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Barley: A Versatile Crop for Sustainable Food Production
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Barley: A Versatile Crop for Sustainable Food Production

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Physiology and Crop Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 6417

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jasmina Lukinac

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Food Technology Osijek, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Interests: food defect; detection and characterization using optical non-destructive testing; data analysis in food science; 3D printing in food manufacturing; reverse engineering in food industry; implementation of innovation in food production and food upcycling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Marko Jukić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food Technologies, Faculty of Food Technology Osijek, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Interests: food technology; functional food; food rheology; cereal technology; analytical and rheological characterization of flour and cereal-based products; development of cereal-based functional foods; mechanisms of bread staling; nutritional quality of cereals and cereal products; application of food industry byproducts
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to announce a Special Issue entitled "Barley: A Versatile Crop for Sustainable Food Production", which aims to advance our understanding and evaluation of barley cultivars and products. Barley plays a pivotal role in multiple industries, including agriculture, brewing, and food manufacturing. By refining quality evaluation methods and techniques, we can further optimize the production and consumption of high-quality barley-based products. This Special Issue focuses on exploring the diverse applications of barley in sustainable food production and cultivar breeding, with special attention to its nutritional value, culinary uses, and innovative food products.

We invite original research, reviews, and case studies shedding light on the potential of barley as a key ingredient in various food categories. Researchers, scientists, and industry experts are invited to contribute their insights and findings on a wide range of topics related to the quality assessment of barley. Some of the key areas of interest include:

  • Barley breeding for improved food quality and sensory attributes;
  • Novel evaluation approaches for the nutritional composition of barley cultivars;
  • Barley as a functional food ingredient and dietary solution;
  • Diverse applications of barley in traditional and innovative foods;
  • Quality assessment methods for barley-based products and beverages;
  • Barley bioactive compounds and their health benefits;
  • Advancements in brewing and malting quality for high-quality malt beverages;
  • Analytical techniques for detecting contaminants in barley products;
  • Barley quality in the context of sustainability and environmental impact;
  • Understanding consumer preferences and market trends for barley products;
  • Successful quality assessment strategies in the barley industry: case studies.

These key areas encompass a comprehensive range of topics related to barley, including its functional properties, dietary applications, health benefits, sustainability, cultural significance, waste utilization, and breeding efforts for enhanced food quality.

We enthusiastically welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that contribute to the advancement of quality assessment techniques for barley cultivars and products. By disseminating the latest knowledge and insights, this Special Issue aims to support the development of high-quality barley-based products and enhance consumer satisfaction in various sectors.

We eagerly anticipate your valuable contributions to this exciting field of research as we work together to unlock the full potential of barley and ensure optimal quality in its cultivation and utilization.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jasmina Lukinac
Prof. Dr. Marko Jukić
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • barley
  • sustainable food production
  • cultivar breeding
  • nutritional composition
  • functional food ingredient
  • quality assessment
  • bioactive compounds
  • brewing and malting
  • environmental impact
  • consumer preferences

