Search Results (47)

Highland hulless barley is a core grain crop on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Limited research on hybrid vigour and combining ability has constrained hybrid breeding progress. This study employed eight Himalayan barley varieties as parents and utilized the NCII design to generate 16 hybrid combinations. Hybrid vigour, combining ability, and genetic parameters were analyzed for 11 core ear and grain agronomic traits. Results indicated significant hybrid vigour across all traits: combination 1789 × 84 showed the highest total ear weight (midparent advantage: 116.74%, super-parent advantage 104.60%) and grain weight per ear (mid-parent advantage 126.78%, super-parent advantage 120.13%) in combination 1789 × 84, while thousand-grain weight showed the strongest hybrid vigour in combination 74 × 84 (mid-parent advantage 41.64%). Complementarity ability analysis revealed that parent 69 exhibited extremely significant positive general combining ability (GCA) effects across multiple core traits, making it the optimal parent for comprehensive traits; combination 1791 × 69 demonstrated the highest specific combining ability (SCA) effects. Genetic parameters indicated that traits such as the number of filled grains and total ear weight were primarily influenced by additive effects, as indicated by the higher GCA variance components compared with SCA variance components for these traits. Furthermore, thousand-grain weight was identified as a key integrative trait linking spike and grain characteristics, and its improvement can simultaneously enhance multiple yield-related traits. The superior parents (69, 1789, 1791) and strong-advantage combinations identified in this study provide a scientific basis for parent selection, combination screening, and breeding strategy formulation in high-yielding hybrid breeding of barley. Full article

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder that seriously affects quality of life and is associated with multiple secondary complications. Barley leaves (BLs) have been suggested as potential functional foods for constipation prevention. Here, we investigated the preventive effects of common barley leaves (CBLs) and hulless barley leaves (HBLs) in a loperamide-induced constipation model in C57BL/6 mice. Both BLs improved stool parameters and gastrointestinal transit. Notably, high-dose HBLs increased stool weight to 263.84 ± 66.70 mg and stool amount to 250.20 ± 66.88 pellets, which were 12.7 and 11.1 times higher than those in the model group, respectively. BLs also modulated gut motility-related hormones (MTL, SP, Gas, SS, and VIP) and normalized colonic AQP3, AQP4, and 5-HT₄R expression levels. Furthermore, BLs enhanced SCFAs production and modulated gut microbiota by increasing Bacteroides abundance and decreasing Akkermansia abundance. CBLs and HBLs also exhibited distinct mechanisms. High-dose CBLs affected SERT expression, whereas HBLs uniquely decreased Alistipes abundance and increased SCFA production. These findings suggest that BLs may help prevent loperamide-induced constipation in mice by modulating the gut barrier and microbiota. Future studies should identify key active components and validate efficacy in longer-term and clinical studies. Full article

β-Glucan from Tibetan highland barley (THB) is an excellent edible gel polysaccharide due to its unique hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities. However, direct extraction of β-glucan from THB exhibits low yields with higher costs. Given that highland barley spent grain (BSG) is a byproduct of the brewing process and is frequently considered waste, the efficient extraction of its β-glucan could promote high-value repurposing of BSG. In this study, 2.74% β-glucan (BSG-B) was extracted from Rhizopus oryzae (R. oryzae)-fermented BSG, which is lower than those from THB (THB-B: 4.62%) yet enabled value-added utilization of BSG. The molecular weight of BSG-B was 5.24 × 10⁶ Da, which significantly increased by 124.89% compared to that of THB-B. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy showed similar absorption peaks in BSG-B and THB-B, except for structural modifications in the β-glucan pyranose ring induced by the fermentation of R. oryzae. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicated that BSG-B possesses a more compact structure and lower aggregation heights compared to THB-B. Moreover, BSG-B demonstrated superior antioxidant capacities to THB-B in NO/DPPH/ABTS/reducing power assays, and lower apparent viscosity and oil adsorption capacity, likely attributed to the fermentation of R. oryzae. This study establishes a foundation for extracting higher-molecular-weight antioxidant β-glucan from BSG. Full article

Polyphenols play a crucial role in promoting human health. This study aims to investigate the polyphenols of black hulless barley bran (HBP) and evaluate their anti-diabetic mechanisms in vivo. Using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS, 27 compounds were identified in HBP, including four phenolic acids, 14 flavonoids, and nine anthocyanidins. High contents of Chrysoeriol 7-O-glucuronide (42.09 mg/g), Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (21.02 mg/g), and Cyanidin 3-O-(6″-O-malonyl)-glucoside (24.45 mg/g) were quantified via UPLC in HBP. Administration of HBP significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG), improved glucose intolerance and lipid profiles, and alleviated liver and pancreatic damage in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) mice. Furthermore, it enhanced serum antioxidant enzyme activities and modulated inflammatory cytokines. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that HBP influenced signal transduction and the immune system, particularly in key signaling pathways, including Hippo, TGF-beta, HIF-1, and p53, associated with T2DM. Although HBP had minimal impact on gut microbiota diversity and SCFA levels, it presents a promising candidate for T2DM intervention through its multifaceted mechanisms. Full article

