Cropping sequence and nitrogen fertilizer effects on the productivity and quality of malting barley and soil fertility in the Ethiopian highlands

The productivity and quality of malting barley were evaluated using factorial combinations of four preceding crops (faba bean, field pea, rapeseed, and barley) as main plots and four nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 18, 36, and 54 kg N ha^?1) as sub-plots with three replications at two sites on Nitisols of the Ethiopian highlands in 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons. Preceding crops other than barley and N fertilizer significantly improved yield and quality of malting barley. The highest grain yield, kernel plumpness, protein content, and sieve test were obtained for malting barley grown after faba bean, followed by rapeseed and field pea. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased yield, protein content, and sieve test of malting barley. All protein contents were within the acceptable range for malting quality. Inclusion of legumes in the rotation also improved soil fertility through increases in soil carbon and nitrogen content. We conclude that to maximize yield and quality of malting barley, it is critical to consider the preceding crop and soil nitrogen status. Use of appropriate break crops may substitute or reduce the amount of mineral N fertilizer required for the production of malting barley at least for one season without affecting its quality.     

Free-zone capillary electrophoresis analysis of hordein patterns at different stages of barley malting

We have carried out a comparison of hordein patterns at different stages of the malting process using free-zone capillary electrophoresis (FZCE). FZCE has proved to be a suitable technique for the separation and characterization of hordeins in barley seeds. Assays of protein extraction and electrophoretic procedures led us to conclude that hordeins were best extracted with 40% ethanol and analyzed using 50 mM phosphate-glycine, pH 2.5, containing 20% ACN and 0.05% HPMC, at 12.5 kV and 45 degrees C, with 10 s hydrodynamic injection at 0.5 psi and 50 microm i.d. x 31 cm uncoated fused-silica capillary. Our results afford useful information about changes in the composition of these proteins in barley during malting.     

Endosperm structure affects the malting quality of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Twenty-seven barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) samples collected from growing sites in Scandinavia in 2001 and 2002 were examined to study the effect of endosperm structure on malting behavior. Samples were micromalted, and several malt characteristics were measured. Samples were classified as having a mealier or steelier endosperm on the basis of light transflectance (LTm). Because endosperm structure is greatly dependent on protein content, three barley sample pairs with similar protein contents were chosen for further analysis. During malting, the steelier barley samples produced less root mass, but showed higher respiration losses and higher activities of starch-hydrolyzing enzymes. Malts made from steelier barley had a less friable structure, with more urea-soluble D hordein and more free amino nitrogen and soluble protein. The reason for these differences may lie in the structure or localization of the hordeins as well as the possible effects of endosperm packing on water uptake and movement of enzymes.     

Nitrogen management for malting barley

Abstract

Malting barley is a specialized agricultural crop in which high yields and quality are production objectives. We evaluated the effects of different N rates on barley yields and selected malting quality parameters grown on irrigated silt loam soils (Xerollic calciorthids). Maximum barley yields having acceptable malting quality parameters were obtained when the preplant soil NO₃‐N plus fertilizer N was between 100 to 120 kg N/ha. About 33 kg N/ha was taken up by the plants from the mineralization of soil organic N. Higher available N levels decreased malting quality parameters below acceptable levels. Germination percentage was not changed by the different N rates.     

Nitrogen Uptake by Malting Barley Grown under Conditions Found in Buenos Aires Province,Argentina

Abstract

There is a lack of data associated with applications of nitrogen (N) fertilizer to increase yield while not increasing seed protein to levels exceeding those acceptable for malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in the Buenos Aires province of Argentina. The effect of rates and timing of N application on yield and grain N concentration of malting barley was evaluated at eight sites in 1999 and 2000. Aboveground dry matter accumulation and N‐uptake pattern through the growing season were evaluated. Dry matter production and N-uptake were measured at four sampling times: tillering, head emergence, grain filling, and maturity. The N fertilizer increased grain yield, but its response varied between sites. Under appropriate conditions, the yield increased and maintained the grain N concentration within a desirable range for malting barley. Split applications were as effective in increasing grain yield as one addition at emergence, but they invariably increased grain N concentration. The season affected the yield response to N fertilizer and its levels in the grain, but the nitrogen harvest index was not affected by the rate of N application.     

