Yield and Economics of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) as affected by Integrated Nutrient Management Practices

Yield and Economics of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) as affected by Integrated Nutrient Management Practices

V. Veerababu , P. Satish^* , S. A. Hussain^*

Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana-500030, India

Corresponding Author Email: hussainsyed786@gmail.com; vrumsc@gmail.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.53709/CHE.2021.v02i04.030

Abstract

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INTRODUCTION

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa willd.) is an annual herbaceous plant in the Amaranthaceae (amaranth family, but formerly placed in Chenopodiaceae) that originated in the Pacific slopes of the Andes in South America and was cultivated since 5000 B.C. It is cultivated in the world with an area of 126 thousand hectares with a production of 103 thousand tonnes. Bolivia in South America is the biggest producer of quinoa with 46 per cent of world production followed by Peru with 42 per cent and United States of America with 6.3 per cent (FAOSTAT, 2013) [1] . In India, quinoa was cultivated in an area of 440 hectares with an average yield of 1053 tonnes [2]. Recently it was discovered by the scientific community, due to its high biological value for food; its grain is rich in proteins with an equilibrated amino acid profile that is essential to human nutrition and without gluten. It can be used in animal nutrition, due to its high energy value and protein content, good palatability and digestibility for animals [3].

 As per United Nations Organization for Agriculture and Food, the quinoa grain is the only vegetable food that provides all amino acids essential to the life of humans in optimum quantities and is comparable with milk. The protein content ranges from 7.47 to 22.08 per cent with higher concentration of lycine, isoleucine, methionine, histidine, cystine and glycine. The ash content is 3.4 percent containing high amount of Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn. The oil content is 1.8 to 9.5 percent and rich in essential fatty acids like linoleate and linolenate. In this context, Quinoa can be introduced in India to check malnutrition and increase in foreign exchange.

India tops in malnutrition with over 45 per cent among children and 70 per cent pregnant woman and nearly 52 per cent population era suffering with diabetes due to over dependence on few cereal foods (rice or wheat) [2]. Very little research work has been done on the adaptability and standardisation of package of practices of quinoa in India. Andhra Pradesh Academy of Rural Development (APARD), Hyderabad initiated central funded project “Project Anantha” to improve the production and productivity and income and net profit of farmers of Anantapur district and tested quinoa as alternate crop to ground nut. They reported that quinoa yellow colour entry has taken 90-120 days duration produced an average yield of 760 kg ha^-1.

Quinoa is a fast-growing plant up to 2m tall with alternate, coarsely toothed, triangular to ovate leaves and has more remarkable plasticity of adaptation to photoperiod, altitude, soil pH etc. It can be grown from sea level to 3900 meters above mean sea level and pH range of 6 to 8.5 and temperature from subtropical to tropical and humid areas. The base temperature of Quinoa is 3⁰C with an optimum temperature of 15-30⁰ C and can tolerate a maximum temperature of 50⁰C. Quinoa seems to be a quantitative short-day species where the length of the vegetative period depends not only on the day length and latitude of the origin but also on an altitude of origin. The growing period of quinoa varies between 70 to 200 days and some entries did not mature in some locations. Research on location specific experiments on its adoptability, water and nutrient requirements are needed. Hence, an investigation is proposed entitled “Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management on growth, yield, quality and nutrient uptake of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa willd.).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A field experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during rabi 2016-17 to study the “Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management on growth and yield of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa willd.)”. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with four main plot treatments of inorganic fertilizers, the treatments comprised of M₁ – 75 % RDF (60:37.5:37.5 kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O kg ha^-1), M₂ – 100% RDF (80:50:50: kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O kg ha^-1), M₃– 125% RDF (100:62.5:62.5 kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O kg ha^-1) and M₄– 100 % RDF + Bio fertilizers (Azospirillum/Azatobacter + Phosphorous Solubilizing Bacteria @ 5 kg ha^-1. Three sub plot treatments of organic fertilizers were S₁: 25 % N through Vermicompost (134 kg ha-1) S₂: 25% N through Farm yard manure (3050 kg ha^-1) and S₃: 25 % N through Poultry manure (500 kg ha^-1).

The experimental soil was sandy loam, alkaline, non-saline and moderately slow infiltration. The fertility status of the experimental soil was low in organic carbon, (0.43%) medium in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorous and high in available potassium. Main plots: T ₁ – 75 % RDF (60:37.5:37.5 kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O kg ha^-1), T ₂ –100% RDF (80:50:50 kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O kg ha^-1), T ₃ –125% RDF (100:62.5:62.5 kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O kg ha^-1), T ₄ –100 % RDF + Bio fertilizers (Azospirillum/ Azatobacter + Phosphorous Solubulising Bacteria @ 5 kg ha^-1. Sub plots: S₁: 25 % N through Vermicompost (13.4 kg ha^-1) S₂: 25 % N through Farm yard manure (3050 kg ha^-1) S₃: 25 % N through Poultry manure (500 kg ha^-1). The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with four main plots and three sub plots combinations replicated thrice.

