MULTI-REGIONAL STUDY OF GENOTYPE x ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS IN FLAVONOID ACCUMULATION OF BARLEY (HORDEUM VULGARE L.) GRAINS

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a nutritionally and functionally important crop, valued for its bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, which contribute to human health and crop resilience. This study evaluated the flavonoid content in grains of 15 barley genotypes grown in three regions of Yunnan Province: Kunming, Qujing, and Yuxi in China. Flavonoid analysis included catechin, myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, and total flavonoids. Results revealed significant genotype- and region-specific variations in flavonoid accumulation. Yunpi 10 exhibited the highest catechin levels (65.78 mu g/g) in Yuxi, while Yundamai 13YD-1 and Baodamai 17 showed the highest myricetin content (755.94 mu g/g and 372.76 mu g/g, respectively). Quercetin peaked in Yunpi 9 (38.45 mu g/g) and kaempferol in Yunpi 11 (112.64 mu g/g), both in Kunming. Total flavonoid content ranged from 47.53 to 490.45 mu g/g, with Yundamai 13YD-1 reaching the highest level (805.16 mu g/g) in Yuxi. Kunming and Yuxi regions generally supported higher flavonoid accumulation. Yundamai 13YD-1 and Baodamai 17, high in myricetin and total flavonoids, are promising for barley breeding programs. These findings highlight the influence of genetic and environmental factors on flavonoid biosynthesis in barley and identify promising genotypes for breeding programs focused on enhancing barley's nutritional and functional properties.