Worldwide evaluations of quinoa: preliminary results from post International Year of Quinoa FAO projects in nine countries

Chenopodium quinoa Willd, a high quality grain crop, is resistant to abiotic stresses (drought, cold, and salt) and offers an optimal source of protein. Quinoa represents a symbol of crop genetic diversity across the Andean region. In recent years, this crop has undergone a major expansion outside its countries of origin. The activities carried out within the framework of the International Year of Quinoa provided a great contribution to raise awareness on the multiple benefits of quinoa as well as to its wider cultivation at the global level. FAO is actively involved in promoting and evaluating the cultivation of quinoa in 26 countries outside the Andean region with the aim to strengthen food and nutrition security. The main goal of this research is to evaluate the adaptability of selected quinoa genotypes under different environments outside the Andean region. This paper presents the preliminary results from nine countries. Field evaluations were conducted during 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 in Asia (Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan), and the Near East and North African countries (Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Mauritania, and Yemen). In each country, the trials were carried out in different locations that globally represent the diversity of 19 agrarian systems under different agro-ecological conditions. Twenty-one genotypes of quinoa were tested using the same experimental protocol in all locations consisting in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Some genotypes showed higher yields and the Q18 and Q12 landraces displayed greater adaptation than others to new environmental conditions. The Q21 and Q26 landraces were evaluated with stable and satisfactory levels of yield (>1 t.ha−1) in each of the different trial sites. This production stability is of considerable importance especially under climate change uncertainty. While these results suggest that this Andean crop is able to grow in many different environments, social, and cultural considerations remain crucial regarding its possible introduction as a staple food in new cropping systems around the world

National and regional component of physical education curricula for schoolchildren in Kazakhstan and Russia

Research aim: to give a comparative assessment of the secondary school-age students’ PE educational programs national-regional component use effectiveness of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Russia. Research materials and methods. The work was carried out during the 2018-2019 academic year in secondary schools in Aktobe (Republic of Kazakhstan) and Orenburg (Russia). In both countries, the school’s PE curriculum consisted of three lessons per week. Two of them were conducted according to the training programs. The programs of the third variable lesson of physical culture contained an ethno-pedagogical component in the form of national outdoor games and national sports performing elements. The monitoring of physical development and physical fitness of 200 Kazakh and 200 Russian students of the 7th grade aged 12-13 was carried out. Research results. The PE curricula implementation with a national and regional component inclusion has shown high efficiency. In both countries, students have a significant increase in physical fitness indicators. All the motor tests values, anthropometric and physiometric characteristics of Russian schoolchildren were higher than those of Kazakhstan, with the exception of the upper limb muscles speed and strength qualities in boys (the «ball throwing» test). National outdoor games use in the variable component of PE lessons increased the schoolchildren’s indicators of physical condition and motivation in both countries, increased the motor density of the lesson and the health-forming orientation effectiveness of the subject. Conclusions. There are minor differences between the sections content and the hours’ distribution in the annual curriculum of the discipline «Physical Culture for grade 7» in general education schools of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Russia. There are also differences in the national and regional component of the variable lesson of PE content. In both countries, the same positive result of students’ in grade 7 physical and functional fitness monitoring was established. The curriculum of the variable PE lesson in both countries should be supplemented with exercises aimed at developing the lagging children’s motor physical qualities. © JPES

Worldwide evaluations of quinoa: Preliminary results from post international year of quinoa FAO projects in nine countries

Chenopodium quinoa Willd., a high quality grain crop, is resistant to abiotic stresses (drought, cold, and salt) and offers an optimal source of protein. Quinoa represents a symbol of crop genetic diversity across the Andean region. In recent years, this crop has undergone a major expansion outside its countries of origin. The activities carried out within the framework of the International Year of Quinoa provided a great contribution to raise awareness on the multiple benefits of quinoa as well as to its wider cultivation at the global level. FAO is actively involved in promoting and evaluating the cultivation of quinoa in 26 countries outside the Andean region with the aim to strengthen food and nutrition security. The main goal of this research is to evaluate the adaptability of selected quinoa genotypes under different environments outside the Andean region. This paper presents the preliminary results from nine countries. Field evaluations were conducted during 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 in Asia (Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan), and the Near East and North African countries (Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Mauritania, and Yemen). In each country, the trials were carried out in different locations that globally represent the diversity of 19 agrarian systems under different agro-ecological conditions. Twenty-one genotypes of quinoa were tested using the same experimental protocol in all locations consisting in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Some genotypes showed higher yields and the Q18 and Q12 landraces displayed greater adaptation than others to new environmental conditions. The Q21 and Q26 landraces were evaluated with stable and satisfactory levels of yield (> 1 t.ha-1) in each of the different trial sites. This production stability is of considerable importance especially under climate change uncertainty. While these results suggest that this Andean crop is able to grow in many different environments, social, and cultural considerations remain crucial regarding its possible introduction as a staple food in new cropping systems around the world