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Barley is primarily a cereal grain crop grown in rabi season and widely used for food, fodder and in beer industry. Dual purpose barley provides quality fodder as well as grain. Cutting at early stage at about 50-55 days after sowing, provides good quality of fodder particularly in lean period (mid December to mid January) for feeding to the animals. After harvesting for fodder, the regenerated crop left for grain production without sacrificing the grain yield with similar management as grain crop. For dual purpose barley need to evaluate the cultivars, optimum sowing time and stage of harvesting is a critical issue for production of good quality fodder as well as grain. Hence in this review article it has been emphasized for production of quality fodder and grain as influenced by date of sowing, dual barley variety used as suitable cultivars, and appropriate stage of harvesting which had been revealed and cited by different scientists, workers and co-workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of herbicides on yields, yield components and malting quality of the grains of barley cultivars. Literature worldwide lacks works on the impact of herbicides on the brewing quality of barley. This work presents the results of field experiments and laboratory studies concerning the evaluation of the impact of herbicides, differing in terms of an active substance, on the yields, weed control and malting quality of selected cultivars of barley. The research was conducted in Poland. The herbicides affected the increase in grain yields of barley, due to their high effectiveness of weed control, resulting in an increase in the number of ears per area unit. Certain herbicides increased grain protein content and grain filling. As for malt extractivity, Kolbach index,Qindex, diastatic power and beta-glucans content in wort, there were interactions between herbicides and cultivars. The impact of herbicides on parameters varied depending on cultivars. The herbicides, especially Chwastox Turbo 340 SL (MCPA + dicamba) and Secator 125 OD (amidosulfuron + iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium), worsened several (not many) malt quality parameters, depending on cultivars, but it did not contribute to disqualifying malting quality of grains. Therefore, all tested herbicides can be recommended for use by farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted during rabi 2013-14 at Barley Research Area of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar with the objective to study the effect of different date of sowing on growth, yield and quality characters of barley cultivars. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with five date of sowing (30th October, 10th, 20th, 30th November and 10th December) in main plots and four cultivars (BH 902, RD 2552, DWRUB 52 and RD 2668) kept in sub plots replicated thrice. Crop sown on 30th October produced significantly higher values of growth parameters, yield attributes (115 productive tillers per meter row length, no. of grains per spike- 37 and test weight -46.90) and yield (grain yield- 4733 kg ha-1 and straw yield- 8368 kg ha-1). But it was statistically at par with 10th November sowing date. Grain protein content, hectoliter weight and bold grains percentage decreased significantly with delay in sowing while malt content percentage was recorded significantly higher (89.53%) in 10 th December date of sowing. Among the cultivars DWRUB 52 produced significantly higher grain yield (4516 kg ha-1) and quality attributes like malt content (86.25%) than other cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spring barley belong to the important cereals in Slovakia, resulting mainly from the fact that Slovakia has in Europe after Germany, France and the Czech Republic the most suitable conditions for growing. The field trial was carried out over the period 2011 - 2012 on the experimental base of the Central Controlling and Testing Institute in Agriculture at Testing station Veľké Ripňany. Yield potential of eight genotypes of spring barley was tested after two forecrop (sugar beet and spring barley) on moderate brown soil with clayey loam subsoil. The evaluated year created very different agro climatic condition for spring barley in Slovakia. Warmer but very dry condition in 2012 mainly during Mai and June created very unfavourable condition for yield expression of evaluated genotypes. Average yield of all evaluated genotypes was significantly higher in 2011 (7.51 t ha-1) with comparison to 2012 (4.247 t ha-1). The all evaluated factor significantly influence the variability of yield in order of importance: year conditions, forecrop, and genotype. Interaction of forecrop with year condition contributed significantly to the overall variability of yield. Better forecrop value of spring barley with comparison to sugar beet was confirmed in both evaluated year. Even in favourable year 2011, yield of spring barley growing after sugar beet has been significantly reduced by 0.84 t ha-1. The environmental conditions in 2011 - 2012, accounted for 58.5% of the total variability and different forecrop value participated with 20.5% of total variability of grain yield. On the average yield of grain, the tested varieties were divided into two groups. The varieties Danielle, Salome and Calcule reached significantly higher yield of grain in both very different year conditions of 2011 - 2012 in range of 6.39 - 6.66 t ha-1. The second group of evaluated varieties Slaven, Signora, Wiebke and Petrus also revealed very high yield potential in narrow range of 6.05 - 6.08 t ha-1. All evaluated varieties are very adaptable on Slovak agricultural condition and also are disseminated to the agricultural praxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drought and salinity are two major abiotic stresses that severely limit barley production worldwide. Physiological and genetic complexity of these tolerance traits has significantly slowed the progress of developing stress-tolerant cultivars. