Quinoa Seed Quality Response to Sodium Chloride and Sodium Sulfate Salinity

Abstract

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is an Andean crop with an edible seed that both contains high protein content and provides high quality protein with a balanced amino acid profile in embryonic tissues. Quinoa is a halophyte adapted to harsh environments with highly saline soil. In this study, four quinoa varieties were grown under six salinity treatments and two levels of fertilization, and then evaluated for quinoa seed quality characteristics, including protein content, seed hardness, and seed density. Concentrations of 8, 16, and 32 dS m-1 of NaCl and Na2SO4, were applied to the soil medium across low (1 g N, 0.29 g P, 0.29 g K per pot) and high (3 g N, 0.85 g P, 0.86 g K per pot) fertilizer treatments. Seed protein content differed across soil salinity treatments, varieties, and fertilization levels. Protein content of quinoa grown under salinized soil ranged from 13.0 to 16.7%, comparable to that from non-saline conditions. NaCl and Na2SO4 exhibited different impacts on protein content. Whereas the different concentrations of NaCl did not show differential effects on protein content, the seed from 32 dS m-1 Na2SO4 contained the highest protein content. Seed hardness differed among varieties, and was moderately influenced by salinity level (P = 0.09). Seed density was affected significantly by variety and Na2SO4 concentration, but was unaffected by NaCl concentration. The samples from 8 dS m-1 Na2SO4 soil had lower density (0.66 g/cm3) than those from 16 dS m-1 and 32 dS m-1 Na2SO4, 0.74 and 0.72g/cm3, respectively. This paper identifies changes in critical seed quality traits of quinoa as influenced by soil salinity and fertility, and offers insights into variety response and choice across different abiotic stresses in the field environment.

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

“…In the present study, soil salinity did not significantly influence on protein content of Peruvian cultivar Hualhuas. Similar trend obtained by Wu et al (2016) who reported that increasing NaCl concentrations up to 32 dSm -1 did not alter protein content in quinoa seeds. In this regard, mentioned that the lower C/N ratio at high saline levels (>300 mM NaCl) was a reasonable explanation of an increase in protein content, accompanied with a reduction in total carbohydrate.…”

Current Trends in Ancient Grains‐Based Foodstuffs: Insights into Nutritional Aspects and Technological Applications

“…From an economic point of view, ancient grains are low‐input crops with lower needs in fertilizers and they might be a suitable crop in lower‐income countries. Quinoa, for example, is known for its tolerance to soil salinity indicating its suitability to harsh conditions (Wu and others ).…”

Effect of high temperature on pollen morphology, plant growth and seed yield in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

“…is an ancient seed crop from the Andean region, and in the last 30 years, it has gained considerable attention worldwide due to its nutritional and health benefits, as well as its flavourful and high‐quality seeds (Aluwi, Murphy, & Ganjyal, ; Kowalski, Medina‐Meza, Thapa, Murphy, & Ganjyal, ; Wu, Morris, & Murphy, , ; Wu, Ross, Morris, & Murphy, ). Most notably, it is prized for its well‐balanced complement of amino acids and high mineral concentration of iron, calcium and phosphorus (González, Konishi, Bruno, Valoy, & Prado, ; Navruz‐Varli & Sanlier, ; Vega‐Gálvez et al., ; Wu, ; Wu, Peterson, Morris, & Murphy, ). In the last few years, quinoa production has been spreading around the world (Bazile, Jacobsen, & Verniau, ; Jacobsen, ).…”