Evaluation of grain yield and quality of quinoa cultivars as affected by planting date and plant density in Jupar region of kerman

In order to evaluate the grain yield and quality of four quinoa cultivars (Chenopodium quinoa willd.) as affected by planting date and plant density, an experiment was conducted in two years (2018 &2019) at the Agricultural Research Station located in Jupar region of Kerman, Iran. A randomized complete block design arranged in a split factorial was used with four replications. Experimental treatments consisted of planting dates in three levels (24 July, 8 August and 23 August) as main plots and two factors including cultivars at four levels (Giza1,Titicaca, Q12 and Q18) and plant density (16.6 and 33.3 plant m-2) were arranged in sub plots. Planting date of 8 August produced the highest grain yield compared to the other two dates. The average grain yield of Giza1, Titicaca, Q12 and Q18 cultivars were 2484, 2239, 2547, and 2881 kg ha-1, respectively. Lodging was observed in cultivar Q18 in all planting dates. Giza1 cultivar with average of 18.23% crude protein and 94.12 mg kg-1 iron had better grain quality than other cultivars. The highest and lowest harvest index (0.35 and 0.26) belonged to Q12 and Titicaca cultivars, respectively. Giza1 and Q12 cultivars were the earliest and most late cultivars with 82 and 99 days of the growing season respectively. Based on the results, cultivation of Q12 on 8 August and Giza1 on 23 August with plant density of 33.3 plant m-2 is recommended for Jupar region of Kerman.