Impact of Sowing Date on the Main Agronomic and Quality Traits of Quinoa

PurposeQuinoa is the only plant that can meet all the basic nutritional requirements of the human body. However, the effects of temperature on its growth and development, and on its synthesis and accumulation of important components has not been widely investigated. Therefore, the effect of temperature and precipitation on yield traits and nutritional quality of quinoa was studied.

MethodsUsing ‘LongLi 1’ as the material, on May 5, May 15, June 10, September 10, September 25, and November 10, 2017, seeding was carried out in Mangshi, Yunnan Province, in 6 stages, and agronomics traits, important ingredient content and microelement content were determined after harvest, respectively.

ResultsThe cultivation of quinoa in low-altitude with high-temperature and high-humidity areas should delay the sowing period and avoid the high-temperature and high-humidity rainy season. The seedlings did not undulated, the growth period was prolonged, the light hours and photosynthetic time were increased, which promotes the 1000-grain weight and the yield per plant. With the temperature and precipitation were during the creasing maturity period, the content of flavonoid, soluble protein, vitamin and magnesium relatively decreased, the total amino acid content increased, while the soluble sugar and zinc content did not changed.

ConclusionThe low-altitude with high-temperature and high-humidity environment is not conducive to the growth, development, synthesis of most important components and formation of yield during maturity in quinoa. Despite being located in high temperature and high humidity areas, Mangshi can basically meet the normal growth and development requirements such as the temperature and precipitation during the whole growth period of quinoa by delaying the planting, which can effectively increase the yield and most important components of quinoa. This study provides an important theoretical basis and practical significance for planting and producing quinoa in low-altitude with high-temperature and high-humidity areas.