Genotypic Variation of Gas Exchange Parameters and Leaf Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes in Ten Quinoa Cultivars Grown under Drought

Abstract

Genotypic variations in leaf gas exchange and grain yield were analysed in 10 highland‐adapted quinoa cultivars grown in the field under drought conditions. Trials took place in an arid mountain region of the Northwest of Argentina (Encalilla, Amaicha del Valle, 22°31′S, 65°59′W). Significant changes in leaf gas exchange and grain yield among cultivars were observed. Our data demonstrate that leaf stomatal conductance to water vapour (gs) is a major determinant of net CO2 assimilation (An) because quinoa cultivars with inherently higher gs were capable of keeping higher photosynthesis rate. Aboveground dry mass and grain yield significantly varied among cultivars. Significant variations also occurred in chlorophyll, N and P content, photosynthetic nitrogen‐use efficiency (PNUE), specific leaf area (SLA), intrinsic water‐use efficiency (iWUE) and carboxylation capacity (An/Ci). Many cultivars gave promissory grain yields with values higher than 2000 kg ha−1, reaching for Sayaña cultivar 3855 kg ha−1. Overall, these data indicate that cultivars, which showed higher photosynthesis and conductances, were also generally more productive. Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) was positively correlated with the grain yield and negatively with iWUE, but δ15N did not show significant correlations. This study provides a reliable measure of specific responses of quinoa cultivars to drought and it may be valuable in breeding programmes.

Transcriptome Analysis of Drought Induced Stress in <i>Chenopodium quinoa</i>

“…This relationship was seen by Jensen et al [44] when the net photosynthesis of drought quinoa plants dropped from 14 -24 µmol m . Certain quinoa varieties that have inherently higher leaf stomatal conductance to water vapor are capable of retaining higher photosynthesis rates [45]. While we did not measure ABA concentrations in the root or xylem, it appears that both varieties showed common drought responses with a decrease in leaf stomatal conductance and net photosynthetic rate.…”

Draft genome sequence of an inbred line ofChenopodium quinoa, an allotetraploid crop with great environmental adaptability and outstanding nutritional properties

“…vulgaris ) and spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.) 1 , 2 . The major area of quinoa cultivation ranges from Columbia to central Chile, 3 , 4 and includes altitudes from sea level up to 4,000 m above sea level 5 and annual rainfalls of 80 mm to 2,000 mm 1 , 2 , 6 . Quinoa is therefore well adapted to grow under adverse climatic and soil conditions 7 and displays high tolerance to drought, 8 , 9 soil salinity, 10 , 11 and frost 12 .…”

Chenopodium quinoa Willd. A new cash crop halophyte for saline regions of Egypt

“…Quinoa as a halophytic species has the ability to cope with salinity levels as high as those present in sea water Hariadi et al, 2011;Shabala et al, 2013;Panuccio et al, 2014). It is highly resistant to drought (Gonzalez et al, 2009a;Jacobsen et al, 2009;Gonzalez et al, 2011). Also, quinoa is well adapted to freezing temperature, wind and UV since it could be grown at an elevation of 3500-3900 m above the sea level Gonzalez et al, 2009b).…”