Evaluating the Effect of Cytokinin Foliar Application on Morphological Traits and Yield of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) under Optimal Irrigation and Drought Stress Conditions

Drought is the most important non-biotic stress which decreases growth and the yield of crop plants. Quinoa is a plant with high nutritional value and drought tolerant. To evaluate the effect of cytokinin foliar application on morphological traits and yield of quinoa cultivars, a split factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design was conducted during during 2017 cropping season with four replications at the research farm of Agriculture Faculty, the University of Zanjan. Experimental treatments were levels of irrigation (optimal irrigation, with -0.4 MPa and drought stress with -1.5 MPa) as main factor and sub factors were four quinoa cultivars (Q 26, Q 29, Giza1 and Red Carina) and foliar cytokinin with three levels (0, 50 and 100 μM). Irrigation and cultivar treatment had significant effect on all evaluated traits. Foliar application with cytokinin had significant effect on all traits except length of main ear and greeness index (SPAD). The maximum and minimum of grain yield 2364.7 and 1701.8 kg.ha-1, obtained under optimal irrigation and drought stress conditions, respectively. Drought stress reduced seed yield by 28 percent. The highest yields obtained by Giza 1 (2746.7 kg.ha-1) and Red Carina (2589.7 kg.ha-1) with the application 100 µm of cytokinin. The foliar application of cytokinin did not affect seed yields of Q 26 and Q 29 cultivars significantly. According to the results, Giza 1 can be recommended as a suitable cultivar under both optimum and drought stress conditions at the experimental site.