Row Spacing, Plant Population, and Cultivar Effects on Grain Amaranth in the Northern Great Plains

Abstract

An understanding of plant response to row spacing and plant density is important in developing effective production systems for new crops. Optimum row spacing and plant population for grain amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) production in the northern Great Plains was evaluated at Prosper and Williston, ND, over 6 station‐years. Amaranth cultivars K283, K343, K432, and MT‐3 were established at populations of 74 000, 173 000, and 272 000 plants ha−1 in 30‐ and 76‐cm row spacings. Grain and biomass yield, plant height, harvest index, harvested plant population, and plant lodging were measured. Grain yields were similar among plant populations at each of the drier environments, averaging 1050 and 410 kg ha−1 for Prosper in 1989 and Williston in 1990, respectively. A 12% yield advantage, 160 kg ha−1, was observed at the lowest compared with the highest plant population at Prosper in 1990, but not in 1992. The main effect of row spacing on grain yield was not significant; however, the interaction of row spacing, plant population, and environment indicated population yield ranking differences at the 30‐cm row spacing among environments but not at the 76‐cm row spacing. The two A. cruentus L. cultivars, K283 and MT‐3, generally produced more grain than the two A. hypochondriacus L. × A. hybridus L. cultivars, K343 and K432, especially in dry environments. When considering yield, plant mortality, and potential harvest difficulties, the moderate population (173000 plants ha−1), 76‐cm row spacing, and generally higher‐yielding A. cruentus cultivars would be recommended.

Yield and quality of grain amaranth (Amaranthus sp.) in Eastern Austria

“…However, no significant impacts on evaluated yield and quality traits could be noted. Similar grain yields of the tested density range correspond to the findings of other authors (Myers 1996, Henderson et al 2000. In contrast to other findings (Andrade andFerreiro 1996, Glowienke andKuhn 1998), the proximate analysis of tested grain did not reveal any plant density effects.…”

“…Guillen-Portal et al (1999) established grain amaranth in the wide range of 4-200 plants/m 2 on dry lands of Nebraska and achieved maximum yield at 47 plants/m 2 . Henderson et al (2000) found no yield response to populations between 7 and 27 plants/m 2 in Dakota. Neither did Myers (1996) with seeding rates from 0.28 to 4.40 kg/ha in Columbia.…”

“…Studies might be inconclusive because amaranth is able to compensate for different levels of plant population due to its plastic morphology. Moreover, the optimum density depends on site and variety (Henderson et al 2000). Little is known about the effect of crop density on quality parameters, but Aufhammer and Kübler (1998) suggested that rising interplant competition in dense stands might result in earlier vegetative drydown of the crops and more synchronous grain maturation thus enhancing biological quality standards.…”

Organic Production of Cash Cereals and Pseudocereals

“…Greenhouse experimental data in quinoa showed that optimal plant populations varies from 30 plants m -2 [58] to an optimal plant population of 140 plants m . From variable data we can stress that in A. cruentus cultivars would be recommended above 30-cm row spacing and populations of 74000 and 272000 plants ha -1 [40].…”

Effect of amaranth residues (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) on weed control and yield or radish, onion and carrot

“…Amaranth is used as an ornamental plant, as forage, and has potential use in the cosmetic industry (O'Brien and Price, 1983). Its cultivation is gaining importance in the USA (Henderson et al, 2000), and Canada (Gélinas and Seguin, 2008). In Mexico, amaranth crop is becoming important again, thanks to the preservation of its cultivation on a small scale by farmers, but its production has potential growth (Becerra, 2000) with a present area of 3,022 ha.…”