bioRxiv · 2026-06-06
Researchers found they can use DNA-based prediction to select barley breeding lines with lower levels of a carcinogen precursor called glycosidic nitrile — and do it in the same season the plants grow, without waiting for a slow lab process that normally delays decisions.
All 176 elite barley breeding lines tested in 2023 produced glycosidic nitriles, confirming the trait is widespread in current germplasm.
Genomic selection successfully separated high and low glycosidic nitrile groups with a statistically significant mean difference of 0.8 ppm (P = 0.003), validating same-season selection as feasible.
Glycosidic nitrile content showed moderate heritability (h² = 0.42) and strong year-to-year genetic correlation (r = 0.79), indicating the trait is stable and genetically tractable despite being controlled by many genes.
