THE POSSIBILITY OF SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF BUCKWHEAT AND QUINOA CROPS ON MODERATELY DEGRADED LAND IN VOJVODINA (NORTHERN SERBIA)

This study analyzes the possibility of sustainable production of high biological value food, quinoa and buckwheat, on a fertile agricultural and moderately degraded land – in an area outside their native range. The research was conducted during three consecutive years on two locations and two types of soil in Vojvodina, the Republic of Serbia, and included one variety of quinoa (KVL 52.2) and one variety ofbuckwheat (Novosadska). The trial was set up in the city of Nova Pazova (on fertile meadow black soil) and the village of Ilandža (on degraded marshy black soil). The aim of the research was to determine the impact of pedological conditions on the sustainable production of quinoa and buckwheat in different locations in Vojvodina. It was found that moderately degraded land can be used for sustainable production of high-value food without the prior application of agro-ameliorative measures. The yield of buckwheat was significantly higher and less influenced by pedological conditions than the yield of quinoa, suggesting the use of this alternative crop species for the production of high-quality food on moderately degraded land in Vojvodina.