Amaranthus (Amaranthus sp L.)
Amaranthaceae

Varieties

• Co 1 (Mulaikeerai and Thandukeerai)
  
• Co 2 (Mulaikeerai and Thandukeerai)
  
• Co 3 (Clipping)
  
• Co 4 (Grain)
  
• Co 5 (Mulaikeerai and Thandukeerai)

Co 1	Co 2		Co 3
Co 4		Co 5

Soil

Well drained loamy soils with slightly acidic nature and warm climate are suitable for amaranthus cultivation.

Season and sowing

Sowing can be done throughout the year.

Seed rate

2.5 kg/ha of seeds broadcasted evenly on the beds after mixing with 10 parts of sand.

Preparation of field

The field is prepared to a fine tilth and form beds of 2 x 1.5 m size. After germination thin the seedlings to have a spacing of 12 – 15 cm.

Irrigation

Irrigate before and after sowing and at weekly intervals after germination.

Application of fertilizers

Apply FYM 25 t/ha, Azospirillum 2 kg and Phosphobacteria 2 kg/ha, N 75 kg and K 25 kg/ha as basal dose.

Plant protection

Pests

Leaf eating caterpillar

 It can be controlled by spraying Carbaryl 50 WP @ 2 g/lit.

Diseases

Leaf spot

Carbendazim @ 1 g/l of water. Spraying sulphur compounds should be avoided.

Harvest and yield

Leafy types

25 days after sowing for Mulaikeerai (10 t/ha)
40 days after sowing for Thandukeerai (16 t/ha)

Clipping types
10 clippings at weekly intervals (30 t/ha)

Grain types
Co 4: 2.4 t grains/ha + 8 tonnes of tender greens.

Last Updated: April 2015