PJB-2024-573
Salinity Resilience; Exploring Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) Varieties’ Adaptive Mechanisms to Combat Salt Stress for Sustainable Agriculture and Land Prevention
Zarmina Gul
Abstract
Salt stress is one of the primary abiotic factors affecting crop productivity and yield. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Wild.) can provide valuable insights into breeding salt-resistant cultivated quinoa varieties. However, there is a substantial need to explore how quinoa responds and adapts to salt stress conditions. This study aims to evaluate the morphophysiological and biochemical mechanisms of three quinoa varieties—'UAF-Q7' (Q-1), 'White Quinoa' (Q-2), and 'Hybrid Quinoa' (Q-3)—under varying levels of salt stress, noting their differential salt tolerance. Quinoa seeds were pretreated with NaCl solutions at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mmol/L. We assessed the seed germination index, growth, seedling biomass, and other physiological and biochemical characteristics to analyze salt tolerance mechanisms in quinoa. The results indicated that as NaCl concentration increased, the seed germination percentage, germination potential, and germination index initially increased and then significantly started decreasing. Plant biomass, chlorophyll content, relative water content, soluble proteins, and antioxidant enzymatic activities also showed an increase followed by a decrease. In particular, antioxidant enzyme activities—involving superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase—in the leaves of Q-1 and Q-2 were significantly higher at 200 mmol/L NaCl compared to Q-3 under salinity stress. Additionally, the contents of soluble sugars, proline, and malondialdehyde in the leaves of all quinoa varieties increased noticeably with higher NaCl concentrations compared to CK. Furthermore, quinoa holds potential as parental material in breeding programs aiming at salt-resistant cultivated varieties. These findings are beneficial for developing salt-resistant quinoa through various agricultural practices under different salt regimes.
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