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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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Polycnemum5 Pfaffia4 Pandiaka3 Petrosimonia3 Ptilotus3 Neokochia2 Pupalia2 Microcnemum1 Microgynoecium1 Monolepis1 Nanophyton1 Nitrophila1 Noaea1 Nothosaerva1 Nucularia1 Ofaiston1 Osteocarpum1 Panderia1 Patellifolia1 Philoxerus1
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What the section contains

Mauritanian saltbush Atriplex mauritanica Meadow goosefoot Chenopodium pratericola Mexican goosefoot Chenopodium mexicanum Microcnemum Microcnemum 1 item Microgynoecium Microgynoecium 1 item Missouri goosefoot Chenopodium missouriense Monolepis Monolepis 1 item Mueller's Saltbush Atriplex muelleri Nanophyton Nanophyton 1 item Narrowleaf goosefoot Chenopodium leptophyllum Neokochia Neokochia 2 items Nitrophila Nitrophila 1 item Noaea Noaea 1 item Nothosaerva Nothosaerva 1 item Nucularia Nucularia 1 item Nuttall's saltbush Atriplex nuttallii Nyssanthes Nyssanthes Oblong-leaved orach Atriplex oblongifolia Ofaiston Ofaiston 1 item Oriental Bugseed Corispermum orientale Osteocarpum Osteocarpum 1 item Panderia Panderia 1 item Pandiaka Pandiaka 3 items Patellifolia Patellifolia 1 item Pedunculate saltbush Atriplex pedunculata Petrosimonia Petrosimonia 3 items Pfaffia Pfaffia 4 items Phillips' goosefoot Chenopodium phillipsianum Philoxerus Philoxerus 1 item Polycnemum Polycnemum 5 items Powell's amaranth Amaranthus powellii Probst's goosefoot Chenopodium probstii Psilotrichum Psilotrichum 1 item Psilotrichum schimperi Psilotrichum schimperi Psilotrichum scleranthum Psilotrichum scleranthum Psilotrichum sericeum Psilotrichum sericeum Ptilotus Ptilotus 3 items Ptilotus carinatus Ptilotus carinatus Ptilotus polystachyus Ptilotus polystachyus Pupalia Pupalia 2 items Redroot pigweed Amaranthus aspera Roxburgh's Amaranth Amaranthus roxburghianus Sagittate saltbush Atriplex sagittata Salicornia Salicornia 1 item Salicornia brachiata Salicornia brachiata Salicornia nitens Salicornia nitens Salicornia obscura Salicornia obscura Salicornia perennans Salicornia perennans Salicornia procumbens Salicornia procumbens Salicornia pusilla Salicornia pusilla Salicornia quinqueflora Salicornia quinqueflora Salicornia ramosissima Salicornia ramosissima Salicornia senegalensis Salicornia senegalensis Saline saltbush Chenopodium salinum Salsola acanthoclada Salsola acanthoclada Salsola acutifolia Salsola acutifolia Salsola aphylla Salsola aphylla Salsola baryosma Salsola baryosma Salsola boissieri Salsola boissieri Salsola collina Salsola collina

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.