Agronomic evaluation of improved quinoa varieties adapted to drought conditions
Keywords:
quinoa, drought, water stress, agronomic evaluation, improved varieties, climate adaptation.Abstract
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a strategic crop for food security and agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions due to its genetic diversity, nutritional value, and ability to adapt to adverse environmental conditions. However, the increasing frequency and intensity of droughts associated with climate change highlight the need to identify and improve varieties capable of maintaining favourable agronomic and productive traits under water deficit conditions. The objective of this article was to analyse, through a scoping review, the available evidence on the agronomic evaluation of improved quinoa varieties adapted to drought conditions, considering their morphological, physiological, and productive responses. The review included academic studies and specialised publications related to growth, development, yield, harvest index, root biomass, water-use efficiency, and mechanisms of adaptation to water stress. The findings reveal considerable variability in cultivar responses to limited water availability. Plant height, panicle diameter and length, biomass production, grain yield, harvest index, root development, and water-use efficiency are the main indicators used to identify tolerant materials. Better-adapted varieties exhibit mechanisms related to efficient root systems, growth regulation, maintenance of physiological activity, and the ability to stabilise yield. Nevertheless, methodological differences and gaps remain regarding multi-location and long-term evaluations. It is concluded that agronomic evaluation integrated with physiological indicators constitutes a fundamental strategy for selecting improved drought-resilient quinoa varieties and strengthening production sustainability in environments vulnerable to climate change.
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References
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