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Abiotic stresses occur more often in combination than alone under regular field conditions limiting in more severe way crop production. Stress recognition in plants primarily occurs in the plasma membrane, modification of which is necessary to maintain homeostasis in response to it. It is known that lipid transport proteins (ns-LTPs) participate in modification of the lipidome of cell membranes. Representative of this group, ns-LTP2.8, may be involved in the reaction to abiotic stress of germinating barley plants by mediating the intracellular transport of hydrophobic particles, such as lipids, helping to maintain homeostasis. The ns-LTP2.8 protein was selected for analysis due to its ability to transport not only linear hydrophobic molecules but also compounds with a more complex spatial structure. Moreover, ns-LTP2.8 has been qualified as a member of pathogenesis-related proteins, which makes it particularly important in relation to its high allergenic potential. This paper demonstrates for the first time the influence of various abiotic stresses acting separately as well as in their combinations on the change in the ns-LTP2 . 8 transcript, ns-LTP2.8 protein and total soluble protein content in the embryonal axes of germinating spring barley genotypes with different ns-LTP2 . 8 allelic forms and stress tolerance. Tissue localization of ns-LTP2 . 8 transcript as well as ns-LTP2.8 protein were also examined. Although the impact of abiotic stresses on the regulation of gene transcription and translation processes remains not fully recognized, in this work we managed to demonstrate different impact on applied stresses on the fundamental cellular processes in very little studied tissue of the embryonal axis of barley.

The advanced molecular tools provide critical inputs in uncovering the regulatory mechanisms underlying plants’ adaptation to abiotic stress. Presented holistic studies were done on the barley crown tissue being essential for plant performance under various environmental stimuli. To investigate the effect of brassinosteroids (BRs), the known players in stress management, on molecular response of this tissue to drought, the genotypes with different BRs signal transduction efficiency were employed. Large-scale transcriptomic and proteomic profiling confirmed the specific re-modeling of behavior of the BRs-insensitive barley uzu1 . a mutant under drought. On the other hand, a set of genes expressed independently of the genotype was identified, including dehydrin encoding genes. This study also uncovered the candidate genes to be linkers of phytohormones crosstalk. Importantly, we detected the converging upregulation of several proteins and encoding genes under drought, including late embryogenesis abundant proteins and chaperones; they represent a promising target for cereals’ improvement. Moreover, the greatest variation between genotypes in accumulation of BRs in the crown tissue exposed to drought was observed for castasterone. Presented multi-omics, high-throughput results enhanced the understanding of molecular response to drought in crown tissue. The new insight was provided into the relationships between gene expression, protein and phytohormone content in barley plants of different BRs signaling.

Background: Glenohumeral joint instability is associated with a proprioception deficit. Joint position sense can be improved through targeted exercises and kinesiology taping (KT). While previous studies have examined the effects of KT on proprioception, most have focused on the knee joint, with limited research on unstable shoulder joints. Most studies have used commonly available equipment (e.g., the Biodex system). An electronic goniometer, the “Propriometer”, is a useful tool for assessing proprioception in shoulder joint instability; however, its application in evaluating the effects of KT on shoulder proprioception remains unexplored. This study aimed to (1) assess the usability of the Propriometer for evaluating the effects of KT on unstable shoulders and (2) determine the impact of a single KT application on joint position sense and limb function in individuals with anterior, post-traumatic shoulder joint instability. Methods and Materials: The study included 30 individuals with anterior, unilateral, post-traumatic shoulder joint instability (8 women, 22 men, mean age 26 years). A control group consisted of 35 healthy volunteers (9 women, 26 men, mean age 24 years). Proprioception assessment (active joint position reproduction evaluation) was performed in both groups using the Propriometer, which measures joint position in real time with an accuracy of 0.1° across all axes. The study methodology was validated and used to examine shoulder proprioception. The current study focused on assessing the effects of KT, which had not been previously tested with this device Assessments were conducted before KT application and three days’ post-application. Additionally, patients completed the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) self-assessment questionnaire before and three days after the therapy. Results: Results of the mean joint position reproduction error indicate a proprioceptive deficit in patients with shoulder joint instability. However, the analyzed KT application did not show a significant change in the magnitude of the active joint position reproduction error. Conversely, KT therapy significantly improved patients’ subjective assessment of shoulder function and stability as measured by the WOSI. Conclusions: The Propriometer goniometer and testing methodology are effective tools for assessing the impact of KT on proprioception in shoulder instability. While KT application did not significantly influence shoulder proprioception, it did improve patients’ perceived joint stability and function.