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) may potentially overcome this problem. In the current research, seventy two double haploid (DH) lines from a cross between TX9425 (a Chinese landrace variety with superior drought and salinity tolerance) and a sensitive variety, Franklin were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for drought and salinity tolerance, based on a range of developmental and physiological traits. Results: Two QTL for drought tolerance (leaf wilting under drought stress) and one QTL for salinity tolerance (plant survival under salt stress) were identified from this population. The QTL on 2H for drought tolerance determined 42% of phenotypic variation, based on three independent experiments. This QTL was closely linked with a gene controlling ear emergency. The QTL on 5H for drought tolerance was less affected by agronomic traits and can be effectively used in breeding programs. A candidate gene for this QTL on 5H was identified based on the draft barley genome sequence. The QTL for proline accumulation, under both drought and salinity stresses, were located on different positions to those for drought and salinity tolerance, indicating no relationship with plant tolerance to either of these stresses. Conclusions: Using QTL mapping, the relationships between QTL for agronomic and physiological traits and plant drought and salinity tolerance were studied. A new QTL for drought tolerance which was not linked to any of the studied traits was identified. This QTL can be effectively used in breeding programs. It was also shown that proline accumulation under stresses was not necessarily linked with drought or salinity tolerance based on methods of phenotyping used in this experiment. The use of proline content in breeding programs can also be limited by the accuracy of phenotyping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge about yield variability of crop cultivar is very useful regarding its selection and for cultivation in a target region, as well as under specific cultivation regime. In this study, the yield variability of spring barley cultivars grown on different soils in South-West Poland with respect to herbicides was investigated. Field studies were conducted in over a three-year period (2010-2012). They included four spring barley cultivars (Westminster, Antek, Eunova, Conchita) and three weeding treatment: (i) the mixture of 2.4-D with fluroxypyr (450 g ha-1 + 112.5 g ha-1), (ii) the mixture of aminopyralid with florasulam (9.99 g ha-1 + 4.99 g ha-1), (iii) no herbicide (manually weeded check). Experiment was set up on two different soils - black soil and podsolic soil. Analysis of variance proved greater impact of soil than weather conditions on yield variability of barley cultivars. It also showed the significant genotypic-environmental interaction of the examined cultivars under diversified weeding treatments. On black soil, the highest yield was recorded for Eunova cultivar whereas on podsolic soil it was noted for Conchita cultivar, irrespective of weeding. Eunova cultivar showed significant yield variability for the mixture aminopyralid + florasulam usage and, therefore, this herbicide is not recommended for this cultivar. Among the examined cultivars, Westminster featured distinct reaction to diversified environmental conditions and proved considerable yield variability across years and places, irrespective of weed control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents results of 3 years of studies (2009-2011) on the influence of Italian ryegrass on the development of weed communities in spring barley (without chemical weeds control) cultivated after potato, spring wheat and spring barley. The reaction of spring barley to the choice of the forecrop was compared with identical plots with pure stand of that cereal where herbicides were applied for weeds control. Evaluation of infestation with weeds was conducted during barley tillering and before harvest. That evaluation considered the number and composition of weed species. During harvest, the dry mass of weeds was also considered. The results were used for determination of Shannon-Wiener diversity index and species homogeneity coefficient, Simpson's index of dominance as well as Sørensen similarity index. Spring barley weeding was significantly higher in case of cultivating it in mixed stand with Italian ryegrass (without chemical control), than in pure stand (with control). In the plots with mixed crop, lower diversity and homogeneity of weeds' communities were recorded than in pure stand. Barley in mixed crop sown after spring barley, during both times of evaluation (spring and before harvest), increased the value of the index of dominance according to the number of species the most. As concerns the composition of species, number and biomass, the communities of pure stand and mixed crop with Italian ryegrass on the plot after potato were the most similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic agriculture needs spring barley varieties that are adapted to organic growing conditions and have good and stable grain yield across years, even under less favourable growing conditions. The aim of this study was to compare how varieties differ in yield and yield stability under conventional and organic management conditions. The results help to decide under which growing conditions selection of genotypes for organic farming can be most effective. Grain yield and yield components of 10 varieties were estimated in field trials for three years at four sites: two conventionally and two organically managed sites. Varieties differed in stability: some varieties had high yield under conventional conditions and relatively high and stable yield under organic conditions. Heritabilities for yield and yield components were lower under organic (especially in the field with low weed control) than under conventional conditions. Heritabilities for yield components were lower than those for yield itself. Selection for yield components, therefore, may be less effective than selection directly for grain yield. Our data showed that