Agronomic performance and phenolic profile of Tritordeum (x Tritordeum martinii A. Pujadas) lines

Background and objectives: Tritordeum, a cereal obtained by crossing a durum wheat and a wild barley, has attracted interest for its suitability as a functional food crop, but the phenolic compounds present in the grain and the agronomic effect of crop year on levels of phenolics have yet to be elucidated. The objective of the present three-year study was to analyze the agronomic aspects and phenolic acid content of five Tritordeum lines grown in Southern Italy. Findings: Agronomical results showed the good potential of this cereal that can be considered a promising species for this environment, highlighting that at present the Tritordeum JB1, HT444, and HT621 resulted in higher values than durum wheat for most of the grain parameters (harvest index, height of plant, test weight, 1,000-kernel weight, and protein content) and phenolic content (gallic, p-hydroxybenzoic, chlorogenic, and gentisic). Despite until recent days limited information is available about the concentration and the composition of phenolic acids in Tritordeum, twelve phenolic acids were identified across the genotypes. Conclusions: Tritordeum showed a relevant concentration of free phenolic acids and in particular HT621 contains the highest amounts of ferulic and sinapic acids. Moreover, cinnamic and gentisic acids have been reported in Tritordeum grain for the first time, being reported only in other cereals. Significance and novelty: To our knowledge, no other studies have reported as complete a phenolic profile of the species. Tritordeum has good potential for the production of food products rich in phenolic compounds.