Preliminary Evaluation of New Quinoa Genotypes under Sandy Soil Conditions in Egypt

Abstract

Field trial was carried out at Ismailia Research Station, Ismailia Governorate, Egypt to evaluate some quinoa genotypes under arid environment of sandy soil for identifying its agronomic potentiality, chemical composition and economic opportunity. Nine quinoa genotypes including six Peruvian varieties (Amarilla Marangani, Amarilla Sacaca, Blanca de Junin, Kancolla, Salcedo INIA and Rosada de Huancayo) and three new accessions (QS14, QS16 and QS17-2) were compared in randomized complete block design with three replications. The results revealed that quinoa proved success in sandy soil with suitable grain yield under Egyptian conditions. QS17-2 accession stays only from 115 to 120 days in the field according to environmental factors and treated as short duration accession, while growth duration of the four varieties; Blanca de Junin, Kancolla, Salcedo INIA and Rosada de Huancayo, as well as, accessions of QS14 and QS16 were moderate. Amarilla Marangani and Amarilla Sacaca varieties had the longest duration genotypes. Amarilla Sacaca and Amarilla Marangani varieties, as well as, QS17-2 accession gave the highest grain yield compared with the other genotypes. The highest protein content in quinoa grains was 13.60%, which recorded from QS17-2 accession, while the lowest value (10.75%) was recorded by Blanca de Junin variety. Moreover, Salcedo INIA variety had the lowest saponins content in quinoa grains (0.07%) while QS16 accession recorded the highest content (0.22%). The economic evaluation gave a clear indicator of the lower farm prices of quinoa grains in Egypt (US$ 1000/ton), which gives a comparative advantage to Egypt in the MENA region for quinoa exportation.