Scarcity of water resources and growing competition for water, reduce water availability for irrigation. In this experiment
which was carried out in the south of Morocco, treated wastewater was used as an alternative resource for irrigation of
quinoa (
Chenopodium
quinoa
Willd.). During the first season (2010), six deficit irrigation treatments were applied during
all crop stages on DO708 cultivar alternating water stress level at either 100 or 50% of ETm (maximal evatranspiration),
while during the second season (2011), three deficit irrigation treatments 100, 50 and 25% were applied only during
vegetative growth stage on two quinoa cultivars DO708 and QM1113. The highest water productivity was obtained when
deficit irrigation was applied during the vegetative growth stage. Applying 50% of ETm during first season and second
season resulted in highest yield. The most sensitive growth stage of quinoa to drought stress was the seed filling stage, and
during this stage it is recommended to supply water to avoid yield and water productivity decrease. Combining deficit
irrigation strategy, engineering solution (modernization of the irrigation systems, soil moisture monitoring), and the reuse of
treated wastewater for irrigation, could improve water productivity of this drought tolerant crop under conditions of limited
water resources.
