Climate change Scotland: Scottish crop experts sow new horizons for climate-proof super-barley

In Scotland barley may be best known as the basis of whisky but researchers at two of the country’s leading scientific institutions are distilling a new global future for the grain.

Experts from the University of Dundee and James Hutton Institute have teamed up with academics from across Europe as part of a major new project that could unlock a variety of potential uses for the crop which could also benefit the environment.

Their work will focus on improving current varieties of barley to withstand the impacts of climate change and political upheaval while also producing higher yields to help feed the rapidly expanding global population.

As part of the study, named Best-Crop, the team will also investigate whether the grass could be utilised for other purposes – including assessing its viability as a sustainable source of important chemicals and to make eco-friendly building materials.

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“Barley has always been known as a versatile ingredient in food and drink, but as we look to make our way of life more sustainable we are beginning to look at this crop in a new way,” said Claire Halpin, a professor of plant sciences at Dundee’s School of Life Sciences.

“For example, varying straw quality and composition could allow it to be used to produce bio-based sustainable industrial chemicals, reducing CO2 emissions and our reliance on fossil fuels, or making it suitable as a composite material for construction panels.”

Fellow researcher Dr Kelly Houston is a barley geneticist at the James Hutton Institute, which is home to the International Barley Hub – a specialist centre dedicated to turning excellence in research and innovation into economic, social and environmental benefits.

Researchers will investigate whether barley could be a sustainable source of important chemicals or be turned into eco-friendly construction materials

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She said: “Barley is one of the world’s most prevalent crops and crucial to the global food and drink sector.

“It is obviously integral to the whisky industry here in Scotland, as well as a vital source of animal feed and malt for beer, so the relevance of this study cannot be understated.

“Barley is under pressure from both a growing global population and its need to remain resilient in the face of increased risk of floods and drought prompted by climate change, so the research we are undertaking here in Dundee could have significant real world outcomes.

“As experts in the cultivation of barley, we are excited about the potential of this project which will reimagine very diverse uses for barley whilst looking to improve yield.”