Reduce the negative effects of saline irrigation water on quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa l.) seedling growth with humic acid

This study was carried out in the Botany Department's laboratory at the Faculty of Science, Derna University, from January to April 2023. The objective was to investigate the impact of humic acid on the germination and vigor of quinoa seedlings subjected to varying salinity levels in the irrigation water. The experiment utilized three distinct salinity concentrations (1000, 2000, and 3000 ppm) alongside a control group, as well as three different concentrations of humic acid (0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6%) compared to a control. A completely randomized design was implemented with three replications. The findings indicated that the application of humic acid effectively mitigated the adverse effects of saline irrigation water, enhancing both the germination rates of quinoa seeds and the morphological traits of the seedlings. The incorporation of humic acid into the agricultural soil resulted in a notable increase in germination percentage, seedling height, and leaf area, which positively influenced both the fresh and dry weights of the plants in comparison to the control treatments.