Controlled Environment protocol for propagation of quinoa transplants.

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Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd), a plant of South American origin primarily used for its highly nutritious seed, has soared in popularity across North America in the past five years. Issues with quality and access to this high demand plant has motivated Katan Kitchens, a company based in Georgetown, ON, to research and pursue commercial production in Ontario. While the company is poised to launch Ontario commercial production in 2015, there is an identified need to mitigate risks of seedling loss during germination due to suboptimal weather conditions for Northern Ontario expansion. The opportunity exists to utilize quinoa transplant plugs to avoid late spring frosts and wet conditions, as well as shorten the outdoor growing season and maximize quality and quantity of seed and forage yields through early harvest. It is proposed to germinate seeds in