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Amaranthaceae

Amaranth (Amaranthus) is a genus of herbaceous annual plants belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. This crop is classified as a pseudocereal, known for its high protein content, drought tolerance, and historical significance as a staple food in ancient civilizations.

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Maireana7 Gomphrena5 Iresine5 Goosefoot4 Hammada3 Hermbstaedtia3 Halopeplis2 Halothamnus2 Iresine2 Halimocnemis1 Halocnemum1 Halogeton1 Halostachys1 Hebanthe1 Indobanalia1 Kalidium1 Leucosphaera1 Lipandra1 Lithophila1 Maireana1
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Gmelin's saltbush Atriplex gmelinii Goat's-foot goosefoot Chenopodium hircinum Golden goosefoot Chenopodium auricomum Gomphrena Gomphrena L. 5 items Gomphrena affinis Gomphrena affinis Gomphrena canescens Gomphrena canescens Gomphrena diffusa Gomphrena diffusa Gomphrena dispersa Gomphrena dispersa Gomphrena filaginoides Gomphrena filaginoides Gomphrena hybrids Gomphrena hybrids Gomphrena officinalis Gomphrena officinalis Gomphrena perennis Gomphrena perennis Goosefoot Oxybasis 4 items Gossypeanthus Gossypeanthus Gregg's Amaranth Amaranthus greggii Grey saltbush Atriplex cinerea Grey saltbush Atriplex cana Guelder-leaved goosefoot Chenopodium opulifolium Guilleminea Guilleminea Guilleminea lanuginosa Guilleminea lanuginosa Gustafsson's saltbush Atriplex gustafssoniana Hairy sea-blite Bassia hirsuta Halimione Halimione Halimocnemis Halimocnemis 1 item Halocnemum Halocnemum 1 item Halogeton Halogeton 1 item Halogeton arachnoideus Halogeton arachnoideus Halogeton sativus Halogeton sativus Halopeplis Halopeplis 2 items Halostachys Halostachys 1 item Halothamnus Halothamnus 2 items Hammada Hammada 3 items Hebanthe Hebanthe 1 item Hermbstaedtia Hermbstaedtia 3 items Hoary goosefoot Chenopodium incanum Indian bassia Bassia indica Indobanalia Indobanalia 1 item Intermediate beet Beta intermedia Iresine Iresine P. Browne 2 items Iresine Iresine 5 items Kalidium Kalidium 1 item Kochia Kochia scoparia Kochia Kochia Lapland orache Atriplex lapponica Larch-leaved saltwort Salsola laricina Leucosphaera Leucosphaera 1 item Lindley's saltbush Atriplex lindleyi Lipandra Lipandra 1 item Lithophila Lithophila 1 item Long-beaked seed Corispermum elongatum Long-stalked orache Atriplex longipes Low Saltbush Atriplex holocarpa Madeiran beet Beta patula Maireana Maireana Moq. 1 item Maireana Maireana 7 items Malva saltbush Atriplex malvana Maple-leaved goosefoot Chenopodium acerifolium Maple-leaved goosefoot Chenopodium hybrids Marsh saltbush Atriplex paludosa Marshall's Bugseed Corispermum marschallii

Amaranthaceae

Originating from the Americas, amaranth has been cultivated for thousands of years. Today, it is grown globally in both tropical and temperate regions. Its ability to adapt to diverse climates makes it an increasingly popular choice for sustainable agriculture in various parts of the world.

Botanically, the plant features a robust taproot system, broad leaves, and a C4 photosynthetic pathway, which allows it to thrive in hot, high-light environments. The seeds are small and nutrient-dense, containing high levels of essential amino acids like lysine, which are often lacking in traditional cereal grains.

Regarding cultivation, amaranth requires warm soil for germination and full sun exposure for optimal growth. It performs best in well-drained loamy or sandy soils. Agronomic practices emphasize precise seeding depth to ensure uniform emergence, as well as critical weed management during the first few weeks of the crop's establishment.

The utilization of amaranth is highly diverse and continues to expand:

  • Food industry: Production of gluten-free flour, grains, and snacks.
  • Oil industry: Extraction of squalene-rich amaranth oil.
  • Animal feed: Using biomass as a nutritious forage for livestock.
  • Industry: Pharmaceutical and cosmetic production.

Common phytosanitary issues include fungal diseases like damping-off, white mold (Sclerotinia), and downy mildew. Key pests include amaranth weevils, aphids, and various lepidopteran larvae. Integrated pest management, proper crop rotation, and selecting resistant varieties are essential to minimize yield losses.