Collection: AMARANTHUS

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Amaranthus is a resilient and highly versatile crop that belongs to the family Amaranthaceae. Historically, Amaranthus has been a staple food for ancient civilisations like the Aztecs and Incas, and today, Amaranthus is grown globally across tropical and subtropical regions. Amaranthus has gained significant attention for its nutritional benefits and adaptability to diverse growing conditions. The scientific name of Amaranthus is Amaranthus viridis, and it belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. Amaranthus is known by several names in India, such as Chaulai in Hindi, Thotakura in Telugu, etc.

Amaranthus is primarily cultivated for its leaves. Thotakura is rich in essential nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, calcium, and antioxidants. The ability of Amaranthus crop to tolerate drought and grow in low-nutrient soils enhances its suitability for cultivation even in marginal lands, thereby contributing to food security and nutritional enhancement.

Climate required for Amaranthus cultivation

Amaranthus grows well in warm climatic conditions. The optimum temperature range for the Thotakura crop is 25–35 degrees Celsius. The Thotakura crop is sensitive to frost and does not grow well in extremely cold areas. Amaranthus crop growth is stunted, and maturity is delayed at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. Different species of Thotakura have varying day length requirements and react differently to changes in photoperiod and temperature. 

The Thotakura crop thrives with moderate rainfall of 400–800 mm and can be grown under both rain-fed and irrigated conditions, depending on the local climate. However, waterlogging can lead to root rot, which can significantly affect the Amaranthus crop's growth.

Soil required for Amaranthus cultivation

The Amaranthus crop is highly adaptable to various soil types. However, Amaranthus grows well in well-drained loamy soils. The ideal pH for the Thotakura crop is 5.5 to 7.5. Soils with poor drainage are unsuited for the cultivation of Thotakura as the crop is sensitive to water logging.

Land preparation for Sowing Amaranthus Seeds

Land preparation for Amaranthus starts with deep ploughing to a depth of 15–20 cm, followed by harrowing to break up the soil clumps and levelling the field. This ensures the soil is well-aerated and fine enough to support healthy root growth. Keeping the field free of weeds at this stage is essential to reduce nutrient competition during the Thotakura plant's early growth. Adding 15–20 tonnes of well-decomposed FYM per hectare during the final ploughing helps improve the soil fertility.

Amaranthus Seeds and Propagation Material

Selection of an Amaranthus Variety: The Amaranthus variety should be selected based on various factors such as region, season, local market preferences, etc.

Procurement of Amaranthus Seeds:  It is important to purchase quality Amaranthus seeds. At DesiKheti, a wide range of high-quality Amaranthus seeds are available and can be delivered directly to farmers' doorsteps.

Amaranthus Seed Rate: A seed rate of 3 to 4 Kg per acre is recommended for Amaranthus. 

Amaranthus Seed Treatment: Seed treatment is essential to ensure healthy germination. Amaranthus seeds sold by private companies are generally treated with chemicals before sale. However, if the Amaranthus seeds are not treated with chemicals, they can be treated with fungicides like Thiram or Carbendazim at 2g per kg of Amaranthus seeds.

Time of Sowing Amaranthus Seeds

Amaranthus can be sown throughout the year. However, March to September are the best months to sow Amaranthus seeds. The exact sowing time of Amaranthus seeds varies based on the regional climatic conditions and the intended harvest.

Continuous sowing of Thotakura seeds can be done every 3-4 weeks throughout the growing season for leafy Thotakura. This ensures a regular supply of fresh Amaranthus greens. As Amaranthus is a short-duration crop, it can be harvested in 30-45 days.

Method of Sowing Amaranthus Seeds

Generally, Amaranthus seeds are sown directly. Beds of convenient sizes, such as 3m x 2m or 2m x 1.5m, can be prepared with irrigation channels running between every two rows. In areas prone to waterlogging, raised beds can be prepared to improve drainage. Sow the Thotakura seeds thinly and at a shallow depth of 0.5–1 cm, as the seeds are very small. To ensure even distribution, mix the Amaranthus seeds with fine sand or red soil before sowing.

For line sowing of Amaranthus seeds, leave a spacing of 20 cm between rows. In the case of grain amaranthus, the plants are thinned on the 25th day to maintain a spacing of 30 cm x 30 cm, allowing them to grow properly and produce flowers.

Nutrient Management for Amaranthus Farming

Amaranthus needs balanced nutrients for good yields. 100 kg of Nitrogen, 50 Kg of Phosphorus and 50 kg of Potassium are required for a hectare of land. Apply the entire quantity of Phosphorus and Potassium and 50% of the Nitrogen as a basal dose during the final ploughing. The remaining 50% of Nitrogen can be added as a top dressing about 20–25 days after sowing Amaranthus seeds to support healthy crop growth.

Irrigation Management in Amaranthus Farming

After sowing Amaranthus seeds, provide light irrigation to ensure proper germination. Following this, irrigate once every 3 to 7 days, depending on the soil and weather conditions. As Thotakura has shallow roots, it is more beneficial to give frequent light irrigations than heavy, infrequent irrigations. Over-watering can cause root diseases, so proper care should be taken during irrigation.

Weed Management in Amaranthus Farming

The first weeding can be done 15 to 20 days after sowing Thotakura seeds, with subsequent weedings every 30 days. It is important to keep the field free of weeds, particularly in the early stages of growth, to reduce competition for nutrients. Generally, Hand weeding is done to control weeds in Thotakura crops. Since the Amaranthus crop has shallow roots, care should be taken so as not to damage the plant roots during weeding.

Pest and Disease Management in Amaranthus Farming

Common Pests of Amaranthus

Amaranthus Leaf Eating Caterpillar (Hymenia recurvalis)

• The larvae initially feed on the outer layer of the Amaranthus leaves.
• As they grow, they begin to web the Thotakura leaves together and consume the green tissue inside.
• Over time, the webbed leaves lose their chlorophyll, and in severe infestations, the Amaranthus leaves may become completely skeletonized and dry out.

Amaranthus Stem Weevil (Hypolixus truncatulus)

• The grubs bore into the Amaranthus plant stem, causing a gall-like swelling.
• The affected Thotakura plant stem gets weak and may split longitudinally.
• This leads to the plant drying out and eventually wilting completely.
• While the adult pests feed on tender Thotakura leaves and stems, the damage they cause is not significant.

Common Diseases of Amaranthus

Leaf spot (Cercospora Spp.)

• Small, round to irregularly shaped spots appear on the Amaranthus leaves.
• In severe cases, the spots coalesce, forming large areas of dead tissue on the leaves.
• Affected Thotakura leaves may curl, wither, and eventually fall off.
• Reduced photosynthesis leads to stunted plant growth and lower yields.
• In some instances, the lesions may spread to the stems and other parts of the Amaranthus plant, further weakening it.

Harvesting of Amaranthus

Amaranthus will be ready for the first clipping or cutting 25 to 30 days after sowing Amaranthus seeds. Subsequent cuttings can be made at intervals of 6 to 10 days. Depending on the variety, climate, and farm management practices, Amaranthus typically yields around 6 to 10 cuttings.

Amaranthus Yield

The yield of amaranthus varies based on the variety and farm management practices. Generally, the average yield of amaranthus ranges from 10 to 16 tonnes per hectare. In the case of clipping types, the yield of amaranthus is around 30 tonnes per hectare.