Physiological response of quinoa to environmental stress: effects of nutritional profile, plant immunity, pest management and soil carbon content

藜麦(Chenopodium quinoa Wild.)是安第斯山脉的一种作物，在农业/食品系统中有许多有益的应用，因为它具有极好的营养状况，对边缘土地(不适合主要作物)的高度适应性，以及对极端环境条件(高温、干旱和盐碱地)的耐受性。这些特性促进了藜麦在世界各地的种植[1]，帮助农业食品系统适应了藜麦广泛种植地区人为驱动的气候变化的影响，并使其在目前更受限制的地区(如英国)对未来的种植具有吸引力。作物育种计划已经致力于通过修改农艺性状(植株较短、分枝较少、种子紧凑和皂素较少)来进一步提高藜麦的生产率[2]。然而，在产量驱动的生产力增长与对适应机制、自然资本收益和生态系统服务提供的了解之间取得平衡，对于促进发展一种既能提供营养又能提供自然的新兴主食作物至关重要。藜麦丰富的种质有助于对有益性状的生理评估，这些性状1)生物/非生物抗逆性，2)新的寄主-病原菌抗性机制的特征，以及3)与再生农业实践的整合，包括最少/免耕耕作、间作种植和病虫害综合防治策略。以这种方式探索藜麦的潜力，将有助于其在全球范围内的扩张和作为一种营养和资本自然作物的建立，包括在英国。拟议的项目将利用纽卡斯尔大学的温室/再生农业平台和地球物理/分子技术，探索环境/生物压力如何影响藜麦的生长/生产、虫害/病原体相互作用和土壤碳储存，并在诺森比亚大学利用生化/分子技术对收获的作物材料进行营养/免疫分析。这一多学科项目将使合适的学生能够获得宝贵的培训经验和关键研究技能，以在新兴研究领域发展成功的职业生涯，促进有弹性/可持续的农业食品系统的扩展，以满足不断增长的全球人口的饮食需求，并确保适应气候变化。

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is an Andean crop with numerous beneficial applications in agriculture/food systems, resulting from its excellent nutritional profile, high adaptability to grow on marginal lands (unsuitable for major crops) and tolerance to extreme environmental conditions (high temperatures, drought, and saline soils). These traits facilitate its cultivation around the world [1], helping agri-food systems adapt to the effect of anthropogenic-driven climate change in areas where it is widely grown, and making it attractive for future cultivation in areas where presently is more restricted (eg the UK).Crop breeding programmes are already aiming to further increase quinoa productivity by modifying agronomic traits (shorter plants, fewer branches, compact seeds and less saponin) [2]. However, balancing yield-driven productivity gains with an understanding of mechanisms of adaptation, natural capital gain and ecosystem service provision is essential to promote the development of an emerging staple crop that delivers for both nutrition and nature. Quinoa's abundant germplasm facilitates the physiological evaluation of useful traits that benefit 1) biotic/abiotic stress-tolerance, 2) characterisation of novel host-pathogen resistance mechanisms, and 3) integration with regenerative agricultural practices, including minimum/no-till drilling, companion cropping, and integrated pest management strategies. Exploring the potential of quinoa in this way, will contribute to its global expansion and establishment as a nutritious and capital naturing crop, including in the UK.The proposed project will explore how environmental/biological stresses affect quinoa growth/production, pest/pathogen interactions and soil carbon storage, using glasshouse/ regenerative farming platforms and geophysical/molecular techniques at Newcastle University, and nutritional/immunological profiling of harvested crop material using biochemical/molecular techniques at Northumbria University. This multidisciplinary project will allow a suitable student to gain valuable training experience and key research skills to develop a successful career in an emerging research field, promoting the expansion of resilient/sustainable agri-food systems to meet the dietary requirements of a growing global population and ensuring adaptation to climate change.