Performance and adaptation of Quinoa varieties
Percy Phillips-NorQuin
To determine yield potential of 7 quinoa varieties across different locations in Manitoba
Days required to reach maturity were significantly different and ranged from 129 to 135 among varieties. Late maturity entries such as PHX16-10 which required 134 days to reach maturity also yielded significantly more grain (P=0.001) compared to the other varieties. Grain yield ranged from 1882 to 4038 kg ha-1). PHX16-09 had the highest lodging rating of 3 which could have likely caused grain losses resulting in low yield of 1882 kg ha-1. The highest coefficient of variation of grain yield was caused by PHX16-10 entry which had almost double the grain yield compared to the rest of the entries. All treatments showed high vigor especially considering that the rating ranged from 6 to 8 and this was a sign of healthy plants. The variety trial had a few challenges with stem borer larvae that required chemical control more than 3 times during the season. The caterpillar penetrates and feed inside the stem causing severe lodging and eventually reduces grain yield and quality. However, there was better timing of scouting and application of alternating insecticides for better control of the stem borer compared to 2018 growing season.
Bolivia and Peru are the world’s top producers of quinoa followed by Ecuador, USA, China, Chile, Argentina, France and Canada, which altogether contribute 15 to 20% to the world’s total production (Bazile, et al., 2016). Quinoa has a vast genetic diversity resulting from its fragmented and localized production over the centuries in many regions around the world. The crop can withstand low temperature around -1.1°C but if it gets below -2.2°C during mid-bloom stage it can cause more than 70% yield loss due to flower abortion. Significant yield losses also occur when exposed to temperature below -6.7°C before dough stage (AAFRD, 2005). On the other hand, elevated temperature above 35°C for lengthened periods during the reproductive stage can cause dormancy and pollen sterility in quinoa (OMAFRA, 2012). A major setback in growing quinoa in Canada and in high altitude regions is the short growing season because the crop requires up to 150 days from planting to seed harvest (Jacobsen, 2003). In this regard,
early maturity becomes the most important characteristic when selecting varieties suitable under these conditions especially on the Prairies that experience cooler and shorter growing season. Quinoa is one of the few crops that can help maintain productivity on rather poor soils and under conditions of erratic rainfall and high salinity. As a result, it becomes an alternative crop that could play a significant role in sustainable agriculture. Apart from its usefulness in marginal agricultural lands, the crop is an exceptionally nutritious food source that has high protein content with all essential amino acids, high content of calcium, magnesium, iron and health promoting compounds such as flavonoids (Ruiz et al., 2014). Other positive values of quinoa are the saponins present in the seed hull and lack of gluten.