generally the top performing cultivars under conventional conditions also performed as the best under organic conditions, but there were also exceptions. Therefore we conclude that selection of genotypes for organic farming may take place under conventional conditions, but that a final testing should be conducted under organic conditions to confirm the suitability of the selected varieties for cultivation on organic farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation, translocation and reutilization of nitrogen and phosphorus were studied in nine Bulgarian malting barley genotypes - three varieties (Krami, Krassen, Kristi) and six new perspective lines (70412296; 2390300; 24102400; 24201900; 689069970; 22506999). It was found that they accumulated the basic part of the total nitrogen in maturity during the pre-anthesis period and are characterized by nitrogen gain in the period after heading/anthesis. The part of nitrogen taken up prior to anthesis was 59,1%-65,1% of the total barley nitrogen at maturity and it hardly depended on the genotype. The pre-anthesis accumulated phosphorus out of the total phosphorus uptake at maturity depended on the genotype and it was in the range 53,7%-96,6 % (and up to 100 % in the lines with a negative post-anthesis uptake - 24201900, 689069970 and 22506999. The varieties and lines reutilized 7,5 kg N/da and 4,67 kg P2O5/da on average, and the translocation efficiency was 50.6 % for nitrogen and 52.1% for phosphorus. The contribution of the redistributed vegetative nitrogen and phosphorus to the grain was 63,2% for nitrogen and 67,5 % for phosphorus on average. The Krami and Krassen varieties and line 2390300 could be recommended as perspective for the nitrogen reutilization efficiency and line 22506999 was effective with regard to both nitrogen and phosphorus translocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dry mass accumulation and reutilization of the Krami barley cultivar depending on the fertilizing levels were studied: 1). Unfertilized control (N0P0K0); 2). Nitrogen fertilization -- 100 kg/ha and omission of phosphorus and potassium fertilization (N100P0K0); 3). Phosphorus fertilization -- 80 kg P2O5/ha and omission of nitrogen and potassium fertilization (N0P80K0); 4). Combined nitrogen-phosphorus fertilization -- 100 kg N with 80 kg P2O5/ha (N100P80K0). It was established that nitrogen-phosphorus fertilization N100P80 did not change the ratio of the pre-anthesis dry mass accumulation of barley to the synthesized dry mass after anthesis, compared to the unfertilized plants. Nitrogen or phosphorus fertilization alone affected in a different mode the dry mass translocation -- nitrogen fertilizing demonstrated more dry mass accumulation in the pre-anthesis period, and phosphorus fertilization increased the dry mass accumulation after anthesis. The dry mass reutilization of the fertilized plants was higher by 57% in average, which was an indicator that fertilization led to a higher dry mass reutilization of barley plants. The spike dry mass during anthesis constituted 24.4-27.3% of the barley aboveground biomass in anthesis and depended little on fertilizing. Nitrogen fertilization (N100 alone or combined with P80) increased by 80% in average the amount of reutilized pre-anthesis biomass while the phosphorus fertilization alone did not alter significantly the reutilized dry mass compared with the unfertilized plants. The independent phosphorus fertilization altered the pattern of barley dry mass distribution and reutilization by translocation of less dry mass, lower translocation efficiency and lower contribution of pre-anthesis vegetative assimilates to the grain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to see the impact of Angoumois grain moth (AGM) on different cultivars of barley so that we must grow resistant variety of barley or improve those which are susceptible to it. Eggs ofSitotroga cerealella(Oliv.) were collected and reared in incubators available in Stored Product Entomology Laboratory, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, under temperature 27 ± 2°C and 60 ± 2% relative humidity. For the experiment, five different cultivars of barley; Sanober-96, Jau-83, Soorab-96, ICBA and Sterling were selected for AGM feed. After an interval of 30, 60 and 90 days of infestation, percentage damage and weight loss in grains were determined. After carrying out laboratory and field germination tests, viability of different cultivars were checked. Damage was maximum in variety Soorab (99.38%), which becomes susceptible while it was minimum in Sanober-96 (90.62%), which becomes resistant. Weight loss was maximum in variety Soorab (49.71%), which becomes susceptible and was minimum in Sanober-96 (45.32%), which becomes resistant. Damage was positively correlated with weight loss and negatively correlated with seed germination. In germination tests, on filter paper, maximum germination was found in variety Sterling (3%) which becomes resistant and it was minimum in ICBA which becomes susceptible (0%). In sand germination test, maximum seeds germinated in variety Sanober-96 (2%), and minimum seeds germinated in ICBA (0%). By calculating the percentage of losses of different cultivars, it was found that none of cultivars proved itself completely resistant or susceptible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new, two-rowed, waxy, hull-less barley cultivar, Kirari-mochi, was bred by the pedigree breeding method, and derived from a three-way cross (Shikoku-hadaka 103/Daikei HL107 (ant28.494)) F1/Shikoku-hadaka 97 (wax). Kirari-mochi is both proanthocyanidin-free (ant28.494) and amylose-free (wax), and boiled pearled barley of Kirari-mochi showed lower levels of discoloration after incubation at high temperatures than Ichibanboshi (a standard cultivar of hull-less barley). The polyphenol content of pearled Kirari-mochi is roughly half that of Ichibanboshi and the β-glucan content of Kirari-mochi pearled barley is about 1.5-times higher than that of lchibanboshi. The broken kernel ratio of Kirari-mochi is lower than that of