Search

Malted barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a foundational ingredient for the brewing industry, providing functionality and flavor. Increasing demand for locally produced barley, supported by the craft brewing and malting industries, necessitates identifying environments and varieties to meet this demand. Therefore, we analyzed malt quality and quantified quality scores for adjunct (AQS) and all‐malt (AMQS) brewing for 12 barley genotypes grown at 11 locations in eastern Washington and Northern Idaho in 2017 and 2018. Genotype‐by‐environment interactions were identified for six out of nine of the malt quality traits. These included kernel plumpness, malt extract, diastatic power, α‐amylase, β‐glucan, and free amino nitrogen. Stability indices, including Eberhart and Russell's deviation from regression, simultaneous selection index, and mean of the relative performance of genotypic values were quantified. We identified genotypes that had high stability and high AQS (LCS Genie, LCS Odyssey, 12WA 120.14, 12WA 120.23, and GemCraft) or AMQS (LCS Odyssey, LCS Genie, Palmer, 11WA 107.36, 11WA 107.58). Significant correlations between rainfall and barley protein (r = −0.22, p < 0.001), and between barley protein and seven out of eight of the other malt quality traits, reveal important relationships that may influence malt quality. This study may aid producers in variety selection, and provides a detailed malt quality analysis, evidence of G×E interactions, and stability measures for barley genotypes within a production region that has the potential to meet malting barley demand. Core Ideas: Protein content had significant correlations with seven out of eight of the malt quality traits.Genotype × environment interactions influenced six out of nine of the malt quality traits.We recommend Genie and Odyssey based on malt quality scores and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genotype by environment (G × E) interactions for the dietary fiber β‐glucan, one of the deciding factors for the end use of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain, are not well understood. The objectives of this study were (a) to investigate G × E interactions for β‐glucan content of diverse barley genotypes across dryland grain‐producing environments in eastern Washington, and (b) to determine the range and stability of β‐glucan content exhibited across precipitation zones. We examined 17 two‐row, spring barley varieties and breeding lines across eight locations for β‐glucan, protein, and yield in 2017 and 2018. β‐glucan ranged from 1.81 to 7.18 (%, w/w), with a mean of 4.01 (%, w/w). Genotype × year (Y), G × location (L), L × Y, and G × E (G × L × Y) interactions were found for β‐glucan. Univariate models including the regression model with slope (bi) and deviation from regression (Sd2), Wricke's ecovalence stability index (Wi2), and Shukla's stability variance (σi2) agreed that there was moderate rank stability amongst genotypes. Data generated through this research will provide a better understanding of which cultivars that farmers can grow in their area will meet industry targets and standards for both food and malt barley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of preheat temperature (63 or 77 °C for 30 s; final heat 120 °C for 30 s) and casein to whey protein ratio on the physical characteristics of 3.3%, w/w, dairy protein beverages was investigated. Dispersions preheated at 77 °C had lower viscosity than dispersions preheated at 63 °C. Casein‐containing dispersions had significantly lower levels of α‐lactalbumin denaturation than whey protein‐only dispersions. A higher proportion of casein improved the thermal stability of protein dispersions. Overall, alteration of preheat temperature and casein to whey protein ratio can influence dairy beverage quality, with increasing levels of casein reducing physical changes due to heat treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High temperatures, coupled with arid environments, are a major constraint to quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) production. Here, we tested the effectiveness of multiple phenotypic and physiological parameters useful in the selection of heat‐tolerant quinoa genotypes. Initially, we screened 112 quinoa genotypes for leaf greenness index under high‐temperature greenhouse conditions. Of these, eight genotypes were selected for field evaluations under irrigated and rainfed treatments in two locations over two growing seasons (2016–2017) in Washington State. Of these eight, four genotypes were selected as potentially heat tolerant (QQ74, Baer, BGQ 352, and Pison), and four were selected as heat‐susceptible (17 GR, La Molina, 3 UISE, and Japanese Strain). Spectral reflectance indices including normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and green NDVI, as well as multiple physiological parameters, such as stomatal conductance, leaf temperature, and area under soil plant analysis development (SPAD) value decline curve (AUSDC), were evaluated. Results show variability in stomatal conductance among genotypes with 17 GR and BGQ 352 having the highest stomatal conductance and QQ74 the lowest. Baer, Pison, and QQ74 had the highest NDVI value across environments, and Japanese Strain had the lowest. Best linear unbiased prediction values in AUSDC showed that QQ74 had the highest leaf greenness and Japanese Strain had the lowest; these were classified as heat tolerant and heat susceptible, respectively. The NDVI is a potentially useful measure to predict grain yield in quinoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has gained considerable attention worldwide during the past decade due to its nutritional and health benefits. However, its susceptibility to high temperatures has been reported as a serious obstacle to its global production. The objective of this study was to evaluate quinoa growth and pollen morphology in response to high temperatures. Pollen morphology and viability, plant growth and seed set, and several physiological parameters were measured at anthesis in two genotypes of quinoa subjected to day/night temperatures of 22/16°C as a control treatment and 40/24°C as the heat stress treatment. Our results showed that heat stress reduced the pollen viability between 30% and 70%. Although no visible morphological differences were observed on the surface of the pollen between the heat‐stressed and non‐heat‐stressed treatments, the pollen wall (intine and extine) thickness increased due to heat stress. High temperature did not affect seed yield, seed size and leaf greenness. On the other hand, high temperature improved the rate of photosynthesis. We found that quinoa has a high plasticity in response to high temperature, though