Salt stress responses in Chenopodium quinoa Willd.: A comparative analysis of germination and early seedling growth across cultivars

This study investigated the impact of salt stress on seed germination and early seedling growth in five quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) cultivars. Seeds were subjected to sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations ranging from 0 to 205 mM. The Blanca de Junin cultivar exhibited superior performance, maintaining 100 % germination even at 205 mM NaCl, while Amarilla Sacaca showed the lowest germination percentage (63.75 %) at this concentration. Germination energy at 205 mM NaCl ranged from 92.5 % in Blanca de Junin to 56.25 % in Amarilla Sacaca. Seedling length reductions at 205 mM NaCl varied from 44.76 % in Blanca de Junin to 71.29 % in Salcedo. Radicle length decreased by 31.68-73.16 % under severe salt stress. The results highlight significant variability in salt tolerance among quinoa cultivars, with Blanca de Junin demonstrating robust salt tolerance during germination and seedling stages. These findings provide valuable insights for breeding salt-tolerant quinoa varieties and expanding cultivation to salt-affected regions, contributing to food security and sustainable agriculture in marginal lands.