Evaluation of quantitative and biochemical characteristics of seed germination of quinoa genotypes (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) produced in the climatic conditions of Karaj

Quinoa, Chenopodium quinoa Willd, plays a strategic role in establishing food security under changing climatic conditions due to its nutritional value, genetic diversity, and high adaptability under stressful conditions and different environments. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the germination and biochemical characteristics of 12 quinoa genotypes adapted to the climatic conditions of Iran. This experiment was conducted in the form of the randomized complete blocks design with three replications in the Laboratory of Seed Physiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Guilan University. In this experiment, the characteristics of germination percentage, germination rate, germination uniformity, D10, D50, D90, radicle fresh and dry, shoot and seedling weight, radicle, shoot, and seedling length, electrical conductivity of seed solution, malondialdehyde content, alpha-amylase enzyme activity and saponin content were investigated. The analysis of the data's variance demonstrated significant differences between genotypes in all studied traits. Q26 Genotype showed high values in germination percentage (91.33%), germination rate, radicle, shoot and seedling length, seedling fresh weight, alpha-amylase enzyme activity (0.234 micromoles released glucose per one gram of seed weight) and saponin content. Q26 genotype had the worst, and Q2 and Q12 genotypes had the best performance in terms of germination uniformity, electrical conductivity of seed solution and malondialdehyde content, respectively. Among the studied genotypes, the Q26 genotype demonstrated better results in comparison with other genotypes. It seems that this genotype may have better conditions for planting in the climatic conditions of Iran