Lincoln University Showcases a Decade of Quinoa Research

Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) showcased a decade of quinoa research during its 2026 Quinoa Field Day on July 14. Held at LU's George Washington Carver Farm in Jefferson City, the event gave participants an opportunity to tour research plots and learn how quinoa performs in Missouri growing conditions.

During opening remarks, Safiullah Pathan, Ph.D., who leads the university's quinoa research, emphasized the crop's versatility.

"Quinoa is not just a grain. It is a nutritious, multipurpose crop," said Pathan, professor of plant and soil science. "With one planting, we can harvest leafy greens first and grain later."

LU began studying quinoa in 2016 as a sustainable crop with income potential for small farmers. Its ability to tolerate drought, salinity and poor soils made it a promising candidate for research in the Midwest. Pathan and his team studied 128 varieties and identified two that performed especially well in Missouri trials.

Finding varieties suited to the area may help farmers enter a market currently supplied largely by imports. Information shared during the field day showed much of the quinoa sold in the United States comes from Peru and Bolivia. Domestic cultivation remains limited in the United States, with commercial production concentrated in parts of the Northwest and little to none in the Midwest.

Quinoa plants develop flowering seed heads in research plots at Lincoln University's George Washington Carver Farm.

Consumer interest in quinoa comes from its nutritional value and reputation as a superfood. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free and provides protein, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The grain can be cooked and served much like rice, while the leafy greens are used in dishes such as salads and soups. Quinoa is also eaten as microgreens and sprouts.

Beyond these uses, processing quinoa into snacks, baked goods and other prepared foods may give farmers more ways to market the crop. That possibility drew Webster Davis of Fulton to the field day.

"Quinoa is a value-added crop; you can add chocolate or caramel and sell it as a bar," Davis said. "Lincoln University does a great job showing how to produce the crop. The next step is figuring out how to turn that production into farm profit."

Webster Davis of Fulton, front, joins attendees during a tour of quinoa research plots at Lincoln University's George Washington Carver Farm.

While Davis viewed quinoa as a possible source of farm income, Mark Kiekhaefer of Jefferson City attended the field day to learn how he might grow it on a small scale at his home residence.

"I'm trying to develop my backyard to see what I can grow and be an example for the neighborhood, because there aren't many gardens there," he said. "I also just love to learn."

During the tour, Kiekhaefer asked about harvesting quinoa and separating the grain from the plant. LU research technician Grato Ndunguru used plants in the research plots to identify the seed heads and explain how the grain is removed after harvest.

Mark Kiekhaefer of Jefferson City (left) speaks with LU research technician Grato Ndunguru (right) during a tour of the quinoa research plots at George Washington Carver Farm.

Ndunguru also presented LU's dual-purpose harvesting method to attendees. About 30 days after planting, growers can cut the top six to eight inches for leafy greens. The remaining stems then develop new branches that produce grain for harvest about 80 to 90 days after planting.

Addissu Ayele, Ph.D., assistant professor of plant physiology, leads a study supported by the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture that examines how nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium influence quinoa growth and yield. The goal is to develop fertilizer recommendations for Midwest growers.

He is also evaluating supplemental irrigation strategies to improve water use and quinoa production under Midwest growing conditions.

Beyond grain and leafy greens, quinoa's uses may extend to livestock feed. LU researchers are studying whether the whole plant could serve as forage when harvested during flowering, about 60 to 65 days after planting. The livestock portion of the research continues through a collaboration with Langston University in Oklahoma.

Mohan Acharya, Ph.D., state extension specialist with LU's Small Ruminant Program, told participants that quinoa's protein content, fiber levels and digestibility suggest the crop may offer forage quality comparable to alfalfa. Researchers are studying whether quinoa's tolerance for drought and other challenging growing conditions makes it a practical forage option.

Together, the field day presentations showed how a decade of LU research has advanced quinoa production and use, from selecting varieties and refining growing practices to exploring new food, forage and market opportunities.

Safiullah Pathan examines quinoa plants in a research plot during the 2026 Quinoa Field Day.

For more information on quinoa research, contact Safiullah Pathan at [email protected].

Photos by Lynne Holsapple. See full album here.

Additional Media Coverage

Jefferson City News Tribune: "Lincoln University provides education, tasty meals at Quinoa Field Day"

KRCG: "Lincoln University leads research on quinoa production in the Midwest"