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Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), a high‐value halophytic crop, is a promising candidate to ensure food security in the scenario of increasing soil salinization due to climate change. In a 2‐year field study (during 2018–2019 and 2019–2020), 18 quinoa genotypes of different origins (Q‐4, Q‐6, Q‐9, Q‐7, Q11, Q‐15, Q‐22, Q‐24, Q‐27, Q‐45, Q‐50, Q‐51, Q‐52, Q‐76, Q‐81, Q82, Q‐124, and Q‐126) were grown at two different locations (salt‐affected and normal soil having electrical conductivity (EC) of 16.24 and 1.76 dS m−1, respectively). Morphological, physiological, and yield parameters were recorded to assess the impact of salinity on different genotypes of quinoa. All the tested genotypes performed better in normal soil (37% more yield) than salt‐affected soils. Under salt‐affected conditions, differential salt tolerance responses of quinoa genotypes were observed. Among tested genotypes, Q‐7 achieved the highest chlorophyll content index, biological mass (7905 kg ha−1), and seed yield (1916 kg ha−1) under salt‐affected conditions, it was followed by Q‐81. Salt stress caused up to 94% reduction of seed yield in the salt‐sensitive genotype (Q‐11), while the salt‐tolerant genotype (Q‐81) showed only 15% reduction in seed yield. Morphological characteristics of quinoa genotypes were differently influenced by salt stress. The salt‐tolerant accessions Q‐7 and Q‐81 exhibited similar morphological characteristics. Based on the findings of this study, salt‐tolerant quinoa genotypes can be successfully grown in salt‐degraded soils (with EC ≤ 16.24 dS m−1) in extreme winter seasons with arid climatic conditions. Core Ideas: Salt‐tolerant quinoa genotypes can be successfully grown in strongly salt‐degraded soils (electrical conductivity [EC] ≤ 16.24 dS m−1).Morphological characters (growth habit and main stem shape) of quinoa are associated with salt tolerance potential.Salt‐sensitive genotypes showed significantly higher yield losses (up to 94%) than salt‐tolerant genotypes (15%–45%).Quinoa genotypes show differential salt tolerance responses based on their origin and morphological characters. Plain Language Summary: Quinoa, a high‐value halophytic crop, emerges as a promising candidate to ensure food security amidst increasing soil salinization caused by climate change. In a 2‐year field study, 18 quinoa genotypes of diverse origins were cultivated in both normal and salt‐affected soils to evaluate the impact of salinity on different quinoa genotypes. Under salt‐affected conditions, distinct salt tolerance responses were observed among the quinoa genotypes. Morphological, physiological, and yield parameters of the quinoa genotypes were variably affected by salt stress. The salt‐tolerant accessions Q‐7 and Q‐81 exhibited robust responses, showing minimal yield reduction. Based on the findings of this study, salt‐tolerant quinoa genotypes can be successfully cultivated in salt‐degraded soils (with electrical conductivity ≤ 16.24 dS m−1) during extreme winter seasons characterized by arid climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective nodulation and subsequent N2-fixation in legumes depends on the quality of inoculum and application technique. Genotypic variation also exists among crop species regarding response to introduced bacterial strains. A field study was conducted to explore the efficacy of different rhizobial inoculants. Seeds of two chickpea varieties belonging to distinct groups, i.e., Desi (Bhakkar-2011) and Kabuli (Noor-2013) were inoculated with "N2-biofertilizer" and "Rhizogold" while soil application of these inoculants was also tested. Effectiveness of inoculants and their application methods was assessed as improvement in growth and yield attributes of chickpea. Both seed and soil inoculation methods significantly improved the yield attributes of chickpea compared to uninoculated control. It was observed that soil inoculation of both inoculants was better than seed inoculation. Desi chickpea (Bhakkar-2011) seed inoculated with Rhizogold produced maximum dry matter (826.67 g m-2). Rhizobial inoculation improved chickpea productivity by enhancing nodulation, dry matter, number of branches per plant and number of pods over uninoculated control. Inoculation with Rhizogold resulted in better utilization of resources that resulted in higher harvest index (48.64%) with soil application as compared to other treatments. Maximum net benefits (216438 PKR ha-1 and 213825 PKR ha-1) were associated with the soil application of Rhizogold in Kabuli and Desi chickpea, respectively. It is therefore concluded that soil inoculation with effective rhizobia should be carried out for successful chickpea production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]