Qingke (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.), a staple crop in the Tibetan Plateau, suffers from severe yield reduction under continuous cropping (by 38.67%), yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the effects of 23-year continuous cropping (23y-CC) on the nutrient dynamics, carbohydrate metabolism, and enzymatic activities in Qingke leaves across five developmental stages (T1: seedling; T2: tillering; T3: jointing; T4: flowering; T5: filling). Compared to the control (first-year planting), 23y-CC significantly reduced leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents by 60.94%, 47.96%, and 60.82%, respectively, at early growth stages. Key nitrogen-metabolizing enzymes, including glutamate synthase (GOGAT), glutamine synthase (GS), and nitrate reductase (NR), exhibited reduced activities under 23y-CC, indicating impaired nitrogen assimilation. Carbohydrate profiling revealed lower starch and glucose contents but higher sucrose accumulation in later stages (T4–T5) under 23y-CC, accompanied by the dysregulation of sucrose synthase (SS) and invertase activities. These findings elucidate how continuous cropping disrupts nutrient homeostasis and carbon allocation, ultimately compromising Qingke productivity. This study provides novel insights into agronomic strategies for mitigating continuous cropping obstacles in Qingke. Full article

Weeds compete with crops for resources, posing multiple negative impacts for agricultural production systems and triggering degradation of ecosystem services (e.g., alterations in the soil microbial community structure). Under the guidance of green plant protection, the development of efficient biocontrol strains with environmentally friendly characteristics has become a crucial research direction for sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to develop a fungal bioherbicide by isolating and purifying a pathogenic fungal strain (JZ-5) from infected redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.). The strain exhibited pathogenicity rates ranging from 23.46% to 86.25% against six weed species, with the most pronounced control efficacy observed against henbit deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule L.), achieving a pathogenicity rate of 86.25%. Through comprehensive characterization of cultural features, morphological observations, and molecular biological identification, the strain was taxonomically classified as Fusarium oxysporum. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that seven days post-inoculation, F. oxysporum JZ-5 formed dense mycelial networks on the leaf surfaces of cluster mallow (Malva verticillata L.), causing severe tissue damage. Safety assessments demonstrated that the spore suspension (10⁴ spores/mL) had no adverse effects on three crops: hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare var. coeleste L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). These findings suggest that F. oxysporum strain JZ-5 warrants further investigation as a potential bioherbicide for controlling three problematic weed species—Chenopodium album L. (common lambsquarters), Elsholtzia densa Benth. (dense-flowered elsholtzia), and Lamium amplexicaule L. (henbit deadnettle)—in cultivated fields of hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare var. coeleste L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). This discovery provides valuable fungal resources for ecologically sustainable weed management strategies, contributing significantly to the advancement of sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

Tibetan hulless barley (qingke) grains are becoming more popular because of their high nutritional benefits. Comparative metabolomics and proteomics analyses of qingke grains (at 16, 20, 36, and 42 days after flowering) were conducted to explore the metabolic dynamics during grain filling and compare the differences in quality among three different varieties, Dulihuang, Kunlun 14, and Heilaoya. A total of 728 metabolites and 4864 proteins were identified. We first found that both the metabolite and protein profiles were more closely associated with the grain developmental stage in each cultivar than across different stages in a single cultivar. Next, we focused on the energy metabolism and biosynthesis pathways of key quality components, such as flavonoids, starch, and β-glucans in qingke grains. Quantitative analysis revealed significant variation in the abundance of cellulose synthase-like enzyme (CslF) among the three cultivars. Notably, Heilaoya displayed substantially lower CslF6 levels at 36 and 42 DAF than Kunlun 14 and Dulihuang did. These observed differences in CslF6 abundance may represent a key regulatory mechanism underlying the distinct β-glucan biosynthesis patterns among the three cultivars. Collectively, our results enhance the understanding of metabolic networks involved in qingke grain development and serve as a foundation for advancing breeding studies. Full article