Estimating nitrogen requirements for irrigated malting barley

Abstract

The production of marketable malting barley requires careful N management to meet the quality standards set by the malting industry. Nine field trials were conducted over an eight‐year period at four locations to develop N fertilization guidelines for irrigated malting barley. Residual soil NO₃‐N (0 to 60 cm) ranged from 15 to 103 kg N/ha. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied preplant as either urea or NH₄NO₃ at rates ranging from 0 to 269 kg N/ha. Maximum yields were obtained when the sum of residual plus applied N (available N) was above 110 kg N/ha. However, the percentage of plump kernels generally fell below acceptable levels (85%) when available N exceeded 135 kg N/ha. Grain protein exceeded acceptable levels (12%) when available N was above 210 kg N/ha. Stem NO₃‐N sufficiency levels were determined from high‐yielding barley with acceptable quality parameters. At the three‐leaf stage, the barley stem NO₃‐N sufficiency level was approximately 6,000 μg/g and decreased to about 1,000 μg/g at the eight‐leaf stage.     

Functionality of Barley Proteins Extracted and Fractionated by Alkaline and Alcohol Methods

This research optimized the extraction of different protein fractions from barley grains and assessed the physicochemical properties of the fractions obtained. Pearling was first used to remove the grain's outer layers (mainly bran and germ) so that the barley cytoplasmic proteins (albumin and globulin) would be enriched in the pearling flour (PF), while endosperm proteins (hordein and glutelin) would be enriched in the pearled grain flour (PGF). Salt, alcohol, and alkaline solutions were then used to extract different barley protein fractions from PF and PGF. The effects of extraction solvent type, pH, temperature, and extraction time on protein content and extraction efficiency were studied. Aqueous ethanol (55%, v/v) efficiently extracted barley hordein from PGF at 60°C, whereas pH 11.5 alkaline solution was the most efficient for extracting both cytoplasmic and endosperm proteins from barley PF and PGF at 23°C. Subunit molecular weight, amino acid composition, and the functional properties of each isolated barley protein fraction were investigated. Barley glutelin demonstrated superior oil‐binding property and emulsifying stability, whereas barley hordein exhibited good foaming capacity.     

施氮和根间互作对密植大麦间作豌豆氮素利用的协同效应

针对禾豆间作密植机理研究薄弱问题,以大麦间作豌豆为研究对象,设施氮[不施氮:0 mg(N)·kg?1(土);施氮:100 mg(N)·kg?1(土)]、隔根(不隔根、隔根)和密度[低密度:15株(大麦)·盆?1;高密度:25株(大麦)·盆?1]3个参试因子,通过盆栽试验探讨了施氮和根系分隔对密植间作群体氮素竞争互补关系和利用效率的影响,以期为禾豆间作密植和氮素高效利用提供调控依据。结果表明:1)施氮、根间互作和增加大麦密度均可提高大麦||豌豆间作群体的吸氮量,其中施氮较不施氮处理提高33.8%,不隔根处理较隔根处理提高81.1%,高密度较低密度处理提高4.2%;根间互作在低氮条件下对间作吸氮量的贡献相对较高,不施氮和施氮条件下,根间互作提高间作吸氮量的比例分别为92.4%和11.0%;根间互作条件下增大大麦种植密度可显著提高间作群体吸氮量。2)大麦为氮素竞争优势种,密植使大麦氮素竞争比率显著提高,施氮能弱化大麦氮素竞争比率,抽穗期大麦相对于豌豆的氮素竞争优势达到最大值。3)根间互作使大麦、豌豆籽粒氮含量在施氮条件下分别提高126.7%、26.9%,不施氮时分别提高188.5%、46.5%,且施氮水平和根间作用方式对间作籽粒氮含量有显著的交互作用。4)高密度大麦和根间互作可显著提高间作群体的氮肥利用率,根间互作条件下增加大麦密度使间作群体氮肥利用率提高59.8%;大麦相对于豌豆的氮素竞争比率与间作群体氮肥利用率呈显著正相关关系。本研究表明,施氮、根间作用与大麦密度对大麦||豌豆间作氮素利用呈显著的交互作用,适宜的施氮量和充分的根间作用是支撑间作密植、优化种间对氮素的竞争关系,最终提高群体吸氮量和氮肥利用率的重要途径。     

