Differential growth, morphological characters, and yield of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) genotypes grown on salt degraded soil

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), a high-value halophytic crop, is a promising candidate to ensure food security in the scenario of increasing soil salinization due to climate change. In a 2-year field study (during 2018–2019 and 2019–2020), 18 quinoa genotypes of different origins (Q-4, Q-6, Q-9, Q-7, Q11, Q-15, Q-22, Q-24, Q-27, Q-45, Q-50, Q-51, Q-52, Q-76, Q-81, Q82, Q-124, and Q-126) were grown at two different locations (salt-affected and normal soil having electrical conductivity (EC) of 16.24 and 1.76 dS m⁻¹, respectively). Morphological, physiological, and yield parameters were recorded to assess the impact of salinity on different genotypes of quinoa. All the tested genotypes performed better in normal soil (37% more yield) than salt-affected soils. Under salt-affected conditions, differential salt tolerance responses of quinoa genotypes were observed. Among tested genotypes, Q-7 achieved the highest chlorophyll content index, biological mass (7905 kg ha⁻¹), and seed yield (1916 kg ha⁻¹) under salt-affected conditions, it was followed by Q-81. Salt stress caused up to 94% reduction of seed yield in the salt-sensitive genotype (Q-11), while the salt-tolerant genotype (Q-81) showed only 15% reduction in seed yield. Morphological characteristics of quinoa genotypes were differently influenced by salt stress. The salt-tolerant accessions Q-7 and Q-81 exhibited similar morphological characteristics. Based on the findings of this study, salt-tolerant quinoa genotypes can be successfully grown in salt-degraded soils (with EC ≤ 16.24 dS m⁻¹) in extreme winter seasons with arid climatic conditions.