Quinoa’s response to different sowing periods in two agro-ecological zones of Burkina Faso

The Soudano-Sahelian and Soudanian agro-climatic zones of Burkina Faso extent over 150,000 km2 and 55,000 km2, respectively, equivalent to 75 % of the coun-try’s total surface area. Food security throughout the country is constantly threatened due to inter/intra annual fluctuations on crop production. Climate resilient and highly nutritional crops (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) are of increasing interest in regions exposed to environmental stresses and having high undernourishment rates. This study examines quinoa’s adaptability in two agro-ecological zones of Burkina Faso (Soudano-Sahelian and Soudanian zones). Four quinoa genotypes (Pasankalla, Negra Collana, Titicaca and Puno) are tested for different sowing periods (from October to January) in two agro-ecological zones, and their effect on crop growth is evaluated. Results show a significant effect of sowing dates on plant phenology in both agro-cli-matic zones. Photoperiod, temperature and wind speed are the major environmental factors explaining variation in terms of crop growth and development between sowing dates. Emerging findings show that short cycle varieties (Titicaca and Puno) can be highly performing (above 3 t ha-1) when sowing between November-December and October-December in the Soudano-Sahelian and Soudanian zones, respectively. Other genotypes (Pasankalla), can respond better to strong Harmattan winds, besides having similar yields to those reported for Titicaca and Puno. Pasankalla and Negra Collana tend to be susceptible to heat-stress conditions occurring in March-April because of their long cycle (around 120 days).