Effect of Nitrogen and Potassium on Growth, Yield, and Seed Quality of Quinoa in Ferralsols and Acrisols under Rainfed Conditions

Abstract

The study has investigated the individual and combined effects of nitrogen and potassium on the growth, grain yield, and quality of quinoa in ferralsols and acrisols. The experiments were conducted during the dry season under rainfed conditions in Central Highland, Vietnam. The factorial design was a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results revealed the positive impacts of nitrogen and potassium on the growth and yield of quinoa. However, after the application of an optimum dose of nitrogen, growth, and yield were not significantly changed and even decreased when the dose continued increasing. Higher levels of nitrogen and potassium application resulted in greater protein and fat content, but lower starch and fiber contents, compared to lower levels. The fertilizer practice has to rely on soil fertility. The study shows that the application of 150 kg N and 105 kg K O ha-1 could be the optimum rate of nitrogen and potassium for quinoa production in ferralsols and acrisols in Central Highland.