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Amaranth Modern Prospects for an Ancient Crop (1984) / Chapter Skim
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'Research Needs'
Pages 48-54

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From page 48...
... Several features of their highly variable breeding system and overall reproductive biology provide ample choice of breeding methods. This huge gene pool will be very important to the future development of the crop.
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From page 49...
... Demonstration trials under farm conditions are also recommended. ETHNOBOTANY OF THE CROP Studies of the way people grow and use grain amaranths in Central and South America and the Himalayas, as well as those methods employed to grow and use vegetable amaranths elsewhere, could prove informative.
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From page 50...
... SOME SPECIFIC RESEARCH NEEDS GRAIN AMARANTH GROWING PRACTICES Amaranth cultivation and harvesting practices require several types of research. Many of the following items are site-specific.
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From page 51...
... . DEVELOPING GRAIN AMARANTH VARIETIES Breeding goals for grain amaranth include selection for: • Desirable growth characteristics such as reduced plant size, reduced sensitivity to photoperiod, synchronous flowering, early maturity, reduced lodging, uniform drydown, reduced shattering, increased seed size, and high yield; • Environmental adaptations such as drought tolerance, pest and disease resistance, herbicide tolerance, and efficient fertilizer utilization; and • Food quality such as white seeds, palatability, and high levels of protein and essential amino acids.
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From page 52...
... • Value of the grain and crop residues for ensilage and for direct feeding to livestock. GRAIN AMARANTH FOOD USES Important research needs in the use of amaranth grain include: • Basic characteristics of seed starch, protein, bran, germ, and oil; • Uses in products, including breakfast foods and weaning mixtures, as well as recipe development; • Nutritional testing in humans; • Amaranth's value as a wheat extender or a supplement for added nutritional value in traditional foods such as chapaties, tortillas, weaning foods, chicha, and arepas; • Use in infant foods; • Nutritional availability of minerals, vitamins, protein, and starch; • Amaranth's functional characteristics (viscosity, density, freezethaw stability, heat stability, emulsifying properties)
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From page 53...
... . ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS It is important to study the weediness of the most promising Amaranthus species and the likelihood of their becoming pests.
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From page 54...
... Amaranthus tricolor
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Key Terms

  • amaranthus spinosus
  • vegetable amaranths
  • disease resistance
  • amaranth research
  • amaranth varieties

  • amaranth cultivation
  • amaranthus hybridus
  • grain amaranths
  • food quality
  • adaptability trials

  • future development
  • supporting amaranth
  • amaranth taxonomy
  • amaranth species
  • amaranth adaptability

  • amaranth offers
  • amaranth include
  • amaranth processing
  • weedy amaranth
  • amaranth seed

  • amaranth pollen
  • ising amaranth
  • amaranth food
  • practices amaranth
  • germplasm amaranth

  • amaranth growing
  • amaranth grain
  • amaranth starch
  • breeding selections
  • seed companies


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