**Barley Overview**:
– Barley is a cereal grain in the grass family.
– It is a self-pollinating, diploid species with 14 chromosomes.
– Barley was domesticated in the Fertile Crescent around 9000 BC.
– Domesticated barley spread throughout Eurasia by 2000 BC.
– Barley production in 2022 was 155 million tonnes, with Russia leading at 15%.
– Barley is used for animal feed, beer, whisky, and various foods.
**Barley Taxonomy and Genetics**:
– Barley is closely related to wheat and rye within the Triticeae.
– Wild barley ranges from North Africa to Tibet.
– The barley genome was sequenced in 2012, organized into seven pairs of nuclear chromosomes.
– Recent classifications treat barley forms as a single species.
– Genetic diversity in barley traits has been studied.
– Barley domestication history dates back thousands of years.
**Barley Cultivation and Production**:
– Barley prefers low temperatures of 15-20°C in the growing season.
– Barley cultivation is widespread in temperate areas worldwide.
– Barley is relatively tolerant of drought and soil salinity.
– World barley production ranked fourth among grains in 2022.
– Barley cultivation spread to Finland from East Asia 7,000 years ago.
– Russia, France, Germany, and Canada are major barley producers.
**Barley Nutrition and Health Benefits**:
– Cooked barley is rich in carbohydrates, dietary fiber, protein, and vitamins.
– Barley helps regulate blood sugar levels and provides essential nutrients.
– Barley beta-glucan can lower blood cholesterol levels.
– Whole-grain barley improves blood sugar regulation.
– Barley consumption is beneficial for health due to its nutrient content.
– Barley contains gluten, making it unsuitable for individuals with gluten-related disorders.
**Barley Uses and Cultural Significance**:
– Barley is a key ingredient in beer and whisky production.
– Barley is used for animal feed and in non-alcoholic drinks like barley water.
– Barley straw is used in fish ponds to prevent algal growth.
– Barley has cultural significance in English folklore and traditions.
– Barley played a role in early agricultural origins in various regions.
– Barley’s historical significance is documented in various texts.
Barley (Hordeum vulgare), a member of the grass family, is a major cereal grain grown in temperate climates globally. It was one of the first cultivated grains; it was domesticated in the Fertile Crescent around 9000 BC, giving it nonshattering spikelets and making it much easier to harvest. Its use then spread throughout Eurasia by 2000 BC. Barley prefers relatively low temperatures to grow, and well-drained soil. It is relatively tolerant of drought and soil salinity, but is less winter-hardy than wheat or rye.
| Barley | |
|---|---|
_-_United_States_National_Arboretum_-_24_May_2009.jpg)
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Hordeum |
| Species: | H. vulgare
|
| Binomial name | |
| Hordeum vulgare | |
| Synonyms | |
|
List
| |
In 2022, barley was fourth among grains in quantity produced, 155 million tonnes, behind maize, wheat, and rice. Globally 70% of barley production is used as animal feed, while 30% is used as a source of fermentable material for beer, or further distilled into whisky, and as a component of various foods. It is used in soups and stews, and in barley bread of various cultures. Barley grains are commonly made into malt in a traditional and ancient method of preparation. In English folklore, John Barleycorn personifies the grain, and the alcoholic beverages made from it. English pub names such as The Barley Mow allude to barley's role in the production of beer.