Chemical composition of Hordeum vulgare var. rimpaui grain under reduced tillage and Methylobacterium symbioticum application
Issue: 2/2026
Recevied: March 17, 2026
Accepted: May 15, 2026
Published: May 18, 2026
Authors:
K. Błaszczyk, M. Szczepanek
Categories: Agricultural
DOI: 10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3843
Abstract:
Agronomic practices, including soil tillage and fertilisation, exert a profound influence on the nutritional quality of cereal grains, particularly in organic farming. This study assessed the effect of soil tillage (reduced vs ploughing) and foliar application of the nitrogen-fixing bacterium Methylobacterium symbioticum (single and double application) on the chemical composition of black barley (Hordeum vulgare var. rimpaui) cultivated organically. A field study was conducted in two distinct growing seasons (2023–2024) on an organic farm located in west-central Poland. Grain was analysed for macro- and micronutrients, protein content and amino acid profile, starch, dietary fibre, β-glucan, and total phenols. The crop responses were influenced by the weather conditions. Tillage system had an impact on most of the parameters, with ploughing increasing the content of P, K, Mg, total phenols, and, under less favourable hydrothermal conditions, protein content and amino acid composition. Conversely, reduced tillage led to improved grain density. Application of M. symbioticum had a limited effect, primarily enhancing starch content following double application. However, when combined with reduced tillage, the biostimulant enhanced dietary fibre and β-glucan accumulation. Grain yield and size parameters were positively correlated with Mg, Ca, and amino acid contents, whereas micronutrient concentrations were negatively associated with grain size. Overall, the results indicate that reduced tillage combined with microbial fertilisation can improve selected quality traits of black barley grain, supporting its sustainable cultivation in organic systems.
Citation:
JELEM / HARVARD
MDPI
AMA
CHICAGO
Keywords:
About issue:


