Abstract
Dual-use production systems that utilize the green leaves as well as seeds from amaranth are highly promising for small-scale farmers around the world. The leaves are an important source of nutrients for farming families, while seeds can provide income. Farmers who use amaranth as a dual-use crop are concerned about the impacts of defoliation on seed yield. This experiment tested defoliation at various intensities and frequencies (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% defoliation, 1, 2, and 3 times) under controlled conditions as well as under Danish and Mexican field conditions. Defoliation tolerance was tested in a total of seven varieties, spanning the three primary grain amaranth species: A. cruentus, A. hypocondriacus, and A. caudatus. In all of the varieties and environments tested, we found that neither seed yield nor quality was impacted by a single defoliation event at intensities up to 50% leaf removal. We observed similar responses with two and three consecutive defoliations in which we removed 25% of all leaves. Greater frequency and intensity of defoliation resulted in reduced seed yield in some environments, while seed quality (protein content and 1000 KW) did not appear to be affected. Dual-use production systems should be promoted with small-scale farmers around the world as promising systems for improving local nutrition while maintaining profits from seed production. This paper provides baseline guidelines for farmers regarding optimal defoliation intensities and frequencies.
Highlights
Amaranth, a crop that once sustained empires but disappeared from cultivation for centuries, is emerging once again and showing great potential for food and nutritional security around the world (Das, 2016)
These results suggest that defoliation can boost both seed yield and vegetative biomass production under growth chamber conditions as long as defoliation occurs only once at any level, or multiple times up to a point
The results of this study build on previous defoliation research in amaranth to show that tolerance to defoliation is widespread across environments and cultivars of various origins of the three primary grain amaranth species A. cruentus, A. hypocondriacus, and A. caudatus
Summary
A crop that once sustained empires but disappeared from cultivation for centuries, is emerging once again and showing great potential for food and nutritional security around the world (Das, 2016). Due to its ability to be utilized both as a leafy green vegetable and as a grain, and its ability to grow in adverse conditions, amaranth can provide high quality nutrition in a wide array of contexts (Das, 2016). Due to its nutritional benefits, economic potential, and historical relevance to the region, organizations like Puente a la Salud Comunitaria have begun to promote amaranth cultivation in Oaxaca. Few farmers grow amaranth, but those who do receive high prices for the seed. As a result of efforts by non-profit organizations and due to the cultural relevance and high prices of grain amaranth, the number of amaranth growers is increasing annually
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