Genetic Variation in Response to Salt Stress of Quinoa Grown under Controlled and Field Conditions

Abstract

The objective of this study was to understand the change in response of quinoa genotypes to divers salinity stress conditions e.g in controlled (net-house) and in the different saline fields. The pot experiment was conducted in a net-house at Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam in spring cropping season to characterize the growth and yield of six quinoa genotypes under four NaCl concentrations (0, 10, 20 and 30 dS m^-1). At the same time, in Nam Dinh and Hai Phong provinces, two coastal provinces that are most affected by seawater intrusion in the North of Vietnam, same genotypes were studied under two plant densities (20 x 5cm and 50 x 5cm). The results showed that salinity stresses reduced growth and yield characteristics of quinoa plant and varying due to different saline conditions. Plant density of quinoa grown under saline fields was not associated with difference in morphological traits but might relate to the change in yield characteristics. Salinity stresses reduced plant height, the number of leaves on main stem, the number of branches on plant, head panicle length, the number of branches per panicle, dry matter accumulation, 1000-seed weight, individual and grain yield of all quinoa genotypes. However, most of quinoa genotypes produced acceptable yield even under high salt conditions in the field. Among quinoa genotypes, Moradas and Verde adapted well to salt stress conditions with high potential for the number of leaves on main stem, the number of branches on plant, dry matter accumulation and yield than others. These should be recommended varieties for cultivation in saline areas in Vietnam as well as be useful to improve genetic resources in breeding program for salt tolerant quinoa varieties.