Genome-wide association and functional studies reveal the genetic basis of salt tolerance in naked barley

INTRODUCTION: Developing salt-tolerant crops requires the identification of key genetic factors and regulatory networks to mitigate the threat of soil salinization to global food security. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify genotypes, quantitative trait loci (QTLs), and novel genes associated with salt tolerance during germination in naked barley. METHODS: We performed whole genome resequencing of 158 naked barley genotypes, combined with salt tolerance evaluation, genome-wide association analysis study (GWAS), and functional assays. RESULTS: contents but had minimal effects on biomass accumulations, confirming their roles in salt tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal coordinated regulatory modules governing salt responses in naked barley, with HvWAKL2, HvCML16 and HvBGL10 emerging as promising genetic targets for enhancing salt resilience, providing valuable genetic insights and resources for breeding salt-tolerant naked barley.