Introduction and Objective: Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa, Willd), belonged to Chenopodiaceae, is a very tolerant plant to unfavorable environmental conditions which exhibit great tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Quinoa is an optional halophyte plant that can tolerate sea level salinity (40 dSm-1) and have a favorable economic performance in most areas of Iran that have little annual rainfall (the country's average rainfall is about 250 mm) and cannot be cultivated due to the salinity and drought of the soil.
Material and Methods: In order to study the ionic changes and reaction of some genes involved in salinity stress, Titicaca genotype was planted under the effect of two salinity levels 6.9 dSm-1 (1:1 sea water:double distilled water) and 13.8 dSm-1 (sea water) along with control in two replications considering to factor of sampling time, using factorial (time in 9 level and salinity in 2 level) based on completely randomized design. After applying salt treatments, at 6 hours and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days after salt application, leaf samples were collected. In this research the accumulation of sodium and potassium ions along with expression changes of four related to salinity including NHX, SOS1, CMO and BADH were evaluated.
Results: The results showed that the accumulation of sodium and potassium ions in leaves was affected by salinity and at the probability level of 1%, there was a relatively significant increase in both salinity levels. It was demonstrated toward increasing salinity days and applied salinity level, expression of four salinity related genes changed according to accumulation and presence of ions in cells. According to present study, NHX gene in Quinoa expressed at 50 and 100% salinity of sea water from first day and continuing salinity resulted to increase in expression of SOS1 gene. Accordingly, SOS1 expression pattern showed increase in expression at 50% salinity level on 1st, 2nd and 3rd days. On 3rd day at both stress levels, expression of CMO and then BADH increased.
Conclusion: According to the results of this research, the quinoa like other halophytes, uses several mechanisms including ion regulation and changes in gene expression patterns, to tolerate salt stress. Due to the existence of limited research on this important plant, the findings of this research can be used as a suitable guide for further studies.
Type of Study:
Research |
Subject:
Special Received: 2023/10/29 | Accepted: 2024/03/10