Effect of sowing dates and row spacings on yield and quality components of quinoa (Chenapodium quinoa) leaves

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2003-05 to evaluate the effects of sowing date and 3 different row spacings on foliage yield and nutritive value of the foliage of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). Highest yield was obtained at 25 cm spacing for15 Novembersowing date (18.99 tonnesba) in 2003-04, and at 20 cm spacing for 30 November sowing date in 2004-05 (13.90 tomesha). Late sowing around 15 December gave the lowest yield for all the spacings. There was consistent decrease in the carotenoid content as the row-to-row spacing was increased for all the 3 sowing dates in both the years. Highest carotenoid was observed at 15 cm spacing and 30 November sowing date for both 2003-04 and 2004-05 (1.06 mgig and 1.09 mglg respectively). In both the experimental years, maximum protein content was observed for 30 November sowing date at 15 cm spacing (3.88 gilOO g for both the years). Protein content was lowest in the plants that were grown at 25 cm spacing in all the sowing dates. The mean protein content of all the harvests was minimum in 15 December sowing date for all row spacings in both the years.