Scientists from the University of Dundee and the James Hutton Institute have joined researchers from across Europe to study new ways to improve barley production and expand the crop's role in food, agriculture and industrial markets.
The five-year BEST-CROP project will evaluate existing barley varieties and identify traits that could increase yields while improving resilience to climate-related stresses such as drought and flooding. Researchers also will investigate how barley straw can be developed for new commercial applications, including bio-based chemicals, construction materials and other sustainable products.
The University of Dundee will focus on developing barley straw with characteristics suited for industrial uses. Researchers will examine how changes in straw quality and composition could support the production of renewable chemicals that reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions. They also will study its potential as a component in composite building materials.
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute will identify barley lines with valuable genetic traits and conduct field trials with research partners across Europe. The work is intended to support the development of higher-performing barley varieties while expanding the crop's value beyond traditional food, feed and malt markets.
The BEST-CROP project also aims to improve barley's ability to withstand environmental pressures while maintaining productivity. Research will explore strategies to reduce ozone pollution impacts during drought, optimize photosynthesis to increase yields and develop breeding lines that could serve as models for improvements in other cereal crops.
Another objective is to strengthen the circular bioeconomy by creating barley straw better suited for conversion into high-value bio-based materials for industries such as animal feed and construction.
The project is funded through the European Union's Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme and UK Research and Innovation under the United Kingdom government's Horizon Europe funding guarantee.
Barley is one of the world's most widely grown cereal crops. The European Union produces about 55 million metric tons of barley grain annually, along with a similar volume of straw, with the crop occupying about 10% of the region's arable land.
The BEST-CROP project has funding of nearly 6 million euros and is scheduled to run through June 2028.
Source: International Barley Hub, "New study could sow seeds of change for barley"