LncRNAs, a type of RNAs exceeding 200 nucleotides (nt) and lacking representative open reading frames (ORFs), have emerged as crucial regulatory molecules that modulate numerous growth and development processes in plants. While substantial progress has been made in interpreting the functions and regulatory mechanisms of coding RNAs, the study of lncRNAs in Tibetan hulless barley remains incomplete. To elucidate the coordination of drought stress responses in Tibetan hulless barely by lncRNAs, we analyzed the previously published RNA-seq data from two cultivars of hulless barley, drought-tolerant (Z772) and drought-sensitive (Z013), subjected to varying durations of drought treatment (0, 1, and 5 h). Initially, we identified a total of 2877 lncRNAs through a strict pipeline, of which 2179 were co-expressed in both cultivars. Additionally, 331 and 367 lncRNAs showed cultivar-specific expression patterns in Z772 and Z013, respectively. Given the trans-regulatory functions of lncRNAs, we utilized WGCNA and uncovered 11 modules that were enriched in drought-responsive pathways. Within these modules, lncRNAs and neighboring PCGs were co-clustered in key control modules. The GO enrichment analysis of potential lncRNA-PCG pairs primarily involved processes related to the response to water deprivation, regulation of abiotic stress, and RNA metabolic processes. Notably, 12 high-confidence lncRNA-PCG pairs displayed concordant expression profiles, with some annotated as TFs. Two of these pairs were validated by qRT-PCR in the Tibetan hulless barley cultivar Kunlun 14. These findings suggested that lncRNAs may participate in regulatory networks involved in drought adaptation in Tibetan hulless barley, offering novel insights into the drought resistance mechanisms of Poaceae crops and potential targets for breeding drought-resistant varieties. Full article

With global climate change ongoing, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have increased annually. Hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum), a primary crop cultivated in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau mountains, frequently encounters multiple abiotic stresses including low temperature, high salinity, and drought. Among these stresses, drought has emerged as a critical environmental constraint affecting sustainable agricultural development worldwide. Establishing a drought resistance evaluation system for the hulless barley germplasm during its seedling stages could provide a theoretical foundation for screening and breeding drought-tolerant cultivars to address climate change challenges. This study employed two drought-sensitive (YC85 and YC88) and two drought-tolerant (ZY1252 and ZY1100) cultivars to develop an effective drought resistance evaluation protocol for hulless barley. Our findings identified several reliable indicators for assessing drought tolerance at the seedling stage: fresh mass, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F_v/F_m, NPQ, and R_FD), photosynthetic parameters (E and gsw), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The established evaluation system was subsequently applied to three uncharacterized cultivars (ZY673, ZY1403, and KL14). The results classified all three as drought-sensitive, with ZY1403 exhibiting the highest sensitivity. Our work has established a comprehensive drought resistance evaluation framework for Tibetan hulless barley. Furthermore, this study provides valuable insights for optimizing cultivation practices and water resource management strategies, offering theoretical guidance for agricultural adaptation to climate change. Full article

Among heavy metals, cadmium (Cd) is shown to have adverse consequences for plants. Due to its harmful nature and ability to move through the soil–plant system, it is a very worrying element for soil experts and plant physiologists. In this work, we designed a pot experiment to study the influence of three soil concentrations of cadmium (0, 15, and 30 mg/kg) to explore its physiological impacts, and its portioning in the whole plant of three hulless barley varieties. Our findings demonstrated marked Cd accumulation in roots, leaves, and stems under severe Cd stress (30 mg/kg). Cd stress was also shown to reduce photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), and transpiration rates (E). The application of Cd in the soil increased the activities of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) enzymes, as well as the levels of oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and proline. These results reflect the negative effects of cadmium on morpho-physiological traits in barley genotypes. However, the principal component analysis indicated a significant correlation between oxidative stress indicators and enzymatic activities, along with different levels of Cd tolerance between Tombari, Assiya, and Giza 130 genotypes. When exposed to Cd, these varieties shifted a significant amount of energy from growth to produce antioxidant compounds and osmolytes. Despite this, these defenses did not effectively shield the plant from the detrimental effects of oxidative stress induced by Cd accumulation at vegetative stages. Consequently, we highly recommend testing these varieties under Cd-contaminated soil to investigate the rate of cadmium accumulation in the seeds, the harvested part used in human nutrition. Full article

Leaf stripe disease, caused by Pyrenophora graminea, is a seed-borne fungal disease that significantly impacts hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare var. nudum) production on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This study aimed to identify genetic factors conferring resistance to the leaf stripe by analyzing an F₃ population derived from a cross between the resistant landrace Teliteqingke and the susceptible landrace Dulihuang. Genetic analysis revealed that resistance in Teliteqingke was governed by two dominant genes. Using bulked segregant analysis combined with an SNP array (BSA-SNP) and RNA-seq, we identified two candidate regions on chromosomes 3H and 7H. Further analysis focused on chromosome 3H, which revealed a candidate genomic region containing seven potential disease-resistance genes. Among these, RT-qPCR experiments demonstrated significant expression induction of HORVU.MOREX.r3.3HG0232110.1 (encoding a RING/U-box superfamily protein) and HORVU.MOREX.r3.3HG0232410.1 (encoding a bZIP transcription factor) showed significant expression induction following inoculation with P. graminea. These genes are strong candidates for the resistance mechanism against leaf stripes in Teliteqingke. These results provide a foundation for functional validation of these genes and offer valuable insights for breeding disease-resistant hulless barley. Full article

