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International Conference on

Recent Trends in Environmental Sustainability

ESCON22/ETERM/61
Effect of nickel on growth and physiological attributes of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa
Willd.)

Maria Aslam 1*, Dr. Ghulam Abbas1, Dr. Behzad Murtaza1, Dr. Asif Naeem
1Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari- Campus,
61100 Pakistan
Correspondence: ghulamabbas@cuivehari.edu.pk

Abstract
Quinoa is an edible crop which is consumed in various ways. There are many abiotic stresses
that affect the yield of quinoa crop. Nickel (Ni) is very severe threat for nutritional and growth
aspects of quinoa crop. To explore the Ni tolerance potential of quinoa, a hydroponic
experiment was conducted at the Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS
University Islamabad, Vehari Campus. Two quinoa genotypes (PUNO and A7) were exposed
to increasing concentrations of Ni (0, 100, 200, 300, 400 ppm). Results of the experiments
showed that plant growth and pigments contents of both genotypes decreased with increasing
concentrations of Ni in the solution. The concentration of Ni increased while K decreased in
root and shoot of both quinoa genotypes. Comparison of both genotypes showed that Puno was
better tolerant to Ni toxicity than A7 due to less uptake of toxic ions and less reduction in
physiological attributes. Greater accumulation of Ni in roots of both genotypes indicated that
quinoa can be grown on Ni contaminated soils for Ni Phyto stabilization.

Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus

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