Effect of Planting Date and Plant Density on Forage Yield and Quality of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa willd.) Varieties in Cold Temperate Region of Kerman Province in Iran

To evaluate the effect of planting date and plant density on forage yield and quality of four forage quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa willd.) varieties, a field experiment was carried out in 2018 and 2019 at the Jupar agricultural and natural resources research station, Kerman, Iran. The experimental design was split factorial arrangements in randomized complete block design with four replications. Experimental treatments consisted of; planting dates at three levels (24 July, 08 August and 23 August) assigned to main plots, and factorial of four varieties (Giza1, Titicaca, Q12 and Q18) and plant density at two levels (16.6 and 33.3 plant m-2) were randomized in sub plots. The results showed that var. Q12 had the highest forage yield with 37.4 and 7.62 t ha-1 of fresh and dry forage, respectively, and var. Giza1 with 24.9 t ha-1 of fresh forage and 6.39 t ha-1 of dry forage had the lowest forage yield. Planting date on 08 August had the highest forage yield with an average of 35.9 and 7.76 t ha-1 of fresh and dry forage, respectively. Quality analyses showed that var. Q12 with 18.68% crude protein in forage had significant advantage over other varieties. The lowest neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acidic detergent fiber (ADF) contents belonged to var. Giza1. Based on the results of this study, var. Q12 can be grown on 08 August with plant density of 33.3 plant m-2 as second crop in Jupar region, with cold temperate climate, in Kerman province in Iran.