Ichibanboshi. Although the grain yield of Kirari-mochi is approximately 85% of that of lchibanboshi, its tolerance to pre-harvest sprouting is lower than that of lchibanboshi. Kirari-mochi is resistant to both barley yellow mosaic virus and powdery mildew, and is moderately resistant to scab. Kirari-mochi is well adapted to cultivation in the plains of central and western Japan, and it was released in 2010. Kirari-mochi is suitable for pearling and boiling, and has good eating quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Youho' (Hordeum vulgare L.), a new ruminant-palatable forage barley cultivar, was developed by the breeding team at the Department of Rice and Winter Cereal Crop, National Institute of Crop Science, RDA in 2008. It was derived from the cross between 'Suwon339' and 'Suwon355'. Among the cross made in 1999, a promising line, SB992047-B-B-B-6-2, showed good characteristics in potential forage yield in the yield trial tested at Iksan from 2005 to 2006. In 2007, it was designated as 'Iksan431' and placed in regional yield trials at eight locations in Korea for two years from 2007 to 2008, and was released as the name of 'Youho'. It has the growth habit of group II, erect plant type, green leaf and hood spike. Its average heading and maturing dates were on Apr. 24 and May 26, respectively, which are similar to check cultivar 'Yuyeon'. 'Youho' also showed weaker winter hardiness, but better resistance to lodging, shattering and BaYMV than those of check cultivar. It showed higher crude protein content, grade of silage quality than those of check cultivar. The average forage dry matter yield in the regional yield trial was about 14.1, 10.9 MT ha-1 in upland and paddy field, respectively, which were 1% to 4% lower than that of the check cultivar. This cultivar would be suitable for the area whose daily minimum temperature was above -8°C in January in Korean peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Younghan' (Hordeum vulgare L.), a winter barley for forage use, was developed by the breeding team at the Department of Rice and Winter Cereal Crop, National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration in 2008. It was derived from a cross between F1['YB3433-3B-5'/'YB3135-3B-2-3'] and 'YB3135-3B-2-3'. 'SB971305-B-B-B-4-4' line was selected for its earliness, resistance to disease and good agronomic characteristics. The promising line showed both high yield and lodging resistance in the yield trials in Iksan in 2004 to 2005, and designated as 'Iksan420'. The line was subsequently evaluated for winter hardiness, earliness, and yield at eight locations throughout Korea for two years from 2007 to 2008 and finally named as 'Younghan'. It has the growth habit of IV, erect plant type, green leaf and thick culm in diameter. Its heading date was April 24, and the maturing date was May 25 in paddy field conditions, which were one day earlier than those of the check cultivar 'Youngyang'. The cultivar 'Younghan' had better winter hardiness, and resistance to lodging and BaYMV than those of the check cultivar did. The average forage dry matter yield of 'Younghan' was approximately 12.0 MT/ha in adapted region. 'Younghan' also showed 8.5% of crude protein content, 27.2% of ADF, and 67.1% of TDN, including higher grade of silage quality for whole crop barley. This cultivar would be suitable for (area with daily minimum temperature in January) above -8°C in Korean peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shiratae Nijo is a new two-rowed food barley cultivar bred at the National Agricultural Research Center for Kyushu Okinawa Region (KONARC) in collaboration with the National Institute of Crop Science (NICS) and released in 2009. Shiratae Nijo is a proanthocyanidin-free cultivar bred by backcross breeding using a leading cultivar Nishinohoshi as a recurrent parent and a foreign proanthocyanidin-free mutant ant28-494 as a nonrecurrent parent. The agronomic characteristics of Shiratae Nijo are almost the same as those of Nishinohoshi which has high yield performance and high resistance to barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) type I and powdery mildew. Like Nishinohoshi, Shiratae Nijo shows high resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) at the anthesis stage but is susceptible 10 days after anthesis. Shiratae Nijo exhibits significantly weaker seed dormancy than Nishinohoshi. Shiratae Nijo has excellent pearling quality, and the pearled grains show no discoloration and high whiteness after cooking because of the lack of catechin and proanthocyanidin in the grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Viscosity and texture are important attributes not only in determining quality of barley but also in delivering health benefits of barley products. The present study aimed at investigating viscosity and textural properties of nine barley cultivars selected for their compositional differences and economic importance to Canada. The cultivars were pearled to varying degrees to obtain whole grain and three pearled barley fractions named commercial, pot and white pearl. Increasing pearling time resulted in higher peak, trough, setback and final viscosity compared with whole grain flours. The hulless cultivars tested, tended to have lower trough, final and setback viscosities than the hulled ones. The waxy cultivars exhibited higher breakdown viscosities than normal cultivars. Viscosity at 37°C of two cooked barley cultivars having extreme glycemic index (GI) values were significantly different. In other words, cooked Celebrity cultivar (low GI) had higher viscosity than AC Klink cultivar (high GI). Significant differences in maximum force and shearing work were also observed between cultivars. On the contrary to viscosity, both force and work decreased as pearling time increased. The study showed that some barley cultivars such as Celebrity fractions may hold a promise for the development of barley as a functional food ingredient or rice substitute. