Agronomic Performance, Eco-Physiological Responses, and Grain Quality in Two-Row Malting Barley Lines in an Arid Environment

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Abstract
Malting barley grown in arid regions faces constraints related to water and heat stress, as well as mechanical damage caused by wind, all of which affect yield and grain quality. The objective of this study was to characterize agronomic performance, yield components, leaf eco-physiological indicators, and grain biochemical composition in eight two-row malting barley lines (CEMEXICA series) cultivated under arid conditions in the Mexicali Valley. Plant height, spike morphological traits, biomass, yield, thousand-kernel weight, and biochemical variables (starch, protein, fiber, and moisture) were evaluated. In addition, leaf eco-physiological indicators were measured, including stomatal conductance, NBI, total chlorophyll, SPAD, and NDVI. The results showed significant variability among lines, with CEMEXICA-18, CEMEXICA-20, and CEMEXICA-10 standing out for higher yield (up to 8.1 t ha⁻¹) and favorable values for thousand-kernel weight and number of grains per spike. Eco-physiological indices enabled the differentiation of functional strategies among genotypes, particularly NBI and SPAD, whereas NDVI showed lower sensitivity. Regarding grain composition, CEMEXICA-20 and CEMEXICA-18 exhibited the best combination of starch content and protein levels, which are critical attributes for malting quality. Overall, the results indicate that integrating morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits allows the identification of lines with high potential for malt production in arid zones, highlighting the relevance of multi-trait selection for high-stress environments.

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