Barley is a crop that belongs to cereals, considered to be one of the oldest (barley was grown in the Near East over nine thousand years ago) and the most important crops in the world. Russia is currently the largest producer of barley. That crop is used above all in brewing industry (to produce barley malt) as well as in groats production. It is also a forage plant. Some kinds of barley are considered to be decorative plants, some others however - such as wall barley - are thought to be weeds.
