Work

Severe salinity reshapes the ionomic and metabolic profiles of quinoa leaves and seeds in a genotype-dependent manner

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Quinoa ( Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a highly salt-tolerant crop with considerable potential for cultivation in salt-affected areas. However, responses to severe salinity may differ among genotypes and between vegetative and reproductive organs. In this study, five quinoa genotypes, two of Andean origin and three of European origin, were exposed to 400 mM NaCl, and their growth, reproductive performance, ionomic composition, nitrogen allocation, and primary metabolome were evaluated in leaves and seeds. Despite substantial reductions in plant biomass and seed yield, all genotypes completed their life cycle and produced seeds under severe salinity. Growth and yield responses were presominantly genotype-dependent, although the three European genotypes examined showed a higher harvest index than the two Andean genotypes under both control and saline conditions. Salinity induced marked Na + and Cl − accumulation and genotype-dependent changes in K + homeostasis. Among the genotypes examined, seed K + increased in both Andean genotypes but remained unchanged in the three European genotypes, whereas leaf K + was maintained or increased in the European genotypes but decreased or remained unchanged in the Andean genotypes. Salinity also enhanced glycinebetaine accumulation in both leaves and seeds and altered leaf nitrogen distribution, with the magnitude of these responses varying among genotypes. 1 H-NMR-based metabolomic analysis revealed extensive genotype-dependent changes in primary metabolism. In leaves, proline generally accumulated, whereas several abundant amino acids and TCA-cycle intermediates decreased or showed contrasting responses among genotypes. Seed metabolic profiles also showed marked genotype-dependent responses to severe salinity. Overall, the results indicate that the response of quinoa to 400 mM NaCl involves common responses, including enhanced glycinebetaine accumulation, together with pronounced genotype-dependent adjustments in growth, reproductive performance, ion homeostasis, nitrogen allocation, and primary metabolism.

Source: Frontiers in Plant Science

DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1991117

Authors: Nieves Fernandez-Garcia, Inmaculada Roman-Garcia, Sven-Erick Jacobsen, Enrique Olmos

Institutions: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura

Language: English

Topic: Plant Stress Responses and Tolerance

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801