ABSTRACT
Evaluation of agro-morphological traits of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) under different environmental conditions

Borisz Czekus1, Mirela Matkovic Stojsin2*, Zorica Jovanovic3, Veselinka Zecevic4, Ivana Radovic3, Milena Marjanovic3, Dejan Cvikic4, and Sladana Savid5
 
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) exhibits remarkable adaptability to different agroecological conditions, but there are still challenges in introducing it to new environments, especially those in northern latitudes. This study investigates the impact of genotype, season, sowing density (5 and 10 cm between plants), and their interaction on agro-morphological traits of quinoa cultivars (Puno and Titicaca). Seasonal variations, primarily influenced by precipitation, significantly affected all analyzed traits (plant height, number of side branches and flower branches, biomass and grain yield per plant) with the highest values recorded in a favorable season. The season factor had the greatest influence in the variation of grain yield, with a share of 89.7% in the total variation. Grain yield per plant was 31.41 g in the favorable season compared to 14.64 g in the less favorable season. The significance of the Genotype × Season interaction in variation of plant height, number of side branches and biomass production per plant, as well as the significance of the Season × Sowing density interaction in biomass production, highlighted the importance of these factors to optimize cultivation practices and increase quinoa productivity in different environmental conditions. Principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted the interrelationships among agro-morphological traits, where in less favorable environments grain yield was most closely related to biomass, number of side branches and number of flower branches. Lower sowing density (10 cm between plants) may be more favorable for achieving high values across all analyzed traits, particularly increasing the number of flower branches (16.75 at lower density and 14.61 at higher density). The 'Puno' genotype stands out with a pronounced adaptability to less favorable environmental conditions, especially at lower sowing density. In contrast, the 'Titicaca' genotype stands out for its high biomass production, especially in the second season (74.9 g).
Keywords: Adaptability, genotype, quinoa, PCA, season, sowing density.
1Public enterprise “Vojvodinasume”, Preradoviceva 2, 21131 Petrovaradin, Serbia.
2Tamis Research and Development Institute, Novoseljanski put 33, 26000 Pancevo, Serbia.
3University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia.
4Institute for Vegetable Crops Smederevska Palanka, Karadordeva 71, 11420 Smederevska Palanka, Serbia.
5Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Teodora Drajzera 9, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia.
*Corresponding author (matkovic.stojsin@institut-tamis.rs).