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The influence of the carbohydrate (CHO) composition of cereal cultivars on microbial ecophysiology was studied using an in vitro model of the porcine gastrointestinal tract. Ten hull-less barley cultivars, six barley cultivars with hulls, six oat cultivars, and six oat groats that differed in ²-glucan, nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP), and starch contents and starch type were hydrolyzed enzymatically and incubated for 72 h with pig feces. Fermentation kinetics were modeled, and microbial compositions and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles were analyzed using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and gas chromatography. Cluster analysis and canonical ordination revealed different effects on fermentation and microbial ecology depending on the type of CHO and cultivar. First, in cultivars of barley with hulls and oats, the cellulose and insoluble NSP contents (i) increased Ruminococcus flavefaciens-like and Clostridium xylanolyticum-like phylotypes, (ii) increased acetate production, and (iii) decreased fermentation activity. Second, in hull-less barley cultivars the ²-glucan, amylose, amylopectin, crude protein, and soluble NSP contents determined the microbial community composition and activity as follows: (i) the amylose contents of the hull-less barley varieties increased the butyrate production and the abundance of Clostridium butyricum-like phylotypes, (ii) the ²-glucan content determined the total amounts of SCFA, and (iii) the amylopectin and starch contents affected the abundance of Clostridium ramosum-like phylotypes, members of Clostridium cluster XIVa, and Bacteroides-like bacteria. Finally, the effect of CHO on proliferation of Salmonella enterica in the model was determined. Salmonella cell counts were not affected, but the relative proportion of Salmonella decreased with hull-less barley cultivars and increased with oat cultivars as revealed by quantitative PCR. Our results shed light on the complex interactions of cereal CHO with intestinal bacterial ecophysiology and the possible impact on host health [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barley is one of the most important cereal crops grown for the livelihoods of the poor farmers of Tigray region in northern Ethiopia. As many low input and marginal environments it has benefited less from the yield increases achieved by modern breeding. This has been largely attributed due to genotype × environment intraction (GEI). To investigate the causes of GEI, ten barley varieties including local checks (two farmers developed varieties, four modern varieties and three rare local varieties) were tested over 21 environments. Participatory methods were applied to sample an adequate number of environments spanning the regional diversity. The yielding ability and stability of the varieties was graphically depicted by GGE and PLSR biplot. There were two major groups of environments, the central and northern highlands, the latter with less rainfall and poorer soils. Rainfall per month and total nitrogen level were the environmental variables that differentiated these two groups. In Tigray, rainfall in June and July were negatively correlated with yield, reflecting waterlogging problems. The different varieties were either specifically or widely adapted across the two environments. The variety ‘Himblil’, originating in Tigray, was the highest yielding and also most stable in the region of origin. However, it was inferior to improved varieties (Shege and Dimtu) at high yield levels. The association of earliness with grain yield indicates that the trait can be effectively manipulated within the existing materials. We recommend breeding for drought/water logging resistance based on selection in the target environment as the best strategy to provide stable and high yielding varieties for Tigray. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing agronomic performance across rain fed Mediterranean environments in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the barley cultivars ER/Apm and Tadmor. The population was tested in four locations (two in Syria and two in Lebanon) during four consecutive years. This allowed the analysis of marker main effects as well as of marker by location and marker by year within location interactions. The analysis demonstrated the significance of crossover interactions in environments with large differences between locations and between years within locations. Alleles from the parent with the higher yield potential, ER/Apm, were associated with improved performance at all markers exhibiting main effects for grain yield. The coincidence of main effect QTL for plant height and yield indicated that average yield was mainly determined by plant height, where Tadmor’s taller plants, being susceptible to lodging, yielded less. However, a number of crossover interactions were detected, in particular for yield, where the Tadmor allele improved yield in the locations with more severe drought stress. The marker with the highest number of cross-over interactions for yield and yield component traits mapped close to the flowering gene Ppd-H2 and a candidate gene for drought tolerance HVA1 on chromosome 1H. Effects of these candidate genes and QTL may be involved in adaptation to severe drought as frequently occurring in the driest regions in the Mediterranean countries. Identification of QTL and genes affecting field performance of barley under drought stress is a first step towards the understanding of the genetics behind drought tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A screening programme for crop variety competitiveness would ideally be based on only a few, non-destructive measurements of key growth traits. In this study we measured the weed suppressive ability of 79 varieties of spring barley in two ways: (i) directly, by weed coverage assessments under weedy conditions at three Danish locations in 2002–2004 and (ii) indirectly, by non-destructive measurements of varietal growth traits under weed-free conditions in 17 other experiments in Denmark in 2001–2003. Based on just four varietal growth traits (reflectance, leaf area index, leaf angle and culm length), we successfully developed a method for indexing the weed suppressive ability of spring barley varieties. The suppressive index ranged from 12% in Lux and 55% in Modena in proportion to the 90% quantile coverage of all varieties. The index was validated against independent data from two locations in 2005 with 14 and 24 varieties and was found valuable for future use in regular screening programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the genetic structure and relationships among barley cultivars (Hordeum vulgareL.) with sequence-specific amplification polymorphisms (S-SAPs). Polymorphisms were identified in 824 individual barley plants representing 103 cultivars (eight plants per cultivar) widely grown in Canada and the United States, using PCR primers designed from the long terminal repeat of the barley retrotransposon BARE-1 and a subset of four selectiveMseI primers. From the 404 bands scored, 150 were polymorphic either within or between cultivars. Genetic structure assessed with analysis of molecular variance attributed the largest component of variation to the within groups of cultivars (69-86%). Within-cultivar genetic variation was estimated as average gene diversity over loci and ranged from 0 (completely homogenous) to 0.076 (most heterogeneous cultivar). Only 17 out of 103 cultivars (16%) were judged to be homogenous by this criterion. Relationships among cultivars were analyzed by cluster analysis using unweighted pair-groups using arithmetic averages and found groups similar to those determined by agriculturally significant phenotypic traits such as spike morphology (two-rowed or six-rowed), cultivar type (malting or feed), seed characteristic (hull-less or hulled), and growth habit (winter or spring), with minor overlaps. Discriminant analysis of groups determined by these phenotypic traits fully supported the different groups with minor overlaps between the malting/feed. S-SAP markers generated from retrotransposons such as BARE-1 are invaluable tools for the study of genetic diversity in organisms with a narrow genetic base such as barley. In this study, S-SAP analysis revealed significant amounts of cryptic variation in closely related cultivars including somaclonal variation, which could not be inferred by the pedigree analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Alberta Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) at Lacombe has carried out an extensive research and development program on feed barley since 1973. Prior to 2002, FCDC released 11 hulled and six hull-less barley varieties that have been adopted by farmers. The primary objective of this study is to estimate an economic rate of return to the FCDC barley research and development program from 1973 to 2001. A secondary, objective is to include benefits arising from research that improved feed barley disease resistance in new cultivars in addition to benefits from purely higher-yielding cultivar research. The analysis uses an ex post economic surplus methodology. Benefits are identified and empirically investigated for three separate FCDC feed barley research thrusts: • benefits arising from FCDC research that developed new. higher-yielding feed barley cultivars that give a yield advantage • benefits arising from FCDC research that improved feed barley disease resistance in new cultivars that result in yield loss avoidance from disease • benefits arising from FCDC research that developed new feed barley cultivars that yield higher silage production. Of the total benefits from research on feed grain varieties, 52% can be attributed to yield advantage research and 48% to yield loss avoidance research. The overall internal rate of return with base elasticity parameters is estimated at 27%, ranging between 23% and 31%, depending on the assumptions made about the yield advantage and base variety. The IRR was sensitive to changes in supply elasticities and ranges from 20% (∈ = 1.5) to 54% (∈ = 0.1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, changes in activity of key enzymes of nitrogen assimilation, namely nitrate reductase and glutamate dehydrogenase upon boron (B) toxicity in wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivars were investigated. Ten-day-old seedlings were exposed to 10 mM boric acid for a duration of five days. Plants growing on the nutrient solutions and receiving no excess B, were maintained as controls. All experiments were conducted on leaf and root tissues of control and B-treated seedlings of B-tolerant and B-sensitive cultivars. For estimation of activity of nitrate reductase, an in vivo assay was used. Compared to controls (no B treatment) activity of nitrate reductase tended to decrease (15–17%) following B toxicity in root and leaf tissues of all cultivars, however, no significant difference was observed between resistant and sensitive cultivars. Boron stress increased activity of glutamate dehydrogenase in roots and leaves of all cultivars by an average of 81% and 30%, respectively. Compared to sensitive variety, the boron tolerant wheat variety exhibited a significantly higher increase in shoot tissue GDH activity, whereas no significant difference was observed in root tissues. It was concluded that, the increase in activity of glutamate dehydrogenase could be an adaptive mechanism in these species and possibly plays a protective role under boron-stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objectives were to determine the extent of genetic variability in the rate and extent of ruminal digestion among 10 cultivars of barley. Barley samples (Hordeum vulgare L.) were ground through a 2 mm screen, and bags containing 1 g of ground grains were incubated in the rumen of three ruminally cannulated rams for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h. The rate and extent of ruminal digestion were estimated. The soluble DM fraction ranged from 37.5 to 43%, the degradable DM fraction ranged from 42.2 to 49%, and the rate of degradation of DM ranged from 25.6 to 31.5% h−1. The small variability observed