Barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Poaceae family

Barley is the fourth or fifth most widely-grown cereal in the world. It is more tolerant of drought, heat, and salinity than other small grains. It is an ancient cereal crop, native to the Near East. Eight primitive varieties, or landraces, of barley are shown above (right). Two-row and six-row types are both grown in the U.S., the latter being the source of malt for the brewing industry and the former being used primarily for livestock feed.

Barley is a close relative of wheat and rye. Like rye, it is a diploid, 2n=14. Head scab is currently a serious disease of the crop in the Upper Midwest, and its increasing importance as a disease may be attributed to overwintering in stubble of no- or reduced-till fields. Barley is a member of the tribe TRITICEAE.