Image Analysis of Grain and Chemical Composition of the Barley Plant as Predictors of Malting Quality in Mediterranean Environments

We have explored the possibility of predicting the malting quality of barley grain, indicated by malt extract yield, by characteristics measured either on plants at anthesis or in mature dry grain by image analysis. To produce barley samples with varying levels of all the characteristics studied, we used grain from an experiment designed to study the influence of lowinput husbandry practices on malting quality of barley by growing five malting genotypes at each of four environments (site × season) and with two different agronomic treatments (N fertilization and herbicide-mechanical roguing of weeds). The results showed that nitrogen content in the plant at anthesis was a good predictor of grain protein content, this characteristic in turn being positively correlated with embryo size and grain volume, as estimated by image analysis, and negatively correlated with nonstructural carbohydrate content in the plant at anthesis. Extract yield was positively correlated with Kolbach index (ratio of soluble to total wort protein) and negatively correlated with wort viscosity and barley grain protein content. Thus, the only practical predictor of malt extract was grain protein content.     

Corn yield and shifts among corn quality constituents following application of different nitrogen fertilizer sources at several times during corn development

Corn plants grown under higher nitrogen (N) fertility have a higher grain protein concentration. However, it is not known whether the increased protein concentration is due to decreases in the concentration of non‐structural carbohydrate (energy content approximately equal to protein), lipid (energy content approximately 2.5 times that of protein), or other components (largely structural carbohydrate). An increase in protein concentration that results in a decrease in lipid concentration will decrease the energy content per unit dry weight of grain corn. A 3‐year field experiment was conducted at four locations in Eastern Canada to evaluate the effects of N fertilizer source, application rate, and application time on the yield and quality of corn (Zea mays L.). Ammonium nitrate, urea, and calcium ammonium nitrate were applied at rates of 90 and 180 kg N/ha. The N fertilizer was applied as a) a single application: entirely pre‐plant incorporated (PPI), b) in two applications: 1/2 PPI and 1/2 when corn plants were 15 cm tall, and c) in three applications: 1/3 PPI, 1/3 when plants were 15 cm tall, and 1/3 when plants were 90 cm tall. Corn grain protein concentration increased with N application in all the location‐years; the average increase was 8.40%, with the application of N fertilizers as compared to the control. The protein content (nig) per kernel increased with N application in half the cases. Both corn grain protein concentration and content were not different among the three N application timings in most location‐years. The lipid concentration of the grain was not affected by any N treatment indicating that the increase in protein concentration did not decrease in energy concentration. However, the concentration of remaining grain components (largely fibre and cellulose) decreased as the protein concentration increased, so that high N fertility may have increased both protein and energy concentrations of the grain. Grain yield increased with increasing N fertilizer application rate, and it was generally not significantly affected by the number of the N application times. Neither corn yield nor corn quality were affected by the different N sources.     

Placement of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium fertilizers by drilling in spring barley grown for malt without use of pesticides

Abstract

The increasing consumer demand for food products that are produced without the use of pesticides are reflected in action plans to reduce the use of pesticides in agriculture. Most of the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) produced is used for pig feed but some is used for malting – the primary step in the production of beer. The effects of fertilizer application method, type and rate on yield and grain quality were investigated in a malting barley crop without the use of pesticides. Twelve treatments where single and multiple nutrient fertilizers were either broadcast or placed in bands by drilling, were compared in a field experiment at two sites in Denmark during 1993–96. Weeds were controlled mechanically in all treatments, and chemical control of foliar fungal diseases and insects was only carried out in two treatments.

