Quinoa Cultivation in Italy: Some Insights in Seed Production

Quinoa is interesting for the nutritional value of the seeds, the biomass production and for its adaptability. The seeds contain a high amount of essential fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, dietary fibers, and carbohydrates. The plants are resistant to cold, salt, and drought. Harvesting can be made using the common wheat combines which, however, must be set to optimize the separation seed/biomass and to avoid significant seed losses. The study was aimed at identifying the combine setting assuring the higher performances with respect to the environmental and economic impact. Different speeds of the threshing drum (TD) from 600 to 900 rpm were compared on open field conditions at on-farm scale. The economic and environmental aspects were evaluated applying the LCA according to ISO international standard with the corresponding steps in the life cycle costing methodology. The findings showed as the lowest seed losses at header (less than 3 kg ha−1) and threshing (less than 4 kg ha−1) sectors. Such a speed also lowered the economic burden and the carbon footprint.