With the goal of analyzing the genetic variability of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) germ plasm around Lake Titicaca, which is conserved in the National Bank of High Andean Grains of the PROINPA Altiplano Regional Foundation, the agromorphological behavior of 432 quinoa samples from the surrounding area (both Bolivian and Peruvian) were characterized and evaluated. This activity occurred at agricultural step 99/2000 of Belén Agricultural Station (16°1' South by 68°42' West), with the San Andrés Higher University Faculty of Agronomy, which because of its proximity to the lake represents climate conditions like those of the studied material's origin. In order to determine standards of genetic variation, identify the most discriminating quantitative variables, and classify sample groups of different genetic variability, two multivariate methods were applied using 17 quantitative variables: 5 phenotypic, 10 morphological, yield, and harvest index. The descriptive statistical analysis showed a wide genetic variability regarding the phenologic cycle and the size of the quinoa plants. According to the simple correlation analysis, the most important associations between phenologic variables corresponded to 50% of flowering at the beginning and end of flowering. The morphological variables highlight associations between leaf width with leaf length and stalk length. Likewise, the associations between yield and stem diameter, length of the grain bunch, diameter of the grain bunch, and plant height are statistically significant. All of these are positively associated with the other phenotypic variables. The architecture of the plant, in contrast, negatively influenced the yield and harvest index. The analysis of principle components identified 4 significant components that contributed more than 69% of total variance. The first principal component identified tall plants with thick stems, with large leaves and grain bunches, but with a late phenologic cycle and, as such, with low harvest indexes. The second principal component identified early plants of medium size that tend to develop relatively thick stems, with medium leaves, grain bunches and good-quality grain. Consequently, they produced the best yield. Similarly, the proportion of total variance contributed by each variable over the 4 significant components was determined. It was found that the most important and discriminating variables were 50% flowering, flowering index, and end of flowering, followed by weight of 100 grains, grain diameter, yield, and finally the length of the grain bunch, length of leaves, stem diameter, and leaf width. A non-hierarchical K-medium grouping technique permitted the classification of quinoa samples around Lake Titicaca in two groups. Group 1 consisted of 161 late quinoa plants with tall heights, large grain bunches, and low harvest indexes. Group 2 consisted of 271 early quinoa plants of medium size, leaves, and grain bunches, with small grains that at the same time have high harvest indexes.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BGMYU2/oai:scholarsarchive.byu.edu:etd-6420 |
| Date | 01 January 2002 |
| Creators | Pinto Porcel, Milton Víctor |
| Publisher | BYU ScholarsArchive |
| Source Sets | Brigham Young University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
| Coverage | Peru, Bolivia |
| Rights | http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/ |
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