Yield and morpho-physiological performance of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) genotypes as affected by phosphorus and zinc

Meeting nutritional needs and removing restrictions of nutrient uptake ensures quinoa production. This research has been conducted over a two year (2018-2020) in Khuzestan Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center to appraisal the role of P and Zn elements on changing quinoa genotypes performance by modifying photosynthetic processes and nutrients uptake. This experiment was run as factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three factors and three replicates. In this study, four levels of P2O5 fertilizer (0, 50, 100, 150 kg ha(-1)), three rates of ZnSO4 (0, 4 and 8 kg ha(-1)), and three genotypes of quinoa (Giza 1, Q26, Titicaca) were examined. Regarding results, the desirable performance of Giza 1 and Titicaca genotypes was observed in 100 kg ha(-1)of P2O5 fertilizer and 4 kg ha(-1) ZnSO4 treatment. An eight kg ha(-1) of ZnSO4 had a negative effect on the quinoa physiological indices. The number of grains per plant was identified as the essential feature, with 94.75% justification of grain yield changes. Nutrient's analysis exhibited the highest grain quality in top levels of P2O5 and ZnSO4 application, which differed with control mode. Pearson correlation results were implied that grain yield correlated positively and significantly (p <= 0.01) with chlorophyll index (CI), number of panicles per plant (NPP), number of grains per plant (NGP), and 1000-grain weight. Upmost photosynthetic power and nutrients efficiency were allocated to Q26 genotype at 150 kg ha(-1) level of P2O5 accompanied by 4 kg ha(-1) ZnSO4 foliar application, which led to higher grain production.