Assignment 7- Revised Assignment 12/14/15

Contributed Page: Hordeum murinum

Hordeum murinum is an annual winter species whose seeds germinate and develop in the spring [1] . It is also referred to as wall barley and are tetraploids [2]. It is distinct from other species of the genus because of its morphology and molecular genetics [3] . It is also distinct because of the barriers it has with the Hordeum taxa when it comes to its ability to cross with it [3].

Growth Requirements 

Hordeum murinum complex is the most widespread of all the other Hordeum species [3]. The center of distribution of Hordeum murinum is in the Mediterranean area, Central Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa [3]. A greater quantity of dry material is produced with medium precipitation and better distribution [1]. Precipitation is the most important factor in the production of seeds for this species. In the years that are more dry with early or late rainfalls, there is no chance of re-seeding for this species [2].The species uses a greater part of its reproductive resources for seed production, allowing it to adapt to different water conditions [1]. Controlling the seeding rate favors high-quality strand of barley. The sowing rate for wall barley increases when seed production and forage increases[4]. This helps to obtain ideal and sustainable forage and seed yield in rangelands of Jordan. The height of the plant and protein content does not respond to seeding rates, but the height of the plant and protein content does vary with years [4]. Anatomical characteristics of leaf blades differ between the taxa [5]. This weedy species along with hare barley and smooth barley can be hard to control[2]

Subspecies

Hordeum leporinum is a subspecies of Hordeum murinum. It is also known as hare barley. Hordeum leporinum is found in the Mediterranean region near continental, oceanic, and colder climates [3]. The flowers of this is attached to branches rather than to the main axis[5]. Another subspecies of Hordeum murinum is Hordeum glaucum [3]. It appears in warmer climates of the Mediterranean region. Hordeum leporinum is a more dominant species in areas where the rainfall is greater than 425 mm [2]Hordeum glaucum is more dominant in semiarid regions where rainfall is less than 425mm [2]Hordeum leporinum and Hordeum glaucum differ primarily because of their chromosome numbers, spikelet morphology, and geographical distribution [3] . Within Hordeum, there are 2 subgenera and 4 sections with 4 different genotypes [5]. The clade that is the sister taxon to Hordeum murinum is H. bulbosum and H. vulgare [5].

Uses

Weedy barley species is an important component of annual pastures [2] . This is useful for feeding grazing animals and useful for us because we then eat these animals [2] . It is also the main source of forage for cattle production in areas with water deficits [1]Hordeum murinum is any economically important cereal crop in the tribe Triticea. They use the seed part of Hordeum murinum and ground it into a flour. This is then used to make bread or porridge[5].

  1. ^ a b c d Johnston, Myra (2009). "EFFECT OF QUANTITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALLS ON Hordeum murinum L. GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT". CHILEAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Fleet, Benjamin; Gill, Gurjeet (July 2012). "Seed Dormancy and Seedling Recruitment in Smooth Barley (Hordeum murinum ssp. glaucum) Populations in Southern Australia". Weed Science. 60 (3): 394–400. doi:10.1614/WS-D-11-00203.1.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Mizianty, M. (20 July 2006). "Variability and structure of natural populations of Hordeum murinum L. based on morphology". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 261 (1–4): 139–150. doi:10.1007/s00606-006-0437-6.
  4. ^ a b El-Shatnawi, M. K. J (2003). "Effects of sowing rate on growth and protein contents of wall barley (Hordeum murinum L.) grown under Mediterranean conditions". African Journal of Range and Forage Science. doi:10.2989/10220110309485798.
  5. ^ a b c d e Mavi, O. (2010). "Comparative leaf anatomy of the genus Hordeum L. (popceae)" (PDF). Tubitak. doi:10.3906/bot-1003-14.