Variability in cadmium stress and accumulation in quinoa: Potential role of crop domestication and selection in mediating differences in resilience and uptake

Rodriguez-Sanchez A.; Jimenez-Castaneda M.; Filley T.; Brenner D.; Macedo D.; Casa V.H.; Hoagland L. · Science of the Total Environment (2026) · DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.181058

Resumen

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a nutritious crop expanding in importance worldwide, though its capacity to accumulate high concentrations of cadmium (Cd) can put consumers at risk. Quinoa cultivars vary in Cd uptake providing an opportunity to solve this challenge through breeding. Determining how domestication and selection in distinct ecoregions has altered the capacity for quinoa plants to respond to Cd stress and mediate uptake will provide important insights towards achieving this goal. In this study, twelve genotypes representing wild ancestors and modern landraces or cultivars from four distinct ecoregions (Ancestors, Altiplano, Coast, U.S.) were grown in a greenhouse trial with Cd. Differences in phenological developmental traits, isotopic ratios of carbon and nitrogen and microbial derived amino sugars in roots, and concentrations of Cd and other essential elements in seeds were quantified. Phenological development of the Ancestors were more adversely affected by Cd than the modern ecotypes, suggesting that quinoa become more tolerant over domestication. Cd concentrations in seeds was higher in the Coastal and U.S. ecotypes than the Altiplano and Ancestor ecotypes, indicating that domestication increased Cd uptake, though adaption to local environmental conditions can lead to the evolution of traits that promote or restrict uptake. Fungal-derived amino sugars were negatively correlated with Cd concentrations in the Coastal ecotypes, suggesting that these root-associated fungi could help restrict Cd uptake. Future studies to better understand the mechanisms mediating differences in genotypes from the Altiplano and Coastal regions will be useful in developing improved cultivars with low Cd uptake.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa