Implications of direct and indirect selection parameters for improvement of grain yield and quality components in Chenopodium quinoa Willd.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate direct and indirect selection criteria for the improvement of grain yield and quality components in Chenopodium quinoa Willd. Correlated response (CR) and relative selection efficiency (RSE) were estimated for grain yield and three quality components, grain protein, grain carotenoid and leaf carotenoid based on different contributing traits. Stem diameter, chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll and leaf carotenoid had high CR and RSE values for grain yield indicating the effectiveness of these traits in increasing grain yield. Grain protein and grain carotenoid exhibited negative CR and RSE values for grain yield indicating that direct selection for grain yield would lead to a slight decrease in these quality characters. Grain size was not of much significance either in increasing grain yield or any of the quality components. Grain yield can also be increased through indirect selection for stem diameter, while leaf pigments are likely to play a major role in enhancement of quality traits like leaf and grain carotenoid.