Identification of the gene network modules highly associated with the synthesis of phenolics compounds in barley by transcriptome and metabolome analysis

•A total of 118 pheonlic metabolites are identified during grain developing stages.•Phenolic metabolites are greatly affected by genotype and drought stress.•Two significant modules are uncovered by network analysis of 17,424 highly expressed genes.•Five hub genes and transcription factor bHLH131 are involved in phenoic pathway.