FORAGE YIELD AND QUALITY OF QUINOA (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) GENOTYPES HARVESTED AT DIFFERENT CUTTING STAGES UNDER MEDITERRANEAN CONDITIONS

Genotype choosing and cutting stage are very significant to obtained better forage yield and quality. However, researches about forage production from quinoa plant genotypes harvested at different cutting stages are not enough in Mediterranean conditions. This study was conducted to determine the forage yield and quality of five different quinoa genotypes (Red head, Cherry vanilla, French vanilla, Mint vanilla and Titicaca) at three different cutting stages (flowering, milky and dough). The experiment was laid out in split plot of randomized complete blocks with three replications in 2019 and 2020 years. To evaluate the forage yield and quality of different quinoa genotypes harvested at different cutting stages, plant height, stem diameter, dry forage yield, dry matter content, water soluble carbohydrate, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, condensed tannins, ether extract, crude protein, crude ash, organic matter, non-fiber carbohydrate and relative feed value properties were investigated. As a result of the research, it was determined that it is appropriate to harvest quinoa as a roughage source at the dough stage, and that Mint vanilla genotype is the most productive genotype.