Quinoa was sown during 29^th Oct, 2016 and harvested during to 10^th Feb, 2017. Plot size: Gross: 4.8 m x 5.0 m (24 m²) Net plot: 3.6 m x 4.6 m. The fertilizer were applied as per the treatment i. e., 75 % RDF (60:37.5:37.5 kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O kg ha^-1), 100% RDF (80:50:50 kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O kg ha^-1), 125% RDF (100:62.5:62.5 kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O kg ha^-1) and 100 % RDF + Bio fertilizers (Azospirillum/ Azatobacter + PSB @ 5 kg ha^-1 in the form of urea, single super phosphate and muriate of potash, respectively, Entire dose of P, K and half the dose of N was applied as basal through placement in the furrows made with hand hoes 5 cm away from seed rows and at a depth of 2 cm below the seed zone. The remaining dose of N was top- dressed at 50 days after sowing. All fertilizers were applied accordingly to the treatments. While, the entire organic manures were applied as basal dose as in Vermicompost, farm yard manure and poultry manure.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Yield

            The significantly higher seed yield of quinoa was considerably higher (2136 kg ha^-1) with 100% RDF+ Biofertilizers than rest of the treatments and was on par with the 125% RDF (2085 kg ha^-1). While, 75% RDF recorded significantly lower seed yield (1610 kg ha^-1) than rest of the treatments. Among different organic manures, seed yield of quinoa was significantly higher (2265 kg ha^-1) with 25% N through poultry manure than the rest of the treatments and was on par with the 25% N through vermicompost (2145 kg ha^-1). While, 25% N through farm yard manure (S2) recorded significantly lower seed yield (1764 kg ha^-1) than rest of the treatments. Bilalis et al. (2012) [4] reported available inorganic forms of nutrients and organic nutrients remain available during entire crop growth.

The combined effect of 125% RDF and 25% N through poultry manure recorded the highest and on par seed yield with 125% RDF and 25% N vermicompost (2230 and 2106 kg ha^-1), respectively. The combined effect of poultry manure with 125% RDF and 100% RDF + Biofertilizer recorded the highest and on par seed yield (2230 and 2294 kg ha^-1) while the lower levels recorded significantly less seed yield. Among different doses of chemical fertilizers, Stover yield of quinoa was significantly higher (4425 kg ha^-1) with 100% RDF+ Biofertilizers and was on par with the 125% RDF (4200 kg ha^-1). 75% RDF recorded a significantly lower stover yield (3456 kg ha^-1) than rest of the treatments.

Among different organic manures, the stover yield of quinoa was significantly higher (4521 kg ha^-1) with 25% N through poultry manure than the rest of the treatments. 25% N through farm yard manure recorded significantly lower Stover yield (3678 kg ha^-1) than the rest of the treatments [5]  are also reported an increase in yield with increasing levels of N and organic sources added. The combined effect of 125% RDF and 25% N through poultry manure recorded highest and on par seed yield (kg ha^-1) with 125% RDF and 25% N vermicompost (4340 and 4260) respectively. [6] registered increasing yield when recommended dose of N supplement with biofertilizers.

The combined effect of poultry manure with 125% RDF and 100% RDF + Biofertilizer recorded the highest and on par seed yield (4340 and 4260 kg ha^-1) while the lower levels recorded significantly less seed yield. The results are in agreement with the findings of [7] yield increase in grain millet with increasing N fertilization. This could be ascribed to increased plant growth, flowering and grain filling. Whereas the low yield with farm yard manure reported by [8]. The harvest index observed under different recommended doses of fertilizers ranged and among organic manures the range was due to the incorporation of inorganic and organic manures. Which imposed the secondary and micro nutrients in soil besides improve soil’s physico-chemical properties.

Economics

Among the different inorganic treatments (RDF), the gross returns ha^-1 and per Rupee investment were consistently more from Quinoa grown under 100% RDF along with biofertilizers it fetched maximum gross returns of Rs 1,28,160/- ha^-1, Net returns of Rs 85,125 ha^-1 and 3.0 per rupee investment, the next best treatment was 125% RDF while quinoa grown under 75% RDF was uneconomical.

            Among the different organic sources of nutrients when quinoa grown under 25% N through poultry manure was most lucrative. If fetched Rs 1,35,900/- and Rs 96,600 ha^-1, gross and net returns respectively and 3.5 per rupee investment was recorded. At the same time, quinoa is grown under 25% N through FYM not economical.

CONCLUSION

       Application of 100 % RDF + Biofertilizers (M4) along with 25% N through poultry manure recorded higher values of yield and economics and can be recommended for higher growth, and yield attributes and yield.

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REFERENCES

1. FAOSTAT (2013). Available in http://www.fao.org.           
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