Genotype-dependent responses to long-term water stress in Chenopodium quinoa Willd

Abstract

Within the current climate context, freshwater resources have become scarce. Agriculture, especially in rain-fed conditions, should deal with the need for increasing yields to contribute to food security under limiting water availability. Exploring underutilized crops such as Chenopodium quinoa (quinoa) has become a unique opportunity as some of these crops possess the ability to tolerate several abiotic stresses, including drought. In line with this, this work aimed at evaluating the genotype-dependent response to drought by comparing the performance of different European-adapted cultivars (F14, F15, F16, and Titicaca). The results show that the cultivars here evaluated presented different mechanisms to cope with long-term water stress, including changes in phenology, morphology, or physiology. Among them, the cultivar F16 might be the most promising genotype to grow under water-limiting conditions as it was able to increase Water Use Efficiency (WUE), reducing the stomatal conductance and keeping CO2 assimilation rates similar to well-watered conditions, maintaining seed yield and increasing harvest index (HI) under water deficit conditions. Furthermore, based on these results, we propose a model in which differences between a tolerant and a sensitive genotype are presented. Altogether, we believe that this work will significantly contribute to broadening our understanding regarding how quinoa responds to long-term water stress highlighting genotype-related differences that will allow the selection of the best adapted genotypes for water-limiting environments.

Woody Biochar Rate and Water Shortage Impact on Early Growth Stages of Chenopodium quinoa Willd.

“…Considering the growth habits defined by Rojas and Pinto for quinoa [72], Titicaca falls within habit 4, which presents more leaves and a larger leaf area, leading to a higher susceptibility to water losses due to the higher total leaf surface and higher sensitivity to water-limiting conditions. Therefore, the reduction in Ψ and RWC of the 2%-treated plants could be attributed to Titicaca's rapid growth and high leaf expansion rate [73], as also reported by Maestro-Gaitán et al [50]. Regardless of the biochar rate, under the 50% restitution of evapotranspiration losses, the Ψ value decreased, reaching a value of −3.2 MPa compared to the 100% restitution conditions (−2.6 MPa), as previously reported by other authors for Titicaca [32,35].…”

“…This might be due to the high phenological plasticity already reported for different genotypes of quinoa [49]. Maestro-Gaitán et al [50] highlighted the genotype effect associated with water limitations in this crop. The delayed flowering used as a drought-adaptive mechanism, as already observed in the F15 [50] and Santa Maria [51] genotypes that showed an increased time to anthesis and physiological maturity under severe water deficiency [51], might also occur in Titicaca.…”

“…Using biochar boosted the soil nutrient availability, increasing the panicle length and grain yield in rapeseed [18]; however, a large biochar application significantly increased the soil pH and electrical conductivity, inhibiting the nutrient uptake [17] and crop growth [69]. Under deficit irrigation, a notable yield decrease has been observed by several authors [32,50] for quinoa Titicaca. Telahigue et al [70] showed that re-establishing evapotranspiration by 60% and 30% significantly reduced the quinoa yield up to 27% and 74%, respectively.…”

“…Maestro-Gaitán et al [50] highlighted the genotype effect associated with water limitations in this crop. The delayed flowering used as a drought-adaptive mechanism, as already observed in the F15 [50] and Santa Maria [51] genotypes that showed an increased time to anthesis and physiological maturity under severe water deficiency [51], might also occur in Titicaca. The delayed flowering phenomena was also reported in maize [52] and rice [53] when water limitations were applied during the vegetative growing cycle.…”

Physiological Responses, Oxidative Status and Productive Performance of Barki Sheep fed Dietary Addition with Quinoa Seeds and Exposed to Solar Radiation

“…Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a halophytic plant that tolerate harsh environmental conditions such as salty/acid soils and cold/ hot climates. It has received much interest due to its high nutritive and biological values (Maestro-Gaitán et al, 2022). Quinoa seeds are gluten-free and contain high-quality protein, carbohydrates, omega-3 fatty acids, and important minerals, so quinoa is considered a "super food".…”