How to combine production and quality of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) in a context of climate change ?

Details

Supervisors

Quinet, Muriel

Faculty

Faculté des bioingénieurs

Degree label

Master [120] : bioingénieur en sciences agronomiques, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a pseudo-cereal valued for its nutrient-rich seeds that are used mainy in food and medicine. In recent years, interest in buckwheat has grown, particularly for its potential in sustainable agriculture and nutrition. Its ability to thrive in poor, acidic soils makes it an excellente alternative to staple crops when the environmental conditions are not favorable.Additionally, its impressive nutritional profile (high-quality proteins, essential minerals, and antioxidants) makes buckwheat a promising solution for addressing nutritional deficiencies.Despite these advantages, buckwheat cultivation remains relatively marginal and understudied, especially in Belgium, where it faces several challenges. A deeper understanding of this crop, its growing conditions, and optimal consumption methods is therefore essential.This thesis investigates the nutritional properties of common buckwheat in Belgium, comparing five varieties in two different soil types. The focus is on mineral and polyphenol content, aiming to explore the relationship between cultivation conditions and the nutritional composition of this non staple-crop. This thesis revealed notable trends consistent in some studies, but there were also some divergences concerning the effect of soil and variety on the nutritional profile of buckwheat. Moreover, particular seed states, such as sprouts, revealed a greater polyphenol and flavonoid concentrations, making them potential candidates for high-quality food products.However, given the limited research on this pseudo-cereal, several aspects remain to be explored, especially the bioavailability of nutrients in buckwheat potential food-products.