application timings and temperature levels to govern the development rhythms.RESULTSExtensive options were shown to be available for manipulating the plant development rhythm of spring malting barley. Individually, sowing times, N application timings and temperature levels were negatively correlated with the development time. The combination of early sowing and 100% N application at sowing/low temperature during the grain maturation period (GMP) resulted in a long development time before and after anthesis. The combination of late sowing and 50% N at sowing/high temperature during GMP led to short development time before and after anthesis. The highest protein concentration and lowest percentage of sodium dodecyl sulfate‐unextractable polymeric proteins in total polymeric proteins were found to be associated with short development time. Extensive degradation of proteins during malting was the result of short development time as compared to long development time.CONCLUSIONThe development rhythm of barley affects protein concentration, composition and breakdown and might thus not only influence the end‐use quality of barley but also the next generation of plants. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry

Cerveza barley

Legge, W. G., Tucker, J. R., Bizimungu, B., Fetch Jr., T. G., Haber, S., Menzies, J. G., Noll, J. S., Tekauz, A., Turkington, T. K., Savard, M. E. and Choo, T. M. 2013. Cerveza barley. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 557–564. Ceveza is a doubled-haploid hulled two-row spring malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar widely adapted to western Canada, Quebec, and the Maritimes. Developed from the cross TR251/Newdale//TR253/Newdale made in 1998, Cerveza was evaluated in the Western Cooperative Two-row Barley Registration Test (2006–2007) and the Collaborative Malting Barley Trials (2007–2008) conducted by the malting and brewing industry before being registered in 2010. Cerveza was also evaluated in Quebec and the Maritimes in 2007–2009. Cerveza's desirable combination of agronomic traits, disease resistance and malting quality, particularly high grain yield and malt extract, should make it a useful cultivar for producers and the malting and brewing industry.

Major barley

Legge, W. G., Tucker, J. R., Fetch, Jr., T. G., Haber, S., Menzies, J. G., Noll, J. S., Tekauz, A., Turkington, T. K. and Savard, M. E. 2013. Major barley. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 291–297. Major is a hulled two-row spring malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar widely adapted to western Canada. Developed from the cross Rivers/Newdale made in 1999, Major was evaluated in the Western Cooperative Two-row Barley Registration Test (2006–2007) and the Collaborative Malting Barley Trials (2007–2008) conducted by the malting and brewing industry before being registered in 2009. Major has an excellent combination of agronomic traits and disease resistance with malting quality similar to AC Metcalfe, a cultivar widely used commercially by the malting and brewing industry in domestic and export markets.

Influence of fertilizer placement on yield and protein composition in spring malting barley

Soil type and starter fertilizer treatments are known to influence yield, grain protein concentration and grain protein composition in malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) . Combi drilling of spring sown cereal crops has become more popular recently. Depending on the type of combi drill coulter, the fertilizers are placed differently in relation to the seed (e.g. below or beside) and the placement might influence the nitrogen availability. Thus, the aim was to evaluate if and how fertilizer placement by using different coulter types, influenced grain yield, protein concentration and protein composition in spring malting barley. Fertilizer placement beside and deeper than the sown seed (Vaderstad Rapid Combi coulter) resulted in increased emergence (15%?) 20 days after sowing, and increased yield at normal seed rate compared to when the fertilizer was placed just below the sown seed (Tume Nova Combi coulter). Fertilizer placement just below the sown seed led to an increased protein polymerisation compared to fertilizer placement beside and deeper than the sown seed. Nitrogen fertilization led to an increased yield, grain protein concentration, amount of SDS-extractable and -unextractable proteins and small monomeric proteins compared to no nitrogen fertilization. To conclude, nitrogen rate correlated positively with amount of most protein types, while close placement/ availability of nitrogen correlated with protein polymerisation. For grain yield, fertilizer placement just below the sown seeds was negative. Thus, placement of nitrogen might influence the quality of the barley grain for malting purposes.

Analysis of the Genetic Structure of a Barley Collection Using DNA Diversity Array Technology (DArT)

Analysis of the extent of genetic variation within genetic resources is important for diversity preservation and also for breeders who exploit it. We investigated the recently introduced molecular marker technique of DNA diversity array technology (DArT), with the objective of characterising diversity in the likely relatively narrow genetic background of Czech malting barley cultivars. A total of 94 obsolete or registered barley cultivars and some hulless barley lines primarily of Czech origin were characterised by DArT analysis. A total of 271 polymorphic marker alleles were revealed across the analysed set of accessions, 37 of which were identified as being overrepresented; the other 234 markers were used for further analysis. The average dissimilarity value within the analysed set of accessions was 0.692. To assess how well DArT is suited for individual barley characteristic evaluation, available agronomical data from three yield field trials were used. Out of 94 barley genotypes used in the field trials that were assessed by DArTs, 41 have been grown over time as malting cultivars in the region. Similarity matrices based on Gower’s coefficient for mixed data and simple matching coefficient were used to compare DaRT and agronomical results. We demonstrate that a DArT-based similarity matrix and an agronomical data-based similarity matrix correlated well. To assess the genetic structure of the entire collection, K-means and simple matching coefficient clustering were used. Statistical analysis confirmed the power of the DArT system, in fact they efficiently grouped old genetic resources and modern cultivars in the expected way. Our results show that the level of genetic diversity has not changed substantially over time, but significant shifts in allelic frequency have occurred. In addition, a DArT-based dendrogram and principal component analysis (PCA) plots clearly demonstrated the impact of breeding practices on the diversity of Czech spring malting barley cultivars over time.

Development of Weather-Based Predictive Models for Fusarium Head Blight and Deoxynivalenol Accumulation for Spring Malting Barley.

The associations between Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Gibberella zeae, and deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation in spring malting barley (Hordeum vulgare) and hourly weather conditions predictive of DON accumulation were examined using data from six growing seasons in the U.S. Northern Great Plains. Three commonly grown cultivars were planted throughout the region, and FHB disease and DON concentration were recorded. Nine predictor variables were calculated using hourly temperature and relative humidity during the 10 days preceding full head spike emergence. Simple logistic regression models were developed using these predictor variables based on a binary threshold for DON of 0.5 mg/kg. Four of the nine models had sensitivity greater than 80%, and specificity of these models ranged from 67 to 84% (n = 150). The most useful predictor was the joint effect of average hourly temperature and a weighted duration of uninterrupted hours (h) with relative humidity greater than or equal to 90%. The results of this study confirm that FHB incidence is significantly associated with DON accumulation in the grain and that weather conditions prior to full head emergence could be used to accurately predict the risk of economically significant DON accumulation for spring malting barley.

Thermostability of Barley Malt Proteases in Western Canadian Two‐Row Malting Barley

ABSTRACTDuring the malting process, barley is germinated via a carefully controlled procedure so that its components are degraded to sugars, amino acids, and other low molecular weight compounds that can be used for subsequent fermentation. One of the most important of these processes is the hydrolysis of proteins into peptides and amino acids. During seed germination, proteases hydrolyze insoluble reserve proteins into soluble peptides that are subsequently hydrolyzed into free amino acids. During kilning, green malt is initially air dried at 40–60°C, and then the temperature is gradually increased to 85–95°C. Although most proteases are denatured during kilning, the malt contains a small proportion of heat‐stable protease enzymes able to further break down protein in the subsequent mashing process. In this study, protocols were developed and standardized to measure the activity of different proteases. These protocols were then used to study protease thermostability in Canadian two‐row spring malting barley lines. We found a wide range in protease activity under controlled conditions. Upon heat treatment, several lines exhibited significant protease thermostability. These thermostable enzymes were purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and Sephadex columns for further study.