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 4369 KiB  
Article
Cathepsin B- and L-like Protease Activities Are Induced During Developmental Barley Leaf Senescence
by Igor A. Schepetkin and Andreas M. Fischer
Plants 2024, 13(21), 3009; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13213009 - 28 Oct 2024
Viewed by 444
Abstract
Leaf senescence is a developmental process allowing nutrient remobilization to sink organs. Previously cysteine proteases have been found to be highly expressed during leaf senescence in different plant species. Using biochemical and immunoblotting approaches, we characterized developmental senescence of barley (Hordeum vulgare [...] Read more.
Leaf senescence is a developmental process allowing nutrient remobilization to sink organs. Previously cysteine proteases have been found to be highly expressed during leaf senescence in different plant species. Using biochemical and immunoblotting approaches, we characterized developmental senescence of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. ‘GemCraft’) leaves collected from 0 to 6 weeks after the onset of flowering. A decrease in total protein and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) large subunits occurred in parallel with an increase in proteolytic activity measured using the fluorogenic substrates Z-RR-AMC, Z-FR-AMC, and casein labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (casein-FITC). Aminopeptidase activity detected with R-AMC peaked at week 3 and then decreased, reaching a low level by week 6. Maximal proteolytic activity with Z-FR-AMC and Z-RR-AMC was detected from pH 4.0 to pH 5.5 and pH 6.5 to pH 7.4, respectively, while two pH optima (pH 3.6 to pH 4.5 and pH 6.5 to pH 7.4) were found for casein-FITC. Compound E-64, an irreversible cysteine protease inhibitor, and CAA0225, a selective cathepsin L inhibitor, effectively inhibited proteolytic activity with IC50 values in the nanomolar range. CA-074, a selective cathepsin B inhibitor, was less potent under the same experimental conditions, with IC50 in the micromolar range. Inhibition by leupeptin and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) was weak, and pepstatin A, an inhibitor of aspartic acid proteases, had no effect at the concentrations studied (up to 0.2 mM). Maximal proteolytic activity with the aminopeptidase substrate R-AMC was detected from pH 7.0 to pH 8.0. The pH profile of DCG-04 (a biotinylated activity probe derived from E-64) binding corresponded to that found with Z-FR-AMC, suggesting that the major active proteases are related to cathepsins B and L. Moreover, immunoblotting detected increased levels of barley SAG12 orthologs and aleurain, confirming a possible role of these enzymes in senescing leaves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Barley: A Versatile Crop for Sustainable Food Production)
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18 pages, 4815 KiB  
Article
Endophyte Inoculation and Elevated Potassium Supply on Productivity, Growth and Physiological Parameters of Spring Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Genotypes over Contrasting Seasons
by Dominik Bleša, Pavel Matušinský, Milan Baláž, Zdeněk Nesvadba and Marta Zavřelová
Plants 2024, 13(8), 1168; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13081168 - 22 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1154
Abstract
In recent years, recurrent droughts have significantly affected spring barley production, reducing the quantity and quality of grain. This study aims to identify genotype-specific traits and the drought resilience of six different Hordeum vulgare L. (spring barley) genotypes, while also examining the potential [...] Read more.
In recent years, recurrent droughts have significantly affected spring barley production, reducing the quantity and quality of grain. This study aims to identify genotype-specific traits and the drought resilience of six different Hordeum vulgare L. (spring barley) genotypes, while also examining the potential of potassium application and fungal endophyte Serendipita indica inoculation to mitigate the negative effects of dry periods during the growing season. Field experiments were conducted over a three-year period from 2020 to 2022, measuring physiological, growth, and yield parameters. To get insight into the physiological state of the plants, we measured the soluble sugars content and the ratio of stable carbon isotopes in the flag leaf tissue, which reflects conditions during its formation. The dominant factors that influenced the measured parameters were the genotypes and seasons, as well as their interaction, rather than other experimental factors. The results showed that the Spitfire and Accordine varieties were the best performing in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons, as indicated by their yield. However, in the drier 2022 season, the yield of these two varieties decreased significantly (to 55% for Spitfire and to 69% for Accordine of their yield in 2021), while for the arid-region genotypes, it remained at the same level as the previous year. This study sheds light on the potential of various genotypes to withstand periods of drought and the effectiveness of using potassium application and S. indica inoculation as mitigation approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Barley: A Versatile Crop for Sustainable Food Production)
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18 pages, 3992 KiB  
Article
Mulched Drip Fertigation with Growth Inhibitors Reduces Bundle-Sheath Cell Leakage and Improves Photosynthesis Capacity and Barley Production in Semi-Arid Regions
by Yinping Xu, Jianhua Liu, Cheng Ren, Xiaoxia Niu, Tinghong Zhang and Kecang Huo
Plants 2024, 13(2), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13020239 - 15 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1057
Abstract
A better understanding of the factors that reduce bundle-sheath cell leakage to CO2 (Փ), enhance 13C carbon isotope discrimination, and enhance the photosynthetic capacity of barley leaves will be useful to develop a nutrient- and water-saving strategy for dry-land farming systems. Therefore, [...] Read more.
A better understanding of the factors that reduce bundle-sheath cell leakage to CO2 (Փ), enhance 13C carbon isotope discrimination, and enhance the photosynthetic capacity of barley leaves will be useful to develop a nutrient- and water-saving strategy for dry-land farming systems. Therefore, barley plants were exposed to a novel nitrification inhibitor (NI) (3,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl succinic acid) (DMPSA) and a urease inhibitor (UI) (N-butyl thiophosphorictriamide (NBPT)) with mulched drip fertigation treatments, which included HF (high-drip fertigation (370 mm) under a ridge furrow system), MF (75% of HF, moderate-drip fertigation under a ridge furrow system), LF (50% of HF, low-drip fertigation under a ridge furrow system), and TP (traditional planting with no inhibitors or drip fertigation strategies). The results indicated that the nitrification inhibitor combined with mulched drip fertigation significantly reduced bundle-sheath cell leakage to CO2 (Փ) as a result of increased soil water content; this was demonstrated by the light and CO2 response curves of the photosynthesis capacity (An), the apparent quantum efficiency (α), and the 13C-photosynthate distribution. In the inhibitor-based strategy, the use of the urease and nitrification inhibitors reduced Փ by 35% and 39% compared with TP. In the NI-HF strategy, it was found that barley could retain the maximum photosynthesis capacity by increasing the leaf area index (LAI), An, rubisco content, soluble protein, dry matter per plant, and productivity. The CO2 and light response curves were considerably improved in the NI-HF and NI-MF treatments due to a higher 13C carbon isotope (Δ‰), respiration rate (Rd), and Ci/Ca, therefore obtaining the minimum Փ value. With both inhibitors, there was a significant difference between HF and LF drip fertigation. The NI-MF treatment significantly increased the grain yield, total chlorophyll content, WUE, and NUE by 52%, 47%, 57%, and 45%, respectively. Collectively, the results suggest that the new nitrification inhibitor (DMPSA) with HF or MF mulched drip fertigation could be promoted in semi-arid regions in order to mitigate bundle-sheath cell leakage to CO2 (Փ), without negatively affecting barley production and leading to the nutrient and water use efficiency of barley. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Barley: A Versatile Crop for Sustainable Food Production)
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19 pages, 9716 KiB  
Article
Innovative Approaches for Improving the Quality and Resilience of Spring Barley Seeds: The Role of Nanotechnology and Phytopathological Analysis
by Marzhan Sadenova, Natalya Kulenova, Sergey Gert, Nail Beisekenov and Eugene Levin
Plants 2023, 12(22), 3892; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12223892 - 18 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1367
Abstract
This study emphasizes the importance of seed quality in the context of yield formation. Based on the research data, this paper emphasizes the role of proper diagnosis of seed-borne pathogens in ensuring high and stable grain yields. Particular attention is paid to the [...] Read more.
This study emphasizes the importance of seed quality in the context of yield formation. Based on the research data, this paper emphasizes the role of proper diagnosis of seed-borne pathogens in ensuring high and stable grain yields. Particular attention is paid to the study of the effect of the treatment of mother plants with fullerenol-based nanopreparations on the qualitative characteristics of spring barley seeds. The results showed that such treatment contributes to the increase in varietal purity, weight of 1000 grains as well as to the increase of nutrient and moisture reserves in seeds. Phytopathological analysis confirmed the presence of various diseases such as Alternaria, helminthosporiosis, fusarium, mold and mildew on the seeds. However, some samples showed a high resistance to pathogens, presumably due to the use of carbon nanopreparations. These results open new perspectives for the development of strategies to improve barley yield and disease resistance through seed optimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Barley: A Versatile Crop for Sustainable Food Production)
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Review

