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Agroecological performance of quinoa-based cropping systems in Saharan drylands: Effects of seed rate, intercropping, and rotation on system productivity and soil fertility.

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Τίτλος: Agroecological performance of quinoa-based cropping systems in Saharan drylands: Effects of seed rate, intercropping, and rotation on system productivity and soil fertility.
Συγγραφείς: Jouira HB; Laboratory of Extremophile Plants, Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia., Goussi R; Laboratory of Extremophile Plants, Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia., Youssef RB; Laboratory of Extremophile Plants, Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia., Zidane OD; Saharan Bio-Resources Laboratory, Safeguarding and Valorization, Kasdi Merbah Ouargla University, Ouargla, Algeria., Khaled H; Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of El Oued, El Oued, Algeria., Manaa A; Laboratory of Extremophile Plants, Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia.
Πηγή: Journal of the science of food and agriculture [J Sci Food Agric] 2026 Aug 15; Vol. 106 (10), pp. 6126-6143. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Apr 21.
Τύπος έκδοσης: Journal Article; Evaluation Study
Γλώσσα: English
Στοιχεία περιοδικού: Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 0376334 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1097-0010 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00225142 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Sci Food Agric Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Publication: <2005-> : Chichester, West Sussex : John Wiley & Sons
Original Publication: London, Society of Chemical Industry.
Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): Chenopodium quinoa*/growth & development , Chenopodium quinoa*/genetics , Chenopodium quinoa*/chemistry , Chenopodium quinoa*/metabolism , Seeds*/growth & development , Seeds*/chemistry , Seeds*/metabolism , Seeds*/genetics , Soil*/chemistry , Crop Production*/methods, Avena/growth & development ; Avena/metabolism ; Triticum/growth & development ; Triticum/metabolism ; Tunisia ; Agroecology ; Desert Climate
Περίληψη: Background: Saharan dryland systems in southern Tunisia are characterized by severe environmental constraints, including saline and waterlogged soils due to poor drainage and compacted textures. Agroecological practices such as intercropping and crop rotation offer sustainable alternatives to intensive monoculture for improving soil health and productivity. This study, conducted in southern Tunisia, evaluated the agroecological performance of different quinoa genotypes under varying planting densities, comparing monocropping, intercropping with oat, and rotation with traditional cereals such as wheat and oat. Seed rate (sowing density) significantly influenced growth, yield, and seed quality.
Results: A 6 kg ha-1 seed rate produced the highest stem diameter, plant height, and biomass. A 12 kg ha-1 seed rate reduced growth and yield, with harvest index (HI) and seed yield declining by up to 76%, depending on genotype. Saponin content increased by up to 25% with a high seed rate, whereas protein content decreased. Quinoa-oat intercropping enhanced plant height, stem diameter, and dry weight, but reduced quinoa HI by up to 53%. In contrast, oat HI, seed yield, and thousand-kernel weight (TKW) increased under the intercropping system. Land equivalent ratio values ranged from 1.5 to 2.14, indicating improved system productivity, whereas competitive ratio (CRq) values confirmed that quinoa was less competitive than oat. Rotation with quinoa increased oat harvest index by 95% but reduced wheat harvest index by 22%. Both intercropping and rotation improved soil organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus availability while reducing salinity, enhancing soil fertility.
Conclusion: These results highlight the potential of quinoa-based cropping systems for sustainable production and soil management in arid and saline environments. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
(© 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.)
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Contributed Indexing: Keywords: arid regions; crop rotation; intercropping; quinoa; seed rate; soil fertility
Substance Nomenclature: 0 (Soil)
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260422 Date Completed: 20260614 Latest Revision: 20260625
Update Code: 20260625
DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.70671
PMID: 42015331
Βάση Δεδομένων: MEDLINE
Περιγραφή
ISSN:1097-0010
DOI:10.1002/jsfa.70671