in the ruminal digestion characteristics of barley cultivars indicated that genetic selection does not hold promise as a means of enhancing the nutritional quality of barley for ruminants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Endosperm texture has a tremendous impact on the end-use quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Cultivars of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), a close relative of wheat, also vary measurably in grain hardness. However, in contrast to wheat, little is known about the genetic control of barley grain hardness. Puroindolines are endosperm-specific proteins found in wheat and its relatives. In wheat, puroindoline sequence variation controls the majority of wheat grain texture variation. Hordoindolines, the puroindoline homologs of barley, have been identified and mapped. Recently, substantial allelic variation was found for hordoindolines among commercial barley cultivars. Our objective was to determine the influence of hordoindoline allelic variation upon grain hardness and dry matter digestibility in the 'Steptoe' × 'Morex' mapping population. This population is segregating for hordoindoline allele type, which was measured by a HinA/HinB/Gsp composite marker. One-hundred and fifty lines of the 'Steptoe' × 'Morex' population were grown in a replicated field trial. Grain hardness was estimated by near-infrared reflectance (NIR) and measured using the single kernel characterization system (SKCS). Variation attributable to the HinA/HinB/Gsp locus averaged 5.7 SKCS hardness units (SKCS U). QTL analysis revealed the presence of several areas of the genome associated with grain hardness. The largest QTL mapped to the HinA/HinB/Gsp region on the short arm of chomosome 7 (5H). This QTL explains 22% of the SKCS hardness difference observed in this study. The results indicate that the Hardness locus is present in barley and implicates the hordoindolines in endosperm texture control.Key words: puroindolines, grain hardness, digestibility.La texture de l'albumen a un impact considérable sur la qualité du blé selon les différentes utilisations projetées. Les cultivars de l'orge (Hordeum vulgare L.), un proche parent du blé (Triticum aestivum L.), montrent aussi une grande variation pour ce qui est de la dureté du grain. Cependant, contrairement à la situation chez le blé, bien peu de choses sont connues quant au contrôle génétique de la dureté du grain chez l'orge. Les puroindolines sont des protéines spécifiques de l'albumen qu'on retrouve chez le blé et les espèces voisines. Chez le blé, la variation de la séquence de puroindolines détermine largement la variation quant à la texture des grains. Les hordoindolines, les homologues des puroindolines chez l'orge, ont été identifiées et cartographiées. Récemment, une importante variation allélique au niveau des hordoindolines a été observée chez des cultivars commerciaux de l'orge. L'objectif des auteurs était de déterminer l'impact de la variation allélique au niveau des hordoindolines sur la dureté des grains et la digestibilité de la matière sèche au sein de la population de cartographie dérivée du croisement 'Steptoe' × 'Morex'. Cette population est en ségrégation pour le type d'hordoindoline, lequel a été déterminé à l'aide du marqueur composite HinA/HinB/Gsp. Cent cinquante lignées de la population 'Steptoe' × 'Morex' ont été cultivées en parcelles d'essai. La dureté des grains a été mesurée par réflectivité en proche infrarouge (NIR) à l'aide d'un seul grain (SKCS : « single kernel characterization system »). La variation attribuable au locus HinA/HinB/Gsp était en moyenne de 5,7 unités de dureté SKCS. Une analyse QTL a révélé l'association de plusieurs régions génomiques avec la dureté des grains. Le QTL le plus important était localisé dans la même région que le locus HinA/HinB/Gsp sur le bras court du chromosome 7 (5H). Ce QTL permet d'expliquer 22 % des différences de dureté des grains observées lors de cette étude. Ces résultats indiquent que le locus Hardness est présent chez l'orge et que les hordoindolines seraient impliquées dans le contrôle de la texture de l'albumen.Mots clés : puroindolines, dureté des grains, digestibilité.[Traduit par la Rédaction] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A heterozygous mutant for the two- and six-rowed character was isolated in the barley cultivar Igri through application of sodium azide to isolated microspore cultures and posterior regeneration. Six-rowed and two-rowed homozygotic plants were subsequently identified in the self-pollinated M[sub 2] progenies of the original heterozygous M[sub 1] . Detailed molecular markers confirmed the isogenic nature of this recovered mutant and the original cultivar Igri. A comparative study of the anther culture response of this six-rowed induced mutant vs. diploid 'Igri' was performed to assess whether the two- or six-rowed gene influences anther culture response in barley through a pleiotropic effect or via linkage disequilibrium. No significant differences for any of the recorded variables throughout the in vitro regeneration process were detected between the 'Igri' six-rowed mutant and any of their two-rowed isogenic lines. This suggests that row-type association with anther culture response in barley cultivars is due to the effect of a tight linkage with other genes directly responsible for androgenic response.Key words: androgenesis, barley, linkage, mutation, pleiotropy, vrs1 locus.Un mutant hétérozygote pour le gène déterminant le nombre de rangs (deux ou six) chez l'orge a été isolé chez le cultivar Igri par application d'azide de sodium à des cultures de microspores isolées et par la régénération de plantes. Des individus à six rangs ou à deux rangs ont ensuite été identifiés au sein de la population M[sub 2] dérivée de l'individu M[sub 1] hétérozygote original. Des analyses détaillées à l'aide de marqueurs ont confirmé la nature isogénique du mutant obtenu et du cultivar Igri. Une comparaison de la réponse à la culture d'anthères chez ce mutant à six rangs et chez le cultivar Igri diploïde a été réalisée afin de déterminer si le gène déterminant le nombre de rangs influence l'aptitude à la culture d'anthères chez l'orge via un effet pléiotrope ou en raison d'un déséquilibre de liaison. Aucune différence significative entre le mutant à six rangs et les lignées isogéniques à deux rangs n'a été notée pour les différentes variables examinées tout au long du processus de régénération in vitro. Ceci suggère que le lien entre la réponse à l'androgenèse et le nombre de rangs serait dû à une liaison étroite entre le gène déterminant le nombre de rangs et des gènes voisins affectant directement la réponse à l'androgenèse.Mots clés : androgenèse, orge, liaison, mutation, pléiotropie, locus vrs1.