Investigating the effect of different levels of irrigation and vermicomposting on yield and element concentration of quinoa seed (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Results and discussion The results of analysis of variance obtained from the data of this research showed that the interaction effect of different levels of irrigation × vermicompost on grain yield traits, concentration of nitrogen, calcium, zinc and iron elements was significant. However, the concentration of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium elements under the influence of independent effects of different levels of irrigation and vermicompost became significant at the probability level of 1%. The concentration of sodium and copper elements were significant only under the influence of different irrigation levels. The results showed that the highest grain yield (2374.51 kg.ha-1), zinc concentration (20.22 mg.kg-1) and iron concentration (400.92 mg.kg-1) in The treatment was 125% of plant water requirement and 15 tons of vermi-compost per hectare. Also, the highest concentration of elements phosphorus (0.35%), potassium (4.31%) and copper (4.63 mg.kg-1) was observed in the treatment of 125% of plant water requirement. The highest concentration of nitrogen (2.6%), sodium (1.37%) and manganese (55.61 mg.kg-1) of quinoa seeds was observed in the treatment of 50% of plant water requirement. Conclusion The results of the present experiment showed that the application of different levels of vermicompost increases the concentration of elements in quinoa seeds. Due to the fact that vermicompost-containing substrates have a high percentage of nutrients and the release of these elements is gradual, therefore plant nutrition is more efficient and the result is an increase in the concentration of seed elements. On the other hand, due to the positive effects of vermi-compost in improving the physical and chemical properties of the soil and increasing the maintenance of soil moisture at stress levels, it increases the concentration of quinoa seed elements compared to the treatment without the use of vermi-compost.