Prospects for quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) improvement through biotechnology

JELLEN, E. N.; MAUGHAN, P. J.; BERTERO, H. D; MUNIR, H.

Biotechnology of Neglected and Underutilized Crops

Springer Verlag

Lugar: Berlín; Año: 2013; p. 173 - 201

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoaWilld., 2n = 4x = 36) is an Andean broadleaf seed and vegetable crop of ancient origin.  Quinoa represents one or two botanical varieties of a much broader tri-species complex native to North and South America and dominated by weedy forms of pitseed goosefoot (C. berlandieriMoq.) and avian goosefoot (C. hircinumSchrad.).  This biological species complex includes at least two extant domesticated forms of C. berlandieri subsp. nuttaliae (Safford) H.D. Wilson & Heister:  Mexican huazontle and chia roja. Within quinoa itself the two main limitations to the crop?s improvement and dissemination are restricted access to cultivated Highland Andean germplasm and heat-stress susceptibility in the best agronomic types from the southern Altiplano. These limitations underscore the importance of the exotic gene pool for future quinoa breeding. A sophisticated toolbox of DNA-based genetic markers and genomic resources have been developed to facilitate gene transfer from exotic sources in pre-breeding and accelerate the process of breeding elite cultivars. In addition, quinoa physiology and agronomy research have identified promising strategies and potential gene targets for improving yield, heat tolerance, maturity, and other traits critical to the expansion of quinoa into temperate and subtropical lowland production environments. The existing political climate in key areas of the Andean region, while unfavorable for the application of transgenic breeding approaches, should encourage accelerated efforts to incorporate MAS strategies in quinoa breeding.