The placement of a compound NPK-fertilizer increased the grain yield and the quality parameters grain size and grading when weeds are controlled mechanically by harrowing. The effect of fertilizer placement on grain yield and quality decreased in the order NPK > NP > N>P. Herbicide-free growing of malting barley may be possible using fertilizer placement, but the use of chemical control of foliar fungal diseases and insects may be critical when pests exceed certain thresholds as they significantly reduce grain yield, grain size and grading. The aim of growing malting barley satisfactorily without the use of pesticides was only partly met.     

Molecular Weight Distribution of Proteins in Hard Red Spring Wheat: Relationship to Quality Parameters and Intrasample Uniformity

Molecular weight distribution (MWD) of proteins extracted from hard red spring wheat was analyzed by size‐exclusion HPLC to investigate associations with wheat and breadmaking quality characteristics. Certain protein fractions were related to associations between wheat and breadmaking parameters, specifically when effect of quantitative variation of protein on those parameters was statistically eliminated by partial correlation analysis. SDS‐unextractable high molecular weight polymeric proteins had positive partial correlations with percent vitreous kernel content and breadmaking parameters, including mix time and bread loaf volume. SDS‐extractable protein fractions that were eluted before the primary gliadin peak had positive partial correlations with kernel hardness and water absorption parameters. The proportion of main gliadin fractions in total protein had a negative partial correlation with bread loaf volume and positive correlations with kernel hardness and water absorption parameters. Intrasample uniformity in protein MWD and kernel characteristics was estimated from three kernel subsamples that were separated according to single kernel protein content within individual wheat samples by a single‐kernel near‐infrared sorter. Wheat subsamples were significantly different in protein MWD. Intrasample uniformity in protein MWD did not differ greatly among wheat samples.     

Protein quality of corn hybrids differing for endosperm characteristics and the effect of nitrogen fertilization 1

Corn (Zea mays L.) is an important source of protein for humans and animals. Because dent corn is highly responsive to nitrogen (N) fertilization, substantial amounts of N are used for corn production. Application of N fertilizer may reduce protein quality of corn kernels through an increase in zein content. The objective of this study was to determine if corn endosperm characteristics influence the effect of N fertilization on protein quality. In 1988, six corn hybrids differing for endosperm characteristics were grown at two locations in Ohio and with two N rates, 34 and 200 kg/ha. The waxy hybrid had a greater concentration of fraction I protein than the non‐wary hybrid. These two hybrids did not differ for other fractions except fraction III at Columbus. The soft endosperm hybrid had a higher concentration of fraction I protein than the hard endosperms hybrids. Soft and hard endosperm hybrids differed for fraction II protein for the 34 kg N/ha fertilizer rate but not the 200 kg N/ha fertilizer rate. These two classes of hybrids did not differ for fraction III protein. Increasing N fertilizer increased fraction II concentration for all hybrids. Concentrations of the other two protein fractions did not respond to fertilizer rate. The increase in fraction II concentration with N fertilization may result in a decrease of protem quality and feed value. Although all hybrids responded to N fertilizer, some hybrids had bigger increases in fraction II proteins than other hybrids.     

Oxygen deficiency in barley (Hordeum vulgare) grain during malting

The steep water is generally aerated in industrial barley malting. However, it is questionable whether oxygen actually reaches the embryo, which remains entrapped under the husk, testa, and pericarp until chitting occurs. The aim of our study was to investigate whether barley embryos experience oxygen deficiency during steeping, and whether various steeping conditions affect the oxygen deficiency. Alcohol dehydrogenase Adh2 was induced in all steeping conditions studied. Therefore, oxygen deficiency occurred regardless of the steeping conditions. However, steeping conditions affected the rate of recovery from oxygen deficiency, germination rate, and onset of alpha-amylase production. When barley was subjected to oxygen deficiency by applying N(2) gas during steeping, the timing of the treatment determined its effects. The importance of aeration increased as the process proceeded. Oxygen deprivation at the beginning of the process had little effect on malt quality. Therefore, the timing of aeration is important in the optimization of germination during the steeping stage of malting.     

