Early Sowing of Quinoa Cultivars, Benefits from Rainy Season and Enhances Quinoa Development, Growth, and Yield under Arid Condition in Morocco

Nawal Taaime, Khalil El Mejahed, Mariam Moussafir, Rachid Bouabid, Abdallah Oukarroum, Redouane Choukr-Allah and Mohamed El Gharous
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Nawal Taaime: Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco
Khalil El Mejahed: Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco
Mariam Moussafir: Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco
Rachid Bouabid: Department of Agronomy, National School of Agriculture, Meknes 50001, Morocco
Abdallah Oukarroum: Plant Stress Physiology Laboratory, Agrobiosciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco
Redouane Choukr-Allah: Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco
Mohamed El Gharous: Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: Quinoa is a highly nutritious and gluten-free crop. It is a good alternative crop to cereals in the context of climate change. In the process of introducing quinoa to an arid region of Morocco (Rehamna), late sowing results in stunted plants and low yields due to insufficient precipitations and high temperatures around the flowering stage. Early sowing of short-cycle cultivars constitutes a good strategy to enhance growth and yields. A field experiment was conducted in the Rehamna region in 2020–2021 to investigate the effect of the sowing date on quinoa growth, development, and yield. Two cultivars, ICBA-Q5 and Titicaca, and five sowing dates from 15 November to 15 March were evaluated. Results showed that December sowing enhanced plant height, total leaf area, the number and dry weight of branches, leaves, and panicles, and enhanced quinoa productivity, due to high precipitations, optimal temperatures, and a short photoperiod. The highest grain yield (0.84 t ha −1 ) was obtained with ICBA-Q5. Late sowing decreased the yield and growth and reduced the number of days to panicle emergence, flowering, and maturity for both cultivars. Early sowing of ICBA-Q5 is recommended to increase quinoa yield in arid regions of Morocco.

Keywords: sowing date; precipitation; temperature; radiation; supplemental irrigation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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