Barley
Hordeum vulgare
Barley is the cereal with the third highest European production. Although it can be grown at slightly more temperate regions than wheat, crop production is similarly expected to suffer from climate change, particularly from elevated temperatures, drought, and increased disease pressure.
lead by JHI
Barley Flagship crops News
15 – How genomics can help to unlock wild genetic potential for crop improvment
Modern crops have lost valuable genetic diversity through domestication, while crop wild relatives (CWRs) retain traits important for resilience and adaptation. The COUSIN Project provides high-quality genomic resources and maps for multiple CWR species, enabling the identification of beneficial genes and supporting their targeted introgression into modern crops to accelerate breeding for improved performance and resistance.
14 – Using Crop Wild Relatives in innovative food products – Translating crop diversity into practical food application
Crop wild relatives (CWRs) and CWR-derived materials from barley, wheat, pea and lettuce offer underused potential for innovative food product development. The COUSIN Project demonstrates how these resources can be incorporated into a range of food applications, supporting the creation of more diverse, nutritious and sustainable food systems.
13 – Nutritional value of Crop Wild Relatives (CWRs) – Using barley diversity to support better food quality
Barley crop wild relatives (CWRs) offer valuable genetic diversity for improving the nutritional quality of future barley varieties. The COUSIN Project highlights variation in key nutritional traits, supporting the identification of promising breeding materials for healthier, more resilient, and sustainable cropping and food systems.
Barley CWRs presented at Royal Highland Show
COUSIN partners from the James Hutton Institute presented findings from their work in the project on developing novel crosses between CWRs of barley and elite lines at the Royal Highland Show. The event took place in Edinburgh, UK between June 18th-21st 2026 and we...
Three days of activities and synergies for the third annual project meeting
The third COUSIN Annual Meeting took place from 25 to 27 May in Scandicci, Italy, and was hosted by the project partner Rete Semi Rurali. The event brought together representatives from across the consortium to review project achievements, exchange knowledge, and...
Cultivating Biodiversity: Educational Garden Planting at San Martín School with APRISCO
COUSIN partner Aprisco planted this academic year’s educational garden at San Martín School (Garganta la Olla), a partner in the “Farmland biodiversity for rural wellbeing” living lab. The same approach was followed as last year's garden, focusing on legumes and their...
9 – Making use of barley’s wild relative – Barley research in the COUSIN project for future agriculture
Wild barley holds valuable traits for low-input and diversified farming systems. The COUSIN Project develops and tests CWR-derived populations to improve traits like root architecture.
Unlocking the potential of Wild Crops: new progress in the COUSIN Project
Crop Wild Relatives (CWRs) carry genetic traits for resilience, productivity, and nutrition and could play a key role in the agroecological transition of European food systems. In its first 18 months, the COUSIN project is making strong progress towards understanding...
Exploring Wild Barley Genes to Improve Stress Resilience: updates from the Barley Working Group
Barley is one of the world’s oldest and most widely grown crops, yet its wild relatives still hold valuable untapped genetic diversity. The COUSIN project is investigating how crosses between cultivated barley and its wild ancestor can enhance traits like stress tolerance and adaptability. Promising results are emerging from both the field and lab.
