The effect of variety and sowing date on the growth, development, yield and quality of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)

摘要

The pseudocereal buckwheat (Fagopyrum species) has a wide range of agronomic and health benefits that make it a promising crop for sustainable agricultural production. Buckwheat is gluten free and has been shown to provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. This study examined the effect of sowing date on growth, development, yield and nutritional quality of the varieties Bamby and C?ebelica over 3 growing seasons (2016-18) in north-east England. The low grain yield of 0.77 t ha- 1 (average across varieties, sowing date and season) was associated with a prolonged growing season (150?190 days) in the cool temperate climate of north-east England. The highest grain yield of 1.42 t ha- 1 was achieved from the variety Bamby in 2017 although there was no significant effect of variety or sowing date on grain yield. The average quadrat grain yield of 1.63 t h?1 (based on quadrat sampling) was much higher than the average combine yield and likely reflects significant seed losses at harvest attributable to the very small seed and asynchronous crop ripening/maturity. The average protein 15.2 %, Fe of 104.5?138.7 mg kg- 1 and Zn (average of 31.3 mg kg- 1) concentrations are generally higher than those reported for the major cereals. Late sowing resulted in a large 7.5-fold decline in total antioxidants with the highest concentration (5165.5 ?g g-1) found in the variety Bamby sown in mid-April. Buckwheat has clear potential for production in the organic and low-input sectors in northern England if the significant seed losses at harvest can be avoided as there is increased market demand for gluten-free products helping promote human health.