Background Understanding how developmental traits and epidermal structures contribute to stress tolerance is essential for improving crop resilience. In this study, four spring barley genotypes differing in phenology and epidermal features—CamBW1, CamWa1, LubBW1, and LubWa1—were evaluated under combined abiotic (mild and severe drought) and biotic ( Fusarium infection) stress, with growth regulators application. Results The first phase of the study focused on assessing the phenological diversity of the examined barley genotypes in order to characterize the role of earliness in response to combined abiotic and biotic stresses. Phenological analysis confirmed distinct developmental patterns between early- and late-heading genotypes, supporting the presence of a “drought escape” strategy in early-flowering lines. The expression of the key photoperiod gene HvPRR37 further reflected these phenological differences. Through a comprehensive screening of drought responses and Fusarium infection severity, we were able to determine the performance and stress tolerance of the studied genotypes, and subsequently explore the expression patterns of key transcription factors (WRKY). Scanning electron microscopy revealed clear variability in trichome micromorphology between genotypes: LubBW1 developed numerous small trichomes, whereas LubWa1 produced fewer but larger structures. These differences may underlie distinct responses to Fusarium infection, as LubBW1 trichomes appeared to trap fungal conidia more effectively. Photosynthetic performance analyses indicated that combined stress strongly affected photosystem II and I efficiency, with the most severe inhibition observed under drought +  Fusarium  + gibberellin application treatment. However, mild drought induced only moderate changes, suggesting adaptive physiological regulation. Gene expression profiling of WRKY34, WRKY51, and WRKY70 demonstrated genotype-specific and stress-intensity-dependent regulation. WRKY51 and WRKY70 responded rapidly to drought and pathogen stress, while WRKY34 expression appeared developmentally regulated. Conclusion These results highlight the complex interplay between phenology, trichome micromorphology, photosynthetic efficiency, and transcriptional regulation in shaping barley responses to combined stresses, underscoring the developmental stage as a critical determinant of resistance activation.

The root system is a key component for plant survival and productivity. In particular, under stress conditions, developing plants with a better root architecture can ensure productivity. The objectives of this study were to investigate the phenotypic variation of selected root- and yield-related traits in a diverse panel of spring barley genotypes. By performing a genome-wide association study (GWAS), we identified several associations underlying the variations occurring in root- and yield-related traits in response to natural variations in soil moisture. Here, we report the results of the GWAS based on both individual single-nucleotide polymorphism markers and linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks of markers for 11 phenotypic traits related to plant morphology, grain quality, and root system in a group of spring barley accessions grown under field conditions. We also evaluated the root structure of these accessions by using a nondestructive method based on electrical capacitance. The results showed the importance of two LD-based blocks on chromosomes 2H and 7H in the expression of root architecture and yield-related traits. Our results revealed the importance of the region on the short arm of chromosome 2H in the expression of root- and yield-related traits. This study emphasized the pleiotropic effect of this region with respect to heading time and other important agronomic traits, including root architecture. Furthermore, this investigation provides new insights into the roles played by root traits in the yield performance of barley plants grown under natural conditions with daily variations in soil moisture content.

In this study, proteomic and metabolomic changes in leaves and roots of two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes, with contrasting drought tolerance, subjected to water deficit were investigated. Our two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF and MALDI-TOF/TOF) analyses revealed 121 drought-responsive proteins in leaves and 182 in roots of both genotypes. Many of the identified drought-responsive proteins were associated with processes that are typically severely affected during water deficit, including photosynthesis and carbon metabolism. However, the highest number of identified leaf and root proteins represented general defense mechanisms. In addition, changes in the accumulation of proteins that represent processes formerly unassociated with drought response, e.g., phenylpropanoid metabolism, were also identified. Our tandem gas chromatography - time of flight mass spectrometry (GC/MS TOF) analyses revealed approximately 100 drought-affected low molecular weight compounds representing various metabolite types with amino acids being the most affected metabolite class. We compared the results from proteomic and metabolomic analyses to search for existing relationship between these two levels of molecular organization. We also uncovered organ specificity of the observed changes and revealed differences in the response to water deficit of drought susceptible and tolerant barley lines. Particularly, our results indicated that several of identified proteins and metabolites whose accumulation levels were increased with drought in the analyzed susceptible barley variety revealed elevated constitutive accumulation levels in the drought-resistant line. This may suggest that constitutive biochemical predisposition represents a better drought tolerance mechanism than inducible responses.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease occurring in small grain cereals worldwide. The disease results in the reduction of grain yield, and mycotoxins accumulated in grain are also harmful to both humans and animals. It has been reported that response to pathogen infection may be associated with the morphological and developmental traits of the host plant, e.g. earliness and plant height. Despite many studies, effective markers for selection of barley genotypes with increased resistance to FHB have not been developed. In the present study, we investigated 100 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) of spring barley. Plants were examined in field conditions (three locations) in a completely randomized design with three replications. Barley genotypes were artificially infected with spores of Fusarium culmorum before heading. Apart from the main phenotypic traits (plant height, spike characteristic, grain yield), infected kernels were visually scored and the content of deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxin was investigated. A set of 70 Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) were detected through phenotyping of the mapping population in field conditions and genotyping using a barley Ilumina 9K iSelect platform. Six loci were detected for the FHB index on chromosomes 2H, 3H, 5H, and 7H. A region on the short arm of chromosome 2H was detected in which many QTLs associated with FHB- and yield-related traits were found. This study confirms that agromorphological traits are tightly related to FHB and should be taken into consideration when breeding barley plants for FHB resistance.

