EVALUATION OF SOME Chenopodium quinoa CULTIVARS AS A NEW CASH CROP HALOPHYTE IN EGYPT

Abstract

An alternative approach to cope with salinity problem is utilizing cash crop halophyte for sustainable food production. Chenopodium quinoa Willd. is a facultative halophytic plant with multipurpose potentials and has recently received great attention because of its high nutritional value and ability to grow and produce under extreme harsh conditions. The present work aimed to evaluate three cultivars (Hualhuas, CICA and Real) at two sowing date (October and November) under saline conditions at El-Tina plain (Sahl El-Tina) in Northwestern coastal region of Geographical location (latitude 32 27'50" N and longitude 30 59'47" E) Sinai, Egypt. Results indicated that, sowing Hualhuas cultivar at either October or November had no significant effect on all the studied character i.e. seed yield (kg/fed), weight of 1000 seed (g), weight of hectoliter (kg/100L), plant biological shoot fresh weight, dry weight (g) and harvest index (%). On the other hand, sowing CICA cultivar at October improved significantly each of seed yield (kg/fed), weight of 1000 seed (g) , weight of hectoliter (g) and harvest index (%), while for plant biological shoot fresh weight and dry weight (g) sowing CICA at November was recommended. Regarding Real cultivar, November sowing date was good enough to enhance seed yield (kg/fed), weight of 1000 seed (g), weight of hectoliter (kg/100L) and plant biological shoot dry weight (g). Only harvest index (%), sowing date in October was the best .