Assessing Yield Response of Quinoa to Sugarcane Residue Compost and Trichoderma asperelloides Fungi and Bacillus subtilis Bacteria Inoculation

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Sugarecane residue compost,Trichoderma Fungi and Bacillus bacteria inoculation on some agronomic characteristics and yield of quinoa, which is valuable in terms of nutritional value and tolerance to adverse environmental conditions.

The experiment was conducted as factorial arrangements in randomized complete block design with three replications in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan during 2019-2020 growing season. Experimental factors included amount of sugarcane residue compost at five levels (zero, 10, 20, 30 and 40 t.ha-1) and biofertilizer at three levels (no inoculation, Trichoderma asperelloides and Bacillus subtilis inoculation).

Results :

The highest biological yield (5152 kg.ha-1) was obtained from Trichoderma inoculation treatment and the lowest (4234 kg.ha-1) from non-inoculation treatment. The highest grain yield (1908 kg.ha-1) was related to Trichoderma treatment. Inoculation of Trichoderma and Bacillus increased grain yield by 27% and 19% compared to no inoculation, respectively. Maximum grain yield was obtained from treatments of 20 and 30 t.ha-1, respectively.

Considering that the best treatments of this experiment in most traits were 20 and 30 tons of sugarcane residue compost per hectare, to reduce the cost, it is recommended to use 20 tons of this organic fertilizer to achieve maximum quinoa grain yield. Inoculation of Trichoderma and Bacillus bacteria, especially Trichoderma, is also recommended to improve the growth and yield of quinoa.