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Variation of Seed Mineral Concentrations in Seven Quinoa Cultivars Grown in Two Agroecological Sites

¹Cátedra de Fisiología Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e IML, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Miguel Lillo 205, CP 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán-Argentina. ²Corresponding author. Phone: +54-381-4239456. Fax: +54-381-4330633. E-mail: fepra@csnat.unt.edu.ar ³Institute of Earth Sciences Jaume Almera–CSIC. Sole i Sabaris s/n, CP 08028 Barcelona, Spain. ⁴Section of Plant Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, GR 26500, Patras, Greece. ⁵Laboratorio de Ecología, Fundación Miguel Lillo. Miguel Lillo 251, CP 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina.

Variations in concentration and tissue distribution of mineral elements in seeds of seven quinoa cultivars from both a “natural” habitat (Patacamaya, Bolivia, 3,960 m above sea level) and a “nonnatural” habitat (Encalilla, Argentina, 1,980 m above sea level) were analyzed. Data clearly showed inter- and intravarietal differences in seed mineral concentrations between the two sites. Correlation analysis revealed that concentrations of major and minor dietary minerals as well as essential ultratrace elements of Encalilla seeds showed, in general, higher correlations with both seed protein and seed yield than did element concentrations of Patacamaya seeds. Results of scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed clearly differences in the contents of major mineral elements (calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and sulfur) in the pericarp and embryonic axis (cotyledon + radicle). Obtained data could indicate that genotype × environment interactions are responsible for mineral variations occurring in quinoa cultivars. Results can also be useful for developing mineral biofortification strategies for the world's poorest regions.