Effects of Solution Nitrogen and Plant Density on Annual Grass Seed Biochemistry and Progeny Phenotypic Plasticity

Abstract

Cogenerational phenotypic plasticity compensation to nutrient limitations and shoot densities (light limitation) among individual plants of the same species could provide an increased fitness. Planting density varying between 4 and 16 plants per container and solution nitrogen varying between 5 and 19 mM were used to test phenotypic plastic responses in oat (Avena sativa cv. Montezuma) seed biochemistry and the resulting progeny. Seed Kjeldahl nitrogen (N), magnesium (Mg), and both albumin–globulin (l M NaCl soluble) and prolamin–glutelin (residue) protein fractions were affected by a solution N × plant density interaction. Phosphorus (P) content was influenced by both treatment variables. The protein fractions, P, N, and Mg, in seeds from parent treatments were generally highest in the two higher planting densities. The contents of N, P, Mg, and the prolamin–glutelin fraction were highest at mid‐N (9 mM), except for the 16 plants per container where they were maximal at high‐N (19 mM). In contrast, the albumin–globulin fraction responded linearly to N availability. Seeds per plant decreased while seed weights increased, as plant density increased. The seed content of N, albumin–globulin, prolamin–glutelin, P, and Mg were all negatively associated with the number of seeds per plant. Germination rates of progeny were inversely related to parent plants N treatment. Progeny from the treatment plants (seeds × germination percent) were inversely related, over a five‐fold range, to parent density. Progeny shoot/root ratios (S/R) were directly influenced by the N treatment of parent plants, with progeny from the highest parent N treatment having the highest S/R. Seed N and P content and the prolamin–glutelin protein fraction concentration were correlated with progeny SR. Seed weight was negatively correlated with progeny S/R. Annual grass seed numbers and weights and the allocation of several seed constituents are environmentally influenced by plant density and solution N. These seed biochemical and physiological effects result in a reproductive fitness change and a cogenerational phenotypic plasticity influenced progeny fitness (S/R attribute).     

Zinc Blotting Assay for Detection of Zinc‐Binding Prolamin in Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Grain

In plants, zinc is commonly found bound to proteins. In barley (Hordeum vulgare), major storage proteins are alcohol‐soluble prolamins known as hordeins, and some of them have the potential to bind or store zinc. ⁶⁵Zn overlay and blotting techniques have been widely used for detecting zinc‐binding protein. However, to our knowledge so far this zinc blotting assay has never been applied to detect a prolamin fraction in barley grains. A radioactive zinc (⁶⁵ZnCl₂) blotting technique was optimized to detect zinc‐binding prolamins, followed by development of an easy‐to‐follow nonradioactive colorimetric zinc blotting method with a zinc‐sensing dye, dithizone. Hordeins were extracted from mature barley grain, separated by SDS‐PAGE, blotted on a membrane, renatured, overlaid, and probed with zinc; subsequently, zinc‐binding specificity of certain proteins was detected either by autoradiography or color formation. The dithizone staining method gave similar reproducibility to the radioactive blotting. The detected zinc‐binding protein was identified as B‐hordein by Western blotting.     

Improved Methods for High-Throughput Extraction and Assay of Green Barley Malt Proteinase Activity Facilitating Examination of Proteinase Activity Across Large-Scale Barley Populations

We report efficient sample extraction and assay methods allowing quantitative determinations of proteinase activities from barley malt. The improved methods are used to assay >2,200 developmental lines of malting barley for two subsets of proteinase activity. The distributions of the resulting activities suggest differences in population structures between the two types of proteinases. Comparison of the activities of the green malt proteinases with standard malting quality measurements show highly significant correlations that differ between the proteinase subsets. The pH 4.5 hydrolysis of the artificial substrate Z-Phe-Arg-AMC correlates well with the traditional malting quality measurements, supporting the role of cysteine-class proteinases in mobilization of grain reserves during malting and mashing. Results from assays of gelatin hydrolysis at pH 6.0 suggest that these proteolytic activities may be involved in other aspects of seed C and N dynamics also linked to malting quality measurements. The differences between the pH 4.5 and 6.0 activities assayed here and their association with malting quality measurements suggest different physiological roles for the two proteinase activities in several aspects of seed germination. Either assay could be useful for population surveys, depending on the particular facet of seed metabolism under study.     

