EVALUATION OF AMARANTHUS SP. AS A DUAL PURPOSE CROP, USING THE LEAVES AND GRAIN IN SOUTH AFRICA

A trial to investigate the potential of Amaranthus as a dual crop was executed at ARC-VOPI during the 1999-2000 season.
The need to develop alternative crops, and the potential of grain amaranth as an export and high value niche market crop, created the need to investigate the potential use of Amaranthus as a grain and vegetable crop (dual crop) in South Africa. Amaranthus cruentus was imported to be evaluated as grain species and to be compared to A. hypochondriacus as vegetable species.
The main objectives of the trial were to determine whether direct sowing could be possible in the field, to determine the optimal planting date(s) for the crop and to determine whether the crop can be utilized as a dual-purpose crop (leaves and grain). From the results obtained it was clear that the grain and vegetable species differed from each other.
Therefore, if the species could be utilized as a dual crop, where the leaves could be harvested without negatively influencing the grain yield, it could increase potential income that could be generated from growing of the crop as well as increasing food security in areas where access to nutritious food is problematic.
It is possible to recommend the crop as a dual-purpose crop for food security as well as for farmers who are producing it for their own consumption.

I International Conference on Indigenous Vegetables and Legumes. Prospectus for Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition

E. Van den Heever, S.L. Venter

Amaranthus hypochondriacus, A. cruentus, dual purpose, export, planting date, seed yield

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2007.752.58