Leaf Na⁺ accumulation distinguishes Chilean quinoa landraces belonging to salares and coastal-lowlands ecotypes.

High Na⁺ strongly affects plant biomass and phenology, specially impairing growth and yield of the salares landrace.

The salares ecotype, different from the coastal lowland landraces, activates physiological protective mechanisms.

Seed yield is reduced but germination and seedling growth on saline media is better in the salares landrace.