Abstract
ABSTRACT In Argentina there have been few evaluations of Andean pseudocereal plantings. This study explored the response of Amaranthus cruentus cv Mexicano to different plant densities under furrow irrigation in the lower valley of the river Negro, Patagonia, Argentina. The experimental design consisted of 3 blocks with randomized treatments (subplots), each one corresponding to different plant density. The treatments were sown in rows with spacing of 0.70 m (one row per ridge) and others with a spacing of 0.35 m (two rows per ridge). The plant densities evaluated were: 70,800 - 84,200 - 97,700 - 116,000 - 114,000 - 225,300 and 394,000 plants ha-1. Different biometric variables and their components were measured: plant height, number of leaves, biomass and economic yield. The results suggest that the optimum plant density was 116,000 plants ha-1 with a row spacing of 0.70 m. This density produces an adequate plant stand from which to harvest optimal biological and economical yields. The contributions of this study demonstrated the potential of the A. cruentus crop in the lower valley of the river Negro, representing the southernmost study of plant density made for this pseudocereal in the world.
Highlights
The Andean pseudocereal world production has been growing worldwide due to its nutritional properties
In the treatment with 97,700 plants ha-1 significant differences were found (p > 0.001) and the percentages of plant loss increased between 20-30%, which was due to the effect of intraspecific competition
The optimum density was 116,000 plants ha-1 with a row spacing of 0.70 m. This density allowed a suitable stand of plants from planting to harvest
Summary
The Andean pseudocereal world production has been growing worldwide due to its nutritional properties. The amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) stands out for its high percentage of protein (15-18%), lysine (5% on the dry basis) and the absence of gluten (Cassini & La Rocca, 2014). These characteristics indicate that amaranth is an important alternative crop for the future. In order to increase the grain production, it is necessary to know how plant density influences the biometric parameters associated with yields. The high potential yield of the amaranth has been highlighted in various areas where it was cultivated. Alhough plant density has been the subject of many amaranth studies (Robinson, 1986; Henderson et al, 2000; Torres et al, 2006; Gimplinger et al, 2008; García Pereyra et al, 2009), information regarding this crop in Argentina is still limited
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