On-field assessment of the environmental modulation of malting quality in barley crops

•The environmental modulation of grain attributes affecting malt extract was assessed on-field.•Malt extract was affected by protein content, grain size, pasting temperature, and d- and γ-hordeins.•The effect of protein content on malt extract was non-linear and cultivar specific.•Temperature explored during sensitivity windows within grain filling determined grain size and pasting temperature.