Effects of NaCl on Growth and Cesium Absorption in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

In this study, we clarified the effects of NaCl application on the growth and Cs absorption in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). Pot experiments using Wagner pots (1/5000a) were conducted in an experimental field at Nihon University during 2014, 2015, and 2016, using quinoa variety CICA-127. Growth of quinoa and Cs absorption by quinoa were promoted by the application of NaCl. The Cs content of aboveground parts of plants was also increased by the application of NaCl; however, the differences in Cs content among plots were not significant. Thus, the reason for the increase in Cs absorption was the promotion of biomass by the application of NaCl. The exchangeable K content in the soil and the growth of quinoa were increased by the application of KCl. Therefore, increasing the exchangeable K content in soil by the application of KCl has contributed to the increased accumulation of K and the decreased accumulation of Cs in the aboveground parts of plants. Thus, the lower exchangeable K content in soil led to a lower plant K content and a greater absorption of Cs by quinoa.