Distribution of Redox Enzymes in Millstreams and Relationships to Chemical and Baking Properties of Flour

Millstream flours, bran, pollard, and germ fractions were prepared from two Australian and two New Zealand wheat cultivars using a pilot‐scale roller mill. The distribution of six redox enzymes in milling fractions and the relationship of the enzymes to baking parameters were investigated. Lipoxygenase (LOX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DAR), and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) tended to be higher in the tail‐end fractions of break and reduction flour streams, but the highest levels were in the bran, pollard, and germ fractions. These enzymes had moderate to strong correlations with ash content of flour. These results indicated that a considerable amount of these enzymes in the tail‐end flour streams were likely to be derived from contamination with bran, aleurone, or germ components of grain. Peroxidase (POX) tended to be higher in the break flours, but polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and ascorbate oxidase (AOX) tended to be evenly distributed in the millstream flours. These three enzymes generally had poor correlations with ash and baking parameters. LOX and DAR had a negative correlation with the baking quality of bread made in the absence of ascorbic acid (AA) but a poor correlation with improvement of bread quality made with AA. The negative correlation probably reflects the high content of ash (hence trichomes), glutathione, and protein thiols in those fractions that have high LOX and DAR, and these high‐reducing‐power components and trichomes in flour may be the actual cause of poor quality bread. PDI generally had a poor correlation with bread quality in the absence of AA but a significant positive correlation with improvement in the quality of bread made with AA. It thus seems that the endogenous levels of these six enzymes were not a limiting factor in the breadmaking process, except for PDI, the levels of which may have positively influenced breadmaking in the presence of AA.     

Yield response of barley and rapeseed to K fertilizer: Influence of soil test K level and method of placement

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in central Alberta to determine the yield response of barley and rapeseed to KCl on soils varying in soil test K levels and to evaluate three methods of K placement for effectiveness. The soil test K extractant was 1M ammonium acetate solution. Placement methods were incorporation, banding with the seed and banding beside the seed row. The percentage of sites that responded to K fertilizer significantly and yield increase of barley from K fertilizer decreased with increasing soil test K in the soil. Rapeseed responded less often to K than barley and K placement was more critical for barley than for rapeseed. Barley yields were greatest when the K fertilizer was banded in the seed row and least when incorporated into the soil. Rapeseed yields on K‐responsive sites were same when the K fertilizer was incorporated or banded beside the seed row, but tended to be greater when banded with the seed.     

Influence of Barley and Malt Storage on Lipoxygenase Reaction

The dioxygenation of linoleic acid (LA) by aqueous flour suspensions of barley and malting samples was studied. The rate of this lipoxygenase (LOX) reaction varied as the malting process proceeded, giving a characteristic LOX reaction profile for a malting. The differences in the profiles from one malting to another were dramatic. It also appeared that during storage of dry, intact kernel samples from a single malting, a reduction in the rate of LOX reaction always occurred, and the rates of reduction with time were dependent on the stage of malting at the time of sampling. The kinetics of this aging could roughly be divided into four categories representing different stages of malting. Consequently, greatly varying LOX reaction profiles can be obtained from a single malting depending on the time of storage of kernels before assays. The results indicate that steeping, germination and the subsequent drying render the state of kernels unstable with respect to the LOX reaction for at least two to three weeks. Homogeneity of malt quality is important in the further applications of malt, especially in the brewing industry. Therefore, the rate of LOX reaction should be considered as a quality factor of malt.