Genetius

The study benchmarked several sampling approaches for simultaneous root exudate and rhizosphere microbiota profiling in soil‑grown barley, showing consistent exudate profiles but variable root morphology and nitrogen exudation across methods. High‑throughput amplicon sequencing revealed protocol‑specific effects on microbial composition, yet about 75% of enriched microbes were recovered by all approaches, supporting integrated exudate‑microbiota analyses.

Incorporating fine-grained biochar into coarse sandy subsoils increased water retention but caused initial nitrogen immobilization that reduced spring barley growth and yield in the first year; by the second year, effects were neutral to positive after winter irrigation. Root density declined with higher biochar rates, likely due to elevated potassium, while rooting depth remained unchanged. Long‑term trials are needed to optimize nutrient management and application methods.

The study shows that colonization of barley (Hordeum vulgare) roots by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis primes the plant's immune system against the leaf rust pathogen Puccinia hordei, leading to heightened expression of defence genes without reducing disease severity. Transcriptome analysis revealed AMF‑induced reprogramming of leaf gene expression and modulation of protein ubiquitination, indicating transcriptional and post‑translational mechanisms underlying mycorrhiza‑induced resistance.

The study used integrated transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses to characterize barley (Hordeum vulgare) head defenses against Fusarium culmorum infection. It identified coordinated up‑regulation of gene‑protein pairs linked to aromatic amino‑acid‑derived secondary metabolites, including tryptamine, serotonin, hordatines, and related hydroxycinnamylamides, which constitute a consistent resistance response across barley varieties.

The study investigates how allelic variation at barley flowering‑time genes PPD‑H1, ELF3, and PHYC influences threshold photoperiod, photoperiod sensitivity, and intrinsic earliness, identifying a 20‑h threshold for PPD‑H1 lines and proposing shorter photoperiods for speed breeding. Findings suggest that specific alleles (ELF3 and PhyC‑e) can reduce energy costs of speed breeding and enhance climate‑resilient adaptation by shortening the growing season.

The study investigates the role of ESCRT-mediated protein trafficking in barley (Hordeum vulgare) under high salinity, revealing that HvSNF7.1 and HvVPS4 act as key modulators of the stress response. Functional analyses of ESCRT-0-like TOL proteins demonstrate their essential contribution to salt tolerance, with loss-of-function mutants showing severe developmental defects in both barley and Arabidopsis.

The study performed a genome‑wide analysis of auxin response factor (ARF) genes across a 76‑accession barley pan‑genome, identifying 1,911 ARF copies and integrating presence/absence variation, copy‑number variation, phylogeny, expression profiling, transposable‑element regulation, and selection signatures. It revealed lineage‑specific expansion, especially in the HvARF13 clade, and identified a selected HvARF3 haplotype associated with increased grain size and weight, demonstrating the power of multi‑omics pan‑genome approaches for gene‑trait discovery in barley.

The study compared the effects of Chlorella vulgaris powder versus conventional mineral fertilizer on the phenology, yield components, and malt quality of barley cv. Laureate, providing equal nitrogen inputs. Across three glasshouse experiments and a field trial, algae‑based fertilizer performed comparably to mineral fertilizer in all measured traits except total malt nitrogen, supporting its potential as a circular‑economy fertilizer. The results serve as proof‑of‑concept for larger‑scale algal fertilizer trials.

The study shows that pH‑responsive polyacrylic acid‑coated MnO₂ nanoparticles can rapidly restore manganese deficiency in barley leaves through stomatal entry and controlled release of Mn ions. Advanced imaging revealed distinct uptake pathways compared with ionic Mn, limited basipetal movement of intact nanoparticles, and no phytotoxicity even at high doses, highlighting nanotechnology’s potential for efficient foliar fertilization.

This study provides the first comprehensive siRNA profiling of barley (Hordeum vulgare) seeds to uncover molecular signatures associated with seed viability and germination. Using sRNA sequencing of seeds stored under controlled conditions, the authors identified over 85,000 differentially expressed siRNAs, with distinct temporal patterns of trans-acting siRNAs linked to seed vigor, while demonstrating that siRNAs remain stable even in low‑viability seeds. Gene ontology and degradome analyses linked these siRNAs to key processes such as cytochrome function, root development, and carbohydrate metabolism, highlighting their role in seed longevity and germination.