The Morrillos INTA quinoa variety, developed by researchers at INTA San Juan, stands out for its versatility in sowing and high yield potential — up to 2,000 kilograms per hectare — surpassing similar varieties.
“Morrillos INTA is a quinoa variety that is much more versatile and adaptable to different cultivation conditions and soils,” said Lucas Francisco Guillén, of the Rural Extension Agency (AER) Calingasta -San Juan. In turn, he added that “it has a higher yield, so it is a more productive variety with a potential of up to 2000 kilograms per hectare, compared to similar seeds.”
Its short growing cycle allows for two annual harvests — primarily in San Juan — during spring and autumn. “Although designed for the province’s agroclimatic conditions, Morrillos INTA is being successfully tested in other provinces, showing promising results compared to other quinoa varieties,” Guillén added. He emphasized that the variety has strong potential for regional development and can contribute to the local economy, according to a press release.
Like other quinoa varieties, Morrillos INTA tolerates saline soils, drought, and frost. It is versatile in use, suitable for direct human consumption in a wide range of culinary applications, as well as for industrial processing into flours and protein drinks.
“This variety contributes to the production of quinoa in Argentina and contributes to diversifying agricultural production to generate new opportunities for producers,” said Guillén, who also indicated that, due to its great nutritional quality, “it has great potential, since quinoa is an excellent source of protein, fiber and minerals.”
INTA began reintroducing quinoa to San Juan in 2013, aiming to offer productive alternatives amid declining profitability of traditional crops. Morrillos INTA is Argentina’s second officially registered quinoa variety, developed through years of field trials and data analysis to meet the standards of the National Registry of Cultivars.