Naked barley (Hordeum vulgare var. nudum) is a staple food crop, contributing significantly to global food security. Understanding genetic diversity will facilitate its effective conservation and utilization. To determine genetic diversity and its distribution within and among varieties, we characterized 30 naked barley varieties from Tibet, representing the traditional, modern, and germplasm-resources-bank gene pools, by analyzing SSR molecular fingerprints. The results demonstrate abundant genetic diversity in Tibetan naked barley varieties, particularly those in the traditional gene pool that holds much more private (unique) alleles. Principal coordinates and STRUCTURE analyses indicate substantial deviation of the modern varieties from the traditional and germplasm-resources-bank varieties. A considerable amount of seed mixture is detected in the modern varieties, suggesting the practices of using mixed seeds in modern-variety cultivation. Cluster analyses further indicate the narrow genetic background of the modern varieties, likely due to the limited number of traditional/germplasm-resources-bank varieties applied in breeding. Relationships between increases in genetic diversity and sample sizes within naked barley varieties highlight the importance of effective sampling strategies for field collections. The findings from this study have important implications for the sustainable utilization and effective conservation of different types of naked barley germplasm, both in Tibet and in other regions around the world. Full article

The Jiani yak is a nationally renowned species that is known for its meat which is rich in various minerals, amino acids, and proteins. The rumen microbiota plays a critical role in gastrointestinal health and feed degradation, contributing proteins, lipids, and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) essential for milk and meat production. However, there is limited knowledge about the microbiota of free-ranging Jiani yaks, especially those with 15 ribs. Rumen fluid samples were collected from yaks with 14 (PL) ribs and 15 (DL) ribs from a slaughterhouse in Jiani County, China. The total DNA of rumen fluid microorganisms was extracted for microbiota sequencing. Our results revealed 643,713 and 656,346 raw sequences in DL and PL animals, respectively, with 611,934 and 622,814 filtered sequences in these two yak groups. We identified 13,498 Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs), with 2623 shared between DL and PL animals. The ratio of Bacteroidota to Firmicutes differed between PL (3.04) and DL (2.35) animals. Additionally, 6 phyla and 21 genera showed significant differences between yaks with 14 and 15 ribs, leading to altered microbiota functions, with 51 and 35 notably different MetaCyc and KEGG pathways, respectively. Hence, the microbiota of yaks with 15 ribs differs from those with 14 ribs. Therefore, these microbiota-related comparative investigations will provide insights into yak husbandry practices and genetic selection strategies for their improved productivity in harsh environments. Full article

Nitrogen (N) fertilization plays a pivotal role in the nitrogen transport process and yield formation of field-grown Tibetan barley (Hordeum vulgare L., qingke in Chinese); however, little is known about its interaction with irrigation regimes. Here, we performed a control experiment to investigate the effects of irrigation regimes (primary irrigation and double irrigation, mentioned as W1 and W2) and N levels (0, 90, 120, and 150 kg ha⁻¹, mentioned as N0, N9, N12, and N15) on the nitrogen accumulation, translocation, and utilization of Tibetan barley in the Tibetan Plateau during the spring barley seasons in 2022. The results showed that the highest yield (6242.28 kg ha⁻¹) and aboveground biomass (12,354.13 kg ha⁻¹ for anthesis; 15,827.9 kg ha⁻¹ for maturity) were achieved in W2N15 as compared to other treatments. The maximum grain N accumulation (117.66 kg ha⁻¹), the N translocation (54.16 kg ha⁻¹), and the post-anthesis N accumulation (63.5 kg ha⁻¹) were achieved in the W1N15 treatment. The N utilization efficiency increased with irrigation frequency and decreased with N application; however, the conclusion given by the N agronomic efficiency is contrary to this trend. The grain yield had significant positive correlations with the grain N accumulation (W1: r = 0.98; W2: r = 0.97) and N translocation (W1: r = 0.84; W2: r = 0.94), but significant negative correlations with the N harvest index (W1: r = −0.95; W2: r = −0.95) and N utilization efficiency (W1: r = −0.9; W2: r = −0.85). The path analysis revealed that the factors related to N utilization (β = 0.875) and the factors related to N translocation (β = −1.426) were the significant direct contributors towards grain yield. The influence of N application (total effect = 0.922) on the grain yield was much stronger than that of the irrigation regime (total effect = 0.324). Our findings can guide future efforts in designing sustainable water and N fertilizer management strategies for Tibetan barley in the Tibetan Plateau. Full article