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Re-Introduction of Quínoa into Arid Chile: Cultivation of Two Lowland Races under Extremely Low Irrigation |
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| Authors: | E A Martínez E Veas C Jorquera R San Martín & P Jara |
| Institution: | Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas, Universidad de La Serena, La Serena, Chile; Departamento de Agronomía, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Serena, La Serena, Chile; Facultad de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Álvaro Casanova 1215, Peñalolén, Santiago, Chile |
| Abstract: | Annual rainfall in Chile at 30°S decreased from 170 to 70 mm in the last century, forcing a search for new low-rain adapted crops. Chenopodium quinoa Willd. was cultivated by pre-Hispanic cultures, but it disappeared in this region since the Spanish conquest. Two quínoa landraces (Don Javi and Palmilla) were re-introduced from lowlands of central Chile (34°S) evaluating seed saponin content and grain yields under low irrigation. Replicated assays were conducted in two sites with distinct microclimates after august (end of the rains in 2004 and 2005). Treatments included low (40–75 mm) and high (150–250 mm) irrigation and were distributed along the five cultivation months. Fertilization, with the humus of the worms, was carried out in the second season, as soils are poor in organic matter. Results showed significantly higher saponin content in the seeds of Don Javi landrace (1.2 %) with respect to Palmilla seeds (0.3 %). However, grain yields were not different between landraces under the same treatments. Yields were instead affected by microclimate, irrigation and fertilization. Although higher yields corresponded with higher irrigation, 2.6 tons ha |
| Keywords: | Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium quinoa climate desertification drought tolerance quinoa water use efficiency yield |