International Barley Study Offers Good News for Scottish Growers
The James Hutton Institute has played a crucial role in a major international barley study to create the most comprehensive DNA-based genetic map of barley to date.
Recently published in one of the world’s foremost scientific journals, Nature, the research has provided unprecedented insights into the crop’s evolution and adaptation, such as disease resistance, plant architecture and starch mobilisation.
The research has provided unprecedented insights into the crop’s evolution and adaptation, such as disease resistance, plant architecture and starch mobilisation.
Findings will have significant implications for Scottish agriculture, where barley is the major crop and underpins the iconic malt whisky industry. It provides a template for developing barley varieties better suited to Scottish growing conditions, enhancing knowledge to support sustainable farming practices.
Contributions from scientists at the International Barley Hub (IBH) at the James Hutton Institute were integral to the project, which involved sequencing 76 different wild and cultivated barley genomes.
The IBH is part of the newly opened Crop Innovation Centre, funded as part of a £62m investment through the Tay Cities Region Deal (TCRD) by the UK and Scottish Governments.
Led by Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), the study focused on the pan-genome of barley, which represents the complete set of genomic sequences, that can be found within a species.
Dr. Micha Bayer, a senior scientist at the James Hutton Institute, said: “This pangenome provides a powerful new tool for understanding barley’s species-wide genetic diversity at unprecedented resolution. It will accelerate our ability to develop more resilient and productive barley varieties.”
“This pangenome provides a powerful new tool for understanding barley’s species-wide genetic diversity at unprecedented resolution. It will accelerate our ability to develop more resilient and productive barley varieties.”
Dr. Micha Bayer, The James Hutton Institute
This collaborative project underscores The James Hutton Institute’s position as a world-leading centre for barley research, and demonstrates its commitment to advancing agricultural science and supporting sustainable food and drink sectors.
Read full details about the project the International Barley Hub (IBH) site.
