Quinoa in Ecuador: Recent Advances under Global Expansion

Abstract

Quinoa is a highly diverse crop domesticated in the Andean region of South America with broad adaptation to a wide range of marginal environments. Quinoa has garnered interest worldwide due to its nutritional and health benefits. Over the last decade, quinoa production has expanded outside of the Andean region, prompting multiple studies investigating the potential for quinoa cultivation in novel environments. Currently, quinoa is grown in countries spanning five continents, including North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Here, we update the advances of quinoa research in Ecuador across different topics, including (a) current quinoa production situation with a focus on breeding progress, (b) traditional seed production, and (c) the impact of the work of the nongovernment organization “European Committee for Training and Agriculture” with quinoa farmers in Chimborazo province. Additionally, we discuss genetic diversity, primary pests and diseases, actions for adapting quinoa to tropical areas, and recent innovations in quinoa processing in Ecuador. Finally, we report a case study describing a participatory breeding project between Washington State University and the Association of Andean Seed and Nutritional Food Producers Mushuk Yuyay in the province of Cañar.

Effects of planting quinoa on soil properties and microbial community in saline soil

“…The research on quinoa is mainly on the nutritional value and physiological characteristics (Wright et al, 2002;Ferreira et al, 2015). In addition, the screening of quinoa germplasm resources (Zurita-Silva et al, 2014) and work on quinoa pests and diseases, and genetic diversity were carried out (Hinojosa et al, 2021). Regarding agronomy, the recommended cultivation density is 67,500 plants per hectare in high altitude and cool regions, 97,500 plants per hectare in arid, semi-arid and irrigated regions, and 120,000 plants per hectare in medium altitude and arid regions (Iglesias-Puig et al, 2015).…”

Recent developments and knowledge in pseudocereals including technological aspects

“…In Ecuador, for example, the range of quinoa products that are produced and marketed include: whole grain, quinoa flour, quinoa flour mixtures with oats or amaranth, baby food porridge, granola, energy bars, soft drinks, quinoa expanded as breakfast cereal, biscuits, alfajores (a traditional dessert), and quinoa bread with substitution percentages reaching 30%. Also solid fermentation processes are being tested to obtain vegetable meat alternatives and technologies are being optimized to produce milk-and yogurt-type drinks (Hinojosa et al, 2021). Buckwheat is used in many countries for gruels, porridges and pancake cooking.…”

Field Evaluation of Cypermethrin, Imidacloprid, Teflubenzuron and Emamectin Benzoate against Pests of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) and Their Side Effects on Non-Target Species

“…Quinoa is an Andean grain that has increasingly gained international interest due to its high nutritional value [ 1 ]. During the last decade, the cultivated area of quinoa has substantially increased in South American countries such as Ecuador, Chile and particularly Bolivia and Peru [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. In the case of Peru, the production areas have extended to lower elevations, reaching even the coastal level [ 5 ].…”