Thesis
Agronomic and nutritional characteristics of quinoa grown under different intercrop and irrigation regimes in an organic system
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2014
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/102708
Abstract
A small seed from South America known as quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has grown rapidly in popularity in recent years primarily due to its nutritional benefits. Quinoa is a complete protein, containing all essential amino acids for human nutrition. It is high in calcium, phosphorus and iron compared to barley and maize. Also, quinoa could be cultivated in many areas around the world. Due to the recent and rapid increase in consumer demand and crop price there is a growing interest in quinoa production in the United States. The research objectives presented in this thesis were to address some of the challenges inherent in quinoa production in Washington State. Two field-based quinoa research experiments were conducted to address the challenges. The objective of the first study was to determine the effect of irrigation and intercrop treatments on seed yield and quality of two quinoa varieties. The trial was conducted in Pullman, WA on Washington State University Organic Farm in 2012 and 2013. Supplemental irrigation significantly increased yield. In warmer areas like Eastern Washington supplemental irrigation can offset the negative impacts of high temperatures and subsequently increase yield. Intercrop treatments did not affect yield; however in 2012, the clover intercrop increased seed protein in both quinoa varieties. Additionally, irrigation affected calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus concentration in quinoa seed. Results from this study indicate that irrigation can increase quinoa yield in the Palouse and intercropping is an effective method to establish green manure crops in areas with short growing seasons. v The second studies objectives were to phenotype five distinct quinoa populations for a diversity of agronomic traits. This experiment was conducted in 2012 and 2013 at WSU Organic Farm in Pullman, WA. A number of agronomic traits were recorded, including plant height, juvenile and mature plant and seed head color, seed maturity date, presence of downy mildew and insect pressure. This field data will be combined with genotyping data to identify quantitative trait loci and potential molecular markers for future use in quinoa breeding programs. The results of two years of phenotyping data are included in this thesis.
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Details
- Title
- Agronomic and nutritional characteristics of quinoa grown under different intercrop and irrigation regimes in an organic system
- Creators
- Hannah Elizabeth Walters
- Contributors
- Kevin M. Murphy (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Crop and Soil Sciences, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525189601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis