Abstract
Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important food crop grown worldwide and it is important to investigate the quality of its grain as affected by various environmental conditions. In this study, barley was grown under increasing salt stress (0, 40, 80, and 120 mmol/l of NaCl) and the nutritional quality of its seeds was evaluated for their proximate composition, phenolic compounds and micro- and macro-mineral contents. Phenolic compounds of barley seeds increased significantly from 1.75 (control) to 1.95 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight of barley seed in 120 mmol/l NaCl. Cu, Mg, and Ni contents were decreased whereas Fe, Mo, and Zn contents were increased significantly by increasing salinity. Among the macro-minerals in barley seeds cultivated under salt stress only K contents increased whereas Ca, Mg, P, and S contents were decreased significantly.