Abstract
Soil types and fertilizer regimes were evaluated on growth, yield, and quality of Amaranthus tricolor lines, IB (India Bengal), TW (Taiwan), BB (Bangladesh B), and BC (Bangladesh C) in developing management practices in Okinawa. Growth and yield of all amaranth lines were higher in gray soil (pH 8.4) than in dark red soil (pH 6.6) and red soil (pH 5.4). The combined NPK fertilizer resulted in highest growth parameters and yield of amaranths in all soils. Nitrogen fertilizer alone did not affect growth parameters and yield of amaranths in dark red and red soils. Growth parameters and yield increased similarly with the 30, 40, and 50 g m−2 of NPK fertilizer in BB line, and with the 20, 30, 40, and 50 g m−2 in BC line. Agronomic efficiency of NPK fertilizer at 50 g m−2 was not prominent on the amaranths, compared to the fertilizer at 40 g m−2. Amaranth lines had higher Na in dark red and red soils, while K and Mg in gray soil, Ca in gray and red soils, and Fe in dark red soil. The NPK fertilizer resulted in higher Na, Ca, Mg, and P in BB line in glasshouse. These minerals in BB line were not clearly affected, but in BC line were lower with NPK fertilizer at 20–50 g m−2 in field. These studies indicate that gray soil is best for amaranth cultivation and combined NPK fertilizer at 20–40 g m−2 is effective in gray soil in Okinawa for higher yield and minerals of amaranth.
Highlights
IntroductionYield, and quality of a plant species differ with soil types, soil nutrient status, and fertilizer management; and a plant species requires suitable soil for higher yield and better quality (Akamine et al, 2007; Chowdhury et al, 2008; Hossain & Ishimine, 2005; Hossain et al, 2011; Islam et al, 2011; Oya, 1972; Oya et al, 1977)
In Okinawa, some Amaranthus species are found as weed in various crops and vegetables in the major soil types, dark red soil, red soil, and gray soil, and summer vegetables are very limited in supply during this period (Hossain & Ishimine, 2005; Okinawa Prefecture Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 2008)
Higher N, K, P, and pH, and lower Na in gray soil were favorable for higher growth parameters and yield of amaranths, as compared to those in dark red soil and red soil
Summary
Yield, and quality of a plant species differ with soil types, soil nutrient status, and fertilizer management; and a plant species requires suitable soil for higher yield and better quality (Akamine et al, 2007; Chowdhury et al, 2008; Hossain & Ishimine, 2005; Hossain et al, 2011; Islam et al, 2011; Oya, 1972; Oya et al, 1977). Study on growth characteristics of a plant species in local soils is important to develop management practices for higher yield with good quality (Hossain & Ishimine, 2005). Yield per plant, total nutrient (minerals) per plant, and total L-ascorbic acid per plant of 12 amaranth lines cultivated under a management condition, and selected some high-yielding amaranth lines with high quality as summer vegetables in Okinawa (Ohshiro et al, in press). The objectives of these studies were to (i) identify the best soil type, and (ii) evaluate rates of fertilizer combinations on growth, yield, and quality of four selected amaranth lines for developing management practices in Okinawa
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