[Traduit par la Rédaction] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The non-starch polysaccharide β-(1-3), (1-4)-d-glucan, a component of the cell walls of barley, has been implicated as being involved in the ability of barley to reduce serum cholesterol. However, high β-glucan content in malt is a major production problem in brewing and contributes to hazing of beer. The objective of this study was to examine the developmental pattern of β-glucan content during grain filling for different barley cultivars (Hordeum vulgare) and wild barley (H. spontaneum) lines. In 1994 and 1995, 10 German two-rowed spring barley cultivars and four lines of wild barley were tested in field studies. From the beginning of the grain-filling period onwards, the β-glucan content increased steadily until approximately 500 growing degree-days (GDD) after anthesis or until 35–30 % water content had been achieved. Thereafter the β-glucan content did not alter substantially. Cultivars had β-glucan contents of between 3.9 and 4.8 %. During storage over a period of 6 months after harvest, the β-d-glucan content was stable or increased slightly. Some H. spontaneum lines had glucan contents 2-fold higher than those of the cultivars, while others had glucan contents in the same range as those of the cultivars. H. spontaneum lines showed large genotypic differences in the developmental pattern of β-glucan increase during grain filling. The highest rates of β-d-glucan increase occurred at the beginning of the grain-filling period. At this time the β-(1-3), (1-4)-glucanase activity was also highest. Glucanase activity decreased for all cultivars and H. spontaneum lines during grain filling. This reduction continued until 500 GDD after anthesis, or until a caryopsis water content of 35 % had been reached. Of all the genotypes tested, H. spontaneum line ‘41936’ had the highest β-d-glucan content and the highest glucanase activity during grain filling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of leaf blotch epidemics was studied in a range of spring barley cultivars at Aberystwyth, and infection rates were calculated to permit comparison both between cultivars and with other experiments. In 1972, infection rates ranged from 0.120 (cv. Proctor) to 0.208 (cv. Berac), and in 1973 from, 0.034 (cv. Proctor) to 0.084 (cv. Cambrinus). It is suggested on the basis of disease incidence and meteorological data, that resistance equivalent to that of cv. Proctor will provide adequate control of leaf blotch in most areas of Britain. It may, however, be difficult to detect such resistance in glasshouse experiments or other small-scale tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study gives estimates of breeding progress achieved in winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) since the 1960's in grain yield and the change in several morphological traits for seventeen historically important cultivars: 12 six-rowed and 5 two-rowed, grouped into four epochs according to the period of major commercialization in Italy. All genotypes were evaluated across a range of soil fertility and climatic environments. The modern rowed cultivars have shown a consistent increase in tillers/m[sup2] and seeds/spike (16 and 28%, respectively) over the local populations. In the modern two rowed cultivar 'Igri' the increase in tillers/m[sup2] and seed weight were, respectively, 22 and 14% and seeds/spike decreased by 20% over the local populations. The modern six-rowed and two-rowed cultivars have less lodging, are earlier and shorter than the old varieties and local populations. In the last quarter of a century, the breeding progress for grain yield has been increased, by 52 and 74 kg/ha/year or 0.75 and 1.1% per year respectively, for six-rowed and two-rowed genotypes; while the gain in biomass yield in the same period was not uniform for six-rowed cultivars and increased by 64 kg/ha/Year or 0.46% in two rowed cultivars. The grain yield improvement in the modern six-rowed and two-rowed cultivars is the result of a better partitioning of the photosynthetic products into the grain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of the registration of Millhouse barley, a spring food barley cultivar which was developed at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre and was registered on May 19, 2006. The variety was derived from the cross 'CDC Silky'//Brandon CC 080/BT 356/3/'Nordic'. It is a Composite-Cross two-rowed line from five cycles of male-sterile derived recurrent selection. Details on yield and agronomic traits, breeding conditions and method, maintenance, and growth habits are presented.

The article provides an overview of the registration of Binscarth barley, a cultivar which was developed at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre and was registered on May 5, 2006. The variety was derived from the cross Brandon CC 053//'B1602'/BT 347/3/' Argyle'/'Conquest'/4/ 'Duel'//'Vivar'/'AC Rosser'. It is susceptible to Fusarium head blight and is moderately resistant to common root rot and spot blotch. Details on yield and agronomic traits, breeding conditions and method, maintenance, and growth habits are presented.

Features the U.S. registration of the cultivar 'Tyto' barley, Hordeum vulgare. Research leading to the development of Tyto; Developers of the cultivar; Characteristics of the cultivar; Resistance to pests and diseases.