HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Gélinas, B. Articles by Seguin, P. PubMed Articles by Gélinas, B. Articles by Seguin, P. Agricola Articles by Gélinas, B. Articles by Seguin, P. Related Collections Best Management Practices Turfgrass Grazing Management

NEW CROPS

Evaluation of Management Practices for Grain Amaranth Production in Eastern Canada

Dep. Plant Sci., McGill Univ., Macdonald Campus, 21111 Lakeshore Rd., Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada

^* Corresponding author (philippe.seguin{at}mcgill.ca).

Grain amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is a C4 dicotyledonous pseudocereal crop that was widely cultivated in pre-Columbian America. It was successfully introduced in many regions with contrasting environmental conditions. The introduction of grain amaranth in eastern Canada would represent an opportunity for diversification. A study was conducted to evaluate management practices for grain amaranth grown in this region. Three field experiments replicated in three environments were conducted to evaluate the following factors: (i) seeding date (mid-May, early-June, and mid-June) and cultivar (K432, K593, and Plainsman); (ii) row spacing (38, 58, and 76 cm) and seeding rate (1, 2, and 4 kg ha^–1), and (iii) N fertilization rate (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg N ha^–1) and cultivar (D136 and Plainsman). Seeding date affected grain yield in only one out of three environments, with the earlier date resulting in the highest yields. Cultivars differed in yield in only one of three environments, with Plainsman resulting in highest yields. Later seeding dates resulted in higher seed moisture at harvest in all environments. Seeding rate and row spacing did not affect grain yield, but row spacing affected grain moisture at harvest, with narrower rows resulting in grains with lower moisture content. Nitrogen fertilization increased yield and lodging in only one environment. Seed moisture and plant height were positively related to N fertilization in all environments. Cultivar D136 yielded more than Plainsman in 2005 and less in 2006. Therefore, grain amaranth production in eastern Canada seems possible, management practices having limited impact on grain yield, which averaged 923 kg ha^–1 across all experiments and environments.

All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Received for publication June 3, 2007.