Effects of Deficit Irrigation Using Saline Water on 'Chenopodium quinoa Willd.' Grown in a Mediterranean Environment

Chenopodium quinoa Willd. is an Andean species that shows a good adaptability to different environmental conditions. A field trial was carried out in 2009 at the CNR - ISAFoM research station to evaluate the response of quinoa under combined stresses of salinity and water shortage. Three irrigation treatments were compared 100, 50, and 25% of the water necessary to replenish to field capacity the soil layer explored by roots. Each treatment was irrigated with saline (ECw 20 dS m(-1)) and non-saline water. Standing up to the high expectations, quinoa confirmed the resistance to salinity and water deficit and yield was not significantly different for both water and saline. Similar results were found also for plant water status parameters.