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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Forage and Range Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #363260
Research Project: Improved Plant Genetic Resources and Methodologies for Rangelands, Pastures, and Turf Landscapes in the Semiarid Western U.S.

Location: Forage and Range Research

Title: Quinoa response to line-source sprinkler irrigation

Author
item BUCKLAND, K - Oregon State University
item CREECH, J - Utah State University
item CARDON, G - Utah State University
item Monaco, Thomas
item REEVE, J - Utah State University

Submitted to: Journal of Crop Improvement
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/13/2019
Publication Date: 8/30/2019
Citation: Buckland, K.R., Creech, J.E., Cardon, G.E., Monaco, T.A., Reeve, J.R. 2019. Quinoa response to line-source sprinkler irrigation. Journal of Crop Improvement. 33(5):649-668. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2019.1656694.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2019.1656694

Interpretive Summary: Quinoa may be adapted to thrive in the Intermountain region. Before widespread adoption of a novel crop is feasible, understanding the difference in varietal response to irrigation rate is critical. This study was conducted as a line source irrigation trial with quinoa varieties from commercially available sources and the breeding program at Washington State University. No seed was produced regardless of irrigation rate in either year or field location possibly due to high summer temperatures (pollen sterility or seed abort) or seed damage from insect feeding (i.e., Lygus hesperus). The minimum total irrigation applied during the growing season to produce maximum biomass was between 23 and 42 cm in 2013. The impact of irrigation rate im 2014 was minimal due to high rainfall. Early season rainfall may be sufficient for quinoa production in this region; however, lack of seed set remains a critical limiting factor to widespread adoption until more heat tolerant varieties have been developed.

Technical Abstract: Including drought tolerant crops in western United States cropping systems could benefit growers facing increased water shortages. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is adapted to thrive in a wide range of South American ecosystems with scarce water resoures, yet few varieties have been developed for our region. Before widespread adoption of a novel crop is feasible, understanding the difference in varietal response to irrigation rate is critical. This study was conducted as a line source irrigation trial with quinoa varieties from commerially available sources and the breeding program at Washington State University. No seed was produced regardless of irrigation rate in either year or field location possibly due to high summer temperatures (pollen sterility or seed abort) or seed damage from insect feeding (i.e., Lygus hesperus). The minimum total irrigation applied during the growing season to produce maximum biomass was between 23 and 42 cm in 2013. The impact of irrigation rate in 2014 was minimal due to high rainfall. Early season rainfall may be sufficiet for quinoa production in this region; however, lack of seed set remains a critical limiting factor to widespread adoption until more heat tolerant varieties have been developed.