Effects of NaCl Application on Cesium Accumulation in the Aboveground Parts of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Abstract

In this study, we clarified the accumulation and concentration of Cs, Na, and K in each organ (leaves, stem, and panicle) of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) under NaCl application condition. Pot experiments using Wagner pots (1/5000a) were conducted in an experimental field at Nihon University in 2018 and 2019, using quinoa variety CICA-127. The growth of quinoa as well as Cs accumulation and concentration was promoted by increasing the amount of NaCl applied. Quinoa accumulated most of the Cs in the leaves, and it was not translocated from the leaves to panicle after the seed filling stage. Cs accumulation by the aboveground parts under NaCl application was at least four times higher than that in the control. Accumulation of Na in stem was highest among organs. The quinoa plants had the mechanism to accumulate Na in the stem. Quinoa has bladder cells on the leaf surface, and excess Na accumulates in these cells. It is unknown whether bladder cells are present on the surface of the stem. Since Cs and Na inhibited the growth of plants, it is necessary to clarify the suppression method of stunting by Cs and Na. Thus, we believe that quinoa can be used for phytoremediation of Cs. Quinoa varieties with high Cs absorption need to be selected for effective phytoremediation in the future experiment.