Re-Introduction of Quinoa into Arid Chile: Cultivation of Two Lowland Races under Extremely Low Irrigation

Abstract

Annual rainfall in Chile at 30 degrees S decreased from 170 to 70 mm in the last century, forcing a search for new low-rain adapted crops. Chenopodium quinoa Willd. was cultivated by pre-Hispanic cultures, but it disappeared in this region since the Spanish conquest. Two quinoa landraces (Don Javi and Palmilla) were re-introduced from lowlands of central Chile (34 degrees S) evaluating seed saponin content and grain yields under low irrigation. Replicated assays were conducted in two sites with distinct microclimates after august (end of the rains in 2004 and 2005). Treatments included low (40-75 mm) and high (150-250 mm) irrigation and were distributed along the five cultivation months. Fertilization, with the humus of the worms, was carried out in the second season, as soils are poor in organic matter. Results showed significantly higher saponin content in the seeds of Don Javi landrace (1.2 %) with respect to Palmilla seeds (0.3 %). However, grain yields were not different between landraces under the same treatments. Yields were instead affected by microclimate, irrigation and fertilization. Although higher yields corresponded with higher irrigation, 2.6 tons ha(-1) was obtained under high irrigation, but surprisingly, also under low irrigation in the more humid site. Yields of 2006 harvesting season (ca. 7 tons ha(-1)) were higher than that of the previous season (ca. 5.5 tons ha(-1)), mainly because of the addition of organic matter. We suggest that re-introduction of Quinoa in arid Chile is feasible even under the prevailing conditions of low rainfall and deficient soils, but better yields will need some irrigation and addition of organic matter.