Phenotypic Characterization and Yield Screening of Quinoa Germplasms in Diverse Low-Altitude Regions: A Preliminary Study

In this study, 300 quinoa accessions were systematically screened for adaptation to low-altitude areas using seventeen traits. The experiment was conducted in Taigu District, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, in 2021, at an altitude of 791 m. Out of the 300 genotypes, 107 were able to produce flowers and fruit, with yields ranging from 538 to 5132 kg ha⁻¹ and with 1000-grain weights between 1.19 g and 2.37 g. These 107 quinoa genotypes were categorized into four groups based on grain yield: below 1500, 1500–2250, 2250–3000, and above 3000 kg ha⁻¹. These groups consisted of 33, 33, 24, and 17 genotypes, respectively. This study found that the 1000-grain weight ranged from 1.19 g to 2.37 g, with an average of 1.72 g, 1.72 g, 1.83 g, and 1.92 g for the respective yield levels. Among the 107 genotypes, 25 had a 1000-grain weight exceeding 2 g, and 13 of these genotypes also had yields exceeding 2250 kg ha⁻¹. The growth period of quinoa genotypes in the low-altitude area was approximately 138–142 days, with longer growth periods associated with higher yield levels. JQ-00084 is the only genotype with a yield > 3000 kg ha⁻¹ and meets all the growth criteria, including a 1000-grain weight exceeding 2 g and a flowering-to-maturity period of over 80 days. Meanwhile, JQ-00315, JQ-00521, JQ-1029, and JQ-02405 fulfilled at least four criteria. These results highlight the importance of germplasm screening for low altitudes, and a large set of germplasms could be screened using the above criteria of phenology, growth, and yield traits.