Evaluation of Photosynthetic Capacity and Grain Yield of the Sea Level Quinoa Variety Titicaca Grown in a Highland Region of Northwest Argentine

Abstract

Photosynthetic characterization of the quinoa cultivar Titicaca grown at the Encalilla site (1995m asl), a high mountain valley of the Argentinean Northwest, is described in this study. Titicaca cultivar,bred in Denmark from Chilean and Peruvian parenteral lines, is a promising short cycle cultivar anddaylength neutral photoperiod. Results showed that maximal photosynthetic CO2 assimilation (Amax)and stomatal conductance (gs) were similar to other quinoa varieties. However, carboxilation capacityand leaf transpiration (E) were significantly higher in Titicaca cultivar compared with other quinoacultivars grown in the same place. Assimilation of CO2 and stomatal conductance exhibited a strongcorrelation, like that occurs between (E) and (gs). Light saturation point (LSP) and light compensationpoint (LCP) were higher in relation to other quinoa cultivars. Grain yield of 2.35 and 2.51 g/plant wasrecorded and indicating a well adaptation to arid climatic conditions of the Argentinean Northwestregion. The highest value of UV protective pigments found in Titicaca will be explained by solarirradiance in the grown area in relation to Denmark conditions. Grain yield, harvest index and somephysiological parameters suggested a good adaptation of the Titicaca quinoa cultivar to high mountainvalleys of the Argentina Northwest. This means that Titicaca may be considered as a good alternativefor farmers in order to get similar production in less time.