Improving of Amaranth (Amaranthus Spp.) and Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) by Genetic Resources
Inam Ur Rehman
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Narmeen Ayesha
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Khadija Anam
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Ayesha Khalid
*
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Laraib Ali
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Hina Nazir
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Zabeehullah Burhan
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Usama Sadique
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The modern human population is more mindful of their diet and choose foods carefully in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent illness. Thus, instead of sticking to their long-standing diets of ordinary cereals and basic foods, individuals are starting to choose more intelligent and nutrient-dense dietary choices. Because they are gluten-free, have no added sugar, and are somewhat higher in nutrients than typical cereals, pseudocereals—particularly quinoa and amaranth—are significant substitutes. Both Amaranthaceae crops are hardy, low-input plants that can withstand salt, stress, and drought. Therefore, these crops might be advantageous to emerging nations with limited agricultural resources and subsistence agriculture. But these are neglected orphan crops, and for a very long time, there has been no attempt to enhance them by lowering their saponin content. These crops also have a great degree of variety, but their genetic development towards high-yielding genotypes is sluggish. This is because traditional cereals are facing problems, and crop diversification is the preferred solution to address climate change. The most recent technological advancements that can speed up breeding to increase agricultural output and quality are far behind and move more slowly than the world's primary crops that are already well-established.
Keywords: Amaranthaceae crops, gluten-free, long-standing, nutrient-dense, pseudocereals