Agronomic performance and stress resilience of quinoa genotypes under arid conditions of Rajasthan

Quinoa ( Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), a highly nutritious and climate-resilient pseudocereal native to the Andean region, has emerged as a promising crop for cultivation in marginal environments globally, including the hot arid regions of India. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of 24 quinoa genotypes under agroclimatic conditions in Nagaur, Rajasthan, during the Rabi season of 2022–2023. The agro-morphological traits, yield components, and biochemical characteristics, including total phenolic content, moisture, and ash content, were assessed. Significant variability in plant height ranged from 61.83 cm to 130.53 cm, the number of primary branches (13.80 to 23.84), inflorescence length (19.1 to 35.13), and grain yield (560 kg/ha to 1960 kg/ha) was detected among the genotypes. Cluster analysis divided the genotypes into two distinct groups, with Cluster 1 genotypes (e.g., EC896062 and EC896218) exhibiting superior agronomic and nutritional traits. Early and stable flowering behavior, along with high moisture content in process samples, was noted in EC896079 and EC896201. In contrast, high phenolic retention after processing was recorded in EC896109 and EC896062, while high ash content after processing was observed in EC896069 and SHQ4. The study concluded that quinoa can be effectively cultivated under the saline and drought-prone conditions of Rajasthan when cultivated during the November -April growing season. Genotypes EC896062 and EC896218 were identified as the most promising lines, combining high yield potential and superior grain quality traits, and may serve as parental lines for future breeding programs aimed at enhancing quinoa adaptation and nutritional value in arid environments.