Genetic associations uncover candidate SNP markers and genes associated with salt tolerance during seedling developmental phase in barley

•Genetic basis of natural variation of germination and seedling-related traits under salt stress in worldwide barley collection.•Uncover the genetic factors influencing germination and seedling performance-related traits using 9K SNPs.•Novel stage- and trait-specific associations were detected by GWAS analysis.•Salt stress-responsive candidate genes encoding different proteins that regulate the studied traits were identified.•Interestingly, many candidate genes are potentially involved in salt tolerance e.g. potassium channel and Squamosa promoter-binding-like protein 6.