Objectives: Salinity is one of the most important environmental stress factors that limits both seed germination and
seedling develop. Seedling stage is the most susceptible stage of plants to salt stress. The aim of this work is to study
the effect of salt stress on anatomical and physiological features of cotyledons and ischolar_mains of the seedlings of four quinoa
cultivars (Witulla, Wariponcho, Pasankalla and CICA). Methods/ Statistical Analysis: Seed germination and seedling
growth was carried out under 0 and 200 mM NaCl during 10 days. Root length and diameter, and ischolar_main proton extrusion
were measured. Soluble sugars and proline concentrations were determined in both cotyledons and ischolar_mains. Anatomical
attributes of cotyledons (adaxial and abaxial stomatal area and density, palisade and spongy cell layers, palisade cell
density) and ischolar_mains (stele diameter and surface, metaxylem vessel diameter) were also analyzed. Findings: Salt stress
caused physiological and anatomical changes in cotyledons and ischolar_mains. Sucrose, glucose and fructose concentrations were
more affected in cotyledons than in ischolar_mains of salt-treated seedlings. Proline accumulation was more affected in ischolar_mains. Saline
stress affected differentially the anatomical attributes of quinoa cultivars. Application/Improvements: Quinoa seedlings
when subjected to salt stress are able to develop a set of anatomical, physiological and biochemical adaptive mechanisms
which seem to occur at different combinations among quinoa cultivars, but giving similar abilities to cope with the excess
of salt and survive under extreme conditions.
Keywords
