Phenotypic characterization and genetic dissection of the yield-attributing traits of exotic quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa L.) germplasm

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa L.) is a highly nutritious, climate-resilient crop with high levels of phenotypic and genotypic variability. Three replications of a randomised complete block design (RBCD) were used in a field experiment at the Bangladesh Agricultural University in Mymensingh for phenotypic characterisation of 46 quinoa genotypes and genetic dissection of traits which are crucial for genetic improvement. The quantitative parameters studied are: days to maturity (DM), plant height (PH), panicle weight (PW), 1000-seed weight (TSW), above ground biomass (AGB), harvest index (HI) and yield per plant (YPP) showed substantial (p ≤ 0.01) differences. Kaust-09755, Kaust-10860, Kaust-09386, Kaust-09385, Kaust-10810, Kaust-09379 and Kaust-10804 showed promising potential for yield improvements. Traits such as PH, PW, AGB and YPP exhibited high heritability and genetic advance. Yield per plant showed significant positive correlations with DM, PH, PW and AGB, with PW and AGB having the strongest direct impacts on yield. Genotypes were grouped into four distinct clusters, based upon D2 analysis, with clusters III and IV being the most divergent. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that PC1 explained 55.10 % of the variability, with high positive loading for YPP, PW and AGB. Cluster and principal component analyses identified Kaust-05784, Kaust-09391, Kaust-10860 and SAU Quinoa-1 as highly divergent and suitable donor parents for future breeding programs.