Comparative evaluation of liquid bio-inputs in compost-fertilized quinoa under inter-Andean valley conditions: beneficial microorganisms enhance yield and profitability

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Canaán Agrarian Experimental Station (INIA, Ayacucho, Peru) during the 2024–2025 growing season to compare the effects of three liquid bio-inputs—beneficial microorganisms (BM), effective microorganisms (EM), and biol—applied at 15 and 30% concentrations, on the yield and profitability of quinoa crops (Chenopodium quinoa Willd., cv. INIA 415–Pasankalla) fertilized with compost (6 t·ha⁻¹). Compost-only and unfertilised control treatments were also included. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with eight treatments and three replicates. The application of bio-inputs in combination with compost significantly increased aboveground dry biomass, with EM15% and BM15% showing the greatest increases (26.42 and 27.01%, respectively) compared with the control treatment. Regarding yield variables, BM30% achieved the highest values for panicle diameter (11.47 cm), panicle length (46.6 cm), grain weight per panicle (26.76 g), grain yield (2.06 t·ha⁻¹), and 1,000-seed weight (2.89 g). The lowest saponin content was recorded under BM30% (0.0001%), whereas BIOL15% and BIOL30% showed the highest values (14.25 and 14.27%, respectively). Economic analysis revealed that BM30% generated the highest net profit (S/11,047.89) and the greatest benefit-to-cost ratio (2.95). These results indicate that, under compost-based fertilization, the application of 30% BM outperformed EM and biol in enhancing both yield and economic profitability of quinoa cv. INIA 415–Pasankalla under inter-Andean valley conditions.