Abstract
Field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of tillage systems and fertilization on growth, yield and quality of quinoa crop (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with four replicates, two main plots [conventional tillage (CT) and minimum tillage (MT)] and three sub-plots (fertilization treatments: control, cow manure and compost). The soil porosity (45.5-49.75%) and total nitrogen (0.144-0.173%) were higher in soils subjected to MT system than under CT. In soil porosity, an interaction between fertilization and tillage system was found. The highest leaf area index (4.47-5.03), dry weight (8650-9290 kg ha-1) and root density (1.03-1.21 cm cm-3) were also found in MT. Moreover, there were significant differences between the organic fertilization treatments concerning the LAI, dry weight and root density. The highest seed yield (2485-2643 kg ha-1) and saponin content (0.42-0.45%) were found in cow manure and compost treatments. Also, the highest saponin yield (7.70-12.05 kg ha-1) was found in the MT system. Saponin yield had positive and significant correlation with total N (r=0.866). In quinoa measurements, an interaction between fertilization and tillage system was not found. The present results indicated that MT and organic fertilization increase saponin yield of quinoa.
Highlights
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a pseudocereal that has been cultivated in Andean region for thousands of years (Bhargava et al, 2006)
The present results indicated that minimum tillage (MT) and organic fertilization increase saponin yield of quinoa
The experiments were set up on an area of 600 m2 according to the split-plot design with four replicates, two main plots and three sub-plots (fertilization treatments: control, cow manure (2000 kg ha-1, 1.24% N) and seaweed compost (250 kg ha-1, with 8% N)
Summary
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a pseudocereal that has been cultivated in Andean region for thousands of years (Bhargava et al, 2006). Quinoa is an excellent example of ‘functional food’ that aims at lowering the risk of various diseases (Vega-Gálvez et al, 2010). It has remarkable nutritional properties; its protein content (15%) and its great amino acid balance. It is an important source of minerals and vitamins, and it has been found to contain compounds like polyphenols, phytosterols, and flavonoids with possible nutraceutical benefits (Abugoch James, 2009). Saponins in quinoa are basically glycosidic triterpenoids with glucose constitution about 80% of the weight (Bhargava et al, 2006)
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