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19 pages, 856 KiB  
Review
Unraveling the Hidden Potential of Barley (Hordeum vulgare): An Important Review
by Avneet Kaur, Sukhvinder Singh Purewal, Yuthana Phimolsiripol and Sneh Punia Bangar
Plants 2024, 13(17), 2421; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13172421 - 30 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1577
Abstract
Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a winter crop well known for its small-seeded grains and self-pollinating characteristics. The flour derived from barley grains plays a crucial role in numerous processed food items, contributing to their taste and nutritional value. Barley consists of [...] Read more.
Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a winter crop well known for its small-seeded grains and self-pollinating characteristics. The flour derived from barley grains plays a crucial role in numerous processed food items, contributing to their taste and nutritional value. Barley consists of complex carbohydrates (80%), proteins (11.5–14.2%), lipids (4.7–6.8%), β-glucans (3.7–7.7%), and ash (1.8–2.4%). Beyond its other nutrients, barley boasts a good reservoir of phenolic compounds (1.2–2.9 mg/g GAE). This abundance of beneficial compounds positions barley as an attractive industrial substrate. In this review, the nutritional composition and bioactive profile of barley are discussed in a systemic manner, emphasizing its potential in the development of innovative barley-based products that promote health and well-being. By incorporating barley into various food formulations, industries can not only boost nutritional content but also offer consumers a wide range of health benefits. In conclusion, barley’s diverse applications in food and health highlight its essential role in promoting healthier living. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Barley: A Versatile Crop for Sustainable Food Production)
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