High-quality phenotypic and genotypic dataset of barley genebank core collection to unlock untapped genetic diversity

Abstract

Bac kgr ound: Genebanks around the globe serve as v alua b le r e positories of genetic di v ersity, offering not onl y access to a broad spec- trum of plant material but also critical resources for enhancing crop resilience , ad vancing scientific resear c h, and supporting global food security. To this end, traditional genebanks are evolving into biodigital resource centers where the inte gr ation of phenotypic and genotypic data for accessions can dri v e mor e informed decision-making, optimize r esour ce allocation, and unloc k new opportunities for plant breeding and resear c h. How ever, the cur ation and av aila bility of inter opera b le phenotypic and genotypic data for genebank accessions is still in its infancy and r e pr esents an obstacle to rapid scientific discoveries in this field. Ther efor e, effecti v el y pr omoting FAIR (i.e., finda b le, accessib le, inter opera b le, and r eusa b le) access to these data is vital for maximizing the potential of genebanks and dri ving pr ogr ess in a gricultural innov ation. F indings: Here w e provide whole genome sequencing data of 812 barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) plant genetic resources and 298 European elite materials released between 1949 and 2021, as well as the phenotypic data for 4 disease resistance traits and 3 a gr onomic traits. The robustness of the investigated traits and the inter opera bility of genomic and phenotypic data were assessed in the current publication, aiming to make this panel pub licl y av aila b le as a r esource for futur e genetic r esear c h in barley. Conclusions: The data showed br oad phenotypic v aria bility and high association mapping potential, offering a key resource for iden- tifying genebank donors with untapped genes to advance barley breeding while safeguarding genetic diversity.