Background High temperature shock is becoming increasingly common in our climate, affecting plant growth and productivity. The ability of a plant to survive stress is a complex phenomenon. One of the essential tissues for plant performance under various environmental stimuli is the crown. However, the molecular characterization of this region remains poorly investigated. Gibberellins play a fundamental role in whole-plant stature formation. This study identified plant stature modifications and crown-specific transcriptome re-modeling in gibberellin-deficient barley sdw1 . a (BW827) and sdw1.d (BW828) mutants exposed to increased temperature. Results The deletion around the sdw1 gene in BW827 was found to encompass at least 13 genes with primarily regulatory functions. A bigger genetic polymorphism of BW828 than of BW827 in relation to wild type was revealed. Transcriptome-wide sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed several differentially expressed genes involved in gibberellin metabolism and heat response located outside of introgression regions. It was found that HvGA20ox4 , a paralogue of the HvGA20ox2 gene, was upregulated in BW828 relative to other genotypes, which manifested as basal internode elongation. The transcriptome response to elevated temperature differed in the crown of sdw1.a and sdw1.d mutants; it was most contrasting for HvHsf genes upregulated under elevated temperature in BW828, whereas those specific to BW827 were downregulated. In-depth examination of sdw1 mutants revealed also some differences in their phenotypes and physiology. Conclusions We concluded that despite the studied sdw1 mutants being genetically related, their heat response seemed to be genotype-specific and observed differences resulted from genetic background diversity rather than single gene mutation, multiple gene deletion, or allele-specific expression of the HvGA20ox2 gene. Differences in the expressional reaction of genes to heat in different sdw1 mutants, found to be independent of the polymorphism, could be further explained by in-depth studies of the regulatory factors acting in the studied system. Our findings are particularly important in genetic research area since molecular response of crown tissue has been marginally investigated, and can be useful for wide genetic research of crops since barley has become a model plant for them.

In response to climatic changes, breeding programmes should be aimed at creating new cultivars with improved resistance to water scarcity. The objective of this study was to examine the yield potential of barley recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from three cross-combinations of European and Syrian spring cultivars, and to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for yield-related traits in these populations. RILs were evaluated in field experiments over a period of three years (2011 to 2013) and genotyped with simple sequence repeat (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers; a genetic map for each population was constructed and then one consensus map was developed. Biological interpretation of identified QTLs was achieved by reference to Ensembl Plants barley gene space. Twelve regions in the genomes of studied RILs were distinguished after QTL analysis. Most of the QTLs were identified on the 2H chromosome, which was the hotspot region in all three populations. Syrian parental cultivars contributed alleles decreasing traits' values at majority of QTLs for grain weight, grain number, spike length and time to heading, and numerous alleles increasing stem length. The phenomic and molecular approaches distinguished the lines with an acceptable grain yield potential combining desirable features or alleles from their parents, that is, early heading from the Syrian breeding line (Cam/B1/CI08887//CI05761) and short plant stature from the European semidwarf cultivar (Maresi).

Drought stress inducing pollen sterility can reduce crop yield worldwide. The regulatory crosstalk associated with the effects of drought on pollen formation at the cellular level has not been explored in detail so far. In this study, we performed morphological and cytoembryological analysis of anther perturbations and examined pollen development in two spring barley genotypes that differ in earliness and drought tolerance. The Syrian breeding line CamB (drought-tolerant) and the European cultivar Lubuski (drought-sensitive) were used as experimental materials to analyze the drought-induced changes in yield performance, chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics, the pollen grain micromorphology and ultrastructure during critical stages of plant development. In addition, fluctuations in HvGAMYB expression were studied, as this transcription factor is closely associated with the development of the anther. In the experiments, the studied plants were affected by drought, as was confirmed by the analyses of yield performance and chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics. However, contrary to our expectations, the pollen development of plants grown under specific conditions was not severely affected. The results also suggest that growth modification, as well as the perturbation in light distribution, can affect the HvGAMYB expression. This study demonstrated that the duration of the vegetation period can influence plant drought responses and, as a consequence, the processes associated with pollen development as every growth modification changes the dynamics of drought effects as well as the duration of plant exposition to drought.