Drought-proofing barley (Hordeum vulgare) and its impact on grain quality: A review

Barley starch research is currently focused on the biosynthesis (enzymatic pathways), structure and the properties of barley grown under optimal conditions. With only limited information available on the effects of abiotic stress (drought) on starch structure, the need arises to determine the effects of genetic expression, inferring drought tolerance and its impact on starch biosynthesis and structure under terminal drought stress. Using size-exclusion chromatography for the first time can bring an understanding of how starch molecular structure is influenced by drought tolerance trait expression; this has the potential to improve our current knowledge of starch biosynthesis, structure and properties. This understanding may aid plant breeders in producing varieties that are drought-tolerant whilst maintaining the desired starch quality characteristics required by industry. In this review, starch hierarchical structure and molecular structural characterization methods are summarized. This is followed by an overview of our current knowledge of abiotic stress, stress tolerance and its impact on grain quality. Copyright (C) 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling