Genetius

The study identifies the barley BODYGUARD1 (HvBDG1) β‑hydrolase as essential for leaf cuticular integrity and wax bloom deposition, showing it works alongside the SHINE/WAX‑INDUCER transcription factors HvWIN1 and NUD to regulate cuticle specialization and hull‑to‑caryopsis adhesion. Functional analyses reveal that NUD also maintains leaf cuticle integrity and that orthologous BDG1 and WIN1 genes control wax bloom in wheat, expanding the known genetic network governing cereal cuticle development.

The study demonstrates that in barley (Hordeum vulgare) the MAPK signaling cascade, specifically variation in the MKK3 kinase, controls grain dormancy through haplotype diversity and copy-number variation. Historical selection of particular MKK3 haplotypes aligns dormancy levels with climatic pressures, offering a genetic basis to balance short dormancy with resistance to pre‑harvest sprouting under climate change.

The study used GFP‑tagged constitutively active RACB to pull down interacting proteins from barley epidermal cells infected with Blumeria hordei, identifying both plant phosphoinositide-modifying enzymes and a fungal effector that influence disease outcomes. Biochemical assays showed RACB and its plant partners bind overlapping anionic phospholipids via RACB's C‑terminal polybasic region, and fluorescence imaging revealed dynamic relocalization of specific phosphoinositides at the haustorial neck, linking lipid signaling to subcellular targeting during fungal invasion.

Using chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, the authors mapped non‑photochemical quenching (NPQ) kinetics along barley leaf gradients under heat stress, uncovering spatially distinct physiological responses that differ from SPAD measurements. Genome‑wide association studies linked these traits to specific SNPs, especially in HORVU.MOREX.r3.3HG0262630, and transcriptomic profiling revealed both conserved and region‑specific heat‑responsive pathways, highlighting targets for improving heat tolerance in cereals.

A multiplex qPCR assay targeting Ustilago nuda and barley (Hordeum vulgare) DNA was developed to improve detection of seed‑borne loose smut. Compared with visual embryo inspection, the qPCR results (U. nuda DNA normalized to host DNA) showed stronger correlation with field infection levels and more accurately discriminated seed lots relative to tolerance thresholds. The method provides a reliable alternative for seed health testing and supports integrated pest management.

The study used time‑resolved high‑throughput phenotyping (RGB, thermal, fluorescence, hyperspectral) to predict harvest traits and detect drought stress in six barley (Hordeum vulgare) lines grown under well‑watered and drought conditions. Temporal phenomic models accurately classified drought versus control plants and predicted total biomass and spike weight with high R² values, even when using early‑stage data alone. Integrating phenomics and temporal modeling improved selection of drought‑resilient genotypes, highlighting its potential for crop improvement.

The study used untargeted metabolomics and transcriptomics to examine barley's metabolic response to infection by the net blotch pathogen Pyrenophora teres f. teres, identifying strong induction of tryptophan‑derived compounds such as tryptamine, serotonin and a novel indole alkaloid 2‑oxo‑tryptamine. Functional characterization revealed a flavin‑containing monooxygenase acting as 2‑oxo‑tryptamine synthase and a cytochrome P450 (CYP71P10) catalyzing serotonin biosynthesis, indicating a coordinated flux toward indolic phytoalexins during resistance.

The study uses an imputation strategy that integrates deep single-cell RNA sequencing with spatial gene expression data to map transcriptional dynamics across barley inflorescence development at cellular resolution. By leveraging the BARVISTA web interface, the authors identify key transcriptional events in meristem founder cells, characterize complex branching mutants, and reconstruct spatio‑temporal trajectories of flower organogenesis, offering insights for targeted trait manipulation.

Near‑isogenic barley lines differing in the presence of HvVRN2 were subjected to varying vernalization periods to assess transcriptomic changes and the distinct expression of HvVRN2a and HvVRN2b. The study uncovers differential regulation by HvVRN1, reveals a repressive mechanism of VRN2 on flowering via protein modeling, and identifies additional candidate genes linked to the vernalization pathway, suggesting broader roles for HvVRN2b in barley development.

The study applied Spatial Analysis of Field Trials with Splines (SpATS) and Neighbor Genome-Wide Association Study (Neighbor GWAS) to barley field data, revealing that neighboring genotypes contribute to spatial variation in disease damage. Neighbor GWAS identified variants on chromosome 7H that modestly affect net form net blotch and scald resistance, suggesting that genotype mixtures could mitigate pest damage.