No study has been conducted to determine the mineral content of seeds belonging to different quinoa varieties under the conditions of Turkey. In addition, there is no study on whether quinoa seeds that containing high amounts of minerals can be utilized for mineral needs of laying hens in particular. In this study, which was carried out under Erzurum irrigated conditions, it was aimed to determine the mineral content of seeds belonging to nine quinoa varieties and whether they can appropriately utilize for meeting mineral requirements (as recommended by NRC) of laying hens. Significant differences were observed in the mineral contents of the varieties. The phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc and boron contents of the seeds varied between 0.18-0.25%, 0.76-1.08%, 0.07-0.12%, 3427-5453 mg kg-1, 233.8-577.8 mg kg-1, 45.6-107.8 mg kg-1, 40.2-72.9 mg kg-1, 29.8-55.4 mg kg-1 and 48.3-94.7 mg kg-1, respectively. When these results were compared with the values recommended by NRC, it was seen that quinoa seeds could exceedingly meet the daily mineral requirements (except calcium) of laying hens. As a result, it has been revealed that the seeds of all quinoa varieties can be evaluated as an organic mineral source in the feeding of laying hens.
Determination of Mineral Content of Seeds Belonging to Different Quinoa Varieties and their Evaluation for Daily Mineral Requirements of Laying Hens
