The effect of gamma rays on quinoa plant and evaluation of promising genotypes under salinity stress

There is no doubt that use of hybridization programs in the quinoa plant genotypes to induce genetic variation is difficult, however introducing the variations through mutation, to obtain promising genotypes, is much easier. In this research, quinoa seeds (Chipaya cv.) exposed to different doses of gamma rays and were cultivated in pots and open field under salinity stress. The results showed distinct differences at all studied traits in the native and mutant plants. Gamma ray’s irradiation caused genetic variations that was categorized based on studied traits, tolerance indices, cluster analysis of protein and ISSR data, which led to obtaining two promising mutations during M2. It should be noted that 90 and 120 Gy revealed the highest effects in producing desirable genetic variations. Also, the data resulting from the evaluation of phenotypic traits and tolerance indices of plants were confirmed by the biochemical and molecular analysis results. This research is providing new insights of using molecular breeding program for quinoa improvement to produce new promising genotypes powerfully face environmental stress and potential aid in future food shortage disasters.