Genetic Variability of Native Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) from the Andean Region of Ecuador

This project addresses the need to characterize the genetic diversity of native quinoa populations in the Ecuadorian Andean Region, an ancestral crop vital for food security and possessing high nutritional value, which has suffered from underutilization and loss of traditional knowledge. The study aims to generate crucial scientific information for the conservation of local phytogenetic resources, counteracting competition from mass-market crops. The methodology involves collecting and georeferencing quinoa samples from key provinces such as Carchi, Imbabura, and Loja. Molecular characterization will be performed through the extraction and quantification of genomic DNA, followed by genotyping using microsatellite molecular markers. Genetic material amplification will be conducted via PCR, with visualization on polyacrylamide gels stained with silver nitrate. Finally, genetic distance and similarity indices between populations will be calculated using statistical analysis and specialized software such as GenAlex 6.0 and NTSYS 220, to evaluate intra- and inter-population variability.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>The main objective of this project is to determine the genetic variability within and between quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Will.) populations present in the Andean Region of Ecuador.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Biodiversity and genetic resources