Characterizing genotype, environment and their interaction on the grain composition and nutritional attributes of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

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Quinoa is a pseudocereal (grain like) native to South America, where it formed an important component in the diet of Incan civilization. In the last two decades, Quinoa has gained considerable interest worldwide due to its ability to productively grow under less favorable conditions and the nutritional composition of Quinoa grain that is superior to most of the cereal grains. Quinoa is generally consumed in a manner similar to rice but Quinoa has higher grain protein concentration that is similar to wheat. Quinoa proteins are rich in essential amino acids such as lysine that is deficient in all cereal grains. Quinoa protein has been compared to casein or milk proteins. Quinoa grain also shows a wide diversity in starch composition and structure that influences its digestibility and subsequently the availability of glucose to human body and glycemic index. Northern Quinoa Production Corporation (NQPC, NorQuin) is a specialty grain and food processing company headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, that is focused to develop new Quinoa cultivars with grain composition that is beneficial for human health and provide food and nutrition security. The proposed research will study genotype x environment interaction in relation to quinoa grain composition to develop new Quinoa varieties for western Canada. Another objective is to characterize Qunioa saponins that give bitter taste to the grain, so that the component can be reduced in the new varieties. Genotyping by sequencing will be used to develop DNA markers to accelerate new Qunioa cultivar development with added health benefits. Successful completion of this project will provide a new grain to be included in the diet for Canadian and international consumers. Diet diversity is a key to achieve nutritional security as Quinoa is rich in several micronutrients that will be added to the human diet. Grains with less digestible starch will be very useful to prevent and manage obesity and associated chronic diseases. For agricultural producers, new Quinoa varieties will add to crop diversification as Quinoa can be cultivated in less favorable conditions. NQPC is a vertically integrated company working from field to fork capable to utilize the results of this research for the benefit of Canadian producers and consumers. Successful completion of this research project will contribute to global nutritional security, develop a climate resilient crop for the new agricultural paradigm reshaping agriculture for health and nutrition.