Physiological responses and proteomic analysis of different barley varieties under alkaline stress

Soil salinization threatens agricultural development, and understanding the alkali tolerance mechanism of barley is crucial for breeding. Using the alkali-tolerant barley variety Jia-HY460-6R and the alkali-sensitive variety Noire Maroc as materials, morphological and physiological indicators were determined and proteomic analysis was conducted after treatment with 100 mmol·L⁻¹ Na₂CO₃:NaHCO₃. The results showed that Jia-HY460-6R was superior to Noire Maroc in growth indicators, antioxidant capacity, ion balance, and osmotic regulation. A total of 1359 differentially expressed proteins were identified, and 27 key proteins were screened, involving multiple metabolic pathways such as the MAPK signaling pathway. This study provides a basis for understanding the molecular mechanism of barley alkali tolerance and breeding.