pollen viability and pollen wall structure were affected by high temperatures in anthesis stage. This study is also the first report of quinoa pollen being trinucleate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa is a pseudocereal from South America known for its unique nutritional properties. Hundreds of varieties and experimental lines are currently either grown or in development in many countries around the world. There exists a lack of information about, and understanding of, the nutritional composition and processing characteristics of these varieties and their potential end-use applications. Twenty-eight quinoa varieties and experimental lines tested in the Washington State University breeding program were evaluated for their chemical composition and physicochemical characteristics. Both compositional and physicochemical analysis demonstrated wide variation in properties among the varieties. Analysis of flour swelling power, water absorption index, and differential scanning calorimetry further supported the differences hypothesized between varieties. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the varieties into four clusters. Principal component analysis was used to visually display the data on a biplot, representing most of the variance (>60%) in the set. These results reflect possible end uses in bread, cakes, and noodles for varieties exhibiting high viscosities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Craft malting companies are emerging in response to demand from the rapidly growing North American craft brewing industry, and creating a market for malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in production regions considered to be of minor importance for this crop. Growing malting barley in these under-represented areas, such as western Washington, requires identification of cultivars with suitable agronomic and quality characteristics. Twelve two-row spring barley cultivars were evaluated for 2 yr at four western Washington locations to assess suitability for craft malt production in the region. Standard North American malting cultivars had lower yield stability than locally adapted feed cultivars. Pre-harvest sprouting reduced falling number and germination capacity resulting in a high proportion of samples unsuitable for malt quality evaluation. Cultivars with the highest levels of resistance to pre-harvest sprouting did not meet malt quality standards when malted according to standard micro-malting methods. However, craft maltsters have more flexibility to alter processing conditions to produce malt from cultivars previously deemed unacceptable for large-scale malting and brewing. Craft brewer specifications for malt are also different from large-scale industry. The current work suggests the need to adjust the malting process to work with locally adapted cultivars while expanding regional testing and breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous social indicators turned negative for Blacks in the 1980s and rebounded a decade later. We explore whether crack cocaine explains these patterns. Absent a direct measure, we construct a crack prevalence index using multiple proxies. Our index reproduces spatial and temporal patterns described in ethnographic accounts of the crack epidemic. It explains much of the 1980s rise in Black youth homicide and more moderate increases in adverse birth outcomes. Although our index remains high through the 1990s, crack's deleterious social impact fades. Changes over time in behavior, crack markets, and the user population may have mitigated crack's damaging impacts. ( JEL K42, J15, I30) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hop cones grown on the female plant of the perennial crop (Humulus lupulus L.) are an integral component of the brewing process and provide flavor, bitterness, aroma, and antimicrobial properties to beer. Demand for organically grown hops from consumers via the brewing industry is on the rise; however, due to high N requirements and severe disease, weed, and arthropod pressures, hops are an extremely difficult crop to grow organically. Currently, the majority of the world's organic hops are grown in New Zealand, while other countries, including China, are beginning to increase organic hop production. Land under organic hop production in Washington State, where 75% of the hops in the United States are grown, increased from 1.6 ha to more than 26 ha from 2004 to 2010, and other hop-producing states demonstrate a similar trend. Removing hops from the USDA Organic Exemption list in January 2013 is expected to greatly increase organic hop demand and will require corresponding increases in organic hop hectarage. Current challenges, including weed management, fertility and irrigation management, insect and disease pressures, and novel practices that address these issues will be presented. Here, we discuss current and future research that will potentially impact organic hop production in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genotype × environment (G×E) interactions for Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, P, and Zn concentrations are not well understood, particularly in the context of organic farming systems. The objectives of this study were to: (i) investigate G×E interactions for mineral nutrient concentration in organically grown wheat; and, (ii) assess whether grain mineral concentration is a broadly or narrowly adapted trait when grown in contrasting environments over time. We evaluated 18 spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars on three organic farms in Washington State for mineral concentration and for grain yield in 2008 and 2009. The G×Year (Y) interactions were found for grain yield and all minerals except Fe, Mn, and P and G×Location (L) interactions were found for grain yield and all minerals except Fe. The G×E (G×L×Y) interactions were found for grain yield and all minerals except for Mn. Grain yield was not consistently correlated with mineral nutrients across years and locations. Among minerals, Mg:P, P:Zn, and Mg:Zn were positively correlated in at least five of six site-years, suggesting the potential for simultaneous selection of these minerals. Grain mineral concentrations of Cu, Fe, and P showed relatively broad adaptation across years when compared with Ca and Mg concentrations. Fewer cultivars were broadly adapted spatially than temporally for stable levels of mineral concentration. Several cultivars had relatively high concentrations of two or more minerals across locations, indicating the potential for farmer utilization of broadly adapted cultivars and varietal blends that will significantly increase grain mineral concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]