Effect of three harvest methods on seed shattering of six cañahua (Chenopodium pallidicaule) cultivars in the Northern Altiplano, Bolivia

Wilmer A. Macuchapi Cordova; Rubén Jacobo Trigo Riveros; Gladys J. Chipana Mendoza; Juan Pablo Rodríguez Calle

Abstract

Cañahua (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen), is a plant that resists adverse climate conditions, as well to drought, frost and salinity. This crop has a variable dehiscence, so the harvest must be adequate to reduce grain losses and impurities. This investigation determined grain losses before and during physiological maturity in six cultivars of cañahua using three harvest methods in the Northern Altiplano. The cultivars evaluated were L-300, Ak'apuya, Illimani, Kullaca, Warikunka and Umacutama. Harvesting methods included: cutting with a sickle, pruning shears and manual cutting. Physiological, agronomic, grain quality and grain loss in natural conditions and by the action of the harvest method were evaluated. Our results show that seed shattering for the Illimani cultivar was 1.042 kg ha^-1 due to its early growth cycle and 0.420 kg ha^-1 to Umacutama due to its late growth. Harvested method during harvest had greater loss with 477.40 kg ha^-1, followed by the sickle method of 297.61 kg ha^-1 and the scissor method of 161.82 kg ha^-1. Grain yields ranged from 341.23 to 706.68 kg ha^-1. The cultivars with better adaptability were L-300 and Ak'apuya.