Barley production and consumption

Abstract

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a very important grain in the world today. It ranks fourth in both quantity produced and in area of cultivation of cereal crops in the world. The annual world harvest of barley in the late century was approximately 140 million tonnes from about 55 million ha. It is very versatile in every way and has well adapted through its evolution. In fact, it is the most adaptable cereals. Much of the world’s barley is produced in the regions where cereals such as maize and rice can not grow well. It extends into the arctic or subarctic. Some species approach the subtropical Zone. Hordeum species are found in most areas with Mediterranean climate. The genus is also represented in zones with an oceanic as well as a continental climate (Rasmusson 1985). Barley also has a very good resistance to dry heat compared to other small grains. This feature allows it to grow near desert areas such as North Africa.