Argentina has a new variety of quinoa: It was obtained by researchers from INTA San Juan and is capable of adapting to soils.

After 12 years of genetic improvement and field trials, researchers from INTA San Juan presented a new variety of quinoa – the second registered in the country – distinguished by its high productivity and adaptability. It was named Morillos INTA and achieves a yield of 2,000 kilos per hectare. "Morillos INTA is a much more versatile and adaptable quinoa variety to different cultivation and soil conditions. Although it was specifically developed for the agroclimatic conditions of the province, it is being tested, with good results compared to other quinoas, in different provinces," explained Lucas Francisco Guillén, from the Rural Extension Agency (AER) Calingasta. Being a general characteristic of this crop its wide range of tolerance, Morillos INTA is capable of adapting to saline soils, droughts, and frosts. Moreover, being a short-cycle crop allows for two annual harvests – mainly in San Juan – one in spring and another in autumn. This variety is also suitable for industrial ...