CULTIVATION OF THE PLANT

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Quinoa can be grown as summer as well as a winter crop. It can thrive in a wide temperature and moisture range. It can be grown in soil with limited moisture and a rainfall of 100mm. It is said to be a water-efficient crop. However, the crop yield can be increased by irrigation. The plant requires well-drained soil for better growth. Waterlogging results in crop loss.

There are many varieties of Quinoa but the commercially cultivated varieties are plants with white, red, and black or purple seeds.

The harvesting is done after 3-4 months of sowing. Traditionally the harvesting is done manually and rarely by machines. Machine harvesting is not preferable as the maturity period of seeds is variable.

The crop is not harvested until the stalk and seeds dry up and the moisture content of the seed reaches below 10%. The dried seeds are stored raw or they are washed to remove the saponin coating and dried again before storage.