The effect of planting method and Boron nutrition on phenological traits and seed yield of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa willd.)

The high richness of food and the high resistance of quinoa to various environmental conditions and stresses have increased attention to its cultivation worldwide. The current research was carried out in the crop year of 2018-2019 in Kohdasht city in Lorestan province in the form of factorial split plots in randomized complete block design with three replications. The test factors include three genotypes (Titicaca, Giza 1, and Sajama) in the main plot and factorial levels including planting method (transplanting, seed priming with boric acid 1000ppm and direct sowing) and boron spraying (spraying with boric acid solution 1000ppm and no foliar spraying). The use of the transplanting method in planting Titicaca, Giza 1, and Sajama genotypes improves the studied traits such as increasing plant height (respectively 14.61, 11.28, and 50.55 percent), increasing leaf area index (respectively 24.28, 30.15 and 17.48 percent) reducing the time up to 50 percent of flowering (34.01, 34.2 and 38.83 days, respectively) and increasing seed yield (46.07, 34.45 and 28.82 percent, respectively) compared to the direct sowing method. The priming effect was also positive and significant on all traits of the studied genotypes, increased seed yield (14.8%), and reduced the ripening period (13 days). It was also found that the effect of boron foliar spraying on seed yield was significant and positive, and the method of transplanting increased its effects even more. Finally, Giza 1 genotype was recommended for planting in the Kohdasht region.