Water productivity of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) under mulch in the lower Indus basin using saline irrigation

Quinoa is highly tolerant of saline making it ideal for coastal regions due to its unique properties and nutritional value.To estimate the water productivity (WP) of quinoa Chenopodium quinoa using different qualities of Irrigation water under organic mulch.A furrow irrigation field experiment was carried out in 2023 and 2024.In the field, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) seeds were manually planted in rows separated by 0.5meters.The furrow irrigation method was utilized to apply two types of irrigation water: EC 4.7dS.m - 1 with organic mulch (T1) and non-mulch with EC 3.9dS.m - (T2).The difference between the two irrigation treatments including T1 and T2 for agronomic parameters are significant, as indicated by the Panicle Weight p-value of 0.0524, which is less than the significance level of 0.05.T1's WP was significantly higher than T2's, at 2.20kg.m - demonstrating the positive effects of organic mulch in comparison with T2 which was found as 1.53kg.m - .As mulch helps reduce the adverse environmental effects of limited irrigation, this can be deduced.The experiment demonstrates that soil mulching significantly improves quinoa growth, yield, and WP under saline, semi-arid environments.Quinoa's adaptability and potential for production in marginal lands are better understood by researching it in these areas.This crop may be essential for adjusting to the new climatic conditions as climate change continues to impact agricultural productivity.By encouraging sustainable land use practices, its cultivation can lessen the strain on more productive places.