Characterizing of heavy metal accumulation, translocation and yield response traits of Chenopodium quinoa

Heavy metal contamination in soil is a major environmental threat that reduces crop productivity. Quinoa as a phytoremediation potential is a viable option to mitigate the effect of heavy metal stress. This study aimed to investigate the phytoremediation characteristics of four quinoa lines when exposed to soil contaminated with heavy metal. Four quinoa lines (A1, A2, A7, and A9) were allowed to grow in three fields (control (UAF), Chakera farm (UAF), and Chakera village) under RCBD split plot arrangement with three replication. Maximum seed yield (4100 kg ha−1) was obtained by A7 which was statistically similar to the A2 line (3648 kg ha−1) obtained from Chakera Farm (UAF) having sewage water application. While low yield was obtained from A9 (1482 kg ha−1) in normal soil (control). Both A7 and A2 lines exhibited higher biomass and seed yield at three fields. Both fields having sewage water application resulted in higher growth and superb seed yield of quinoa lines as compared to the control. Quinoa lines (A2 and A7) attained (51 and 43%) high seed yield at Chakera farm (UAF) having sewage water application in comparison to control having normal irrigation. Seed quality was substantially affected by heavy metal concentration in both contaminated fields. Metals concentration determined in seed samples of A7 was high as compared to A2. Hence A2 may be said a nutritionally superior quinoa line as metal levels were within the permissible level set by FAO/WHO.