Adaptability and yield potential of new quinoa lines under agro-ecological conditions of Faisalabad-Pakistan

Abstract

Cultivation of quinoa, a climate-resilient and superfood crop, can be a viable option for food security than conventional food crops. A field experiment was conducted during growing season of 2018-2019 to evaluate 13 elite lines of quinoa. The data regarding stand establishment, phenology of developmental stages, root establishment, leaf biochemical, morphological attributes and seed viability were recorded and analysed. Seed yield was linked with phenological, physiological and morphological traits. Ten lines (4, 6, 9, 11, 15, 22, 24, 30, 45 and 126) seem to be high yielders than check that are originated from New Mexico and Peru. New line Q11 appears to be a high yielder among all the newly introduced lines and standard variety also. Q126 showed the maximum harvesting index. Standard variety UAFQ-7 seems to be higher in root length. Among lines, the duration of crops is also different. Q24 appears to be a short duration crop. Q15 and Q45 appear to be higher in anthocyanin and phenolic contents, respectively. Finding new germplasm having higher yield potential than the check variety will strengthen the popularity of new crops under the agro-climatic conditions of Faisalabad-Pakistan.