The Effect of Cytokinin on Physiological and Related Traits with Yield of Quinoa under Drought Stress Conditions

In order to investigate the effects of foliar application of 6-benzylaminopurine on physiological traits, yield and yield components of quinoa (cultivar Q26) an factorial experiment has been conducted, based on randomized complete block design with four replications at the research farm of Agriculture Faculty, the University of Zanjan, during cropping seasons of 2017. The experimental factors include optimal irrigation (-0.4 MPa) and drought stress (-1.5 MPa) as primary factor and foliar 6-benzylaminopurine in three levels (0, 50, and 100 μM) as the secondary one. Irrigation treatment has significant effect on all traits, except chlorophyll b and cartenoide. Drought stress increases electrolyte leakage (EL), proline, and Harvest index (HI) though it has a declingin effect on other traits. The effect of irrigation and hormone interaction has been considerable, except for chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, thousand weight grain, and biomass yield. The highest grain yield (215.75 g.m2) in optimal irrigation is observed in 50 μM and in drought stress condition with 149.76 g.m2, obtained in 100 μM of cytokinin. The maximum harvest index (25.6%) can be observed in the control treatment of drought stress. Results show that applying cytokinin reduces the unfavorable effects on quinoa; therefore, this hormone’s foliar can be a solution to enhance the grain yield of quinoa under drought stress conditions.